Buying a condo in the Philippines being an OFW. Big Mistake.

I came to the Philippines from Dubai for a one-month vacation in 2012. One day, while I was walking in a shopping mall, I was convinced to invest in a condominium unit that was being built at the time. I made a reservation fee of PHP 20,000 as a security deposit, and I agreed to pay PHP 10,000 per month for two years. 

 

I went back to Dubai, and after two years, I had completed the monthly payments. In 2015, I returned to the Philippines because the condominium was ready for occupancy. However, with the assistance of my real estate agent, I still needed to apply for a home financing loan from a bank. At the time, my annual salary was not sufficient to meet the bank's lending limits, so my application was not approved. 

Because of this, I decided not to continue with the purchase of the condominium unit. I did not feel any hard feelings, and I returned to Dubai. The real estate company gave me back 50% of my deposit, which was equivalent to the PHP 10,000 monthly payments that I had made over two years.

The money that they returned to me was what I used to pay for the expenses of going to Australia, such as gathering documents, applying for a visa, and other related costs. I also used it to travel to Europe and Southeast Asia. If I had pursued buying the house, I probably would not have been able to go to Australia and would have had to stay in Dubai to work and pay for the house for 25 years.

Some reason to move and live in Cronulla, A beautiful beach's suburb of Sydney.

Cronulla is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located 26 kilometres south of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Sutherland Shire.

Cronulla is a popular tourist destination, known for its beaches, surf breaks, and coastal bushwalks. The suburb has a long stretch of sand that runs from Boat Harbour to North Cronulla, followed by rock pools and another sandy beach at South Cronulla. The beaches of Cronulla from north to south are:

• Boat Harbour
• Greenhills Beach
• Wanda Beach
• Elouera Beach
• North Cronulla Beach
• Cronulla Beach
• Blackwoods Beach
• Shelly Beach
• Oak Park

In addition to its beaches, Cronulla also has a number of other attractions, including:

• The Cronulla Pavilion, a historic building that houses a cafe, restaurant, and shops
• The Cronulla Surf Life Saving Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious surf clubs in Australia
• The Cronulla Rock Pools, a series of natural rock pools that are popular for swimming and snorkeling
• The Cronulla Foreshore, a long stretch of parkland that offers stunning views of the ocean
• The Royal National Park, a large national park that is home to a variety of bushwalks, beaches, and waterfalls

Cronulla is a vibrant and thriving suburb with a lot to offer visitors and residents alike. It is a great place to relax on the beach, go surfing, or explore the natural beauty of the area.

Here are some reasons why Cronulla is so popular:

• It is a beautiful beachside suburb with stunning views of the ocean.
• It has a variety of beaches to choose from, each with its own unique character.
• It is a great place to go surfing, with waves suitable for both beginners and experienced surfers.
• It has a vibrant and active community, with a wide range of shops, restaurants, and bars.
• It is located just 26 kilometres south of Sydney, making it a convenient day trip destination.

If you are looking for a beautiful, relaxed, and vibrant beachside suburb to visit or live in, then Cronulla is a great option.

NSW Fair Trading made the shop refund my money.

A few months ago I went to 4WD Supacentre to browse products and to get ideas for my van conversion.  I spoke to the staff about the car battery on display and ask how it is possibly going to work on my van.  I have a few ideas but wasn't totally sure.  I said I would like to have a battery system to run lights, exhaust, and charges my electronics, especially my laptop. I also said that I want to have a solar panel to put on top of my van.  The staff explained and I was satisfied and end up getting a complete set with a 120-ah battery, blanket solar panel, a solar panel charger, and a power inverter. 

I unboxed everything and was all good except the solar panel which is not waterproof which means I can't put it on the roof of the van.  I decided to go back to the shop but they said they don't refund on an open box.  I was upset and decided to leave it to the manager and he put it inside their office/warehouse then I spoke to another staff and bought the correct solar panel. 

I call their customer service but they say the same that they don't refund for an opened box.  I even explained that the manager has the solar panel. 

I decided to send an email to my credit card company but they said I was aware of the purchase and it is legitimate. I then send an email to NSW Fair Trading, sent some proof of purchase, and an incident letter. And after several months I got a refund.  

