How Can Balikbayan Save Money When Traveling Philippines
Flying dwelling to the Philippines shortly? Looking forward to reuniting with your loved ones to celebrate the holidays?
As the excitement for your homecoming builds up, so is the stress that comes with all the preparations. With all the things balikbayans have to take care of before their trip back home, it's easy to forget those that really affair for that much-awaited holiday.
Keep these OFW and balikbayan tips in mind to brand the most out of your short stay in the Philippines during the holiday season.
Table of Contents
- 14 Balikbayan Tips for Returning Overseas Pinoys
- 1. Set a Reasonable Budget and Stick to It
- ii. Inform Only Your Loved Ones
- 3. Provide Accurate Details of Your Inflow
- 4. Volume an Airbnb Accommodation Instead of a Hotel Room
- 5. Don't Bring Prohibited, Expensive, and Unnecessary Items
- 5. Relieve Some Space in Your Luggage
- 7. Rethink Sending Balikbayan Boxes
- viii. Prepare a To-Exercise Listing for Your Balikbayan Itinerary
- 9. Avail of Benefits Under the Balikbayan Program
- 10. Get an OEC Online
- 11. Update your SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth Records
- 12. Review and Update Your Savings, Investments, and Insurance Policies
- 13. Say No When Necessary
- 14. Pamper Yourself
- Pre-Difference Checklist for Vacationing OFWs
- Vacation Essentials
- Travel Numberless and Organizers
- Travel Documents
- Final Thoughts
14 Balikbayan Tips for Returning Overseas Pinoys
1. Set a Reasonable Budget and Stick to It
You don't have to be unreasonably stingy when you're back abode. Later all, y'all've been working so difficult and fighting homesickness abroad to provide for your family unit. As a generous provider, you lot'd want to treat them to a g salo-salo, shopping spree, out-of-boondocks trip, or anything that volition make them happy.
Even so, it'southward still important to plan your expenses earlier you go dorsum dwelling house, so you won't overspend and get broke even before you return to your overseas employer.
To set your budget, list downward all expenses, such as for shopping, family unit getaways, and emergencies. So set aside coin for them and bring home only that amount.
2. Inform Only Your Loved Ones
Of class, relatives and friends you oasis't seen in a long time would be happy to know you'll be returning to the Philippines. But y'all don't take to mail service about it on social media before yous leave.
If everyone knows you'll be coming back dwelling, expect to be bombarded with invitations to parties here and there, as well every bit sponsorship and solicitation requests. And so people might get hurt when y'all plough them down.
To avert causing injure feelings, keep your homecoming as discreet as possible. Especially if you'll be on a short holiday, share the news only with your closest family unit and friends—those who are actually worth your time while on vacation.
If yous want to update anybody about your vacation on social media, do it when you lot've already left the country. You don't owe anyone an caption, but you may cull to explain a flake why you decided to proceed your homecoming a private thing.
3. Provide Accurate Details of Your Arrival
Unless you programme to surprise your loved ones, let them know the exact data regarding your inflow to the Philippines equally presently as you take it. This will give them enough time to gear up for your homecoming and choice you up at the correct time and location.
Don't forget to share these of import details before your trip:
- Engagement of inflow
- Name of airport and terminal number
- Airline and flight number
- Expected arrival time
- Estimated number of luggage and boxes you'll bring (and then your loved ones can arrange for a proper vehicle to pick you up)
4. Book an Airbnb Accommodation Instead of a Hotel Room
Airbnb has become a popular option among OFWs and balikbayans who are on a brusque vacation in the Philippines. It offers cheaper and more varied accommodations than hotels. You tin can rent a budget-friendly one-bedchamber or two-bedroom unit or fifty-fifty an entire business firm that tin accommodate the whole family.
5. Don't Bring Prohibited, Expensive, and Unnecessary Items
It's important to know which things y'all can't bring with you on your trip back domicile. Before yous start packing, check the list of prohibited items in the Philippines (1), which include weapons, explosives, and sharp objects.
