Seminar Review: Business 101 by Marco Victoria and others

My husband and I attended this seminar last Saturday. Our primary reason is to be guided by the "PROs" in improving the business that I just recently started and the business that we plan to start next year.

Attending this seminar is one of the best things that we did before the end of the year. There will be more even though there are only few days before the year ends because we believe that successful people have a bias for action and we want to be one of them. Why plan for success at the beginning of the year when you can do it before the year ends and start immediately on DAY1 of 2014.

By the way, one of the reason that we attended this seminar is to support the cause of the organizer of this event which is SHARE MOVEMENT.

Shown below are the points that I learned and noted and will take into action.

From Marco (PART1)
1. Business is for Everybody
2. Before going into business... Find your business "WHY"
3. Attitude and Mindset of Entrepreneur
 a. Aggressive Action
   = Aggressive + Action Doer
   = Look out for needs and Demands of People
   = Don't just look at the present.. look at the future. (Example based on the recent Yolanda Tragedy. Think of the Ice Plant instead of Body Bag).
 b. JUST DO IT.
   = The enemy of Action is FEAR.
 c. NEVER GIVE UP
   = People will doubt you but just keep on moving and never give up.
 d. BE OPTIMISTIC
   = Set Target. Set Goal. WRITE IT.
   = " I can do it, I don't know when but I CAN DO IT.
 e. WATCHFUL of OPPORTUNITIES
   = Opportunities are always under your Nose. If your head is always up, you will not see it.
   = Be careful of MLM, ensure that products will continue to be there in the future. (See 3.a)
   = Be careful of getting a Franchise, ensure that the franchise you're investing in has a GOOD SUPPORT System.
 f. RESOURCEFULNESS
   = Enemy of Overhead
   = Keep on Asking to Get the Best Deal.
 g. HUMILITY
   = Find a Business Mentor
   = Having a mentor is not easy. It is hard but it will teach you humility.
4. OVERCOME FEAR else you'll be
  a. Scared to Risk
  b. Lazy to Start
5. The primary difference between rich people and poor people is how they handle fear. ~ Robert Kiyosaki


From Pauline C. Pontiano 
1. Discover your PASSION
 - You think of it 24/7
 - Will work for Passion
 - Go Overtime without pay
 - You Live, Breathe amd Become it.
2. Use our God-Given Gift
 - It is something that He has planted in our heart to make people feel His Love.



From Sha Nacino (Discovering your Life Purpose
1. Passion is something that you do that when you start doing it, it will be hard for you to stop.
2. SERVE FIRST then MONEY will FOLLOW.
3. Purpose and PASSION can be interchanged. They should be connected.
 a. You Love to do
 b. You Do Best
 c. Gives Value to Others
 *** "A" and "B" should be the same, else it will be a disaster. :)
4. How to Discover Your Life Purpose
 a. Mindset: Serve 1st, money will follow
 b. TAKE the 1st STEP, the Next Step will UNFOLD.
   ** Create a Notebook/Idea Bank. Write your Idea before you forget about it. Then let your subconscious work on it.
 c. CARRY ON. PERSEVERE - believe in yourself.
5. Make your PASSION your PROFESSION
 > This will increase your Happiness and Productivity.
6. FRUITS of PURSUING YOUR PURPOSE
 a. Happiness
 b. Inspiration
 c. Meaning
7. In Him as your Business Partner, what is there you can't achieve.


From Molly Baylon
1. Every Dream comes from wound/pain.
2. Use your pain wisely.
3. Invest in yourself.
4. Know the difference between "Inggit and Pangarap" (Envy vs. Dream/Wish)
5. Too much happiness can make you blind.
6. Pain can open our eyes to Opportunities.

From Marco (Part 2)
1. Initial Business Investment
 a. Time
 b. Talent
 c. Treasure
 *** If you lack in one thing, use what you have to gain the one you lack. (ex, if you're not good in math/accounting (talent), use your treasure to hire an accountant.
2. Know that WHAT,HOW,WHY of your Business.
 WHAT - Product/Service
 HOW - PROMISE
 WHY - PURPOSE (This will drive you)
3. Also Know the WHO, WHERE, WHAT VALUE and WHY2
 WHO - your market (demographic)
 WHERE - your market (geographic)
 WHAT - value do you give your market
 WHY - reason they will buy from you compared to your competitor.
    ** Have a USP (Unique Selling Proposition)
4. Write what you want.
5. The Story of the Moso Bamboo
 - Be patient when you see/feel that your business is not growing. This may be the season where you are growing your roots longer and deeper. Use this season to build your network and yourself. Invest in yourself.
6. EVERY ENTREPRENEUR OWES THE NEXT GENERATION A BLUEPRINT OF HOW TO DO IT AGAIN.



