Saturday, August 22, 2015

The Three Options In Life







Late last night, I was talking with my husband. I was telling him that I've been feeling odd for the past three days -- I was burping more often than usual, I always feel the need to burp, I feel bloated, and I have been constipated. Being a medical doctor, he told me to have an X-ray ASAP. With the sense of urgency in his tone, he sounded worried. And being the woman that I am, who has undergone two cesarian sections and an exploratory laparotomy, I began to think. Although the situation that I may be in may not be major, but the what ifs crossed my mind.


What if I die too soon?
 
And on the contrary, what if I live too long?


I want to live for as long as I could -- go places, support and encourage my kids as they grow up, take care of grandchildren, and grow old with my dear husband -- but I know that God can call me home anytime. With this in mind, I immediately organized my receipts for reimbursement and liquidation at work. I also filled up another insurance/investment policy, and reviewed my other issued insurance policies.

Last night, this is what I realized. There are three options in life: 1. Enjoy now, sacrifice later; 2. Sacrifice now, enjoy later; and 3. Enjoy now, enjoy later. I'm choosing the third option.

 
Enjoy now, Enjoy later
 
 
 
At the start of 2014, I told myself I will be frugal this year. I will not travel (although it is one of my favourite things to do) if not for free. I work in sales and we are rewarded with incentive trips, so this is possible. I will save as much as I could so I could invest it all for the future.
 
But then I realized, there is more to life than investing for the future. I must also invest in the present. With this, I am not referring to latest gadgets or trendy clothes. But deeper, and more meaningful than that -- which is time for myself, time for my family and time for others.

In 2014, I failed to keep my word when I said that I will not travel. I went to Bohol in June, and went back in October for the same reason -- volunteer work. I joined World Vision's Volunteer Caravan in Visayas TWICE. And I must say, it was my most meaningful expense that year.

With my fellow volunteers, we helped in building houses (read: masonry work) for the earthquake-stricken residents in Maribojoc and visited schools teaching the kids about health and hygiene. When asked about their experiences during the earthquake, one child shared that he lost his mother that day. As tragic as it is, strong faith in God and hope for better things to come was evident in his eyes. He could still smile inspite of what had happened.

Right there and then I realized that I was truly blessed. And I told myself that the least I can do was to share these blessings even with people who can never repay me.

This is one fulfilling way of enjoying today -- giving more of yourself in the service of others -- and it has been very rewarding. 
 

Final Word

 
We spend so much time and energy at work to receive that monthly pay check. We get into business for additional income. We learn how to grow our money and make it work for us. We aim in getting out of the rat race and become financially free. And then we ask ourselves, what for?

My answer? To earn as much as I can so that I can give as much as I can, today and in the future.

Be very blessed!


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Knowledge Eliminates Fear


http://www.flickr.com/photos/46944516@N00/60017667

"I am not afraid of storms. For I am learning to sail my ship." - Louisa May Alcott.

Last week, I was talking to a new friend about stock market investing. She was pretty much convinced that it is better to put her hard-earned money in the stock market and allow it to grow over time instead of settling for the measly interest that the bank offers.

When I followed up on her last night, asking if she had opened her account with COL Financial, the leading online stockbroker in the Philippines today, she told me that she still has her hesitation to invest because of fear.

This is where the Truly Rich Club comes in. It teaches you what you need to know.

Back in 2013, I reached my rock bottom moment when I was so stressed with bills to pay coming in every month. I was employed with a decent salary, but I was basically living payday after payday. I had no savings, no investments, and I was down with debt. I had a negative net worth.  Financially, I was lost.

I believe it was by God's grace that I stumbled upon Bo Sanchez' Truly Rich Club on the internet. It taught me what I needed to know and I was able to give my life, not only financial, an overhaul. The club equipped me with the knowledge that eliminated my fears. And this is where my financial journey took its first step.

Risks = Returns


Many people think that investing in the stock market is risky. Unfortunately, that is the only risk they know of.

Well, guess what? Starting a new business is risky. Keeping a day job is risky. Putting your money in banks is risky. Even merely driving to work or crossing the street is risky.

Warren Buffet says, "Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing."

