Not Because You Are An Accounting Graduate, It Does Not Mean You Are Wiser

It was an endless battle of wit whether to jot my expenses down or just let it happen and forget in total

photo credit: www.thesimpledollar.com

oblivion. My happy-go-lucky self says to simply ignore it. My responsible and logical goddess wants to keep it documented. So, how do I go about this?

Not so long time ago, a friend introduced me to books of Robert Kiyosaki and of T.Harv Eker. Then, he invited me to attend financial education classes. Those series of life-changing events brought me some realizations and lead me to where I am now. One of those realizations was the recognition of how important financial awareness is. Second, is the importance of taking control of my finances and my life. Let's focus on these two for now.

In the past, I was not that concern of my financial future. Looking back, it seems I was just living and working to survive before I get the next paycheck. I was dragging myself to work every night because I was led to think that I have to so I can pay my bills and buy myself Starbucks coffee every day. Despite of a Nice pay, I never had savings and no investment. My net worth was 0. Every time I tried to think where my money goes, I thought it just went to my basic needs and my monthly payables. It was not an educated guess of course because I do not have a basis--I never keep record of my finances.

Financial Awareness

How aware are you with your financial status? How much do you spend every month? How much do you save? In case you lose your job right now, how long will you be able to live comfortably? What's your financial goal?--These are just some of the questions that tested my financial awareness. If I had to grade myself, I would have given myself an F. Being an accounting graduate does not mean you are any wiser when it comes to money. In school, we were taught how to be an accountant for other's businesses but not to manage our personal finance.

Financial awareness is not just knowing that you will be receiving your salary on the 15th and 30th, and you will be spending this and that tomorrow and next week. It is beyond the budgeting and the cash in and out.

Identifying your old and deep-rooted beliefs about money is critical to financial awareness. It explains why we look at money the way we do right now, our spending habits, and our money management. Many of our beliefs could be wrong. While this could be hard to accept at first, our bank accounts are the evidence on how good or bad we perform.

One of the false belief that was instill to me since I was a kid was the belief that "money is the root of all evil" when in fact, it is the "love of money" that is the root of all evil. I was lead to believe that many wealthy people are mean, corrupt, greedy, and they have a hard time sleeping at night because of fear and distrust. Through books and videos, I learned that these wealthy people are not at all like that. As a matter of fact, they are telling to be less attached with money because the more attached you are with money, the lesser freedom you have and more restricted in options. The same people seek freedom through pursuing their passion, helping others, and creating opportunities--and in doing so they become wealthy. I do not see anything wrong with what they are doing. In reality, what's wrong is remaining to be financially poor and financially uneducated when we have the chance to improve our lives and help other people too.

Poor people or shall I say poor-minded people tend to define wealth as just material wealth. Some would justify that they prefer the life that they have because it's less complicated. But when you try to scrutinize their lives, they are problematic--and guess what's their problem is? It's money. And they make decisions based on money. Perfect example is going to work abroad for money. So, tell me, who is more attached with money?

Recognizing the wrong beliefs about money gives us the opportunity to correct it and develop new habits. In doing so, we need to change our poor habits and educate ourselves to the tried and tested formula of experienced and successful people.


Taking control of your finances and your life

It is quite difficult to take control of something if you do not seems to know what are the things involved and if you do not have the courage or the drive. And it is quite difficult to identify these things involved if they are not recorded. This is the reason why I record my income, expenses, and investment ( yes, I have an investment now. It is small but that's the way I should start it). My records show my financial standing and help me plan to reach my financial goals. Similar to companies, whose owners look at their financial records to make a sound financial decision, we as an individual need to do it too.

Our finances is one aspect of our life. It defines us. And like other areas in our life, our finances requires self-discipline if we wish to succeed. Sadly, it is easier said than done. Many people either abhor or dread the word DISCIPLINE same way as with the word RESPONSIBILITY. But if we do not do anything about it, we are just people who reacts to situations. An easygoing life, while more relaxed, does not give that sense of direction and pride. The moment trouble comes you'll be caught off guard and wreck your finances and life. I should know because I've been on that situation. My debt was bigger than me. Good thing I believed that God is bigger than everything else because if not, I would have killed myself.

