Hanggang Kelan Ako Magiging OFW?

Muntik ko na malimutan 5 years na pala akong ofw last Sunday, 1st November. I posted it on my facebook wall and I am shocked sa mga comments na natanggap ko. 

Our friend John says uwi na daw ako and even Sir Noli Alleje. To think about it di pa namin kayang umuwi mag-asawa. 

Bakit nga ba ako nangibang bayan? 
- Kasi gusto namin na magkasama kaming mag-asawa. Primary, hindi para sa trabaho, mahirap kasi ang magkahiwalay. 

Ikaw? Bakit ka nga po ba nagOFW? Ano ang primary mission mo? 

Ano ang pinakamahirap na naranasan ko dito bilang OFW? 
- Habang nanonood ako ng PinoyInvestor Episode 2, gusto ko maiyak. Di lang pala talaga ako ang nakaranas ng discrimination dito. Nung bago pa ako, syempre di ko pa sila gaanong naiintindihan kasi iba ang pronunciation and diction nila dito, may nagtanong sakin "Do you understand simple english or not?"  Nanliit ako nun. Gusto ko manakit ng tao. Haha. Meron pa, "I tripled your salary in here, so I want you to work three times too!". Gusto ko sunigaw nun at sabihin na "Ang monthly sahod ko LANG ang tinriple ninyo. Kaya kong kitain yang sahod na binibigay nyo sa pagpirma sa import entry sa customs!". 

Nakakapangliit diba? Kayo? Ano pinakamasakit na salita ang tinanggap ninyo? 

Saan napunta ang pera ko? -
Alam nyo ba na tinanong ako ng kapwa OFW ko nyan. Saan daw napunta ang pera nya? Di ko naman hawak pero ako ang tinanong nya. Hahaha! Kasi marami talaga sa atin na di talaga alam saan napunta ang pera nila.

Most of the OFWs talagang walang ipon. Bakit? Kasi marami silang napangako bago sila umalis. Magpatayo ng sariling bahay, mapag-aral ang mga kapatid, anak, pinsan, makabayad ng utang. Maraming dahilan bakit wala talagang ipon at minsan baon pa sa utang. Pero naisip ba ng OFW na tulad ko paano masusulusyunan yun? 

Magkaron ng check and balance. Bawat pinapadala dapat nakalista at alam mo na sa tamang pagpupuntahan ang mga ipapadala na funds. Kasi madaming kwento na naputulan sila ng ilaw/tubig dahil yung supposedly na pambayad eh pinambili ng bagong sapatos or pinang-inom. Hayy! Kay saklap! 

Isip-isip hanggat di pa huli ang lahat. 

May exit plan ba ako?
- Tanong yan ni Ms Salve Duplito ng ANC on the Money. Oo nga, ano ba ang exit plan naming mag-asawa lalo na at nagbabawas na ng empleyado ang mga company dito. Handa ba kami umuwi ng Pinas anytime? May ipon ba kami na maglalast ng 6-8 buwan kung sakaling mahirapan kami ng trabaho? 

Masasabi ko na we are on our halfway in building our exit plan. Malapit na. Sa awa't tulong ng nasa taas. 

Kayo? Hindi baka kayo hahagulgol pag biglang mare-trench kayo? 

Hanggang kelan ka magiging OFW?
- Ito ang gusto ko marinig na masagot. Hanggang kelan? Well, unless may balak ka na maging citizen ng bansa na kinabibilangan mo ngayon. Kasi madaming OFW iniwan ang anak after ng panganganak sa pinas para mamasukan  hanggang ngayon na may apo na sya hindi parin umuuwi kasi walang trabaho ang mga tao sa pinas. 

Ang ibang OFW eh tintapalan ng mga mamamahaling gamit ang pagkawala nila sa piling ng mga mahal sa buhay. Kaya imbes na turuan na magsikap ang nasa Pinas eh nagiging tamad at ayaw magsipagtrabaho. 

Kami hanggang kelan? Matapos lang nmin ang project namin sa Pinas at sana ay matapos na agad para makauwi na kami. Iba kasi na kasama mo ang mga mahal mo sa buhay diba? 

Yan po. Yaan ang mga tanong na gusto ko din sagutin ninyo. 

Limang taon na akong OFW at Anim na taon naman ang asawa ko at nagsisikap para mapagtagumpayan namin  ang pagbalik namin mag-asawa sa Pinas balang araw. 

Make Money Online: Vopinions - Legit and Trustworthy Paying Survey Site

Received Payment from PayPal

Do you know that companies are willing to pay a hefty amount of money just to get the opinions of people about their products and services. But how the companies can do that if Singapore people do not want to be chase off? So most of them go to online sites like Vopinions.

This a survey site that caters banks, baby products, car dealers, oil companies, financial institutions and more to get the views of their avid and potential customers in exchange of points. Every 100points = US$1. Minimum payout is 1000 points. It is so easy. Just answer the surveys with full honesty. Minimum points in a survey that I saw is 200. And do not worry if you do not qualified sometimes. As long as you logged to their surveys, they will still give some points (I think a small thanks for your time to check it out). 