The way to eliminate risk, or at least minimize it, is to increase knowledge.

I read books on financials during my free time. I attend seminars on financial education every now and then. I enrolled on an online mentoring course on how to start and maintain this blog. I am a member of the Truly Rich Club to be mentored by the experts on stock market and entrepreneurship.

Knowledge dismisses fear. I am confident that I am doing things the right way because I am backed up with the learning and experience of experts in fields that I am getting into now. 

This is also similar to saying never invest in something you do not understand. A couple of months ago, a friend asked me if I wanted to invest money in a company that he recently invested in. I asked my friend what is the nature of the business, how long has it been running, and what will they do with my money just in case I also invest in them. He could not give me sure answers. That was a red flag. I am sure you do not want to see your hard-earned money simply go down the drain. 

For example, the stock market is something that we have no control of. I encourage you to seek a mentor who is an expert and has studied and devoted his life in studying how the stock market works. Same for business, real estate, etc.

My Journey in Stock Market Investing


It was in 2013 when I started learning about the stock market. Over time, I realized that it is not as complicated as we thought it to be. I have learned that our thinking that the stock market is only for the rich or that we need to be in front of our computers the whole time were just misconceptions.

You may ask, "Really?"

Yes, really. I began investing in the stock market directly with Php5,000. The need to open my COL portfolio is when I am going to buy or sell shares, which happens at least twice a month. It does not take so much of my time that I can actually do this while on queue at the expressway toll exit.

Yes, it is that easy, and have been very rewarding, too.

When I see GREEN (which means GAIN) that is 6% and above, I feel happy. I knew that my money has beat inflation. I also feel this when I receive emails notifying me of dividends from these blue chip companies.

When I see RED (which means LOSS), I feel excited. It's like seeing your favourite expensive brands ON SALE. Time to go stock market shopping!

But what I love most about the stock market is that it is the BRIDGE to my long-term dreams. With very little amount invested every month, I can see my daughters' college fund growing and my retirement fund growing. And this gives me peace of mind.

While others worry about investing in the stock market, the stock market answers my financial worries.  And this is what I love most about it.


Curious Who My Mentors Are?


I get financial and spiritual guidance from Bo Sanchez and his team of mentors through the Truly Rich Club.

I have learned online marketing from Jomar Hilario.

I follow stock market principles of Warren Buffett.

I read books by Robert Kiyosaki of the Rich Dad Poor Dad fame.

These are just to name a few.


Remember that the first step to earning, is to learn. And never stop learning.


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Be Patient With Your Progress






In April 2014, I remembered experiencing a paradigm shift. Because of that, I stopped writing for a month or two. Let me share with you what happened then.

In #Hugot lingo, "May pinagdadaanan." Lolz.

Kidding aside. I was reading a new financial book then, which says that a 10% per annum average interest rate in the stock market is peanuts (read: measly or relatively small) and not even guaranteed. And it made me tell myself, "It has a point." Since I have always been encouraging everyone to invest in the stock market, this became disturbing and caused drastic moves.

With a little gain, I pulled out ALL the money which I directly invest in the stock market through COL Financial. I then put a little of that withdrawn amount indirectly in the stock market through my Insular Life VUL, a part was deposited to the bank, and another part was planned to be used to grow our small business.

What was I thinking then?!


I was being aggressive and I wanted to hurry my financial growth. I saw greater opportunity to grow my money in business. I got excited and found myself talking to people I hardly know, considering to partner with them either for expansion or for a new business I have no knowledge of, nor is it connected to my core gift. Thinking about it now, yes, it was a crazy thought.

But then I realized that God really works in mysterious ways. NOTHING that I wanted to happen actually worked! Either there was already an existing business center in that area, or my supposed to be partner just vanished into thin air. This may be ironic, but yes, Thank God!

It was not God's rejection, but I think of it as God's redirection.


And as I check my archive of Wealth Strategies newsletter from the Truly Rich Club, I started to think straight again. 

By the way, let me just share with you that every time I feel discouraged, negative, down, or simply do not know what to do, the newsletters from the Truly Rich Club provides me with those "exactly what I needed to hear" answers and brings me back to God, to my passion and purpose in life. I encourage you to join, too. It is where my life journey with God started. It has not only blessed me financially, but in all areas of my life.

