I wanted to title this review as “My Kids invest in the Stock Market (
and why you & your kids should too?)” but I decided not; because it will just remind you of one of my favorite books “My Maid Invests in the Stock Market” written few years ago by Bo Sanchez.(get here the free eBook).
Last July 2016, as an update, one of his MAIDs already MADE her FIRST MILLION! Are you not amazed? How can someone with 7k salary set aside or make about 12k monthly to get 1M only after seven years? What the Bunso is doing can give you a clue … (read on)
I want to be very clear why I want you to be wealthy.
[ Gusto ko maging maliwanag bakit nais ko kayong yumaman.]
For Ate: to have almost 6 Million 30 years from now. Of course if she only wants that amount. And for what? Just read on.
[ Para kay Ate: na magkaroon ng halos anim(6) na Milyon tatlumpung taon mula ngayon. Siyempre, kung gusto n’ya lang ang ganyang halaga. At para saan? Magpatuloy lang sa pagbabasa. ]
And more than that amount for Bunso because she has the time advantage. Again, I won’t force the issue if you don’t like that much money. Now, you still remember the story of “Ping at Pong,” right? In investing, the earlier you start, the better because TIME helps compound especially the earnings. That is IF Bunso, like her Ate, demonstrates that she can also truly save 🙂 Continue reading →
Many people think that once you earn a degree by finishing college, you stop studying.
I also thought it was that way.
But after landing work after work, I would still find myself in orientations and training and refreshers year after year. Studying. Reviewing. Trying to pass exams to get good grades. It was like I didn’t finish college at all! Sometimes I find them bad; but more often, looking back now, they provided me more of the good stuff I didn’t realize I have and I can do after every learning sessions.
Stephen Covey called this “sharpening the saw” in his 7 Habits of Highly Effective People materials. It is simply as simple as sharpening your pencil. You can only put your pencil to good use if you sharpen it, right? You don’t particularly feel as good and effective with your writing if you have a pudpud (un-sharpened) pencil. And you don’t want to use an un-sharpened pencil. And oftentimes, you lose that pencil.
It’s the same thing with your muscles and your brains.
You get weak when you don’t exercise (using your muscles).
You get dumb when you don’t use your brains — via learning or reading or writing or thinking good thoughts, for example. Continue reading →
(Image from Humboldt State University; in an article by Dr. Gayle Olson-Raymer, a History lecturer)
I found this inside story – Messages between Mark Zuckerberg and Marc Andreessen surface in Facebook lawsuit (link here) – that came out about nine months ago.
This is an old news but this gives you an idea how “stock ownership” works.
Of course, we know very well that by buying a small chunk of ownership as minority owners, in your case, of local companies such as Jollibee, Meralco, SM mall, BPI, etcetera – your tiny ownership has a voice! Continue reading →
Bunso won the raffled grand prize (worth P33k for two nights Club Paradise-Palawan accommodation) during the PSE Bullrun event last January.
We don’t find ourselves doing a Palawan vacation this year so we’re looking to transfer this prize to someone else. We’ll endorse this certificate to the highest bidder. Just PM. 🙂
If ever, bunso plans to add the proceeds to her stock market investments. Any takers?
I believe that from the very beginning, people were destined to be free from poverty. Until one day our original parents exercised wrongly their gift of free will.
Fast forward thousands of years thereafter, we are witnessing the horrible situation of the world we are in today.
Racism is resurrecting in the West. North Korea threatening a nuclear war. Drug war in the Philippines killing a grade 11 student. Stock markets getting more volatile. What else do you see in the news?
Some people despair but I choose to think with those who try to make this world a better place while alive. One effective method that works for me is through (positive) declarations.
Here are some declarations in my collection that have been very helpful to me in getting through each day. They’re especially helpful during rough days; they get you on track.
I like who God made me. He loves me, and I am special to Him. I have gifts and abilities that He has given me, and I am thankful for them. I also have weaknesses, but I trust God to show His strength in these areas. I have been made right with God through Jesus Christ. I can do nothing without Him, but I can do all things through Him. (Psalm 139:14; Romans 8:39,12:6; Jeremiah 1:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21,12:9; Philippians 4:13)
Here’s another one.