As well, information technology's safe and practical not to bring expensive things like jewelry, loftier-end gadgets, branded numberless and clothes, and other luxury items.
To spare more space in your luggage, determine the items you can purchase cheap or get for free in the Philippines and thus will not bring. For example, towels and toiletries are usually available in the hotel or in the home yous'll be staying in.
5. Save Some Infinite in Your Luggage
While packing for your trip, make room in your luggage for gifts, souvenirs, and fifty-fifty Filipino snacks y'all'll exist bringing from the Philippines to your host country. Bring enough vacuum bags to maximize the space in your luggage.
7. Rethink Sending Balikbayan Boxes
Packing a balikbayan box (or repatriate box) with pasalubong for family unit and friends back habitation is a long-time Filipino tradition (2). It feels good to share the fruits of your labor with the people you're working hard for.
Practically speaking, though, buying gifts and sending balikbayan boxes can be plush. They usually take longer than a month to arrive, likewise. Likewise, declaring international goods at the Community can be such a hassle, not to mention that the items have to be handled carefully to prevent damage while you lot're traveling.
You can choose to give presents simply to a select few or not send balikbayan boxes at all, especially if you're trying to pack light and save money.
Consider bringing only a handful of gifts for your closest loved ones and packing them into your checked baggage (Exist sure non to exceed the airline'due south baggage allowance). And then purchase other pasalubong items at duty-free shops when you arrive at the airdrome.
At that place are other means to requite gifts to your loved ones, like sending greenbacks directly to the Philippines. International money transfers are cheaper, faster, and safer than balikbayan boxes.
Related article:LBC Express: Your Guide to Shipping and Other LBC Services
eight. Set a To-Do Listing for Your Balikbayan Itinerary
Brand a listing of the places yous desire to visit, dishes you want to try, people you want to see again, and all the activities you lot want to practise when you get back dwelling. Then send the listing before your arrival to the family unit member who's in accuse of preparing your homecoming itinerary. Ask to meet the schedule in advance, and so yous'll know what to expect.
Having your balikbayan itinerary ready before yous come back dwelling house ensures that you maximize your curt stay in the Philippines. Manage your expectations, though, equally you won't likely do everything on your wish list due to time constraints.
nine. Avail of Benefits Under the Balikbayan Program
Arriving balikbayans enjoy benefits under the Balikbayan Program (iii), including travel taxation exemption, visa-free entry to the Philippines for a year (for foreign passport holders), and duty-free shopping privileges (4).
Those perks utilise also to immediate family members (foreign passport holders) who are traveling to the Philippines with you. So accept advantage of the balikbayan privileges, particularly if you're married to a non-Filipino. To avail of the benefits, only present your valid passport if you're an OFW or onetime Philippine passport/NSO nascence certificate if you're a quondam Filipino citizen.
10. Become an OEC Online
Don't forget to secure an OEC before your scheduled return to your employer.
Getting an Overseas Employment Document (OEC) sounds similar a pain in the neck, what with the long queues at the POEA function. But that has become a thing of the past. OFWs can now do it online via the Balik Manggagawa Online Processing Organisation or BM Online. This saves not merely fourth dimension but besides coin on travel tax and terminal fee exemptions.
If y'all'll be staying in the Philippines for v days or less, yous tin get an OEC at the Labor Assistance Counter of the airport in Manila, Cebu, or Mindanao.
Read more:
- BM Online System: A Balik Manggagawa OFW's Guide
- Balik Manggagawa OEC Exemption: Step-by-Step Guide for Returning OFWs
11. Update your SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth Records
And so that you can avail of benefits from these authorities agencies without any hassle or complication, make time for visiting their offices to update your membership information equally an OFW. It's too a expert opportunity to check and update your SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth contributions.
12. Review and Update Your Savings, Investments, and Insurance Policies
Your vacation in the Philippines is the perfect fourth dimension to manage your finances and make certain they're in society. Cheque your bank accounts, investments, and insurance policies to encounter if they're withal active or if y'all need to update them or open new accounts.