Robert Kiyosaki teaches us to let money work for us instead of we working for money. That was quite hard to grasp at first especially if you don't have ideas about investing. Read his Rich Dad, Poor Dad book.

Once you get the habit of recording your finances, planning your financial future, and investing you'll feel more confident, happier, and stronger.

Why Join a Direct Selling Company

Direct selling or network marketing never appeal to me that much several years ago. I once thought of them as scammers. However, through time, witnessing the successes of many individuals and learning great products offered through MLM (multi-level marketing) companies, I was compelled to do a little study.

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad and the inspiration among numerous groups advocating for financial education, believes that direct selling is the perfect business for people who are willing to work for it. Kiyosaki wrote an article discussing the benefits of direct selling. I will try my best to relay what I've learned in a concise manner.

In his book, Kiyosaki explains the cashflow quadrant.  The quadrants: E, S, B and I represents the four types of people who make up the world of business. Each quadrant is define by its source of income and its core values.

E stands for "employee". As we all know, this is for the type of people who are dependent of their salary. Whether the person is a janitor or the president of the company, this quadrant share a common core value, which is job security and benefits.

S stands for "self-employed" or "small business owners". They earn through commission, per project or per amount of time they spent in doing a job. Their core value is independence. They want freedom and they want to do things their own way.

B quadrant represents "business owner" defined as having 500 employees. Unlike S quadrant that wants to be the best in his field, B quadrant seek for the best people to join his team. People under this quadrant have powerful life mission. Concerning income, a  true B quadrant person can take a vacation or leave work yet still earning from his business.

Lastly, the I quadrant stands for "investor". They could invest in a lot of things like stocks, bonds, real estate, and businesses. Their core value is financial freedom. They let money works for them instead of they working for the money.

It is important to understand this cashflow quadrant to learn which quadrant gives more financial success. By simply looking at them it is easy to determine that the B and I quadrants gives you the best chance to become wealthy. Unfortunately, many people never realize that or they get trapped in their own values that they never move from their quadrant.

For an average person to enjoy financial success, Kiyosaki recommends starting your own direct selling company. Though he is not personally involved in one but through his study, he realized that direct selling company teaches the same business skills, principles, and mind-set similar to his "rich dad" who was actually the father of his close friend and his financial mentor during his early years.

He described direct selling as a revolutionary way of accumulating wealth. It can be a means of achieving financial freedom.

What is financial freedom? Financial freedom is different from financial security. As Kiyosaki explained in his article, people who wants financial security cling on their job or rely on their paycheck. The more secure you are, the less freedom you have. People who seek financial freedom developed different mind-set, attitudes, and skill-set. And like Kiyosaki, they show the absence of fear of being fired or worry about their paycheck because these do not matter. What matters would be opportunities and creating business.

Let me summarize the benefits of joining a direct selling company

• Provides opportunity for all regardless of your educational attainment, work experience, how you look like, etc.
• It teaches people to take charge of their destiny.
• Gives real-life business training that would not experience from business schools.
• Teaches you to build network and duplicate your efforts by training you to teach other like-minded people.
• Provides you the support system to help you grow and succeed in business.
• Letting you earn passive income, which is money coming in without you working on it.

Direct selling, however, only works to some people. It doesn't work for every one. At the end of the day, the decision has to come from you and your core values.

Listening to the Little Voice and Saving Money

Photo credit: BusinessETC.ie

Have you ever been financially broke in your life? If you have, you probably experience that feeling of
anxiety and helplessness. You self-esteem goes down. And what keeps you sane is your belief that things will get better soon while clinging to your faith.

Did it ever came across to your mind that such thing could have been prevented? The situations we are in right now are the results of our previous decisions and actions. If you believe on that, then what we are experiencing are mere consequences. Sometimes, it is not brought down by God to try your faith but instead you've done it to yourself. Again, let's go back to the reap-what-you-sow principle. If you've sow your field well, expect to reap greater rewards. The same thing goes to our finances and to our life.

