Financial Planning for Pinoys: June 2018

I am Joan Veronica Trojillo.

For 12 years, I was employed with the #1 pharmaceutical company in the country today as a Medical Representative.

Recently, May 25, 2018 to be exact, was the effectivity of my resignation giving up my fixed income, the company car with free gas and maintenance, free phone plan with no data cap, free rice ration, meal allowance, outside home base allowance, profit sharing, bonuses and other benefits like group term insurance, HMO, medical and dental reimbursements, conferences held at high end hotels and incentive trips abroad.

I gave up ALL of that to become a Full Time Insular Life Financial Advisor.
Crazy, right?

My friend even said, "Hindi ko maintindihan sa'yo bakit ka nagre-resign sa trabaho mo." I gave him my reasons and at the end of our conversation he said, "You best know what's best." To my friend and mentor, if you are reading this, THANK YOU. Although we both know that you just said that because we choose not to argue, but one day I will SHOW you why.

Flashback to 2013

When I began educating myself financially, my friend's wife who is with Insular Life asked me, "What happens to your stocks investments in case something happens to you? A VUL is the only investment with insurance."

I then emailed COL Financial, my online stockbroker, regarding this question. Here is a link to COL's reply >>> I Asked COL, "What If Account Holder Dies?"

Their reply changed my whole perspective about insurance and investments making me get my first VUL in 2014, and become a part time Insular Life Financial Advisor.. To fully understand what made the shift in my strategy, here is another link from my past post >>> BTID and VUL from the Point of View of Someone Who Does Both

Reason #1. As I Help Educate More People Financially, I Discovered My Purpose in Life

With the birth of this blog, Financial Planning For Pinoys, I was reaching to more people thanking me for the learnings from the blog. Almost everyday, a former colleague, a Mom from my kids' school, or someone I do not know personally, would message me saying that my posts have inspired them. Honestly, with these messages, I am inspired to continue doing what I love doing the most.

I also feel that sense of fulfillment every time I provide solutions to every person's need like:

- Income for your loved ones in case of your sudden demise through Income Protection

- Money in case income stops due to critical illness through Critical Illness Coverage

- Sufficient funds when you are no longer at work through helping you build your Retirement Fund

- Education Funds to prepare your children for better opportunities

- And, Estate Tax settlement for liquidity

After every meeting, I know that I have made an impact with their lives. I also love it knowing that they have full trust in me with their financial decisions, and value the kind of work that I do.

My Gastro friend said, "Thank you, ang dami kong natutunan" when he decided to prepare for his retirement.

The wife of my husband's colleague said, "Thank you! Ikaw lang ang nakapag-convince sa kanya na kumuha ng insurance."

These messages, and many others, fill my heart with so much joy that I cannot even comprehend. Through spreading financial literacy, I was serving God and He made it clear to me that this is my purpose in life.

Reason #2. Twenty Four Hours Didn't Seem to be Enough

For people I know personally, I used to schedule meetings with them during weekends. This was my only available time then because I was still employed. I felt guilty when they would say, "Just meet me whenever you are available." I would tell myself, "What if something happens to them before I free my schedule and they have no insurance coverage yet?" Partly, that would be my fault.

Scheduling meetings with people I do not personally know from my page and blog was another problem. Of course, I wanted to reach to as many people as possible.

But because I also needed to make time for my family, I decided to give my weekends to them and to God. Logically, I realized that it is pointless to work so hard and say that I am doing this for my kids' future when I cannot even be here for them in the present.

And because of this, I would meet my friends after work instead. Imagine that exhaustion of driving to BGC on a Friday night after working in Tarlac. Or meeting a client in Pampanga after covering in Pangasinan.

Although I was accomplishing so much with my time, I felt like I cannot go on like this everyday, or it will take its toll on my health.

I had to make a choice between staying in my comfort zone or leaping into my courage zone;

Choosing between loving what I do and doing what I love.

I chose the latter.

Reason #3. My Goal is to Create a Life I Don't Need a Vacation From.

Don't pick a job with great vacation time. Pick one that doesn't need escaping from.

Believe me, as of March this year, I have already consumed all of my vacation leaves while employed. Most of which were spent on personal development in preparation for the career I choose to take.

Today, as I write this post, is a non-working holiday. For many, they spend this day for rest and leisure. But not for me. I woke up at 6am, began blogging, and preparing proposals for tomorrow's client call. This is definitely the kind of life that I do not need escaping from.

On Sunday nights, I plan my week ahead based on my own schedule. Each day, I wake up full of energy and enthusiasm to do what I love and what I believe I do best.

And as St. Iraneus said, "The glory of God is man fully alive." And this for me, is being fully alive, all for God's glory.