I screenshot my first payout of $40. I waited for it to reach that amount but next time I will take once it hits the minimum amount. 

This is a more productive thing to spend a little time than facebook and Twitter. Click here to register.

What Is The Best Investment (Paper Assets) For Me?

So ano? Tapos mo na baguhin ang mindset mo regarding sa pera, cleared out na lahat ang pagkakautang mo, may ipon ka na that will serve as your emergency fund (6-8 months worth of your monthly expenses), you are well protected by insurance.. Very good kung sinunod mo ang step-by-step in building a strong financial foundation. Ano na ang next step? INVESTMENT.  "I am investing in stock market", ang sexy pakinggan no. Ang sikat mo nun pare, feeling iba ka pag sinabi na 'investor' ka. Pagtuunan natin ng pansin ang paper assets. Paano mo nga malalaman ano ang best for you.. Direct trading ba to PSE o dadaanan tayo through mutual fund companies or banks for UITF.  Pakibasa ang chart below. Sana makatulong sa pagdedesisyon ninyo sa pagpasok sa mundo ng investing. From there makakapag-decide ka kung ano ang pwede sayo that depends sa schedule at sa risk appetite mo.  Click to Enlarge Image Kung makikita nyo, TIME ang unang-una mo dapat malaman. Meron ka bang sapat na oras na pwede ilaan para magbasa, mag-aral at umattend ng seminars para matutunan ang pasikot-sikot ng paper assets. Meron? Good for you. Ano pa inaantay mo? Magbukas ng COL Account.  Wala kang time? Di mo kaya i-give up ang panood ng telenovela or 3 accumulated hours na pag-fafacebook/twitter? Pero mataas ang risk treshold mo. Yung tipong makakatulog ka ng mahimbing kahit pulang-pula na ang merkado. Walang problema, the fund managers ng mga mutual funds at UITF are there to trade/invest for you in equity funds. Open an account and then its up to you paano mo dadagdagan ang investment mo. Walang tatawag sayo na due ka na or kailangan mo magtop-up. Pero tandaan mo the more you put in eh the more you can withdraw balang araw.  Hindi ka Risk-Taker? Gusto mo sigurado na tutubo ang pera mo in a long run (5-10 years) na higit sa interest rates ng savings account ng mga bangko. Go for bonds.  Eh you do not have time but you want to trade directly sa Philippine Stock Exchange. Kasi nga naman ang lakas makahatak ng chiks at ng mga fafa pag nalaman nila na you are a stock market investor. Pwede mo pa din pasukin ito. CitisecOnline have a certain page na nagsasabi kung ano ang magandang bilhin for that week, ano ang buy below price at ang selling price nya. And the best dun that advise is for free.   Tandaan huwag mag-loloan para lang pangumpisa ng pan-invest. Hindi maganda. Pangit yan sa feng shui. Haha! Joke lang po. Huwag mangungutang para lang pumasok sa stock market. Tandaan kahit si Madam Auring di kayang hulaan na tataas o babagsak ang bawat shares sa araw ng bukas. Wag maglaro sa stock market ng walang sapat na kaalaman. Kakainin kayo ng buhay nun. Hehe!

Ang Anak ay Hindi Obligasyon ang Magulang

"Kayamanan ko ang mga anak ko.", madalas mo yan maririnig sa mga magulang. Sarap pakinggan diba? Eh ito?.."Pinag-aral ko kayo, ngayon na may mga trabaho na kayo magbayad na kayo sa amin ng nanay/tatay ninyo!"...Anong magiging reaction mo? 

Ang ibang magulang "utang" pala ang dating sa pagpapalaki ng anak. Kaya pala nag-anak ng madami para yung mga yun na ang bumuhay sa kanila at sitting-pretty na lang pag nagsipaglakihan na ang mga junakis nila. So paano naman ang kinabukasan ng anak? Wala na din? Lahat mapupunta sa magulang at pagpapalaki ng sarili nilang mga anak. They do not have capacity to plan and invest for their own retirement. At pag sila naman tumanda, it is either they will work on their entire life or aasa sa maliit na pension ng gobyerno o aasa sa mga anak. And the cycle goes on and on and on.

May naririnig pa nga ako, high-school palang sinasabi na sa anak na dalin sila sa ibang bansa, bilan sila ng sasakyan o ng bahay. Hindi naman masama mangarap ano po? Pero nagbibigay tayo ng maling isipin. Namumulat na ang mga bata na kayo bilang parents nila eh dedepende nyo ang mga naudlot nyong pangarap sa mga anak ninyo. Meron nga ako kaibigan, ang tagal bago nakapag-asawa dahil di pa daw tapos ang ang obligasyon nya sa pamilya nya. Lumagay kaya kayo sa ganong sitwasyon? Ang bigat ano po? Bigat na dalahin. Yung isa naman nag-abroad at nung gusto ng umuwi ng babae ang sabi sa kanya ng nanay nya "Anak, dyan ka na muna, di pa natin kaya na sama-sama tayo dito." Pasan mo ang daigdig lang ang tema pag ganyan ang maririnig mo. Nakakaiyak pero reality po yan. 

