Getting Most Out of Life

I think I am getting most of life has to offer. I don’t know if it’s just my positivity. I just thought I do get more than what I deserve.

Is this what they call “aging with wisdom”?

I hope my friends (of the same age) are experiencing the same.

Thank You Lord!

~Till then

Setting Up Priorities

Doing personal finance is a tough task. You have to practice what you preach because people will watch you closely. 

Before telling the whole world you are doing personal finance you have to set up your priorities first. 

What do I mean? 

People will ask you why you are doing what you are doing right now. If you don’t have a solid foundation you will actually doubt yourself and go back to the usual you. And that’s called a financial suicide.

When someone asks you, “Why are you saving and investing?”, don’t just tell them “Because someone told me to do so.” Rather go back to your values and priorities in life and tell him how much they mean to you.

People have different priorities. Some prioritize saving for retirement, some save for a house and lot or a car and others save for travel. Whatever reason we have, we need to learn how to respect each other and look at our priorities only and not compare it with anyone else. 

~Till then

How to have a healthy sleep?

My boyfriend taught me that in order for a person to have a good night sleep, he/she should fix his/her bed before and after sleeping. 

I am living with my condo mates and it’s a bit distracting seeing everything cluttered on our bed. I see used clothes, books, pens and gadgets everywhere. Sometimes I thought, is this a house of six ladies? 

So I started cleaning the house last night. I cannot sleep with this kind of clutter. 

I made my bed, put away all the books and hid my laptop. 

I hope my housemates will notice the difference and start to implement it on their bed also.

~Till then

Owning a Car

People at my age are now considering buying their own car rather than taking the public transport. Of course it is understandable that we want a comfortable life. Who wouldn’t want to be on time at work or at other appointments? 

I was thinking of buying my own car also but the expenses after the ticket price are disappointing me. The price of gasoline keeps on rising. The maintenance cost is too expensive. The parking fee is also high. And I don’t have my own house yet. Moreover, the Philippine traffic is extremely stressful for me to handle aside from the fact that MMDA personnel are NOT honest sometimes. (Should I say most of the times?)

Anyway, Paul and I decided to delay the car purchase until we have enough cash to pay for it. And we don’t see it as a need since our respective offices are just near where we live. I just suggested buying a car so that we can go to any place we want at any given time. I realized if that thing happens I will be spending more money on travel. That’s the least thing I want to do today.

I guess this is not yet the proper time. Maybe next year or the year after.

~Till then.

Running Today

I had been addicted to running lately. I joined a lot of fun runs and run almost every day to practice. My longest run was a half-marathon (can you consider it?) trail run in Kitanglad, Bukidnon. (FYI: Kitanglad is the 4^th highest mountain in the Philippines.)

What does running do to the body? Why are so many addicted to it?

For me running is a basic form of exercise that promotes balance in the body. This is also a good way of toning the body as well as making one fit. 

Why is it addictive?

First and foremost it is the least expensive exercise I know. You just need a good pair of shoes and you’re good to go. Second, you don’t need to go to a court. Any neighborhood will do. Third, it makes you perspire in just about 10 minutes. Fourth, it feels great after the run. 

Our body needs at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. Let’s all make it a habit to run even for just 30 minutes and do some core exercise after.

PS: I am a part of a “bootcamp” called adination. We meet every Thursday either in Ultra or Tiendesitas to train together. Everyone is invited to join the running community.

~Till then.

You Don’t have to be Rich to Travel the Philippines

I am a blogger and a traveler and I know most of my friends would consider me as an expensive junkie who lurks in the depths of the mountain spending my hard-earned moolah for nothing but the pleasure of lying under the trees, sipping coffee and eating roasted marshmallow for midnight snack.

Well part of the statement above was true but not all. 

I am not as expensive as what they think.

My travels and adventures are pocket-friendly. They don’t require my whole bank account. They just get a portion of my travel fund. =)

Let me share to you what we do in order to have the best and most affordable travel experience.

1. Plan ahead

It’s always great to plan ahead. You will have time to research about the place and set a reasonable budget for the trip. 

2. Travel with a group

Greatest advice ever! (Well unless you really love traveling alone.) If you travel with a group of people the cost will be spread out and will be divided among the participants. Hence it becomes cheaper for everybody. Note: We always travel with no less than 20 people. Pretty large I know.

3. Have a budget and stick to it

If you plan to spend a thousand for your food then better stick to it. Buy your miriendas at the grocery stores even before going on a trip. If it is the fare that concerns you, better research on how much the base fare in the area first and decide whether to commute or hire a vehicle to tour you around. (Sometimes we prefer to walk to save money.)

4. Never underestimate a seat sale

Its fun booking seat sales especially during holidays and weekends. As long as my year is not yet full, I book seat sales for me and my friends. As of today I allow myself to travel to three local destinations via plane (everything via seat sale).

5. Gather information about the place for your itinerary

I am always tasked to research about the next destination and arrange several things before disclosing to my friends where the next destination is. I usually visit a few sites, do a few calls and set the budget for it. Then we publish the event together with the itinerary and the budget and everything follows. (Thanks to social media.)

~Till then.

My Own Money Machine

Have you read the book of Bro Bo Sanchez’s Choose to be Wealthy? If not well better grab a copy and read it. It’s a good investment.

I learned from the book about the so called money machine. It’s all about the goose that lay the golden eggs. Instead of killing the goose, you take care of it until it lays golden eggs. Nope, you’re not going to sell nor eat the eggs. You let it hatch and grow and let them lay their own golden eggs.

I hope in the future all of us will have our own goose that lays golden eggs. Nice idea right?

For now I am contented with my little goose. No golden eggs yet but I know time will come my goose will have its gosling. And the story goes on and on.

~Till then.

How I made my first 100 Thousand Pesos?

I was searching for some files in my laptop when suddenly I encountered a list of blog articles that I should do (in the future.)

The title above caught my attention so I decided to do it right away.

At my age (I’m already 27), a woman who has not yet reached this stage (having 100k) is surely going through some struggle with her finances. Shoot! Compare yourselves to me because I am just an average lady who works for an average company that gives an average salary. I have not gone abroad to work (nor was sent by the company for an onshore task.)

Fortunately, with my passion to become a winner, I strived hard to achieve where I am today in terms of finances. 

My first hundred thousand was a no joke. I had to follow a lot of rules, curb my longing for fabulous things and incline on simpler so as not to stress me to my road to true riches. 

How I did it?

1. I first implanted a vision that I am holding a hundred thousand pesos. I pictured myself smiling while holding the money. (Of course you should be happy.) 
2. Then I drew out a plan together with my mentors. They showed me how to do it the right way. Slowly but surely they said.
3. After planning, I needed to execute it. I needed to save a constant amount each month. And so I did.
4. Then sustaining it is the most crucial thing. You have to be addicted to the feeling that it’s good saving money. You have to feel the pleasure in between the pain. You have to know that sacrificing at an early age will yield a better result in the future.

After a few months I realized I was rhythmically in sync with the habit. And then a few months later I already have a few thousands. The story goes until I had my first hundred thousand. 

Was it hard? Yes, at first. But you’ll get there in no time. It’s never too late. Start saving and investing today!

I am now looking at my first million. Hmmm.. Sounds great isn't it?:)

~Till then.