Indeed, it was a great seminar. We exceeded the time but the attendees didn't mind and stayed even until the seminar ends. I already heard/read some of the information before but it is more empowering to hear if from those who is already walking their talk. We learned from their mistakes. We also learned techniques and new ways to improve my new business.

The Seminar is a must for those who are already into business and also to those who are still to start a business. It will help them start right.

I will highly recommend this seminar!!!

In Summary:
Price: Php 500 only (Knowing that all proceeds of the seminar will be donated to Joseph Feeding Mission make it priceless. Also, kudos to the speakers who selflessly shared their experiences for free. May God bless your business more.)
Seminar Content: Super Check
Recommended: Super Check

Think Rich Pinoy Wealth Seminar Last March 17,2012

The Last Think Rich Pinoy Wealth Seminar was held is the Citisec Training Room 24th Floor East Tower Tektite Building last March 17,2012.

Yours truly was invited to be one of the speakers. Other Speakers aside from Larry Gamboa were:


1. Bro. Alvin Barcelona
* Feast Builder of Light of Jesus Community.
* Rock-Preacher
* Enterprenuer. Owns a School and other mico businesses.


2. Jay Castillo
* Owner of www.foreclosurephilippines.com
* Real Estate Investor and Licensed Real Estate Broker



3. Aya Laraya
* Realtor
* Writer
* TV Host
* Certified Securities Representative
* Certified Investment Company Representative

3. Marivic Salva-Angeles
* Real Estate Investor
* Licensed Real Estate Broker
* President of Happy Homes Realty
* Marketing Consultant of Think Rich Pinoy Realty

4. Grace Lucker
* Interior Designer
* Handy Woman
* Owner of Urban Dweller Management Creative Solutions



5. Eden Alemania-Dayrit
* Chemical Engineer turned into a successful Real Estate Investor.
* Bought, Renovated, Leased and Sold more than 28 Real Estate Properties.


6. Ronald Cagape
* Real Estate Investor
* Licensed Real Estate Broker
* Resident Cashflow Game Master of the TRP Wealth Seminar
* Publisher of www.livingcashflow101.com and www.smalldealblueprint.com


Each Speaker discussed different topics related to Real Estate.

Bro. Alvin was the first speaker. He discussed the Theology of Money. It sets the mood and mindset of the attendees on the purpose of wealth. He also discussed the strategy he used in acquiring the real estate property where his school is now operating which is the FIND > FUND > FIX > KEEP strategy.

Sir Larry Gamboa was the second speaker. He talked about how he got into real estate and how everyone can be a MAVEN or Expert in REAL ESTATE. He said that ACTION Brings CLARITY. We need to act to get things together.

I was the 3rd Speaker. I related Stock Market and Real Estate. I mentioned why we need to invest in both vehicles. I compared the two side by side based on nine criteria. I also discussed WHAT strategy I used, WHY and HOW I DO IT as shown below.

The fourth speaker was Jay Castillo. His topic is doing the numbers in Real Estate. He gave a CASE STUDY and also showed how to compute the ROI in real life as shown below:

Next was Aya Laraya. He discussed more about Building Wealth in the Stock Market and Citisec's EIP Program which is the better way to go in the stock market than doing market timing.

Maves Angeles was the next speaker. She discussed the Five Ways to Prosper in Real Estate as shown below.

Grace Lucker spoke after Maves and discussed how to stage and rehab an ugly property. She mentioned that a real estate investor shouldn't be afraid to buy ugly houses because it is easy to make them pretty. She also showed pictures of some of her great projects. She also mentioned that looking for a great property, we need to look for the Triple D:

Eden Dayrit spoke next to Grace. She shared her background and how she got into real estate. She mentioned that she went into hiatus for a year to work on some important matter but now that it everything is running smoothly again, she will be back into real estate investing. It was noted that even though Eden went into hiatus for a year, she was able to get by because of the passive income she's getting from her previous real estate investments.

The last part of the Seminar is the Cashlow Board Game which was spearheaded by Ronald Cagape. All the attendees enjoyed the game. I was blessed to be one of the facilitators and also learn strategies from the players. Ronald also announced the launching of his new site (www.SmallDealBlueprint.com).

Without being biased, I can say that the attendees were happy after the seminar based on their written feedback. Being a servant in the TRP seminar for the past few months changed my life. Every now and then, I learned new things. I attended the TRP Seminar May of 2010. It's been almost two years and I am still learning by serving. Every seminar is different not only because of the topics discussed but also because of the people I meet and knowing that in one way or the other we learned from each other. It also gave me a feeling of fulfillment knowing that I was able to be part of the TRP vision of creating millions of Filipinos by 2020. I also want to quote Sir Larry on what he said during the TRP Mastery Academy that " Experts are students first, servant always".