Naalala ko ang sabi ng tatay at nanay ko palagi "Obligasyon ng magulang ang mga anak. Pero ang anak eh hindi obligasyon ang magulang". Nakinkil sa mga isip nming magkakapatid yun. Sa ilang taon ko na nagtatrabaho kahit kelan di ako hiningan ng singko ng magulang ko. Hindi ako binigyan ng obligasyon o tinokahan sa bahay. Nagbibigay ako kung ano lang ang kaya ko. Pero nung nakapag-abroad ako, monthly may Php3,000 sila sa akin. Malaki o maliit? Yun ang di ko alam. Pero alam nyo tuwing nagigipit kaming mag-asawa nakakahiram kami sa knya ng daan-daang libo. At sinasabi ng tatay ko, "Yan ang pinapadala nyo, iniipon ko." 

Hindi ko sinulat ito para inggitin kayo dahil ganito ang mga magulang ko. Sinulat ko to para magmulat sa atin na sana pag naging magulang na tayo, eh wag tayong maging pabigat sa mga anak natin kapag may kanya-kanya na din silang pamilya. Ngayon palang magplano ng maayos para sa anak at para sa sarili. Baguhin natin ang mga dating papananaw na ngayon eh nagdudulot ng mga malaking di pagkaka-unawaan. Minsan sa madalas eh nagiging away ng mag-asawa or ng magkakapatid kung sino at magkano ang magbibigay para sa monthly expenses ng magulang.

Sa mga anak naman, hindi ko to sinulat para maging balasubas. Magbigay ng naayon sa puso. Tandaan nyo ang unang utos na may pangako, "Mahalin ang mga magulang". Para sa mga nanay at tatay, huwag maging "magulang" o tuso, huwang maging tamad kundi maging maayos na ama't-ina sa mga supling. 

Bubblews - My Online Sanctuary (CLOSED)

I stumbled upon one of a blogpost that listed of a scam-free website that you can swag some cash. Bubblews caught my attention and I instantly join the site. 

My first account was flagged as a spam for just 2 days. I know! It is my fault! I just ticked the term and conditions and don't bothered to read the rules and regulations. Charged it to experience. Luckily, they accepted me back. 

On my second account under @WillOfAbbey, I read and reread all the things that I must learn. I am back with more cautious postings. I created connections and relationships with other "Bubblers". They always help and guide me. 

One of my key goal beside earning some cash is to be "featured". My deadline for me to attain that is before my first anniversary. But hey! I was awarded before I hit my first month. I am on a cloud nine when I saw that "FEATURED" letters pasted below my post. 

I love Bubblews. It is a sanctuary of positive data and information. You will learn a lot from different people. I love Bubblews! This is my bubble online. Join us! Earn money with us!

100% Examination ng Balikbayan Box. Anong Totoong Nakakatakot Dun?

Alam po namin na ginagawa lang ng mga kababayan nating mga taga-Bureau of Customs ang kanilang mga tungkulin. Hindi po sa ayaw sumunod ng mga OFW sa batas, ang problema po eh di po pinapaalam sa mga tao ang batas na dapat naming sundin. 

Hangga't di pa po nailalabas ang revision na sinasabi nila for Customs Memorandum Order #79-90 ito po ang mga dapat alamin ng mga kapwa natin na nagpapabagahe:

Q: Bakit nga ba nagpapa-box ang mga OFW?

---> Alam ng lahat ng mga tao na normal sa mga OFW na magpadala ng box sa Pinas. At alam ito ng mga taga-Customs kaya nga sila gumawa ng batas regarding dyan para maiwasan ang smuggling sa bawat balikbayan box.

Q: Bakit ngayon lang naghihigpit?

---> Kasi po marami na ang nagsasamantala. May mga nagpapadala ng bawal katulad ng mga baril at kung anu-ano pa. Ito rin naman po ay para sa kapakanan ng buong bayan. Safety ng mga tao. 

Q: 100% Examination/Random Inspection nasa katwiran ba?

---> Opo, may katwiran. Nakasaad po yan sa 79-90: 3.3.1.

3.3.1 Regular Examination - where the Consignor's Export Declaration and Packing List is attached to the box/package containing the individual consignment/shipment, the assigned Customs examiner may conduct the examination at random and, thereby, make a speedy determination whether the contents correspond with the packing list.  

100% Examination - A thorough 100% examination shall be conducted where - 

3.3.1.1 The Consignor's Export Declaration and Packing List is not attached to the box/package; or

3.3.1.2 The consolidated shipment is covered by a duly issued derogatory alert/information; or when in the course of conducting the regular examination a violation/discrepancy is found which warrants the issuance of WSD, Provided that either case, the provisions of CMO No. 65-89, dated 12 July 1989, shall be duly and strictly complied.

---> May karapatan ang mga taga-Customs na halughugin kahit po ang conta-container na mga shipments lalo na po kung may Alert Order o ang Packing List/Invoice eh hindi tugma. 

Q: Ano ang dapat gawin para maiwasan na mapatawan ng extra duties and taxes? 

