Archive : Feature

I know it’s easy to remind people not to buy this or that, but the impulse is really difficult to resist. Because more often than not, it is more tempting to splurge on your wants when you have the money rather than to think on how to wisely spend your hard earned income. So I’m changing that style. As they say, if you can’t beat them, join them. Go ahead, BUY BUY BUY! But before you indulge read through the shopping list I’ve prepared for you. Then go ahead and enjoy your [...]

The web is a vast resource of knowledge that’s almost inexhaustible with information. And keeping abreast on what’s the latest whether online or offline, local or global, is just a click of the mouse away. But choosing where to get your information is another story. The fact is, there are millions of websites that are simply put, a waste of time. Here are 10 sites that I’ve listed and personally use which I believe you will also find useful. 1. Facebook Who could have ever thought [...]

Call centers in the Philippines, India or any other outsourcing destination bring a new breath of hope for a decent earning employment. And yes, I am one of those people who’ve been blessed to have worked for over three years in this thriving industry. But I left the call center completely and never looked back again. At first, I was hesitant to leave my job at Aegis People Support, one of the biggest call center here in Cebu City. With two growing kids in tow, a house rental to think, no [...]

I have been frequenting the LinkedIn oDesk group lately because I am monitoring a discussion that I’ve started regarding freelancing challenges. And I was surprised to see an entirely different look and feel of the groups section. For one, there is now a slide gallery of recent posts that were made, a bar with tabs where you can give a thumbs up, comment, like, pass or flag for a post. Plus a Hootsuite/Facebook like status update console where you can attach a link and provide more detail [...]

Life as a freelancer is not a bed of roses and you know that, I’m sure. It’s challenging. It’s sometimes disappointing and frustrating. And what better way to learn than to ask those who’ve been in the business, and have gone all through what we’re just starting to cross. So I started a group discussion in LinkedIn and asks: What Are Your Biggest Freelancing Challenges? Here’s what LinkedIn members has to say: Ashish Mishra • [...]

Have you planned on buying a brand new laptop but passed it on for next month’s goal because you didn’t get the expected amount? Let me guess, you were getting some good income lately like a regular job, but the exchange rates have been as erratic as woman’s fickle mind. Well don’t pull your hair off. I know that’s frustrating specially if you’re expecting it and have almost ironed out your budget. But chances are, a good exchange rate today, may not be as good [...]

Too much fantasy and sci-fi movies can sometimes rub off on us. I know superman is one of the favorites and he is certainly one of the most common roles many people want to play in their freelancing career. But who wouldn’t want to be superman? And who have not done a superman act before? Juggling 4 or 5 jobs, then taking even more even if it would mean a missed lunched or dinner, a 2hr sleep or just about anything that would mean sacrifice of personal comfort just to please the King Client, [...]

It’s hard to keep up with social media. Every single day, we get bombarded with new updates, new tools being launched and new [tweetmeme]versions being rolled out. But let’s just say that for the month of June, if we are going to pick the best of the best social media productivity and management tool, which would you pick and recommend? There are big contenders for this title and picking the best is definitely a difficult task. But let me share with you my personal pick from among Tweetdeck, [...]

My status as a home based online freelancer has brought me a new advocacy which i believe is most relevant as the world celebrates Father’s Day tomorrow. I don’t know if how many of you who are reading this blog are celebrating the occasion with your dad far across the other side of the planet, toiling overseas just to give your family a decent life. I’m sure you’ve heard countless times in TV or real life stories about the OFW saga and dreams of giving a good life to their [...]

Being too reliant on only one payment option has proven to have serious consequences.  And if you are working in oDesk, you know [tweetmeme]exactly what I mean. I’ve seen the forum filled with dismayed people, frustrated providers and helpless freelancers who couldn’t do anything about their payouts because they only use Paypal for payment transactions. Let’s face it, technology is not foolproof. Paypal, Moneybookers, Payoneer or whichever institution you are using, gives you [...]