Know the truth and be set free (John 8:32) to live a life of abundance (John 10:10) Jesus died to give you because God loves you and want your joy to be complete (John 16:24)
Memorize them.
They are life-changing. I got them, by the way, from the literature of Joyce Meyer. (Image above taken from bible.com app).
PostScript: If you need help maintaining an abundance mindset to claim your freedom from poverty, join this community.
Here’s a very timely video presentation that explains why, if you’re a Filipino, you should ride through the country’s growth story not only as observer on the sideline; but more importantly as an investor.
One doesn’t need to have so much in order to invest! Can you save 20 pesos like the #2daughters? That little amount can actually turn into millions. If that blows your mind, read this! Now, if you don’t know how to save, I can tell for certain you’re highly likely to remain an observer on the sideline wondering how on earth the Philippine economy rocketed itself to the moon, when that imminent economic prosperity arrives. In fact, non-Filipinos are recognizing this and positioning themselves not to be left out.
Let me warn you though. When used alone, this idea of not being left out is the same motivation that gets people scammed. Make sure to understand what you’re getting into. I would even challenge you to validate everything that’s posted in this blog. Don’t believe me right away! That’s the right attitude before parting with your money, even if that’s just PHP 20 (pesos). In one story, someone lost a lot of money for failing to fact check [complete story here]. Don’t copy that same story into your life, please!
What follows are additional guidelines that should protect you from trouble.
Deal only with legitimate stockbrokers. In our community that provides stock market investing guidance, our preference is the leading online stock brokerage company in the country today.
It’s not enough that the company you are dealing with has SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) Registration certificate. Ask for the “secondary license” that allows them to sell investments. Aman Futures that scammed billions of pesos from thousands of Pinoys including government officials only had SEC registration! Actually even a licensed stockbroker(person) needs sponsorship of a licensed stockbrokerage firm (like Colfinancial, Bpitrade, etc.) in order for any transaction to be legal.
For your protection, only open an account with a licensed stockbrokerage firm. Like when you open a typical bank account, you deal only with the bank itself or its authorized representative.
Pay directly to the stockbrokerage firm. Of course, there should be an official receipt if you do this. For online accounts, you have an option to deposit your “consumable” initial amount/payment only after the approval of you stockbrokerage account. You will know your account has been approved upon your receipt via email of your username and password.
You would know you are being scammed if there is a guaranteed return! By law, any licensed stockbroker(person) or authorized representative of a stockbrokerage firm, is prohibited from guaranteeing stock investment returns. If you’re offered any investments (stocks or otherwise) and there’s guaranteed returns, run away as fast as you can!!
Be informed and stay updated with any of your investments. If you think the company you bought no longer serves your purpose based on your qualifications for buying them, discard them and move on. If you think you need guidance, you may join our community that advocates that “the true purpose of wealth is to serve others.”
I told you not to believe me, right? Learn more from Philippine Stocks Exchange:
Postscript 1/2: Sourced from PSE Facebook page, and Colfinancial FB page and YouTube channel.
Postscript 2/2: If you want to have financial wealth and spiritual abundance at the same time, journey with this community!
It is because whatever you think most of the time, whatever you focuses on, whatever you set your mind to, eventually becomes your reality.
Do you notice in yourself that your thoughts affect the way you see things? Direct how you should feel? Influence the words that come out from your mouth? Then lead to your actions? Before you know it, these repeated actions become a habit. A pattern that transform to certain behavior. Then there is your character and destiny.
The moment you discern that your calling is either a vow of poverty or a vow of generosity, set your mind to your choice and work (the action part) all the best you can to achieve your purpose in life.
The path I’m recommending is the vow of generosity because, I believe, there is lesser problem and stress with having more money than having no money.
There’s better chance doing more good things by having more money than less money. Lesser resources limits your ability to act boldly in blessing other people through you. Don’t you think so?
Yesterday, as I was walking towards home, I shook my head in sadness as two women were talking.
Woman: Ibebenta ko ang sapatos ko. (I’m selling my shoes). Olderwoman: Bakit? (Why?) Woman: Wala kaming pangkain, natalo sa bingo eh. Ayoko na talaga! (We’ve got nothing to eat. I gambled the money and lost. I’m stopping already!)
