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Have you ever felt the need of connecting or calling your with your friends at home while you are abroad? At some point, every expat has that feeling. And they know how important it is to maintain a phone number that serves as an important link to their friends and families abroad. For expats on a business mission, it is a top priority.

Enter: Voice Over IP (VoIP)

For expats moving to the Philippines, maintaining their phone number abroad and using it here is very well possible. Expats need not to change numbers, keeping a phone number at home (may it be from the U.S., Canada, or any other part of the globe) is made convenient through Voice over Internet Protocols (VoIP) service providers. VoIP Providers allow you to create an account where all local calls abroad can be forwarded to you right here in the Philippines.

Here are some to consider:

• Skype
• Vonage
• Broadvox Direct
• Maxemail

Getting any of this is very simple. All you have to do is get a reliable Internet connection, and you will be receiving messages from friends and workmates abroad without any hitch.

MagicJack For US and Canada

Aside from the common VoIP service providers, you can also make and receive calls from abroad via USB devices. For as low as $20 a year (rates are variable of course depending on the device provider), devices such as MagicJack allows the user to make unlimited calls to Canada and USA phones by simply hooking it up to a computer with an Internet connection.

Landline telephones can be plugged to the MagicJack, or you can also talk via a headset connected to your computer.

And here is another plus point: MagicJack users can also connect to other MagicJack users forming another network of MagicJack friends.

Other VoIP Services To Check

VoIP service providers do not only offer cheap and reliable services, they also offer versatile functions.

• Voice Mail Services. If you are the type who is always on the move or sometimes you are too occupied doing with things you don’t want to be bothered , this service is very convenient. You can have your caller drop you a voice message and retrieve it later on.
• Fax To File. Fax messages are specially useful to the business-savvy expats. And with the current VoIP providers, receiving fax messages while you are here in the Philippines will never be problem. The moment you receive a fax message, the VoIP provider instantly converts it to a file type (.pdf, .doc, .xls, .txt, .htm, .html, .gif, .jpg etc) that you can download, save, and read later on.

Of course not all VoIP services are created equal. That’s why they vary in their pricing and their target markets. The thing is, if these things are important to you while you are here in the Philippines, then choose a provider that offers such services.

Take note that these online options are still on their infancy. Expect a lot more features to be added as the technology matures. It would be better to check them one by one and compare the services they offer. Knowing what provides you the most services can spell the difference between convenience and a lot more savings.

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VoIP : Using Phone Numbers Abroad Here In The Philippines is written by Randolph Reserva.

Dealing with household chores can sometimes be an issue especially for a growing family. These chores may not only be tedious, they also eat a lot of time and energy which leaves you wondering “surely, I could have focused a lot of my time on work and play if not for these chores.”

The thing is, you surely aren’t the only one with the same sentiment. Across the Philippines, a multitude of families are also facing the same matter. No need to worry though, the solution is as simple as a phone call away.

Apart from direct hiring via the recommendation of a relative or close friend, agencies all over the Philippines can find you a maid in no time. This is very convenient for families who just moved in the country whose friends or relatives are far from the immediate vicinity.

Filipino workers in general are known for being warm, polite, industrious and trustworthy. Having a Filipino maid to help you with your household chores therefore is a sure way to ease up some time on your busy schedule.

Here are some tips to help you find one without any conceivable hassle:

1. Welcome To The Family. Remember that getting a maid is like having another extra member of the family. They don’t only work around the house; they also work with and for you, your spouse and your kids. They also spend a lot of time with you, so it is important to know a number of things about them first before hiring them.

2. Get Recommendations. Having a good friend or a relative recommend a maid to you can be the easiest way to acquire a credible one. Otherwise, get a trusted agency (be sure that the agency you’re transacting business with is duly accredited by government offices such as the Dept. of Labor and Employment).

3. Background Check. Before hiring a maid, make some background check via these agencies. Surely, these third party companies have the necessary documents such as police clearances, employment records etc. of the people you can hire for household help. If an agency (or the maid you are hiring per se) fails to present these important documents to you, move on and look for other agencies. You better be safe than sorry.

4. Money Talks Between You and The Maid. Paying these maids can happen in two ways: its either you pay the company a monthly fee, or you pay the maids directly. The payment can vary according to how much time you require them to work for you (there are maids that live with you and work full-time, while another option is to get one that works part-time, visiting you once in a while) and the chores they need to fulfill. Before hiring, make sure these terms are well discussed to avoid disagreements which sometimes lead to undesirable outcomes.

5. Make An Offer They Cannot Refuse. Make it a point to consider their benefits that protect them in case of emergencies.

6. They Are People, Not Slaves. Having a good maid also translates to a better atmosphere at home since they also contribute to a general sense of order and well-being. Treat them well and they will repay you with a lifetime of good service and kind companionship.

Davao 4 Expats Tips: If you are based in Davao and you are looking to hire household help or professionals, a good place to post them is the DavaoCityJobs.com Website. It is FREE to post there just be very detailed in describing your hiring opportunity.

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Maid In The Philippines is written by Randolph Reserva.