From the archives, I read about the story of the three farmers. (I will share with you the story on my next post.) One of its lessons is "Respect Your Pace."

As a TRC member, Bo Sanchez teaches us to invest for the long term through putting small amounts each month in gigantic companies in the stock market. We call it Strategic Averaging Method or SAM.

I have been following this for three years now, and just like most members, it came to a point in the past when I gave up. For some time, I was disappointed and frustrated. Why? Because its growth was slow.

But as I read the story of the three farmers and its lessons, I realize that I should not hurry my growth. Because when you are in a hurry to grow, you will make all sorts of disastrous mistakes -- just like what I almost did!

When we want quick money, we get burned.


Bo teaches us that there is Organic Growth and Outrageous Growth. Both will happen in your life. But you need to have the right growth at the right time.

Here is the rule: At the start, grow organically, not outrageously. And some time in the future, that organic growth will become outrageous growth.

Do not be in a hurry to grow your money. With the magic of compounded interest, we will get there.  After all, the stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.

Be patient with your progress.

Be very blessed!


P.S. By the way, over time, I learned not to settle with "small amounts" invested in the stock market, but rather, "invest as much as you can."

Let me share an excerpt from the book The Tao of Warren Buffett. It says, "The great secret to getting rich is getting your money to compound for you, and the larger sum you start with, all the better."

P.S. 2. If you find this post helpful, kindly click the SHARE buttons. Thank you.

Friday, August 14, 2015

A Lot of Available Cash Can Harm Your Business


http://www.flickr.com/photos/36495803@N05/8453271596

My mentor taught me that someone who is starting his first business should not have a lot of cash. He believes that a lot of cash can harm you more than help you. I agree with him.

If you are starting your first business now and you have very little cash, that is a blessing! Why?

You will learn to work from home. Do not rent office spaces yet!
You will learn to use what you have. Do not buy new stuff yet!
And it will be a fantastic story to tell 20 years from now that you started your gigantic company in your living room with only Php10,000, right?

First Businesses Usually Fail


This is another reason why having a lot of money at the start of your business is bad for you.

When you start your first business, you fail. Yes, it may be bad news, but always remember that failure is not God's Rejection, but God's Redirection.

And not ALL first businesses vanish into thin air. There are some who will survive, but will be revised, redesigned, rebuilt,...


My Story of Failure


Once upon a time, and not a lot of people know about this, I started my first business. Back then, I was so much into online shopping. EBay and Multiply were my favourite websites. One time, I came across a seller that offers a "reseller price" when you purchase wholesale. Since I had no money then and thought of getting into business, I applied for a bank loan. I have always believed that the only valid reason to get a loan is for business, period.

When my first loan was approved unexpectedly, I was very happy. Since the required minimum to avail wholesale was not that much, the released amount was more than what I actually need for the business. So with that, more than half of my loan only went to buying personal unnecessary stuff (shopping!).

Here is where the other part of the problem was. Since I made a purchase online, I did not know how the products actually looked. Yes, they were beautifully displayed online (thanks to Photoshop), but when I got them, I was not very pleased. These were branded overruns.  I was not able to determine the quality based on the texture, the kind of material used, the badge, the stitches and the actual sizes because I only saw them online prior to my purchase. Honestly, I had a hard time selling them. I sold a few, but I gave away most of it.

Looking back, I did not research. I never studied who my niche market would be, or how will I sell these stuff. I also did not know anything about the business because I have not bought or worn overruns prior to that. Personally, I do not even shop that much clothes before. I did not even look for a mentor who could guide me.

It was a leap in the dark.
I literally "jumped" into it blind.
Yes, my loan just went to nothing.


Focus on Your Gift, Not on Your Cash


Having big cash and little business sense is a very dangerous mix. Because you will be in a hurry to "plunk" it into your first business, not understanding that first businesses usually fail.

If you stick to your core gift, you will be able to find a business that does not need that much cash.