I hope that woman stay true to her decision to stop gambling any money for basic necessities. I’m sure there are other issues causing her state of poverty as they’re among those who take shelter in the sidewalk. But one reason, I believe, is this: that woman has never considered the overflow/abundance mindset. If she continue thinking poor because that’s how she looks at her condition, she’ll never consider the possibility of rising up from that disappointing situation to claim her more-than-enough potential.
I encourage you to listen to this material below from Joel Osteen. Some people hate him and accuse him false prophet for his motivational style of preaching the Gospel of Christ. But I don’t care much about the messenger (Joel is a Protestant and I’m Catholic) for as long as the “message” leads me towards living the fruit of the spirit such as: pag-ibig/love, kagalakan/joy, kapayapaan/peace, pagtitiis/patience, kabutihan/kindness, kagandahang-loob/goodness, katapatan/faithfulness, kahinahunan/humility, pagpipigil sa sarili/self-control).
There’s more to gain listening to the guy rather than listening to those who say negative things about him with the invitation that I condemn the guy. I can’t seem to locate where this (condemning the guy encouragement) should fit in the list of “fruits” above. On judgement day, we will all face the true and rightful judge. I’ll let Him do that.
[Watch/Listen: Develop an overflow mentality by Joel Osteen (YouTube)]
PS. If you want to immerse yourself in a life-changing kind of thinking, you may join our community where you can gain an overflow in all areas of your life.
Attribution: video/audio from YouTube; images from constantcontact.com and pinterest.com
A car has a manual so that when it malfunctions, the repair technician will know how to fix the trouble. The manual also teaches how to maintain the car to keep it in good running condition so it can get you to places especially your desired destination.
Your cellphone has a manual, too! It gives the assurance you can know its proper use, its features and continue enjoying them using the internet, as from time to time, your cellphone hangs and encounters all sorts of unexpected problems.
Do you know that your life has a manual, too? Like a car or a cellphone, you are a creation – with a purpose, too! Sometimes it’s difficult to know it; and it may take a while to know what your purpose is for being here. But I AM SURE that you are intended to be uselful. What are cars and/or cellphones, that are all over the place wherever you look, if they’re of no use?
Know this. Just keep on looking until you find your usefulness! When problems come your way, you may feel broken and destroyed but you can be repaired. Thanks to your (repair) manual! Your life manual has also sufficient instructions how you can maintain a good & meaningful life.
And yes, including how to create & maintain good finances – example of this is the 7.5 Million goal of each of you that’s coming your way in few years! Thanks to the guidance of an awesome community!
That’s why, financial or otherwise, you always hear me tell you that you can live and enjoy a fantastic life to the full! Check your manual, that promise is there!
Just keep reading it everyday of your life not only during the mass or religion classes – even if you don’t feel like reading it at times.
Oh, well. Thankfully, you can also watch its movie adaptation I recently discovered (see below).
Tell you something. Daddy is convinced that your (life/repair) manual is the best source of financial wisdom! It is popularly called as …
The Bible 1:
The Bible 2:
The Bible 3:
The Bible 4:
Attribution: Image from haynes.com; Gospel of Jesus facebook page for the videos.
Postscript: You may join.our community if you think your financial life is a mess right now. And change your life for the better! Know more about it, here!
Others may feel differently. But for someone studying personal finance & investing like me who also would like to transfer the right knowledge and values to #2daughters, I find the story of the the rich man who consulted the Savior, very disturbing! It’s as if I’m in a dead-end, staring at a brick wall seeing some writing on the wall (like the image above). It seemed like all stuff I am discovering up to now will eventually end up useless!
What?! Sell my possessions and give the money to the poor?! Perhaps everyone, whether rich or poor at this very moment, will do the exact same thing the rich man did. He went away, was sad and grieved for he had great possessions. Honestly? I think even the poor would do that.
I do. I don’t have great possessions yet. And with very little resources, I would question, why should I give to others when what I have is not even enough for me? I can not give what I don’t have! Hello?! In case I sell whatever I have, I’d rather use the proceeds which will definitely be insufficient still. Ako muna bago sila! (Me first before them!). Isn’t that how people, by nature, misbehave?