3.5 Limitations 

3.5.1 As to Value ---- U$500.00

3.5.2 As to Quantity 

3.5.2.1 Foodstuffs such as canned goods, grocery items, etc. ---- 1 dozen a kind

3.5.2.2 Wearing apparel and clothing material not exceeding 3 yards per cut, whether used or new ---- 1 dozen of a kind 

3.5.2.3 Other household personal effects, whether used or new ----- 1 dozen of a kind 

3.5.3 Number of box/packages ----- 1

3.5.4 As to frequency --- One individual consignment per consignor/sender during 6-month period. 

Provided that, home appliances, whether used or new, shall be disallowed, and provided further that, any consignments/shipment entered in violation limits herein fixed shall be automatically be subjected to seizure proceedings without prejudice to the cancellation/revocation of the certificate of registration of Freight Forwarder/Consolidator as well as cancellation of the accreditation of the Breakbulk/Consolidation Agent;

Provided, however that in case of consolidated shipments consisting of personal and household effects and used home appliances belonging to returning Filipino residents and overseas contract workers, and accompanying them to their return or arriving within a reasonable time, the privileges granted under Executive Order No. 206 dated June 30, 1987 subject to the conditions hereunder shall remain granted to Filipinos coming to settle in the Philippines who are now residents or citizens of other countries under existing laws with respect to their personal and household effect accompanying them on their return or arriving within a reasonable time shall in no way be prejudiced by this Order, and Provided finally that the overseas Filipinos is advised to avail the privileges under R.A. No. 6788 that allows them to purchase good duty and tax free up to the amount of US $1,000.00 at philippine duty free shops once a year.  

---> Ang mga sumusunod po sa taas ang dapat tandaan. Halimbawa po hanggang isang dosena lang po ang pwede nating padala na corned beef, isang dosenang canned sausage, isang dosenang sabon at kung anu-ano pa. Ang lalampas po dun ay mapapatawan na po ng duties and taxes. Bawal na bawal po ang mga appliances. At ang mahuhulihan na mga forwarders, kapag ang kanilang senders ay lumalabag sa batas na ito, ay maaaring makansela ang mga accreditation to transact in Bureau of Cutsoms.

Ang mga sumusunod po ang dapat nating tuparin. Kung tayo ay susunod wala po tayong dapat ikabahala. :) 

Q: Pero ano nga ba talaga ang kinakatakot natin kapag binuksan ang mga box?

--->Ang nakawan. Kasi sa totoo lang, kapag sinabi na po ng forwarders natin na "binuksan kasi ng customs" at may nawala eh wala na po talagang mahahabol ang OFW. Kaya ang tanging maipapayo po dyan eh kumuha ng maayos na freight forwarders. Yung tipong tututok sa bawat bagahe na bubuksan, yung may malasakit sa mga kliyente nilang OFW. Kasi madalas pa sa minsan eh mga tao mismo sa loob ng freight forwarders ang nagnanakaw ng mga laman ng bagahe. 

Maging mahinahon tayo. Alamin ang batas. Pumili ng maayos ng freight forwarder. :)

How To Teach an 8 Year-Old to Save Money

I want my nephews and niece to learn the value of money. And on their age of 7 to 8 eh mas madaling tamnan ang utak nila sa mga ganitong financial education. 

Hindi ko naman sila pwedeng turuan agad mag-stocks and i-discuss sa kanila kung sila ba ay for long term investors or for traders. The best I can teach them as of now is how to save.

Para ganahan ang mga bata na mag-ipon, I challenged them na kung sino ang pinakamadaming ipon ay tatapatan ko ang amount. So it means na mado-doble ang pera nila. 

So when my husband and I arrived Manila last June, handang-handa na ang alikansya nila. And they are bugging from morning until we are having dinner. Their alikansya, made from woods and bamboo, are always in front of my face. Haha. So after dinner, we open one-by-one. 

First we open Hannah's wooden house. It only costs Php140, Baste have Php837, and Sam saved Php782. Close fight within the two boys. When they saw how little Hannah saved, Baste and Sam cites why she have a meager amount. Hannah showed a sad face and I decided to double all the amount of their savings. I declared Baste won the challenge. 

Habang nanonood ako ng tv, Baste came to me and asked me a question that shocked and made me laugh. 

Baste: Tita Wil kelan ka ulit babalik?

Me: Next year. Why? 

Baste: Kelan mo ulit dodoblehin alikansya namin?

Me: Why?

Baste: Kasi ung binigay mo po na pera ngayon isasama ko sa ipon ko para pag balik mo dodoblehin mo ulit pera ko.

Me: Ate Sol yung anak mo balak ako lutuin sa sarili kong mantika. Haha!

Children loves to compete and loves to receive rewards. Try this to your child and their cousins. :) It's fun. 

A Man is NOT a FINANCIAL PLAN

At Manila South Port, Export Division.
Kuya: Balita ko may nanliligaw sayo.
Me: Dati kong boyfriend, Kuya.
Kuya: Anong trabaho?
Me: Engineer.
Kuya: Walang pera yun. Ang daming customs broker bakit hindi yun? Yung kasama ko dito sa opisina interesado sayo.
Me: Ayaw ko sa broker. Babaero! Haha!