Final Note

When I told my husband months ago that I wanted to quit my job, I gave him the assurance that I will not be a financial burden to him; that if I was able to succeed as a medical representative achieving my quota year after year for the past 12 years, I can also succeed in this noble profession doing what I love. I thank God for giving me a supportive husband.

As of June 1, 2018, I am affiliated with Synergia Insurance Agency for Insular Life. As Steve Jobs said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust the dots will somehow connect in your future."

Being with Insular Life since 2013, when my friend's wife asked me about my stocks investment, that was the first dot in my career as a Financial Advisor.

And then I became qualified for the Financial Advisors Program of Insular Life in July 2016. This is the second dot, because here is where I met one of my mentors and now Agency Leader.

In October 2017, was the third dot, during my Time Value of Money class in Registered Financial Planning (RFP), wherein I met the fascilitator, and who happened to be the Chief Learning Officer of Insular Life at that time.

I am now on my fourth dot. I do not know what the future holds, but I believe that the best is still yet to come.

Be very blessed!

P.S. Do you want to consider a career as a Licensed Financial Advisor and help us spread financial literacy? Visit Synergia Insurance Agency, Inc.

This blog post is different.
Different from the ones I've written in the past.

Why?

Because this post took six months in the making. Yes, that long.

This post is my personal journey from the time I have decided to quit my job as a medical representative from the leading pharmaceutical company in the country today, up to the time I was able to turn this plan into reality.

And yes, as I make the final edits now, I am officially unemployed.

It was in December 2017 when I came across a Facebook post about quitting a job without a plan.

That sounds exciting and I know that I am obviously a "high risk" taker, but being the long-term planner that I am, my goal of quitting from my 12-year old job will not be done just like that. This is where Financial Planning plays a very important role. And the progress of my plan will be monitored in this post.

How It All Began

In 2013, I read the book Retire Young, Retire Rich by Robert Kiyosaki. This book made me realize that, yes, I can retire young and retire rich. I define retirement as quitting from my day job, following my passion, and not the paycheck. My target age for this was 40.

But because I was only 31 years old then and was still 9 years away, I didn't take the planning seriously. I didn't compute for the exact figures that will make this dream real. All I knew was that I was investing, but also spending on travel and leisure..

I may have earning assets in the stock market directly and indirectly, hospital shares that have increased in value, real estate properties that my husband and I have began paying, and agricultural investments that give me double digit returns. BUT none of these are liquid.

In short, I was cash poor.

The question now is, how can I quit my job if I do not have that much cash on hand?

December 5, 2017

It was during the last week of November when the idea of resigning came again into mind. With activities at work almost every night, sometimes even consuming my weekends, I felt really exhausted.

Needing a break, I cannot take a leave from work because all of my vacation leaves have been consumed during those times when my mother and my daughter were confined. All I am left with are my Leaves Without Pay.

When I asked for my boss's approval to avail this, he declined.

And then that was it.

I was tired, I was spending less time with family, I felt I wasn't growing doing the same thing and talking with the same people, I realized I needed to get out of my comfort zone and feel fully alive again.

And take note that during that time, our 13th Month Pay was just released. This time, I was already willing to give up that secured paycheck. And somehow, at the back of my mind, I was thinking, "I can earn just as much, or even more, doing what I love, so I might as well take that leap of faith into my courage zone."

And of course, I asked for Divine Intervention

The thought of wanting to quit my job was just in time for the Kerygma Conference. This was actually the reason why I wanted to take a leave. Last May, I purchased my ticket for that 4-day conference at an early bird rate. During this time, I badly needed to be inspired with life again. And I felt I was deprived of it because of work.

And so I just attended the last day of the conference, which was on a Sunday, and asked God to help me decide. I was there with a big question mark which asks, "Lord, I want to quit my job. But what is it that you want for me?"

You wouldn't believe what happened next...

The first preacher entered the stage and his first words were, "Quit your job, and serve Me full time." This is what God told him years ago.

I instantly felt that was God talking to me!

Serving Him full time means pursuing my passion and living out my purpose for His greater glory.

And then the preacher even added a Bible verse that says, "Walk on water." I needed to trust God fully when I decide to quit my job. I know He will take care of me and all of my worries.

During worship, the beautiful song that was sung was composed by one of the worship leaders. Brother Bo Sanchez added, "Be like Veia. Use your gift."

I know what my gift is. And with my job now, I am not using that gift. But with the new path that I wanted to take, which is on Financial Planning, that is where my gift is. Even while I was doing it part time, it makes me stay up late at night, and jump out off bed in the morning.

As the conference came to a close that day, I had peace in my heart knowing that I have God's blessing in this major decision in my life. I heard it, loud and clear, what God wanted to tell me.