Await for more investment opportunities to grow your money and prepare for retirement. There are proficient government-backed savings programs for OFWs like the Pag-IBIG MP2, SSS Flexi Fund, and PERA investment.
You may likewise nourish OFW training and seminars to improve your financial knowledge or acquire how to start a business. If you accept enough capital, y'all tin can utilise for a franchise business while y'all're on a vacation intermission, and let your family manage it when you lot're away.
Most importantly, don't leave without making sure you and your family have aplenty life insurance coverage. This volition requite you peace of mind knowing that your family is protected financially should any medical emergency happen.
13. Say No When Necessary
As an OFW, it's easy to get pressured when people ask you for gifts, pasalubongs, dole-outs, and whatnots. Some may even approach you to infringe money. Others would desire a piece of your fourth dimension by inviting you to reunions, drinking sessions, or whatsoever consequence.
Although information technology makes sense to accommodate several requests (as people don't get to meet you often), you don't have to requite in to every need. Know your limits—if people are stepping onto your boundaries, have the courage to say no.
Read more: How to Say No Graciously When You Tin can't Loan Money to Family and Friends
14. Pamper Yourself
Aye, yous deserve it! Don't forget to include some me-fourth dimension in your itinerary. Yous've been working abroad for the past couple of years. Why non take your vacation equally an opportunity to treat yourself to a massage, facial, spa treatment, or pilus makeover?
Lastly, don't forget to enjoy your time bonding with your loved ones!
Pre-Departure Checklist for Vacationing OFWs
Before you pack for your trip dorsum habitation, take the time to list downward everything you lot need to bring. It's easier to sort and organize your stuff that style.
Hither's an OFW travel checklist you can refer to before and while packing your bags, so y'all won't leave anything backside. Take these along with our balikbayan tips!
Holiday Essentials
- Cash (only enough for your entire stay)
- Calorie-free and comfortable dress (for the whole duration of your stay)
- Pasalubong for each of your closest family and friends
Travel Bags and Organizers
- Compression bags or vacuum bags – To proceed things organized and more compact in your suitcase
- Duffel bags – Actress storage for souvenirs from the Philippines
- Anti-theft purse or money belt – To avoid theft while shopping in Divisoria and other crowded areas
Travel Documents
Place your documents in an organizer or envelope for piece of cake access instead of putting them into your luggage. It'due south likewise a proficient idea to bring photocopies of your travel papers but in case the original copies go lost or damaged. But one of the many balikbayan tips you demand to keep in mind.
- Flight tickets or boarding pass (including a render ticket to your host state)
- Hotel booking confirmation receipt or voucher (if applicative)
- Unexpired passport (or a travel document for those without a valid passport but demand to travel to the Philippines due to an emergency due east.g., death in the family unit, medical reasons, legal reasons, etc.)
- Work visa or work permit
- Employment contract, employment certificate, or offer of employment
- Company ID
- Recent payslips
- OFW e-Carte du jour and/or whatever valid ID
- Seaman's Book (for sea-based OFWs)
- Immigrant visa or permanent resident card (for Filipino immigrants)
Read more: Thinking of Migrating to New Zealand, Canada, U.S., or Commonwealth of australia? Read This First!
Final Thoughts
Excited to come dorsum home? You deserve this vacation. Just make sure to take note of these balikbayan tips for a smooth and hassle-free trip to the Philippines.
Sources:
- (1) List of Prohibited Items (Department of Transportation and Communications)
- (2) Balikbayan boxes, a part of Filipino Tradition (Bonalos, 2015)
- (iii) Balikbayan Privileges (Bureau of Immigration)
- (4) Taxation-Free Privileges (Agency of Customs)
Venus is the Caput of Editorial Content at Moneymax, with 15+ years of feel in digital marketing, corporate communications, PR, and journalism. She invests in stocks, mutual funds, VUL, and Pag-IBIG MP2. Outside of work, she's crazy about cats and Korean dramas. Follow Venus on LinkedIn.
Source: https://www.moneymax.ph/personal-finance/articles/balikbayan-tips
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