Conversation with in-law:
Ate: Flavor of the month ka na naman dito. Ang talino mo daw kasi malaki sahod ng pinakasalan mo.
Me: Haha!

In two above conversation, alin ang tingin ninyo na totoo? Sasabihin ko sa inyo, both of those ay totoo.

Sabi nga nila isang buwang sahod ng engineer eh isang lodgement lang ng import declaration naming mga broker. Allowance ng engineer for his monthly expenses eh isang gabing pang-inom lang ng accredited licensed customs broker. At talagang naputanayan ko yun sa first date namin. Kung ang mga ibang suitors ko nuon eh sa mamahaling restaurant ako dinadala, aba first date nmin ni Abbey McDonalds Trinoma. Pero do not get me wrong, hindi ko siya minaliit nun, natuwa pa nga ako kasi walang pretentions. First date, one point agad. :)

After ng around 6 months na ligawan, naging kami.

So nung mag-on na kami. Meet-the-parents and the whole family na ang arte. And I am so shocked ng kausapin ako ng mama nya. Sinabi ng mama nya "Alam ko may kaya kayo, maganda stado mo sa buhay. Kami anak mahirap lang kami". And sinasabi nya yun while tears flowing. Kung di ko rin daw seseryosohin ang anak nya eh hiwalayan ko na agad. Gusto ko sana sumagot na "Tita, ako po ang babae. Tsaka di po ako namamanhikan." Haha. Nakakatuwa kasi they are so transparent. Meet-the-fambam.. 2 points.

So dun na ako nagtatanong about his career plan. He deliberately answered me back na ayaw niya ng promotions because ayaw niya ng responsibility and walang katapusan na meetings. On 2008  I am already a supervisor. So I know how it feels to be on a higher ground.

He went to Singapore, we got married and little by little I instilled to his mind how good it is to be promoted. What are the pros to be managements' apple of the eyes and leading the team to what is good for the company.

Yang paliit-liit na salita na yan minsan napupunta sa pang-iirap. And lucky some of the books he have read taught him and backed me up of the idea. Heaven conspires and the right time came to Abbey.. Taas rango-taas sweldo.

Yes, I am that wise to choose Abbey to be my partner. Because I see in him the potentials well-hidden in a box of insecurities. I see in him his value that he never knew. I see how knowledgeable he is in managing people when he was described by the men and women around him.

Yung taga-Customs na nagsabi na wag si Abbey ay ginawa naming ninong sa kasal and on some kamustahan...
Kuy Ninong: Bilib ako sayo tahimik lang pero may napupundar na kayong mag-asawa.
Me: Kailangan po eh.
Kuya Ninong: Power Couple kayo iha!

Be the King and Queen of each other and together build your empire. Happy 4th Year Wedding Anniversary Baby!

Financially-Happily Ever After

Madaming tao nagtatanong sa akin ano ang tingin ko sa kanilang mga problema sa puso. Hindi as sakit ha kundi relasyon sa knilang mga boyfriend/girlfriend o mga asawa. Nuon ganun lang. Ngayon dahil malamang lahat ng kakilala ko ay may mga asawa na, hindi maiiwasan na tanungin din nila ako ng mga usapin tungkol sa budgeting nmin mag-asawa. 

Nung nag-share ako ng pasasalamat sa Financial Group 2nd Anniversary year-end party, yung iba nagulat nung sinabi ko na kanya-kanya kaming hawak ng pera ni Abbey. Hindi na yun bago sa mga talagang malalapit sa amin. Pero syempre yung mga kakakilala pa lang eh bukod sa gulat eh madami din tanong. Tulad ng... 
1. Paano mo malalaman kung sobra na ang pinapadala ng asawa mo sa pamilya nya
2. Paano mo malalaman kung anu-ano pinagkakagastusan ni mister. 
3. Baka mamaya may kalaguyo na yan. Ikaw din. 
4. Sino ang nagiipon para sa future ninyo? 
At kung anu-ano pa. 

But for me financially-happily ever after evolves in different values of human. Basahin mo ung mga susunod at magkaron ka ng check-list. 

TRUST
I trust Abbey's decisions how to spend his hard earned money. My father even told me way back before "Ang asawa mo nagiisip bago gumastos."  He even have an app to monitor his monthly expenses. 

"Nakapagpadala na tayo para kila papa.", monthly yan na maririnig ko sa asawa ko. Pag hindi nya nabanggit for 1st week ako na magtatanong kung naitransfer na nya na ba ung para sa kanila.Sa side ko? He knew it all. We only have one account in remittance center and it was named after him. So, every month when I am giving money for my dad and mom's monthly allowance he is always asking "Hindi mo dadagdagan?". 

Diba? Sarap ng mga ganyan klaseng tanungan? Kaysa sa "Nagbigay ka na naman sa pamilya mong batugan!". Haha! 

HONESTY
Maging tapat sa isa't-isa kung magkano ang pumapasok at magkano ang lumalabas. In that way, you and your spouse can both adjust. Baka kasi yung partner mo buong katawan at utak ay pagod na pagod na kakatrabaho para kumita ng pera, ikaw naman bili dun at kain dito ang inaatupag para lang may ma-ipost sa facebook. 

