Why Being a Breadwinner isn’t a ‘Piece of Cake’

If there’s one trait that might define the Filipino identity, it’s our loyalty and close ties to family.

As Filipinos, we take pride in looking out for the needs of our families and loved ones. It’s an obligation that arises not out of force but by habit, that sense of familial love inculcated to us at a young age. Perhaps, it’s no wonder that most Filipinos, even after marriage, extend this duty to help with the finances of aging parents or grandparents, a cash-strapped brother or sister, or a niece going to college.

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What’s harder is to become the sole breadwinner of a household. Being a single parent or the provincial eldest son or daughter solely working in the family, one is tasked to meet the needs of family members from food to education to daily living expenses.

Travails of Being a Breadwinner

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Investopedia, an American financial education website, defines a breadwinner as someone who contributes “the largest portion of household income, which generally covers most household expenses and financially support dependents.” To be considered a breadwinner, a person must have paid more than half of the total household bills, including rent, electric and water bills, insurance, property taxes, groceries, repairs and other common household expenses.

In other countries like the U.S., a breadwinner or head of household can benefit from a lower tax rate. Unfortunately, we don’t have the same mechanism in place in the country. Add to that burden: The Philippines has one of the highest income tax rates in the world.

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A breadwinner cannot, in all circumstances, quit work. One doesn’t have the luxury of leaving an unfavorable job in pursuit of a better career, unless one has a business or considerable savings in the bank to cushion the period of unemployment. Also, a breadwinner must be austere in spending and astute in financial management. Family’s needs matter more than his/her own; every peso should be all accounted for. Finally, breadwinners are staunch champions of the psychology of delayed gratification.

EastWest’s ‘Family Ties’ Support the Filipino Values

To help Filipinos who support their families, EastWest Bank (EWB) has launched “Family Ties,” a peso-checking account that will allow them to send funds to family members. Up to 5 cash cards can be allowed per household.

By enrolling in ‘Family Ties,’ an account owner can instantly transfer funds to family members via an online account, anytime and anywhere. Recipients can easily withdraw the money via an ATM, or use it as a debit card for cashless transactions.

This is especially useful during emergencies, or when it’s inconvenient to send cash due to distance from money transfer services. With EWB’s Family Ties, it’s safer and more convenient for Filipinos to distribute funds, with just a few clicks, whether on mobile or laptop.

Avail EWB’s Family Ties product and its hassle-free cash disbursement benefits for the whole household. Get a Family Ties account at the terms that match your financial capacity and needs.

Apply now here: www.eastwestbanker.com/familyties/2

INQUIRER.net BrandRoom/JPD