I hope to see you in the Next TRP seminar on June 02,2012. I am not sure if I will be invited to talk again but I am sure that I will still be there to serve by facilitating in the Cashflow Board Game.

May our Dreams Come True!

Book Review: The Turtle Always Wins by Bo Sanchez

Book Review: The Turtle Always Wins
(How to Make Millions in he Stock Market) 
Author: Bo Sanchez

Last March 18,2012 after The Feast in PICC, Bro. Bo Sanchez launched his new book about Investing in the Stock Market. It is a follow-up of his book " My Maids invest in the Stock Market".

As you can read from my previous posts, I am also promoting Investing in the Stock Market.The moment I got hold of the book, I couldn't let it off my hands. I started reading it while in the car and finished it at home.

It was a such a great book. I am happy that there are now books available in bookstores discussing Investing in the Stock Market in Layman's Term. The words and stories used by Bo made Investing in the Stock Market simple and understandable.

The book discussed the need to invest and compared the different people found in the Stock Market. Bro. Bo compared them to 4 different animals such as a squirrel, rabbit, sloth and a turtle.

Chapter 1 of the Book (Plant in the Spring or Beg in the Fall) was successful in setting up the mood to convince Filipinos to invest for our retirement. Bo narrated the story of two grandmothers who had different strategies on handling money during their younger years and how it affected their old age.

Lola Penny was a CPA who worked in a company for 38 years. She saved for big expenses but failed to save for her retirement. She relied on her company's retirement package. After retiring, she got 3M. She was not good in handling it so after 7 years, it was totally wiped out. She started depending on her children who also had problems financially. She even heard her daughter complaining to her "kuya" about the money she spent for their mother's medicines. This one really broke her heart.

On the other hand, Lola Pilar worked as a cashier in a music store for 19 years. She got a separation fee of P2000 which she invested in the stock market in 1966. She also put add'l money in the stock market whenever she had extra. She and her husband only invest in giant companies. They sold portions of the investment little by little for big expenses. At age 85, she withdraw everything and got an oozing P 1.2M. She became a millionaire through the stock market.

Bro. Bo emphasized that God gave us a choice and ability to create wealth. If we retire in poverty, it is not God's fault.

In chapter 2, Bro. Bo said that we can be rich. But it would be better if we can take others along to richness. If we follow the turtle strategy, it is not impossible for us to get rich.

Bro. Bo compared Investing in the stock Market with a RACE. The four different People in the Stock Market are the Animal Runners.

In the Story, the Turtle won first place. The Rabbit got the 2nd place. The sloth was 3rd while the squirrel was a no show. No one really knows what happened to him. Some say, he got lost and was killed by a bear.


Squirrel is the Typical Trader. 

It represents the newbie who gets into the stock market without understanding what he's getting into. It also represents the old-timer in the stock market. He earns some and loses some. It represents the 85% of people who get into the stock market and lose their money.

They want excitement. They look at their stock portfolio everyday. They buy now and sell a few days later or something within the day. They don't follow the rules and try to take a lot of shortcuts.  They are the typical gamblers

Some of them are devious. They fool other traders. They tell their friends to buy a certain hot stock, and when the price goes up, they'll sell and leave their friends an empty bag.

These typical traders can get lost in their trading and get killed by a bear market.


Rabbit is the Trained Trader.

Rabbits are also traders but trained. Trading is their full-time job. They follow very strict rules like:
1. They don't buy penny stocks. Only Giants.
2. They don't put more than 5% of their money in a specific stocks.
3. They never end a trading day with more than 30% of their money in the stock market to avoid surprises. They are still conservative.

Some rabbits break rules once in a while. Temptation is high on the floor. And because of these they only won second place. Because they lose part on their earnings along the way.


Sloth is the Typical Investor.

Sloth is a typical investor who buys and hold. He parks his money in a stock market and forget about it. Usually it's a huge amount of money. One time, Big Time.

According to Bro. Bo, it is a good strategy but not the best. It is recommended but with few conditions mentioned below:
1. You need to have a big chunk of money.
2. You need to buy a basket of great companies that you believe will be great for the next 20 years.
3. You have to buy when the market is down or flat.
4. You got to reinvest the dividends.


Turtle is the Trained Investor.


A Turtle investor does the most boring investment strategy in the world. He invests small amounts of money each month in great companies. He doesn't care is the market is up or down. He invests regularly and puts more money when the market is down.