To get a refund for purchase in NSW, you can follow these steps:

1. Contact the business where you made the purchase. You can do this by phone, email, or in person.
2. Explain why you are requesting a refund. Be sure to have your proof of purchase ready, such as a receipt or a credit card statement.
3. The business may ask you to return the product to them. If so, be sure to do so in a timely manner.
4. The business will then issue you a refund. This may take a few days, so be patient.

If the business refuses to give you a refund, you can contact the NSW Fair Trading for help. You can do this by phone, email, or in person.

Here are some additional tips for getting a refund in NSW:

• Be polite and respectful when you contact the business. Even if you are unhappy with the product or service, it is important to be polite to the person you are speaking to. This will make them more likely to help you.
• Be prepared to provide proof of purchase. This will help the business to verify that you are entitled to a refund.
• Be patient. It may take a few days for the business to issue you a refund.

If you are still having trouble getting a refund, you can contact the NSW Fair Trading for help. They can mediate between you and the business to try to resolve the issue.

Things to do in Oberon

Oberon is a charming and historic destination in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, Australia. The town is located at an elevation of 1,113 meters (3,648 feet) above sea level, and it is surrounded by stunning scenery, including the Blue Mountains, the Jenolan Caves, and the Abercrombie River National Park.

Oberon Town Centre is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. The main street, Oberon Street, is lined with charming shops selling everything from souvenirs to locally-made crafts. There are also a number of restaurants in the town center, serving everything from traditional Australian fare to international cuisine.

Blue Mountain to Oberon

Some of the most popular attractions in Oberon Town Centre include:

• Mayfield Garden: This award-winning garden is one of the largest privately-owned cool climate gardens in Australia. The garden features a variety of plants and flowers, as well as a number of sculptures and fountains.
• Jenolan Caves: These world-famous caves are located just a short drive from Oberon. The caves are home to a variety of stunning formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and columns.
• Abercrombie River National Park: This park is home to a variety of bushwalking trails, camping grounds, and swimming spots. The park is also a popular destination for fishing and canoeing.

Oberon Town Centre Bike Ride

In addition to its many attractions, Oberon Town Centre is also a great place to simply relax and enjoy the scenery. The town is surrounded by rolling hills and forests, and there are a number of parks and gardens where you can enjoy a picnic or take a stroll.

If you are looking for a charming and historic destination with a variety of things to see and do, Oberon Town Centre is a great choice.

Here are some additional tips for planning your visit to Oberon Town Centre:

• The best time to visit Oberon is during the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the flowers are in bloom.
• Oberon is a popular destination for day trips from Sydney, which is about a 3-hour drive away.
• If you are planning on staying overnight in Oberon, there are a variety of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts to choose from.
• Oberon is a great place to explore on foot or by bike. The town is also well-served by public transportation, so you can easily get around without a car.
• Be sure to try some of the local produce, such as apples, pears, and cherries. Oberon is also home to a number of wineries, so you can enjoy a glass of wine while you relax in the town square.

My journey to Australian Citizenship

If you're thinking about moving to Australia, or if you're already here and you want to become a citizen, then this video is for you.

There are a few requirements that you need to meet in order to apply for Australian citizenship. You must:

• Be a permanent resident of Australia
• Have lived in Australia for at least four years (two years if you're married to an Australian citizen)
• Be able to speak, read, write, and understand basic English
• Have a basic knowledge of Australian history, society, and government
• Be of good character

If you meet all of these requirements, then you can apply for Australian citizenship. The application process is fairly straightforward. You'll need to fill out an application form, provide some documentation, and pass a citizenship test.

The citizenship test is multiple choice, and it covers a variety of topics, such as Australian history, government, and society. You need to get at least 75% of the questions correct in order to pass the test.

If you pass the citizenship test, then you'll be invited to a citizenship ceremony. At the ceremony, you'll take an oath of allegiance to Australia, and you'll be officially granted Australian citizenship.

Becoming an Australian citizen is a great way to show your commitment to this country. It also comes with a number of benefits, such as the right to vote, the right to hold a passport, and the right to live and work in Australia permanently.

If you're interested in becoming an Australian citizen, then I encourage you to start the application process today. It's a great way to build a better future for yourself and your family.

Thanks for watching my vlog. I hope you found it helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below. And be sure to subscribe to my channel for more videos about living in Australia.

If you're interested in learning more about Australian citizenship, then I recommend visiting the Department of Home Affairs website. You can find more information about the requirements, the application process, and the citizenship test on the website.