And so my December began with this six-month plan which I am determined to accomplish.

I wanted to quit my job just in time for my 36th birthday in June 2018.

This time, I had to take Financial Planning seriously. I had my envelope system and a notebook to list down all of my expenses, and the discipline to stick to that plan.

I listed down everything I own and everything I owe, of where I am now and where I want to be.

December 7, 2017

Yesterday, I received my long-awaited incentives from work. It wasn't much, but it was enough to pay off my credit card balance in FULL.

It was liberating that I have ZERO short term debts now.

And then I asked my husband to keep my card, so that I will not be tempted to swipe again.

I am blessed with people who discipline me when I cannot discipline myself. Aside from my husband who holds my credit card, one of my mentors offered to safekeep my income from another source, and I have my fitness coach who reminds me to go back to "regular programming" after all the stress and the holidays.

December 21, 2017

It was the first day of our Christmas break. I headed to Quezon City to meet with my mentor from Insular Life, discuss our goals for 2018, and how can we make these goals real. It's amazing how God bring important people in our lives, and how the universe conspires to provide everything we need, exactly when we need them.

This is the path that I was bound to take, to make my passion my profession as a Financial Advisor. This is me living out my purpose for God's greater glory.

Sharing this photo with my cousin on messenger, she even said that I look so happy. She, too, knew that this is my "calling." I just need the courage to actually pursue it.

January 2018

It was the first day of work and I was transferred to a new territory, which was based on my request. Being home-based, I wanted to spend more time with my kids. So, from South Pampanga, Tarlac and East Pangasinan became my new area.

Contrary to what I though, I spent less time with my kids. Because my area was quite big, I would leave for work early in the morning and come home late at night. Worse, I was seeing my husband less because he was still staying in Pampanga on most days. It was overwhelming and exhausting at the same time. I felt then that I will not last for six more months as planned.

Initially, I thought I just needed a break from work, and so I took a leave and went to my happy place, La Union. That leave served it's purpose, but going back, that day off from work merely felt like an escape.

As I drove back home, I was telling myself the quote I read from somewhere, "The goal is to create a life you won't need a vacation from."

And because it took more than the usual 30 days before resignations take effect in our company, I had to tell my boss about this earlier.

I had my first Coaching-in-Action with my new boss. This was my opportunity to tell him of my plan. As I drove along the traffic, I told him that I am resigning from my post, but that I am in no hurry, and that the date of its effectivity could be until June 15, just in time for my birthday. This will give the company more than enough time to clear me of my accountabilities. I am very thankful that my boss was supportive of my decision. I was geared towards a smooth exit.

Fast Forward to May 2018

The past months had been very busy at work that I failed to update this post.

Everything was going as planned, actually even better. As I was preparing for my exit as a medical representative, opportunities came pouring in for me as a Financial Advocate.

I was meeting new mentors, I was growing myself in learning, I was educating more people, and I was increasing my income on the side far more than I have done in the past years. And as all of these continuously take place, my liquidity was increasing as well.

Our profit sharing came in, my incentives and payback came in -- and all of which were saved and invested. Although I know that I need to SAVE everything for liquidity, I cannot help but INVEST. I guess this is what they refer to as force of habit. Lol! Again, I encourage you to make investing a habit, rather than spending.

And then I received one of the most important emails in my life that changed almost everything -- it was an email from our HR Main that my Voluntary Resignation has been APPROVED!!!

Admittedly, reading that email, I had mixed emotions.

Should I go now or should I wait until June 15?
I have pending receivables until June 15, should I wait for those to be remitted, or just wait for them to be included in my final pay?

I told my husband about it. I informed my boss about it. But when I was asked what my plan now is, I was not able to send a reply.

And in a Time like this Where I am Full of Questions, I Go Back to God.

I went to Our Lady of Manaoag to pray and to ask God to help me decide. Again.

But right there and then, I honestly felt as if God was telling me, "Joan, napag usapan na natin 'to. You asked for My blessing last November, and I said yes. You asked for six months, I gave you six months. You planned to quit your job at 35, but you will already be 36 on June 15. This is a done deal."

Praying is asking for rain. But faith is bringing an umbrella. When we ask God for questions in prayer, we need to be prepared for His answers.

And that was it. I was so overwhelmed of God's presence and I felt peace in my heart. I went back to my car, messaged my husband and my boss that I would want to avail of early resignation.

Conspiracy of Grace

As I share this journey with my workmates over our farewell dinner the other night, I was telling them that the sequence of events fit perfectly. From my declined leave without pay and my transfer to a new territory that made me feel exhausted, to meeting my financial mentors up close and personal, and opening of new opportunities that will be my safety net in the coming months.