Their goal is to earn 12% to 20% each year over a 20 year period.


HOW the TURTLE Beats the SLOTH?
- by reinvesting the dividends. Call it compounding.

HOW the TURTLE Beats the RABBIT?
- Rabbits will always be partially invested. Turtles are almost always invested. He can take advantage of the compounding effect.

HOW to FOLLOW the TURTLE?

1. Turtle lives below its means.
- Your expense should grow slower than your income.

2. Turtle builds his farm before his home.
- Secure your livelihood before your lifestyle.
- Establish your income stream before your expense stream.
- The perfect time to invest is when your money is still very scarce.

3. Turtle Invests his windfalls
- Aside from the regular habit of investing 20% of your income, also invest windfalls like bonuses, commissions, cash gifts and profits from side businesses.

4. Turtle Invests when its difficult to invest.
- Build wealth when everyone is afraid.
- Invest even if there are crisis.

5. Turtle Works in Cash Machines, Not Stocks
- You can't invest in the stock market if you don't have a cashflow.
- Spend 99% of your time on your business. Create your cashflow. Increase and Multiply it.
- Then spend 1% of your time investing that cashflow in the stock market.

6. Turtle Believes He'll Win
- You need Wealth Competence but more importantly Wealth Consciousness.
- Mind first then Reality.
         LAW#1 You will gravitate towards what you unconsciously desire.
         LAW#2 What you can see, you can create. What you cannot see, you cannot create.


The TURTLE has a name. We call him SAM.
SAM is an acronym for Strategic Averaging Method.
It is semi-passive investing
SAM is passive investing with a little bit of "cheating" or "timing".


Five Rules of Passive Investing
1. Invest monthly for 20 years or more.
2. Invest even when there's a crisis.
3. Invest only in giants.
4. Invest in many giants.
5. Buy when the price is beneath our "Buy Below Price". Sell when the price is near our "Target Price"


Three Big Advantages of SAM
1. Faster Giants - Lesser Choices
2. Lower Prices - Buying at cheaper price. Make money when you buy. This prevents chasing a rising stocks.
3. Secured Profits - Lock your profits from a company that gone up and reinvest the proceeds to another company that has still room to grow.


At the end of the book, Bro. Bo invited the readers to become a member of the Truly Rich Club to maximize your earning potential in the stock market. Truly Rich Club Members gets Bro. Bo's Stock Update eReport, Wealth Strategies Newsletter and Stock Alerts.

I am a member of the Truly Rich Club for 2 years now. And it was all worth it. The membership fee I pay monthly is very little compared to the profits and gain I got following Bro. Bo Stock Alerts. I do believe (like the Turtle) that We Can Win if we follow these Rules mentioned in the Book.



I highly recommend this book!!!

In Summary:
Price: Php 225 only (got mine for only Php200 during the book launch)
Content: Super Check
Recommended: Super Check

Book Review: Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker

I've already been hearing about T. Harv Eker from the seminars I have attended and maybe people I have meet but never really took attention on him. However, few days after finishing the book "Ang Pera na hindi Bitin", I went  to a bookstore looking for another book to read and chanced upon this book of T. Harv Eker. I got curious about the Title and bought it together with another book on Warren Buffet.

I am very glad that I bought this book. It was awakening and very comprehensive. It was divided into 4 parts namely:

a. "Who the Heck is T. Harv Eker and Why Should I Read this Book?"

b. PART ONE: Your Money Blueprint

c. PART TWO: The Wealth Files

d. "So What the Heck Do I Do Now?"

At first, I thought that I gonna be bored reading this book because of the long chapters. But it never happened to me. A had a lot of realization while reading it.

Harv discussed our Money Blueprint, where it came from and how it affects our thoughts, action and attitude towards Money. He also mentioned steps and ways on how can we change our money blueprint for the better. 

He also used some mathematical equations which are:

1. T > F > A = R

Thoughts Leads to Fear

Fear Leads to Action

Action Leads to Result

2. CZ = WZ

Comfort Zone equals Wealth Zone. By expanding your comfort zone, you will expand your income and wealth zone.

On part Two of the Book, Harv discussed the Seventeen (17) Ways Rich People Think Differently from Poor and Middle Class People which are:

1.  Rich people believe “I create my own life”.  Poor people believe “Life happens to me.”

2.  Rich people play the money game to win.  Poor people play the money game not to lose.

3.  Rich people are committed to being rich.  Poor people want to be rich.

4.  Rich people think big.  Poor people think small.

5.  Rich people focus on opportunities.  Poor people focus on obstacles.

6.  Rich people admire other rich and successful people.  Poor people resent rich and successful people.

7.  Rich people associate with positive, successful people.  Poor people associate with negative or unsuccessful people.

8.  Rich people are willing to promote themselves and their value.  Poor people think negatively about selling and promotion.