Alam ni Abbey ang sahod ko at ganun din ako sa sahod nya. Pero we do not get the habit na i-check ng i-check ang mga bank accounts ng isa't-isa. We know each other's passwords pero dahil nga walang dahilan para magsinungaling eh it is only a waste of time to see if the amount debited and payslip is totally the same. 

Na-save na ang oras ninyo wala ka pang sakit sa damdamin kakahinala. 

COMMUNICATION
Usap-usap din pag may time. Mali! Dapat laging magusap. 

Baka naman kaya hindi maaayos-ayos ang buhay ninyo kasi ayaw nyo upuan. Baka naman bubuka pa lang ang bibig ni mister para pagusapan ang gastusin eh nakasinghal ka na kaagad. 

Naalala ko ung housemate ng kaibigan ko dito sa Singapore nung tinanong niya ako about sa telenovela kung ano na ang nangyari. Sabi ko pasensya na di ako nanood ng mga drama. Ang point ko lang, imbes na ubusin niyo ang oras niyo pakikipagtitigan sa tv eh bakit hindi kayo mag-usap mag-asawa? At sana kapag mag-usap kayo eh magpakumbaba kung may mali man kayo at yung may tama naman ay wag maninigaw. 

Gawin nating lahat ng may pagmamahal. Alalahanin ninyo asawa ninyo ang kausap nyo hindi ninyo treasurer or sekretarya. 

HIYA
Mukha akong magastos pero kung kilala nyo ako eh sasabihin ninyo na "tsani" ako. Tulad ni Abbey bago ako bumili eh nagiisip ako ng madaming beses kung kailangan ko ba ang bagay na yun. Kung matipid ka hindi lang sa salita kundi sa gawa eh mahihiya ang partner mo na gumastos sa walang katuturan. 

Walanghiya din ako alam nyo ba yun? Si Abbey bago nagkaroon ng iPad/iMac madami akong tanong kung bakit nya kailangan. Makalipas ang 3 buwan pumayag ako at maraming kundisyon. Kailangan nya ma-100% ang exam nya at kailangan ay sa IT show namin bilhin para kung hindi man discounted eh madaming makuha na freebies. 

COMPATIBILITY
I am so blessed to have a husband which complements my goals in life. I am so blessed that I have my own cheerleader. Every time I lay a plan, he never tells a "no". He always tell na "I think this would be better."  

We both believe in investing and aiming for an early retirement. We are in the same page when it comes helping people in need and we learned to harden our heart when lazy people are asking for funds. Ayaw namin sana maging dahilan ng pag-aawayan ay pera. 

Dati tuwing magkukuwento ako gaano ako kaswerte sa asawa ko kasi mag-apat na taon na kami kasal eh wala pa talagang away na nagaganap sa amin; ngayon na-realize ko na may away na pala. Tinawagan ko siya sa trabaho nun at nanggigigil ko syang tinanong, "Nag-withdraw ako kanina, lumaki yung balance ng account ko. Dinagdagan mo na naman pera ko 'no?". 

Ang asawa ko nasa kabilang linya. Tumatawa. Ang cute-cute ko daw. Haha! 

We are both thankful to our parents who set good financial values in us. Kung nagkulang ang nanay at tatay mo sa pangangaral sayo about sa money management eh di pa huli ang lahat para matuto. 

Mas maigi ang magtanong kesa magmarunong. Kaya sana bago magpakasal eh mapag-usapan ninyo ang mga bagay na pinansyal. Makikita mo dun kung magiging asset ba ang magiging asawa mo or liability, magiging cheerleader mo ba sya o greatest critic, magiging masaya ka ba pagtapos ng kasal o kinabukasan pagtapos ninyong mag-"I DO" ay baon ka na sa utang. 

Isip-isip...

Tandaan, ang isa sa kadalasang dahilan ng paghihiwalay ng mga mag-aasawa eh pera. 

Kiyosaki's Cash Flow : The Missing Sector

A lot of people know the famous cash flow quadrant illustrated and made popular by Robert Kiyosaki. But if you do not know what is the meaning of the diagram above I will explain to you in the most simple way I can do.

Let’s start with the left side of the quadrant.. The Poor Side

E = Employee
We were trained in our schools to be a good employee. Am I right? I know I am right. Parents always tell their children to go to school, get high grades and you will land in a good job with high pay. I do not despise being an employee. I am also an employee until now. I love being in this sector. With ups and downs of the business I am still here and getting my monthly salary. But I need to sit in the office for 200 hours a month; take the commands of my boss, please the customers, cooperate with colleagues, beat deadlines, etc.. etc.. For me this is a challenge to conquer every day. And I am happy for the current company I am with.

But in this quadrant the earnings are restricted. Almost all time of your day was occupied by your job. You must work so you can earn.

What if you cannot work anymore?

S = Self-employed
This is where my siblings were trained for. They have their businesses. They are their own boss. Their income depends on how hard they work.

Multi-Level Marketing is definitely in this sector.

I tried to be like them and because I saw there is a lot of money to be harvested in there but in 6 months I surrendered. I had my own computer shop back then and even it is generating money I chose to close it down because I am not happy to be in there; totally tied up and doing all the necessary paper works and thinking how to get the business going. Stressful!