My first business that I could consider successful is this blog. Why? Because I believe that writing is my core gift. When I see "LIKES" on my blog posts, or an increase in page views, or added income from clicked ads, or when I receive messages from readers telling me that my blog have helped them, I feel happy and fulfilled.

How much capital did I need for this business?
Nothing. Zero!

I also believe that our core gift will not only bless other people, but it will also bless us. Because I am such an investment advocate, I do not only WRITE about financial planning, but actually DO financial planning for people who want to invest and make their long-term dreams real.

Through being a licensed financial advisor for Insular Life, the No.1 life insurance company based on NET WORTH and the largest in the insurance industry, I offer products that are tailor-fit for every client's need. Through helping them realize their dreams, I am making my own dreams real. Yes, it has been financially rewarding.

Because this business has prospered me, I am able to prosper others as well through child sponsorship and giving money to do God's work. Remember that God lent us His money for a purpose, and that is to help and serve others.

My Second Business Needed Only P30,000



My friend from the Truly Rich Club asked me to become his business partner. The initial capital investment was only Php30,000. And since everything will be equally divided between the two of us, the expenses and profits, I only needed Php15,000 to start our direct selling business.

Since it provides active income for dealers and passive income for us, we spent mainly in marketing. Since what we are selling is organic, I also love the fact that our business is also helping our farmers through increased in production.

Then one business opportunity led to another. Earlier this year, we had the chance of growing our organic product portfolio with another business deal from Davao City. This time, we can cater to anyone, anywhere, without restrictions. Through word of mouth and social media, our business has the potential to grow nationwide. This would mean providing extra income to the masses and our farmers.

Recently, through social media, I was led to another business that is still connected to our organic products. We are venturing to agricultural tours in the Philippines through Costales Agritours and our first stop will be at Ilocos Norte happening on August 31 to September 2. This will enable us to learn new things, grow our network, help more people earn on the side by being our retailers, and support our farmers due to increased productivity. My new agribusiness partner said that we will be going around the country for agriculture tourism and I am just excited to do that. I know that the best is yet to come!


Start Your Business Without Much Cash


What is the winning combination of entrepreneurial success?

A lot of passion and very little cash!

Because "very little cash" will force you to be more creative, more resourceful, more imaginative, more persevering, more sacrificial -- things needed for a great entrepreneur!

There were horror stories of kids of very wealthy parents who started business with the help of Daddy's millions and just lost them. Because money is too easy for them. Money isn't valued. So they are careless with it.

Later on, as you grow in your business skills and you begin to taste small successes, that is the time to borrow money to expand your business.

May this post be helpful for budding entrepreneurs. Be very blessed!



P.S. The COSTALES Agritours - Ilocos Norte Trail will be held on August 30 to September 1, 2015. We are committed and focused to provide best-in-class Educational, Recreational and Agri-Business agritours. Let us support Farm Tourism and help us in our inclusive growth agenda. For inquiries and reservations, you may contact Ms. Ena Jane Javier at 0936-938-3167 or you may send an email to costales.agritours@gmail.com. Thank you very much.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Why You Should Be an Entrepreneur

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8344872@N05/4580637212



Our mentors at the Truly Rich Club basically educate us on how to create multiple income streams. Through the club, I learned how to invest in the stock market, become an affiliate marketer and get into business, all of which are my sources of passive income while I am still an employee.

Many years ago, I had my first job a month after graduation. My first salary was Php6,500. As the years went by, it continued to grow. From Php7,000 to Php10,000 to Php40,000. Yes, it was growing and growing and growing, and I was happy because the company I've been working for pays higher compared to others of the same field. But unfortunately, it was never enough!

Please don't get me wrong. My salary was enough for my basic expenses. I can regularly tithe. I can give my mother a Php25,000 household allowance every month for the grocery and pay the bills. Somehow I felt proud that what I was giving her can support an average family. I can take my kids to SM almost every weekend. I can surprise my husband with dinner (my treat!) or buy something for him even when there is no occasion -- and still be left with money to invest in my COL portfolio and pay for my Insular Life premiums.

I was very happy. We may not be rich (yet), but we are okay.