9.   Rich people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems.

10. Rich people are excellent receivers.  Poor people are poor receivers.

11. Rich people choose to get paid based on results.  Poor people choose to get paid based on their time.

12. Rich people think “both”.  Poor people think “either/or”.

13. Rich people focus on their net worth.  Poor people focus on their working income.

14. Rich people manage their money well.  Poor people mismanage their money well.

15. Rich people have their money work hard for them.  Poor people work hard for their money.

16. Rich people act in spite of fear.  Poor people let fear stop them.

17. Rich people constantly learn and grow.  Poor people think they already know.

I agree on all of these ways. I haven't mastered all of them but trying my best to correct my thinking. And put into practice all the things I learned because according to Harv, by doing so, we can quickly move to a higher level of life. 

We also need to understand the order to success for the Rich which is:

BE > DO > HAVE ~ If I become a successful person, I will be able to do what I need to do to have what I want, including a lot of Money. 

I believe that this book must be part of the first books for Financial Literacy because Harv was really successful in bringing out the root cause of our money problems and how can we effectively correct it.

Harv also mentioned some of the great investments we can focus on like Stocks and Real Estate. He even mentioned "Don't Wait to Buy Real Estate. Buy Real Estate and Wait".

Aside from the Rich Ways, there are also parts in the book where we make declarations which are listed below:

Place your hand on your heart and say the following declarations…

“My inner world creates my outer world.”

“ What I heard about money isn’t necessarily true. I choose to adopt new ways of thinking that support my happiness and success.”

“What I modeled around money was their way. I choose my way.”

“ I release my nonsupportive money experiences from the past and create a new and rich future.”

“I observe my thoughts and entertain only those that empower me.”

“I create the exact level of my financial success!”

“My goal is to become a millionaire and more!”

“I commit to being rich.”

“I think big! I choose to help thousands and thousands of people!”

“I promote my value to others with passion and enthusiasm.”

“ I am an excellent receiver. I am open and willing to receive massive amounts of money into my life.”

“I choose to get paid based on my results.”

“I always think ‘both.’ ”

“I focus on building my net worth!”

“I am an excellent money manager.”

“My money works hard for me and makes me more and more money.”

“I am committed to constantly learning and growing.”

Touch your head and say… “I have a millionaire mind!”

Harv believes that these declarations are powerful but this would not give us any result until we ACT. Talk is cheap. Our Action is the one that will count.

I highly recommend this book!!!

In Summary:
Price: Php 335 only in NBS
Content: Check
Recommended: Super Check

Parents are Responsible for their Children

As I was reading the Bible this morning, this verse caught my attention.

2 Corinthians 12: 14-15
 "Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less?"

My reflection on this is we, parents, are responsible for the needs of our children. We need to provide their needs and not oblige them to provide for us when we are old. We need to prepare everything for our retirement so as not to burden them. Because by the time we are old, they will be responsible for their own children.

Book Review: Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin by Eduardo O. Roberto, Jr.

I first heard about this book from the TRP Mastery Academy that I attended to last February 1 and 2. Sir Larry Gamboa used this book as an example of how to target your audience. I got curious about the book but I forgot about it after the seminar.

However, last Friday after a meeting and while waiting for my husband, I decided to go inside National Bookstore. I was trying to look for a book on Warren Buffet when I saw this book on the "Bestseller" Section. I remembered that it was the book that Sir Larry mentioned during our seminar. I didn't think twice of buying it and even got surprised seeing that it is only Php50.

I started reading it the night I bought it and finished the day after. It was a great book from cover to cover. The author was very effective of referencing Bible verses on his every topic. The way the author discussed each strategy on money management was simple and can easily be grasped by ordinary people.

These strategies are:

1. Save – Use the “Automatic Millionaire” savings system. This blog post might also help explain it. He also made this quote:

"Ang taong ipon ng ipon, pera nya'y di lilipad na parang ibon."

This is true because the basic and first step to financial freedom is the art of "Saving".

2. Give – Give to the Lord. He doesn’t need our Money. We have a “Rich and Generous Dad”. But He wants us to do this to help us. The more we empty ourselves, the more blessings he can pour unto us.

3. Get out of Debt and Stop Borrowing – The Borrower is a Slave of the Lender. Set a goal of getting out of debt and never borrow again.

4. Live Simply – Living a simple life can help you get out of debt and help you to save more.  It pays to be frugal. And always remember to “PRAY before you PAY". He discussed in the book why we need to do so.