I am lucky that I don't have a family of my own yet. It gives me more time and opportunities to improve the different aspects of my life. My finances is one area that I am working on.

While working in the corporate world and living in the big city, I noticed that my savings never improved. I was living from paycheck to paycheck. I spend on many things that, oftentimes, unnecessary. Looking back, I feel that I was one heck of a disheveled person who don't know where she is going. I was lost amidst the city's commotion and pressures of the adult life. The short-term happiness I get from material things temporarily filled the void I felt.

Tired of that system, I realize that I needed to change. When you know and recognize your desire, the universe seems to align itself to your want. And that's what happened to me. I got acquainted with people who have similar aspirations. I was encouraged to leave my comfort zone and pursue what I truly want. One thing leads to another, until I found myself working as an independent contractor. I have more time developing my skills and my creativity.


The little voice

I left the big city and started living alone in the province where I found solace. Far from the noise and the influences of the city, I feel more relaxed and vibrant. I am able to think clearly without all those distractions. True enough, there is a little voice inside us that wants to speak, yet it is drowned by all those noises and distractions. If we only listen to that little voice inside us, we learn to understand ourselves better. We learn more of our passion, desires, and purpose in life. And with that, we will be able to make better decisions.

We are also spiritual beings and our body is the temple of our soul. Our soul needs food—spiritual food. When we indulge our soul with their favorite food, we are doing ourselves a favor. Not only we are making our soul stronger but it equip us with wisdom, sound judgment, patience, joy and peace—these are spiritual gifts that material things could not provide. And it all makes that little voice becomes more audible, and it manifest itself on how we make our decisions and how we act.

Saving money

Is there really a connection with my little voice and saving money? The little voice is my soul speaking. By being in touch with myself, I feel less inclined to spend for things or go to places just to fill that certain void or sadness inside me. In short, the less I spend, the better I save.

Every time I receive my money, I calculate and plan how to use it. I immediately compute for the tithes and offering, and set aside my savings. I also allot budget for projects and bills. Basically, I have to live within my means with the amount left afterwards.

It takes discipline to have a control over the finances. It was hard at first but it became a habit to me. Believe it or not, this simple thing, even if I am not managing huge amount of money, its impact is tremendous. That sense of control and discipline makes me feel confident.

Neglecting to save money when you have the capability to do so is like neglecting to plan for the future. I don't think God wants us to be people who does not care about our future. Remember the parable of a builder who built his house on the sand? Did the bible says that people without vision will perish?

Simple Financial Lessons From A Freelancer

I've been a freelancer for almost 2 years now. And so far, I never experience the strike of boredom nor the urge to go back to the corporate world. While I am far from being content and stability is a question, I am happy and comfortable of where I am right now.

Being a freelancer is quite different from a 9am-to-6pm employee. Freelancers work entirely at their own time. Nevertheless, that doesn't equate to time-freedom. The only liberty we really have is how we work and where we want to work. Needless to say, like everything else in life, hard-work is necessary.

In less than two years in my freelancing career, I felt I've learned so much than working in the corporate. Not only about the job and the projects I've handled but also about time management and, most importantly, personal finance.

For over a decade, I worked relying on the 15-30 paycheck. When I shifted to a freelance career, I now have the option when, how, and how much I am going to be paid.

I didn't started easy. I have to tell you, it was truly a rough road. But my experience made me better as a freelancer and as an individual.

I've short-listed some financial lessons I've learned as a freelancer:

• Time is money. Every minute that I spend on unimportant things is literally time wasted.
• Since time is money, money is indeed valuable because I work hard for it. So, I use and spend it wisely. 
• My time is precious because I see it with monetary value. Hence, I try to spend my time reasonably.
• It takes hard-earned money to buy and enjoy delicious meal. Thus, I make sure to finish my food and make sure not to waste it. 
• I earn more if I work more. The saying "reap what you sow" is indeed true.
• Well-managed personal finance is very important. The freelance business can be unpredictable sometimes. Having enough savings help me survive at times that there are less projects or no incoming money.
• Managing your personal finance requires awareness of the money that is coming in and going out.
• Allot budget for typical monthly expenses (electric bill, water bill, internet bill, phone/communication, etc). It gives you less headache when you received the actual bill.
• I spend time for resting and spend money for a little pampering or simple enjoyment. A happy and well-rested body and mind is more productive and can work longer.