But still, there is this pain inside me. While listening to a Power Talk, also from the Truly Rich Club, I came to know that Anawim, the home of the abandoned elderly in Rizal, needs Php700,000 every month to support its residents. That is huge! Every now and then, I also receive emails from World Vision saying that there are still a lot of children that need to be sponsored. And my inability to give as much as I wanted to caused my pain.

I realized that I needed to do something if I wanted to give more. That was when I decided to become an entrepreneur.


My Path to Entrepreneurship


My salary, although growing each year, was fixed by the company I work for. With entrepreneurship, it was different.

Two years ago, my friend from the Truly Rich Club and I started our small business. I believed that it was God opening a door of opportunity for us since I met my partner only through the members' Facebook group. He was from Davao and I was from Tarlac. Because of the distance, we've met personally only once. Fortunately, because of today's technology, the distance was never a hindrance to push trough with our business plan. We became a distributor of a moringa-based organic liniment in Central Luzon.

But because we have our own small business, we can determine how much we would earn. We realized that if we work hard, do our marketing homework, worked with the right people, and expanded our business, we would earn more. Eventually, we had our second branch in Quezon City a few months after.

I admit, it was not as smooth sailing as I imagined it to be. We held seminars to introduce our product and only seven people would be our audience, three of which were even applicants as staff! And when we finally get members to sign up and make an initial purchase, they suddenly become inactive, so we would start again from scratch. Yes, we lost a lot of time, but we gained so much wisdom.

In January 2014, our business had its breakthrough. Through a local trade fair, we discovered our niche market. Now, we weren't inviting people to attend our seminars anymore. But instead, we are being invited to group meetings to discuss about our product and its business opportunity. We do not talk to a group of seven people anymore, but to a group of more than a hundred!

And because I am still an employee, I have a great team that works hand in hand with me in running our small business. My mother, who developed her skills from years of direct selling in the past, manages the business with me. We were aiming for minimum overhead expenses that we turned a small area in our garage into a stockroom.

Then one business opportunity lead to another. Our portfolio of organic products have grown. For our latest products, are sales are not being restricted within Central Luzon only. We can actually sell to anyone, anywhere. Because of social media, this has become possible. For online purchases, my father is the one who is in-charge of bringing the orders to our very reliable courier.

At the end of this month, we are venturing into another business which is related to our organic liniment -- agricultural tours in the Philippines, and our first stop will be at Ilocos Norte. This will enable us to learn new things, grow our network, help more people earn on the side by being our retailers, and support our farmers due to increased productivity. The goal has grown, too, and not just to make money. But rather, to THINK DIFFERENTLY and CREATE OPPORTUNITIES for many. To be honest, I am extremely overwhelmed and excited about this! With how wonderfully things are going, I believe that God definitely has His signature all over this.

Most importantly, because of my growing income, I am able to give more to ministries that do God's work.

Final Word


For my fellow employees, I encourage you to create passive income so that we can take mini-retirements NOW -- while we are younger and the kids are still with us.

As my mentor taught me, the key is to create passive income.

And one of the ways of creating passive income is by starting a business.

Be very blessed!


P.S. The COSTALES Agritours - Ilocos Norte Trail will be held on August 30 to September 1, 2015. We are committed and focused to provide best-in-class Educational, Recreational and Agri-Business agritours. Let us support Farm Tourism and help us in our inclusive growth agenda. For inquiries and reservations, you may contact Ms. Ena Jane Javier at 0936-938-3167 or you may send an email to costales.agritours@gmail.com. Thank you very much.

 



Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Time is Our Greatest Ally




I have been blatant about this on my social media account -- I LOVE INVESTING!!!

I do. I used to tell my friends that if only I knew then what I know now, my investment portfolio could have grown to millions at this time even with investing small amounts.

Why? Because as my mentor says, "Time is our greatest ally."

But since we can not do anything about the past but learn from it, I am happy that I started investing the moment I learned about it. I encourage you to do the same. I believe that the fruits of our investment is God's gift to the world, proving that there is no shortage of His blessings, and that these blessings are on the table for the taking. But also remember that God lent us His money for a purpose, which is to bless the world.

Let me share with you a story.