5. Work Hard and be an Entrepreneur – Develop and Monetize our God given talents.

6. Invest – The best to secure your future is through investments. But he noted that we need to “INVESTigate Before we INVEST. Don’t fall for the “Get Rich Quick” schemes. You can check mutual funds, the stock market, etc.

7. Educate Yourself – Invest in yourself. Attend seminars, read books, etc. “If you think Financial Intelligence is Expensive, TRY Ignorance”.

These strategies when followed will indeed be a very effective way of making our PISO not to be BITIN.

The book is short yet comprehensive, simple and straight to the point which will never bore the readers. The comic illustrations were also effective on bringing humor to the strategies recommended. It was also written  in “Taglish” which made it successful in delivering his message to his target readers.

Another thing I liked about the book was the page where it listed down their Book Recommendations. Some of them I have already read but most will be on my "To Read" List.

In Summary:

Price: Check

Content: Check

Recommended: Super Checck

The Philippines is On the Verge of a Major Economic Boom

This is according to the special report published by Wealth Daily. They said that the Philippines booming economy has greater investment potential than China 10 years ago and it is currently on the Sweet Spot, take off stage or the critical point where fortunes can and will be made.

Also, according to them, the Philippines got what it need for this boom to really escalate: natural resources and solid relationship with foreign companies wanting to mine.

This is good news for all of us Filipinos. This means that there's still hope for the Philippines. It may not take some time but we are going there. We just need to be patient and do our best to be part of this development. We can contribute in our own little way. We can start by these "12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country by Alex "Pinoy" Lacson".

1. Follow traffic rules. Follow the law.

2. Whenever you buy or pay for anything, always ask for an official receipt.

3. Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy local. Buy Filipino.

4. When you talk to others, especially foreigners, speak positively about us and our country.

5. Respect your traffic officer, policeman and soldier.

6. Do not litter. Dispose your garbage properly. Segregate. Recycle. Conserve.

7. Support your church.

8. During elections, do your solemn duty.

9. Pay your employees well.

10. Pay your taxes.

11. Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

12. Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.


PS:
Today is the right Time. Invest in the Philippines through the Stock Market or other investment vehicles. But I am biased to Stock Market. I'll discuss why on my next posts. >;p

Boo-Boo # 1: Investment in LBC Bank

I blogged about this good investment find in 2008. It is about the Time Deposit offered by LBC bank. I did my research and was convinced to put some investment in this bank. Then, I forget about it.

However, Q4 of 2011, I learned about the closing of  LBC bank. Oh no!!! What have I done?! It was my first time and I didn't know what to do. I was also busy with other stuffs and forgot about it. I just decided to file my claim early this year as part of my new year's plan.

I realized, it was not that bad after all. My money still earned an interest of 16% for the 3 years it was with them. Thanks to PDIC, I still have a chance of recovering our Investment.


Lessons Learned:

1. Do your own due diligence in investing your hard earned money.
I did mine but I think it was not enough. ;)

2. Stay away with Mañana Habit. 
When a bank closes, file your claim as soon as possible to be included in the 1st release of claims. I was a month delayed in claiming. Depositors in my area was already able to claim their investment by the time I was only filing for mine.

3. Fail Quickly and Try Again.
My failure didn't stopped me. It just made me wiser. Actually, I am already excited to get my claim and invest it in the stock market. As per Bo Sanchez's  advise to the Truly Rich Club Members, "The Philippines Will be One of the Best Performing Stock Markets in the World". And I wanna be part of it. :)

Let's Keep Investing!!!

From DIwK to SIwK

Just to update my status based on this post, from DIwK (Double Income with Kid) we are now slightly SIwK (Single Income with Kid). I say "slightly" because I am still receiving an income. It is not a regular one but it is now based on commission.

Since when?
A year and a half ago.


Why?
Change of priorities and Passion.


Any Major Change in our Financials?
Not much. God is so gracious to us!

Overall Status?
We are still doing good in terms of investments and planning for the future. It is still a long Journey but I know we will get there by his grace and mercy. And I know I will see you all there. ;)

My PISO Dream and Journey Continues...

I haven't update this blog for quite a while. I don't have an intention of abandoning it but some things changed in my life which also changed the manner I update this blog. My personal struggles and stories will be shared in this blog soon. I know you can relate to my stories.

So what made me post again?! We'll I didn't realized I wanted to be an author until I meet this person who inspired me and made me realize that I have the skills in Stock Market Investing that I can hone and use to help other people. Thus, I am striving really hard to improve this skill.  Part of the plan is to regularly update this blog. It can by about the stock market, real estate, funds, interesting investment or  anything that we could relate to "PISO".