Thankfully, I found this sensible note I can agree with. It reads:
“What does your money mean to you? Although Jesus wanted this man to sell everything and give his money to the poor, this does not mean that all believers should sell all their possessions. Most of his followers did not sell everything, although they used their possessions to serve others. Instead, this story shows us that we must not let anything we have or desire keep us from following Jesus. We must remove all barriers to serving him fully. If Jesus asked, could you give up your house? Your car? Your level of income? Your position on the ladder of promotion? Your reaction may show your attitude toward money-whether it is your servant or your master.”
(Above commentary is from the Life Application Study Bible, page 1436; published by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.)
Therefore, having possessions and having the money or the lack of them is not the issue. Being rich or poor is not the issue. My attitude is the issue. Your attitude is the issue. No matter which strata you are in, in this society and generation, right now, while you’re reading up to this paragraph.
This, I think, is the reason why there’s a saying “money is the acid-test of character” (credit to whoever said that). I once heard Francis Kong in a TV interview said that “money problem is an attitude problem.” Often because people misplace money in their lives. Money should always be a servant, and never a master, of our lives. May God help me to always keep that top-of-the-mind awareness.
Postscript 1/2: You can read the whole story of this rich man who was so attached to his great possessions in the link below:
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:21 NLT (http://bible.com/116/mrk.10.21.NLT )
PostScript 2/2: Incidentally, I am part of a community that teaches that the ultimate purpose of wealth/money is to love and serve others. See for yourself if you fit, click this now!
Somewhere in the video below, one line especially caught my attention. The billionaire (majority) owner of the Philippine’s largest online stockbroker, Edward Lee, who was being interviewed by FQMom Rose Fres Fausto, said this: themostdifficultismakingyourfirstmillion! (I’m not sure I quoted him right, go just watch the video below to validate). Therefore, the next millions are easier!
Powerful insight, right? But here’s what I have just realized. When you don’t have that much money yet (at least a million), the most difficult even is to finally start investing!
That’s my experience. It took years for me to finally open my own investing account. And a few more years for me, with the consent of my kids, to open two separate accounts for each of my #2daughters.
In my hope to find a magicpill to overcome this inertia and encourage more parents and kids to jump start investing ASAP, I sent some questions (luckily featured in 6:30 minute of the video below) when the FQMom shared she got an opportunity to interview Mr. Lee who has over four decades of investing experience.
Did I finally find the magic pill? Watch this insightful episode to answer my question.
Watch: FQ Live! Episode 10: Myopic loss Aversion (sourced from YouTube, FQMom’s page, and Philippine Star article)
[How crazy can we get? We put more weight on pain over gain and we prefer sure wins; yet we cross the street directly facing the huge “Nakamamatay” warning sign, we bet on lotto tickets despite the 5M probability of winning. More explanation in the article and video from the FQMom]
Postscript 1/3: To the FQMom and FQSon Enrique(an investor himself since birth together with his 2 brothers) and their team: Thank you for repairing the lost portions of the answers to my questions!
Postscript 2/3: Including also here the playlist of FQ Live! (Link not yet available; to follow)
Postscript 3/3: For everyone interested: You can experience an easier way to invest! Why not get the guidance of Trulyrichclub that receives mentorship from Mr Lee himself?
I’ve had countless near-death experiences in my life.
During elementary years, I almost drowned in a rangas (river) for not heeding to my parent’s advice not to bathe there because I didn’t know how to swim. Thanks to a friend who lifted me up for some oxygen.
Thus, in college, I took swimming lessons for my PE subjects. But I almost drowned again some years back during a company outing in Batangas due to my arrogance that I knew how to swim I could go near the floating boundary. I panicked I could no longer touch the sand. But images of #2daughters flashed before my eyes. It was such an inspiration that despite exhaustion I was able to swim back to the shore.
I learned very important lessons I carry to this day. That both ignorance and arrogance can kill you! With investing, I find these very valuable.
The most recent was yesterday. I was giving my all finishing my work to rush for an Aunt’s birthday to reunite with 2daughters but something shook my world. Continue reading →
letters2daughters 