I live with these lessons by heart. These are something I learned from experience, and I hope you've learned something from them too.

RH Bill: What's In It For You?

Source: PinoyExchange

We've heard the clamor about the RH bill. Many religious sector especially the Catholic Church are very active in promoting their stand and views about the issue. So many dissenting opinions everywhere. And sometimes, it just made me think that they wasted too much money in debate and bickering. This is the problem of too much democracy--everybody just wanted to say something that they never realize they have spent too much time and money and ignore what is really expedient. And as the days go by, more mothers are giving birth--some of these poor mothers are throwing their babies in the garbage dead or abandoning their hungry and cold infant along the streets. We see that a lot on TV and read it on the papers.

What prod those mothers to heartlessly leave their children? Obviously, in the current state of the Philippines where there is a very clear and big gap between the poor and the rich, poverty is one of the main reason. So sickening!


Country's population

For such a small country, the Philippines has 95.8 million people as of January 2012. It was expected that we would hit a 97.6 million mark this year. By 2014, the population may increase to 101.2 million. Do we consider ourselves lucky to have this kind of number?

A large population in a small country can be compared to a big family in a very small space. A big family, say 5-10 members, living in one single space are less relaxed with less food to eat, less opportunities for better education and a bleak future. There may be food; however, because the family has more mouths to feed, each member would receive a meager share insufficient to feed their hungry stomach. Not only that, children don't get enough attention, love and care from their parents because they are too many of them. 

The problem with having a country with a big population is higher demand of food, higher crime rate, too much pollution, and not enough job opportunities for everyone. 

If we are not just too many, then everything wouldn't be in the state of chaos.  

What is RH Bill?

The Reproductive Health Bill, known as the RH Bill, are Philippine bills aiming to guarantee universal access to methods and information on contraception, fertility control, sexual education, and maternal care. The bills have become the center of a contentious national debate. There are presently two bills with the same goals:

• House Bill No. 4244 or An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development, and For Other Purposes introduced by Albay 1st district Representative Edcel Lagman, and 
• Senate Bill No. 2378 or An Act Providing For a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago.

(Source: Reproductive Health Bill)

House Bill No. 4244 shall be known as the "The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011".

Part of the Declaration of Policy states: " The State recognizes and guarantees the exercise of the universal basic human right to reproductive health by all persons, particularly of parents, couples and women, consistent with their religious convictions, cultural beliefs and the demands of responsible parenthood. Toward this end, there shall be no discrimination against any person on grounds of sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, political affiliation and ethnicity."

Furthermore, it states: " The state likewise guarantees universal access to medically safe, legal, affordable, effective and quality reproductive health care services, methods, devices, supplies and relevant information and education thereon even as it prioritizes the needs of women and children, and among other underprivileged sectors."

(Source: House Bill - House of Representatives)


The bill doesn't coerce women or couple to use a method nor does it states that it impose a certain number of child per family. At the end, it is still a personal choice.

The passing or rejection of the RH Bill mean so much to the future of this country. As a citizen of this republic, we are going to reap what is going to be decided in the senate. So, pray that the people in charge of passing the law realize how big their responsibilities are to our future and to the future of our children.


As a Christian

I am a self-confessed bible believe and follower. However, I am also entitled to my opinion. I am a pro-RH bill. What helped me decide are these biblical truths:

1. God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 

(Genesis 1:28, NIV Version)

God told us to be fruitful and to increase in number. He also said to subdue it. Subdue means to control, subjugate, conquer, suppress, discipline, etc. Therefore, controlling the population is one of God's instruction to men.

2. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife’s body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband’s body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.

(1 Co 7:2-5, NIV Version)

The bible encourage every man and woman to have their own wife and husband so they can do the sexual act with liberty and without the guilt of fornication. The husband and wife has duties to fulfill to each other. I don't see any abstinence in here except for the reason of prayer when they have to briefly deprive themselves by mutual consent.

3. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

(1 Co 7:7-9, NIV Version)

The bible clearly understand how difficult to suppress the desires of the flesh. Hence, Paul advice to the unmarried and widows that if they could no longer contain themselves, they should marry.

With all of these, I leave it up to you to think, understand and judge.

Consider Your Ways: Stories on Rain and Flood

Do you still remember that song when we were still kids: "kung ang ulan ay puro tsukolate...o kay sarap ng ulan" (if the rain is all chocolate...Oh, the rain taste delicious)? I bet you'd dreamed about it. I thought about it a lot of times when I was a kid. I even thought that I should bring buckets to catch the chocolate rain. It was a nice childhood fantasy. Impossible and senseless even but nice and unadulterated.

Now that I am an adult, I never fantasized of chocolate rain but I am dreaming of being blessed incessantly, pouring like rain until I have no room to catch. Nice, right? Then, I wish I could be flooded, overflowing with all those blessings so I can share it to everyone. However, blessings, especially financial or material blessings do not pour like that. Often, you really have to work for it--work really hard. That's the cause-and-effect or the reap-what-you-sow principle. The same principle applies to the heavy rain that flooded Metro Manila and some areas of Luzon.

I've been reading messages asking people to pray so the rain would stop and spare us from more damages.  What came to my mind is the phrase: "Consider your ways..."

The rain that floods

Rain is a blessing from heaven to water our vegetation and to cool the dry earth. Habagat (southwest monsoon) season in the Philippines is a natural occurring phenomenon that happens around May to September. Who would have thought that this is going to devastate homes and caused the death of many people? It's not even a typhoon!.The non-stop monsoon rain the past few weeks has caused knee to neck-high flood in some parts of NCR and provincial Luzon areas.

Reuters - Cheryl Ravelo

Reuters - Erik De Castro

Reuters - Erik De Castro

Cause and effect

No need for a nose-bleeding scientific explanation. The intense heat during summer and the excessive and heavy rain during the rainy season is the results of climate change. Climate change is nothing new to many of us. It's been taught in school. What we do to our environment always comes back. And often, it comes back twice or thrices that it can take away our homes, properties, and even lives.

The Principle of Giving

I would like to briefly discuss about the principle of giving. How does giving relates to money, which is the main topic of this blog? Well, you'll soon find out. However, I need to warn you, I will be using the bible as my reference. I understand that some, if not many, people don't see the bible as a relevant source of information. If that's the case, I'm encouraging you not to read on unless you want to know.

I am a bible-believer Christian. I believe that the bible is a source not only of good doctrine that is being used in the church but as a source of instruction in life. It helps us understand God and his attitude towards His children and other people. God as a being has feelings. If you are a bible reader, you will understand what I am saying.

One of the things that is being taught in the bible is giving. And a lot of Christians, I believe, fail on this. I have to admit, I also faltered. Let us bear in mind that even if the bible teaches us all of these things, the Church may choose not to impose it because God wants us to be a cheerful giver. He wants us to obey to show our love and obedience to Him as a father and as a Lord. He wants us to be spontaneous in giving and not to be tied with our money, which we couldn't bring when we die. While the principle of giving in the bible is quite a burden to some Christian and see it as bondage, looking at it, it is the same with other bible instructions like modesty in our apparel or having sex within marriage.

There are couple of reasons why a Christian should give. One, is to return what is for God. This refers to tithes, which is the 10 percent of our fruits, our earnings and profits. Some people thought that this practice is no longer applicable to this age. Second, is the belief that when we give, we shall also receive. This refers to offering to the church in addition to the tithes and showing our charity or generosity to other people.

If a Christian don't tithe and offer, what then is God's measurement of plenty or generosity? If you don't tithe and offer, who then is your God--is it the money because you fear of losing it or is it the God in Heaven whom you should trust? I see giving as a test of our obedience, love and faith.