Join my in my Journey and let's enjoy the ride and learn from each other. ;)

Blessings!!! :)

To our Financial Freedom and Beyond!

Now is the Best Time YOU Sponsor A Child

My purpose is not to boast about the things I do on the side. However, if I can only inspire others to help other people then I believe all of us can create a good place to live in.

Anyway, I received this email from World Vision today. A CALL for sponsor. You might have some extras that you can share. Sponsoring a child to school would only cost P600/month or equivalent to 20/day. This is even cheaper than a Mcdo Sundae a day.

Just click the image to know more.

Truly Rich Financial Coaching Seminar

Hubby and I attended the Truly Rich Financial Coaching Seminar Last February 19-20 which is 3 months after we attended the Truly Rich Seminar. I really wanted to attend both seminars but I was hesitant to inform hubby because the coaching seminar is quite expensive. Never thought that he would also be interested in attending. Unfortunately, the coaching seminar was already fully booked during the Truly Rich Seminar. I just ensured that we get to register in the next coaching seminar.

The seminar, like Bo Sanchez mentioned, is a buffet of choices for investments. We learned about:

1. Stock Market (EIP of Citisec Online)
2. Mutual Funds
3. X-curve
4. Secrets of Businessmen
5. Real Estate Investing
6. Internet Marketing

Things that I have noted are:
1. Time is GOLD. I should have not delayed the training but it's never too late.
2. Don't be a Procrastinator.
3. Communication is the Key.
-Small Minds talk about people
-Medium Mind talk about events.
-Big Minds talk about ideas.
4. Poverty is in the Mind.
" The Moment that you think you are POOR, is the time you become POOR".
5. Give the Best even at Worst.
6. You can decide to have a GOOD day.
7. Open your eyes to opportunity.
8. A good business plan is bankable.
9. Find a business partner by chemistry not by $$$.
10. Whatever Happens, TRUST GOD.
11. If you are a generous giver, you can claim.
12. SECRET of the RICH (Passive Income > Monthly Expenses)
13. To become successful, you need to stretch out of your comfort Zone.
14. The RICH is not the 1 who has the most but the 1 who needs the least.
15. No matter how much you increase your income, maintain your lifestyle.
16. Prosperity Plan - Plan while it is EASY.
17. Financial Disaster - Starting to Plan when the problem is already there.
18. INSURANCE is like renting. HOUSE is like savings.
19. Don't mess with your CASHFLOW.
20. Don't go Mingle company and personal funds.
21. Always be closing.
22. Your SPARE TIME is the BEST TIME to BUILD your WEALTH.

After the seminar, we both think that the money we paid for the seminar is all worth it.
1. We're able to listen to the CEOs of good companies.
2.We learned a lot of new things.
** There are things that we're doing before about the stock market that were wrong.
3. We heard a lot of inspirational talk. They also shared their mistakes that could help us avoid them.

We recommend this seminar to everyone. Trust us, it's worth every cent. If only I can turn back the clock, we'll attend this training years earlier.

Goals for 2010 (REVB)

Hubby and I attended Bo Sanchez's Truly Rich Financial Coaching Seminar 2 weeks ago and we can say that it's all worth every cent. We'll be posting our realizations and lessons learned on a separate blog entry. For the meantime, see below for some revisions we made on our REVA Goals.

1. Maintain the # of Coop Share deduction for our Emergency Fund.
REVB
a. Reduce # of Coop Share Reduction for our planned monthly investments.
b. Withdraw a portion of our Coop shares for investments and business.

2. Create other Sources of Income thru business.
- Tshirt Printing. Need to attend TRC Training (FEB or MARCH) - Backlogged.
- Personalized item/Scrapbooking Need to know how to promote/ Advertise
- Food Business Add to 2011 Goal
Additional to our list:
- Study Real Estate Investing
- Milk Retailing - started last week. Goal is to get our daughter's milk for free.
- Check for our opportunities.

3.Attend Bo Sanchez Group's Seminars
- Truly Rich Financial Coaching - Couple - DONE!
- Investing in Real Estate - Hubby
- Internet Marketing- Me

4. Minimize our Expenses - No Change
- Limit Lunch out during weekdays
- Utilities- follow tipid tips for water, electricity
- Limit consumables by having a weekly plan the dishes to cook and create a schedule for laundry and ironing of clothes.

5. Additional Investments - Complete Re-write
- Mutual fund (40% of our Coop Withdrawal)
** 35% for our Retirement
** 5% for our Daughter's Educ Plan
- Stocks (35% of our Coop Withdrawal))
Where are the other 30%?
- 10% - Tithe
- 10% - Milk Retailing Business
- 5% - 3rd Year Payment of our VUL.

