MONEY MATTERS : BRIGHTER LIFE PERSONAL FINANCE SERIES

One of the best investments that you can have is your knowledge on how things work. People are usually afraid of the unknown. With this in mind, I have made it a point for 2013 to be a year of financial literacy.

I have read materials and blogs, engaged in one on one conversations, attended conferences and by far, the biggest leap I jumped into was to enroll myself at Registered Financial Planner Institute (which by the way has a few thousand worth of tuition fee).

As I continue to tick my keyboard now, I reckoned: Is it worth it? In all honestly, I can say it is. Instead of a measly 1% earning (from savings account), I now invested into mutual funds, UITF and stocks. And as much as I fear that I may be tagged as "weird", I'm loving the whole process. So much so that MONEY MATTERS series was born.
Image Credit: Brighter Life Philippines

It may interesting to know that BRIGHTER LIFE series is on going (more like weekly) and it is free. Each event highlights a specific topic. One that we've attended is Personal Finance for the Self-Employed. If you're still testing the waters, this is a good start for you.

Some few take-aways from my notes: 
♣ Good cash flow is important.
♣ If you do a really good job, profits will follow; but it's nicer to know your numbers.
♣ List all your money-in and money-out, check if the ins are more than the outs.
♣ Investing is behavioral.

There should be a mind-shift. 
Actual Mindset: Spending is sexy. Saving is baduy.
Should Be Mindset: {Over} Spending is baduy. Saving is sexy!

Why is it a good time to invest NOW?

♠ Inflation continues to be low (think: rates are favorable).

♠ There's a high confidence in Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

♠ It's also a good time to be an entrepreneur and investor.

Before you invest...

1. improve your cash flow. |2. get out of debt.

3. save up for your emergency fund (3 months worth of your expenses).

4. get protected from life's risks. | 5. concentrate in investing for long term.

 

FINANCIAL PLANNING should NOT be viewed as making one's life miserable. 

It's all about wise spending and balance.

FUTURE vs. PRESENT

☺ How much can you save?

☺What is the rate of return?

☺ How much do you need?

☺When will you need it?

LAST WORDS...

♥ Go with the risk that you are comfortable with.

♥ In the end, it's all about BALANCE.

♥ What makes you happy today? What makes you happy in the future? 

♥ Do something about it.

Personal Finance can be FUN. Trust me. ☺ -CMK