So, what's in it for a Christian who tithes and offer? The Christian will be able to provide meat to God's house (the Church that Jesus Christ built--Please be wary on where you give your tithes. You might be giving it to the false preachers who are just getting richer because of what you give).  Second, the bible says that God will pour the windows of heaven for his blessings,  which could be materially, financially or other aspects of our lives, until you have no room to hold it. Third, the measurement of what we give, will be the measurement of blessings that we receive. Simply put, the principle of giving is similar to the reap-what-you-sow belief or the more-you-give-the-more-you-receive saying.

It is all up to us on what to believe and what to do. We live in this world with our free will. But let us not forget that even though some of us may not be spiritually inclined, there is an unknown force that we couldn't explain. Force that make things happen in our lives, whether it be good or bad. For a Christian, that force could be God who has hands over things, who can either bless us continually or hold His blessing away from us.

This Blog Is Not Dead

I'm sorry folks for not updating this blog regularly. Well, it's been over 6 months since my last update. But, no! This blog isn't dead!

I've been pretty busy the past several months. I have several clients to provide my virtual services to. In fact, I'm just taking an hour break from my research work I am doing right now. I'm also quite busy with my social media marketing--I'm still in the real estate industry and I'm also marketing for a local rattan manufacturer.

Though, I'm not actively posting here, I've been working hard to drive web traffic to Soliloquy, my primary blog. With all the changes and the effort I did with it, sort of an experiment for me, I am pretty happy seeing the traffic coming in. I've been seeing a decline of the bounce rate (the percentage of or visits in which the person left the site) and increase of the organic search. Hopefully, it's going to be the same here in Money Talks Over Coffee (MTOC).

I have a lot of catching up to do, really. I'll be working on a schedule and will try harder to stick to it. Part of my schedule is to deliver fresh weekly post in this blog and never leave it like it's dead.

Ciao for now! Feel free to drop me a line.

Money in Blogging and Writing

Back in my college days when I used to write for the university publication, I thought that there is no future in writing. I believed that there is no money in it, unless you have powerful connection in society where you are rubbing elbows with politicians, publishers, and among other influential people. That notion, however, changed through time. There is money in writing...and blogging. And that I realize since I embarked my freelance career.

Thanks to social media! Now, the internet is inundated with opportunities. I say it is opportunities because it doesn't automatically give you instant money. You need to explore and work hard for it.

I am not saying this because I have earned much. No! I am still learning the ropes. And I am still at the beginning of my race. Most of the times, I learn by myself through endless browsing and reading.

Here, I won't be  extensively discussing how to earn a living or how to make money from blogging and writing, but I am going to share common revenue-generating activities.

1. Getting online writing projects.    After leaving the corporate world, I decided to pursue a freelance career. I started getting projects from Odesk and Freelancer. It's been keeping me busy all the time.  Many of my projects include blogging, article writing, ghostwriting, web content and product reviews. Though I favored research and lead generation projects, but for some reason what I'm getting are writing projects.

Other websites that you can get writing assignments or projects include Donanza, Elance and People Per Hour.

2. Monetizing your blog.  I'm still working on this.  It is only recently that I was actively monetizing my blog through Google Adsense, advertising programs and affiliate programs. There are thousand out there that are willing to be your business partner. 

3. Sponsored reviews. Currently, I am affiliated with sponsoredreviews.com.  Some companies and organizations seek for bloggers who can discuss or create a review about their products or company. Some interesting sites that I still need to check include Blogging Ads, Link Post, Review Me, Shvoong, PayPerPost, and Smorty.

4. Writing Gigs. Many online magazines and websites accept submissions, contributions or feature articles. While many require you to apply to be a writer or contributor, some sites will pay you upfront for articles that meet their standards.  

5. More blogging opportunities.  Sites like Technorati, Helium, Hubpages and Bukisa welcome bloggers and let you earn passive income. They don't pay for your blogs upfront, but you will have the exposure and earn revenue from your blogs.  I'm interested in doing this, but because I am still kind of slow in writing, I can't manage it yet. I'm talking one step at a time. Though I have set accounts to a couple of those sites, I haven't posted anything as of this writing. 