6. Insurances
- Renew our Fire Insurance - Broker tbd.
- Update Beneficiaries
- Check/Revew - Life insurance
- Get an Educuational Plan for our daughter - converted to MF investment.
- Get a Retirement Plan - will not pursue. Will get our Retirement funds from the investments today.

Goals for 2010 (revA)

Hubby and I set our 2010 goals 2 days before year 2009 ended but was not able to blog it. It was the RevA. After the seminar we have attended last week, we come up to our REVB. Let me show you 1st our REVA:

1. Maintain the # of Coop Share deduction for our Emergency Fund.

2. Create Other Sources of Income thru business.
- Tshirt Printing - Need to attend TRC Training (FEB or MARCH)
-. Personalized items/Scrapbooking - Need to know how to promote/ Advertise
- Food Business - Add to 2011 Goal

3.Attend Bo Sanchez Group's Seminars
- Coaching - Couple
- Real Estate - Hubby
- Internet - Me

4. Minimize our Expenses
- Limit Lunch outs during weekdays
- Utilities- follow tipid tips for water and electricity.
- Limit consumables by having a weekly plan for the dishes to cook and create a schedule for laundry and ironing of clothes"

5. Additional Investments
- 25k mutual fund (will be from our Midyear Bonuses)
- 20k Top-up for VUL (from our Coop Dividends)
- 100k for bonds if there would be offerings (will withdraw some shares from coop)
- Stocks (Amount:TBD)

6. Insurances
- Renew our Fire Insurance - might get from Philam again. BDO proposal is not as good as Philam.
- Update Beneficiaries
- Check/Review getting a Life insurance
- Get an Educuational Plan for our daughter
- Get a Retirement Plan
* Contact our new Agent and sched a meeting.

Attended " How to be Truly Rich Seminar"

Last Saturday, hubby and I attended this seminar conducted by Bo Sanchez. It is a good seminar especially to those who are just starting on financial literacy. He discussed some things that we already know but we still learned a lot from him. We are planning to attend other seminars or trainings like this in the near future and be on track again on our Journey to Financial Freedom.

2009 Goals - 2nd Quarter Review

Whew. Looking at my 1st quarter review, I didn't make any progress. I need to get back on track. Hopefully, I 'll have a positive review next quarter.

Goals for 2009

We scored good last 2008. We hope that we can make it better this year. So far here are our goals for this year:

1.After giving birth, transfer part of USD savings from BDO regular savings to PS Bank or China Bank TD.
2. Current EF is at 25%. By the end of the year, it should be more than 50%.
3. Transfer part of our EF to either BPI Direct TD or China Bank TD (whichever have the higher interest).
4. Invest in Mutual Fund (PAMI and/or Phil EQ)
5. Increase investments in Philippine Stock Market.
6. Renew our insurances.
7. Get a HS and/or College Plan for our soon to arrive Baby or just increase our investments.
8. Keep our Company Stocks (Grants and ESPP) intact and wait for the up turn.

2008 Performance Chart

I had been religiously tracking our finances since year 2008 started. So far here is our track record. I didn't include the Gross Asset because I am more concern on the Net Asset. This is being updated bi-monthly after receiving our salary.
Our investment portfolio is somehow diversified but the proposed division by Money Smart is not yet online. The fluctuations were mostly caused by the Global crisis because we are working in an American company. We have some benefits that are given in USD. This is also the reason why sometimes I get torn by the foreign exchange changes.

Anyway, we are forecasting that there will be a big deduction of our net asset early next year because I'll be giving birth that time. The good thing is we are prepared. We just need to replenish the "loss" after that.

By the way, I am a visual person and this chart can show me how good or bad are we doing. I just don't know it this will also work for other people but it might be worth a try.

From DINK to DIwK

Before I started this blog, hubby and I are DINK couple (Double Income No Kids). We've been DINK for 3 years. We've been praying for a baby after a year of marriage but it was not given to us.

As the saying goes, GOOD things happen to those who wait. This is exactly what happened to us. GOD is GOOD. He puts everything into place. We received a big blessing by end of May. We confirmed that I was pregnant 1st week of June. We're able to close our Housing Loan by mid July because of the blessing we received in May.

Everything just fell into place. Thanks to Him!

And now that some things will change because of the addition in our family, we will need to be Money Smarter. We need to plan for everything like:
1. Budget - need to add the baby necessities like diapers and Milk
2. Insurances
3. Educ Plans
4. Health plans

I know the list will go on and on. But we need to be ready. Planning plus action is still the best defense for emergencies and crisis.