I will repeat my question from employee's group. What if you cannot work anymore?

Now, let's jump to the right side... To Rich and Financially Free Side

B = Business Owner
So what's the difference between self-employed and Business Owner? You are a self-employed if your business cannot run without you. Business Owner is a person whose business keeps going even without his direct supervision.

Sounds relaxing right? It is not hard to jump from the left side to this quadrant. It is so easy. You just need the proper knowledge in the business and get the most trusted people you know. Utilize their time and pay them for the work they have done for you and your industry.

How do I know it is simple. Me and my husband have rental apartment business in the Philippines. I asked my dad to work for me and pay him for every project we build. He supervises the construction and thinks how to lessen the expenses building them. My sister does the necessary paperworks in city hall, Meralco and Maynilad. My sister-in-law is hands-on when choosing the tenants, checking their monthly rentals, and getting all the problems that arises in the compound. All we do is sit here and wait for their monthly rental report. No stress! You help to give a living for others. Nice, right? To own a system?

I = Investor
In this sector, money is working for you. The best! Isn’t it? These are the people where compound interest is their best friend. Today it is easier to invest in real estate, stock market and bonds. Nowadays, many companies also offer mutual funds. But please be careful as a lot of scams ride the hype of investing. In this quadrant, you have more time to spend with your family. This is definitely a freedom we are looking for.


The cash flow quadrant is not just representing the flow of money coming in and out from the person, it also represents someone’s financial status. So I learned that there is a sector that Kiyosaki might missed out or just totally ignored it. Haha. It is the “U”.

U = Unemployed
Maybe Kiyosaki never include this sector because there is no inflow of money in this ring. But I want to highlight this status. Some are really unlucky and picky to land a job and some are very lazy to have one. And as my father always tells, if the people really wants to earn a living, there will always be a way. Unemployment is equal to laziness.

So please people! Wake up and work your a$$ off! Do not be a big liability to others.


Before the year ends, take some time to think over and start looking for opportunities for you and your family to go to the right side of the quadrant!  We can all do this! Pray and work hard!

I Love SMRT (Singapore's MRT System)

If you can see the  situation of citizens of other countries when riding their trains you will surely give thanks to Singapore government and SMRT for the service they are doing for the public. But good performance is not enough for this people behind SMRT, they are aiming for excellence that is why even LTA and NUS entered the scene in studying how to de-congest the trains on peak hours.

NUS announced a behavioral study on public who uses mrt  in their way to work. And I am a so lucky registrant to be picked as a participant. So how this does work? 

1. $15 voucher or ezlink top-up. It seems that this is a welcome treat for participants

2. $40 -- and everytime you tap-out from mrt at 8:15 a 20cents will be deducted to that. 

3. $25 full participation incentive after the study. 

Why I chose to join? Well, I want to go to office 30 minutes earlier to increase more my points on my clients' grading system. Yes! My clients have DLV that I need to key-in as early as possible to get a high grade. Second to lessen the stress for me; less people in the train, lesser stress. A fantastic way for me to discipline myself. Third to help in decongesting the train and lastly to avail the 2 privileges that was promoted by LTA (Travel Early, Travel Free & INSINC). 

Now it ends, I only failed once and was deducted a 20cents on my $40. For sure I will continue what I have begin. It is more refreshing and more fulfilling to travel early in the morning. 

Holler "BUY-BUY!" to Great Singapore Sale 2014!

Great Singapore Sale or widely known as GSS is a yearly event. This is waited not just by Singaporeans but also all races in or out of the city state. Now 2014, it started last 30th of May and stretched until 27th of July. 

As always, I am excited for this. Why? Here I can shop guilt-free. Almost all of the boutiques raising their red "SALE" flag and dropping the prices for almost 80% off. Imagine that? Big savings right? 

I shop not only to refill my stocks of toiletries but also I do it to check-off the list for my holiday gifts. My husband and I are Filipino-expat, in this time we also buy some things that we can send to our relatives back in the Philippines.

Oh, do you know that some of the commodities in on-line shops were came from this great great sale? 

What are you waiting for? Fly in to Singapore and indulge in this event. :)

Are You Really Saving in Buying Coupons/Vouchers?

I will confess that I am voucher-dependent. Yes, I really saved a lot from purchasing those than paying the actual price. To tell you frankly, I subscribed to almost all of it from Groupon, Alldeals, Deals.com.sg and the list goes on. If you are following my facebook account and our couple's blog you can see from there the activities, salon, out of the country tours, and spa services we availed. 

If I am saving a lot from it, I also saw some of friends, colleagues and even acquaintances wasting money and their precious time in this platfrorm.

I cannot say that I am an expert but here are the tips that maybe can help you how to really saved money in buying those coupons. 

1. Ask your self first. Do you really need that item? When is your last manicure/pedicure/hair cut/hair color? Does your stress exceeds your limits that your muscles shouting for some massage? Is that buffet a good excuse to skip your diet?

Ask those questions and believe in your intution. The voice within will tell you that "Hey! You better not buy that."