Since last week, I have been exchanging messages with my doctor's wife about the most suitable investment product that will shoulder their 4-year old daughter's college education. I made a proposal before going to bed last night, and made another proposal when I woke up this morning. Yes, I love investing that much that the first and last thing I do every single day has something to do with it. It has become almost as natural as breathing for me. (Lol!)

Here is what I came up this morning. It got me too excited that I wanted it to share here. PRONTO! And I do not want to commit the sin of omission if I keep this relevant information to myself.

(Best viewed on your laptop or desktop)


Policy Year Attained Age PREMIUM ALLOCATION END OF YEAR PARTIAL WITHDRAWALS ILLUSTRATIVE BENEFITS
Full Withdrawal Value Death Benefit
Low Medium High Low Medium High
1540,000.000.0041,354.8342,949.7243,747.191,041,354.831,042,949.721,043,747.19
2655,000.000.0099,963.86105,535.42108,369.101,099,963.861,105,535.421,108,369.10
3775,000.000.00181,717.24194,727.98201,453.201,181,717.241,194,727.981,201,453.20
4890,000.000.00282,340.76307,255.94320,345.711,282,340.761,307,255.941,320,345.71
5990,000.000.00386,989.22428,786.14451,127.471,386,989.221,428,786.141,451,127.47
610100,000.000.00506,223.62570,838.75605,987.401,506,223.621,570,838.751,605,987.40
711100,000.000.00630,227.40724,255.57776,333.331,630,227.401,724,255.571,776,333.33
812100,000.000.00759,191.33889,945.74963,713.851,759,191.331,889,945.741,963,713.85
913100,000.000.00893,191.231,068,765.981,169,706.021,893,191.232,068,765.982,169,706.02
1014100,000.000.001,032,551.121,261,891.841,396,297.412,032,551.122,261,891.842,396,297.41
11150.000.001,084,101.361,375,971.071,550,780.802,084,101.362,375,971.072,550,780.80
12160.000.001,138,127.151,500,283.551,722,285.442,138,127.152,500,283.552,722,285.44
13170.000.001,194,753.251,635,758.461,912,700.692,194,753.252,635,758.462,912,700.69
14180.00250,000.001,004,110.721,533,409.361,874,125.632,004,110.722,533,409.362,874,125.63
15190.00250,000.00793,294.481,405,080.991,810,526.951,793,294.482,405,080.992,810,526.95
16200.00250,000.00574,045.581,266,486.361,740,568.401,574,045.582,266,486.362,740,568.40
17210.00250,000.00346,026.731,116,804.161,663,614.001,346,026.732,116,804.162,663,614.00
18220.00250,000.00108,887.12955,147.381,578,964.161,108,887.121,955,147.382,578,964.16
19230.000.00112,139.351,030,432.921,735,722.931,112,139.352,030,432.922,735,722.93
20240.000.00115,521.661,111,741.311,908,157.571,115,521.662,111,741.312,908,157.57
                   
51550.000.00279,787.6811,882,755.1736,347,179.491,279,787.6812,882,755.1737,347,179.49
56600.000.00298,754.9117,413,945.3058,489,604.071,298,754.9118,413,945.3059,489,604.07
61650.000.00295,547.9025,512,305.2594,120,100.491,295,547.9026,512,305.2595,120,100.49
66700.000.00248,773.1437,364,209.71151,453,792.471,248,773.1438,364,209.71152,453,792.47
76800.000.000.0080,075,342.81392,184,804.710.0081,075,342.81393,184,804.71


Through investing PHp100,000 every year in the stock market for 10 years, the parents will be able to build an investment fund for their child's future expenses, which includes a Php250,000 annual withdrawal for five years for college expenses (assuming that the child takes a five-year course).

And this is the most exciting part. Without doing anything, their daughter can retire with Php94M when she reaches 65!

Note that this is an estimate with a 10% interest compounded every year. But with the stock market's performance history, it can grow to almost 24% per year, as it did for the past five years on average.

This is an illustration of time being our greatest ally and money working hard for us.

Stop stressing yourself and working hard for money. Make investments. Be financially free.

Be very blessed.


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P.P.S. To request for a quotation and to schedule an appointment with our financial planners, you may fill up our form HERE.

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