Thinking Big and Kicking Ass

If anyone of you wonders what happen to me this past several months and why I wasn’t active in updating this blog—let me tell you that I happen to make a big and unthinkable leap from being a corporate worker to a freelancer.  I am not going to tell you anything about earning right now because I am not there yet, but I am getting there. And I can see it. It is my personal belief that a person has to find what she really wants in life, and success and its financial rewards will come right after.

Perhaps other people may not agree with my decision, but this is my conviction. And this is going to make me happy. While they are doubtful, I become more resilient.

Like any other things in life, the FIRST is always the difficult, awkward and memorable – first step, first love, first day in school, first job. Whatever difficulties that I am experiencing right now, I am savoring every part of it because I know that at some point in my life I am going to look back, then smile and say: Whew! I’ve been through all of that.

There is no single formula to success. Besides, the measurement of success could be different from person to person. It is kind of subjective in my point of view. If success is purely monetary, I think that isn’t good. But if success is indeed financial in nature for you, then so be it. Your gauge of your success is different than mine.

Think Big by Donald Trump is one of the books that truly inspired me. The book is a collaborative work of Trump and Bill Zanker.  It helps readers adopt the attitude of thinking big and kicking ass. Nice eh!

Bill Zanker is the owner of The Learning Annex. He had called Trump to be a speaker, but was rejected by his secretary not just twice but several times. The Learning Annex started from a $5,000 company and become a $5 million a year. After meeting Donald, The Learning Annex was generating over $100 million a year and growing.

I would love to read that book again and again.

It is funny that I had a hard time deciding whether to buy that book versus a book about how women should manage their money. I was standing in the bookstore for couple of hours trying to decipher which is which by leafing through the pages. I almost read 2 chapters of Think Big that I finally decided to buy it. And I made a perfect choice.

Why Fear? What lurks beyond the realm of entrepreneurship

Where does fear come from? Is it innate in human?  Take a child for instance, why would a child be fearful of the dark.  Is it because she was influenced by her parents or by some horror films? For adults like me and you, there are many things that we fear- fear of losing our jobs, fear of going into business, relationships, name it!

I found an interesting article that specifically discusses about the fears of entrepreneurship.  But let me say this first, not all people can become an entrepreneur. So, I guess only those who have the guts would enter the world of entrepreneurship and welcome all the possible odds, yet be still optimistic and focused on what they wanted to achieve. I can see that entrepreneurship takes a lot of courage to conquer the fears. I salute those people.

In the other part of our world, there is what we call "jobless entrepreneurship" phenomenon. And America is experiencing that right now.  Many people lost their jobs but instead of looking for another job, they created jobs for themselves. This is a clear indication of conquering fear, diving into a new frontier.

Enjoy reading!

Fear. It’s a shape-shifter, a gut-wrenching combatant and top-notch motivator all rolled into one. Call it an entrepreneurial bogeyman. How you respond to it makes all the difference to your success. Will you freeze and pull the covers over your head or will you be ready for anything?

source: thesmarterwallet.com

Sure, an uncertain economy leaves entrepreneurs with plenty to be fearful of these days. Still, more than half a million entrepreneurs started small businesses in 2009, and despite economic fears, 70 percent of them will survive at least two years, according to Small Business Administration statistics.

That’s not to say it’s easy to build a successful business. But with all the obstacles, don’t let fear be the one that takes you down.

Entrepreneurs control few obstacles, but Jen Groover, author of What If? & Why Not?, a book about transforming your fears into action, says internal fears and self-doubt erode your ability to succeed.

“Until you can jump over your inner roadblocks, the outer ones will stay firmly in place,” she says.

In other words, get out of your own way. The antidote to fear is faith in yourself, your business, your product and your dream.

Fear of Failure

We all fail, some of us more spectacularly than others, but we all do it every day. Businesses fail for many reasons: Competition grabs market share, funding disappears, society changes course or a recession blindsides you. “With every failure there comes—like a sort of secret toy surprise in the bottom of the cereal box—added value in strength, wisdom and knowledge,” Groover says. Failing inspires greater triumphs, especially when you use it to get your head straight.