2. Check the reputation of the merchant. This is a must! In getting some services and products we always wanted it to be a good one right? So ask from people who already availed it or read some blogs/reviews. 

3. Really? You are buying gadgets there? Why not at the IT show? Great discounts and more freebies.

4. Take a good look on these. Some deals are valid only to some group of people. Look on the list below.

a. Valid for first time customers only. 

b. Valid for male/female only.

c. They have specific IC holder that they want to serve.

d. Does your age qualify?

5. Going for a hair cut/color/perm/straightening? Is there any length limitation? Is the chemical they will be using okay with you? 

Massage? Is that the kind of massage you want them to do on your body? Any additional

payment if you will use their amenities?

6. Holiday trips! Yahoo! Check if the taxes, breakfast or even flights are included or not.

7. Of course, this is a great marketing strategy for all the merchants. Learn to say "No" if they present  some bundles of products and services. 

All you need is read, read and re-read all the terms and conditions. 

Oh, as I told you before, I am coupon enthusiast and above are the tips for you not to commit some of the mistakes I had gone with.

Below are the sites I really trusted and offers a great merchants for their deals. Happy shopping!

Deal.Com.Sg

Groupon Singapore 

Buying Speculative Stocks Is Dangerous To Your Wealth

"Nay bumili ako ng URC stocks." - "Maganda yan nak".

Social media hyped the investing in the Philippine Stock Market and that caused a lot of people jumped into it in the first quarter of January. The result? A bull run that caused a lot of people to invest more in a wrong way.

What were the mistakes they had taken? (These are the rants that my husband and I read from the different forums)
1. They invested money that they know they will need in a very near future. 
2. They invested on stocks via hearsays.
3. Had never read any books or attended seminars on how to create a margin of safety.
4. And the most hurtful to read was, they loaned money from a bank to ride the bull.

And now... many people are now cursing PSE. Many people swore that they will not enter any transaction in stock market.

My mom bought stocks back then, so I have some ideas on how to manage and make money from it. Until now they are encashing dividends.
I hope that when the bear knock-out the bull last May 2013, many investors and newbies learned from others' failures.

As per saying by  "Buying speculative stocks is dangerous to your wealth". 

Please let me know if you have good book to read for investing or I can share some of the books that my hubby and I already read, just drop as an email, we will check if we have that ebook for you.

Why I Bid Goodbye in Purchasing Belle de Jour Power Planner or Acquiring a Free Starbucks Planner

I am a great great fan of planners ever since I set my foot in the corporate world. From that time my boss gave me a Guess planner, I am really hooked up to the help it gave me for my day-to-day life.

Am I addicted to always have this kind of notebook? Yes! I feel so incomplete if I do not have a planner. I can't live without it but mid-year of 2013, I decided to shake off that feeling of emptiness and left my 2013 BDJ planner at home.  

Here are the reasons why I do not buy any planners from now on:
1. I realized that the Starbucks or coffee cafe free planner really costs me a lot of money, yes it is free but for me who is not fan of their coffees, it will take me about a thousand pesos to have that for free.

2. BDJ Planners is a very cute planner and a lot of vouchers inside. I saw the 2013 issue and I am really disappointed. Dati sa Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and Ace Water Spa bawi mo na yung almost Php600.00 mo. Ngayon, di na ganun kaganda and valuable ang mga vouchers inside. 

3. Planners are so heavy inside my bag, taking it out made a big difference on the weight. Now, I just use the S Note for my doodles or save the links I need to remember in my phone.

4. The ultimate "why" I bid goodbye ay, now that I am already married, its my duty to let my husband know my schedules and vise versa. So instead to buy a pocket planner for him, I went back to my college days where I do not have money to buy those planner and yet need to have an organise myself to finish all my projects before the target date.
From June 2013, we use my own version of calendar. I usually use recycled paper  then use excel to create a table. No fuss, just spend for a small amount of ink in the printer and tadahhhhh! Two persons, in one piece of paper, can see all the events. We can give way to each other and not compromise any schedules.

Maybe this will help the couples out there. 

Oh, this is just above our light switch so we can see all the must-to-do before facing a new day!. :) 

My Card ... Our Best Friend

I know guys that you know that credit cards really create magic. Just a simple swipe all things you want will be instantly yours. But do you know many people now suffer because of using of those plastics and many are maximizing and enjoying having it? 

I am BDO credit card holder for I think almost 8 years but my credit limit never increased. I can feel their fury on me and I am loving it  haha. Every time I swipe my card, I see to it that I have already the money in my bank account. Why? I want the amount to stay there until end of month to increase the deposit and could make more savings interest. Then I
will pay it in full. No balances is equal to no interest, no extra charges and fees. I also demanded to waive off their annual fee, and they agreed. 

Here in Singapore, my husband have Citibank SMRT card. Since it is his first time to use one, I educate him how to manage it. With a good credit background many banks now offering him to get a loan which we always refused. We also received great points that we can redeemed for dining and grocery vouchers.

I treat my card as my best friend. Never borrow money unless really necessary and always pay all your debt or else the friendship will be torn and wasted. 

You? How do you treat your credit cards? If you don't want your life a living nightmare do not use your credit card to spend today your tomorrow's money.