As I gave myself six months to prepare for retirement from my job, God was faithfully working with me in the background providing me with people and favorable circumstances that have specific roles in our plan. This is indeed the conspiracy of grace at work.

Do Not Be Afraid of Tomorrow. God is Already There.

Today is the first day of June. First month of me saying goodbye to my fixed income. Actually, as I become unemployed, I also said goodbye to the company car with free gas and maintenance, free phone plan with unlimited data, free laptop, bonuses and benefits.

Ouch!

But as I have written in an old post years back, these freebies are like crutches. They are there to help you while your legs heal. But once they're healed, you need to throw away the crutches. If you don't, your legs will never be fully healed. In the same way, if we keep depending on these freebies, we will never grow in ways God has purposed for us.

Also, Investments Made My Dreams Real

God will provide, but we need to persevere. This is one of my many take home messages from The Feast.

Robert Kiyosaki said in his book Retire Young, Retire Rich, "A plan is a bridge to your dreams. Your job is to make the plan or bridge real, so that your dreams will become real."

Many of my friends on Facebook would often see me wakeboarding in Pradera or enjoying that endless summer feels in La Union. A friend even commented that I was living the life! (Like, aren't we all should?)

But they probably didn't know that I have another kind of life, the life wherein I drive to BGC from Tarlac after work on a Friday for a client call, or book an Airbnb in Alabang to attend training, or accompany a mentor while he buys stuff at Home Depot so that I can have the chance to pick his brains.

They probably didn't know that I wake up at 5am on some days and sleep past midnight to write a blog post on financial literacy or prepare a proposal.

While most medreps were busy waiting for coverage, I was busy reading a book while waiting. My boss even said told our workmates, "Joan was holding and reading a book on Warren Buffett, while I was only holding my phone when we were waiting."

That although I love travelling, there was NEVER a time that I joined our company incentive trip. Why? Because I needed the money for investing.

I was working in my day job, while I was also working on my dream job; with the goal of one day making my dream job as my day job.

It was never easy, but I can tell you now, as I sit in front of my laptop writing this blog post on a Friday at 930am, after just having breakfast with my eldest daughter and waiting for my youngest to wake up, having full control of my schedule, that it was all worth it.

"You're life is your message to the world. Make sure it's inspiring." - Les Brown

Life is not just about fulfilling your dreams.
Life is about inspiring and blessing others.

My journey to unemployment to pursue my passion and make it my profession was not only for six months.

Actually, it began in February 2013 when I began educating myself financially with being able to quit my job one day as the end goal.

My journey began when I insured my future income, began investing in the stock market for my retirement fund, and growing my portfolio payday after payday. I was living on minimum, and investing as much as I could.

My original goal was to retire from my job at age 40. God and I did it at age 35. Believe that nothing is impossible.

My Life After Unemployment

It's been a week since I became officially unemployed -- and I have never been happier.

Every single day, I'm there when my kids wake up, I'm there when it's time for sleep, and I get to play with them as much as they want to.

We enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner as a family everyday.

I drive my husband to work at times, I was able to pick up his laundry, I have his car washed, I do errands for him, and I can feel that he is happy now knowing that I am just here with the kids, or whenever he needs me.

Personally, I get to do what I want to do, and when I want to do it. I am able to make use of my time, my own terms. Before a new week begins, I already have my schedule all set. I now work because I want to, not because I have to.

And today, June 1, 2018, is actually a milestone for me as I am now a full-fledged, heart and soul, no-more-holding-back, Insular Life Financial Advisor. Insular Life is a Filipino-owned company, for the Filipinos. This is my passion, my purpose, and finally my profession.

I am doing what I love to do every single day. And this makes me feel fully alive!

Final Word

Writing about this now, as I remember the dates, God answered my prayer at the Kerygma Conference on November 26, 2017.

I received the email from HR on May 21, 2018.

My Boss told me to make my resignation effective on the first day of our call cycle.

That was May 25, 2018.

EXACTLY SIX MONTHS.

I don't think that's coincidence. I believe that is God having everything planned out for me.

And He has a great plan for you, too. We only need the courage to say YES to His plan. And do not be afraid of tomorrow. Because God is already there.

As I end this post (because my youngest daughter is already awake), I pray that this inspires you, and make you believe that you are only one decision away from a totally different life.

And that sometimes, your only available transportation is a leap of faith.

Be very blessed!

P.S. Financial Planning may be your CALLING, too.
Join our team of financial consultants and enjoy time freedom while doing the habit of helping other people.

Know more about how gratifying this career can be! Your income? Unlimited! The best part is, you become a BETTER YOU!

Send us your resume at financialplanningforpinoys@gmail.com@gmail.com or send us a private message on Facebook.