Do a little soul searching after a failure. What mistakes were yours? Why did you make them and what did you learn from them? For many entrepreneurs, failure is far more acceptable than living with the regret of never trying.

Fear of Inadequacy

Some would-be entrepreneurs never get past dreaming, paralyzed by fears of inadequacy. They question themselves, their talents and abilities, as well as their products and ideas. Am I smart enough to handle all the business will throw at me? Do I have enough experience? Will this product really deliver?

Rather than get bogged down in what you don’t know, give yourself credit for what you do. Make a personal talent inventory and then list skills necessary for your business. If you find inadequacies, make a point to learn what you don’t know.

Too introverted for public speaking? Join Toastmasters for practice running meetings and giving impromptu speeches.

Can’t bear cold-call rejection? Change your mindset and believe each “no” is just one call closer to a “yes.”

Unconvinced you can “sell” someone? Focus on how your product can solve their problem instead.

Baffled by branding? Emotionally connect with customers and their needs; volunteer your expertise to anyone who needs it, and educate yourself about social networking.

If you’re afraid your idea or product isn’t good enough, market research can confirm or discount your misgivings. Consult with mentors and successful entrepreneurs to gain perspective, focus groups to test the water, and local business development organizations, the Small Business Administration and SCORE to establish a rock-solid business plan.

No one is ever 100 percent ready to start a business, nor can you foresee every twist, turn and challenge, but if you choose your business wisely and enlist help, confidence will replace inadequacy. You may surprise yourself.

Fear of Risks

People place high value on personal possessions—houses, cars, boats. We fight very hard to keep even the most mediocre job simply because we don’t want to lose it. Psychologically speaking, humans regard losses as being twice as powerful as gains. So when it comes to risking what we have for what we could have, it’s hard to get us motivated.

The tendency is to think of entrepreneurs as big risk takers, but the recession proved corporate America to be a pretty risky place, with the massive downsizing and layoffs we’ve seen. Fact is, business owners take calculated risks and accept them not only as part of doing business, but also of living life.

When starting your own business, it’s vital to consider the big picture. Get yourself organized, research the opportunity thoroughly, ask for help, draft a solid business plan and establish a fallback position for your worst-case scenario. Keep your goals in mind—and the potential rewards you’ll reap from taking these calculated risks—and keep working toward them. Remember that action is one of the greatest ways to overcome fear.

Fear of Financial Insecurity

Nothing’s certain when starting a business, and that state of fl ux promotes insecurity and uncertainty. Where are we headed and how are we going to get there? Will there be enough cash for the journey?

Venture capitalists don’t bestow funds often these days, nor do angel investors. But that’s not necessarily bad news for most entrepreneurs. Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index says $10,000 from the owner’s personal savings starts the average small business.

So if you’re not throwing cash at a new business, what does it take? Diligence, attention, creativity and a solid business plan, complete with start-up strategies, progress reports and sales forecasts. Mapping the route increases the likelihood of success and relieves those pesky feelings of insecurity and uncertainty. With the cash you do have, squeeze every penny from every dollar. If that means minimizing overhead and working from home, avoiding debt and purchasing used equipment, or remaining self-reliant and letting QuickBooks serve as your bookkeeper, so be it.

Cash flow makes or breaks you, so new accounts should pay up front. Net 30 is for established clients only. Negotiate longer terms with suppliers—net 30, 60 or even 90. Keep marketing simple and cheap—Facebook, Twitter and in-person networking—but splurge on a professional, easily navigated website.

When the day finally comes that your business needs to borrow to grow, proceed with caution, but by all means proceed.

Mike Lawrence’s company, Havana Banana Breads, is a debt-free startup with 12 years of strategic preparation and personal cash infusions behind it. His fear of debt inspired creativity and allowed him to innovatively bring his baked goods to online and retail markets for a fraction of the cost two years ago. He brokered a deal with a suburban Washington D.C. bakery to sublet its commercial ovens in off-hours. He branded himself and his company with imaginative banana-focused collateral materials and insisted on the finest ingredients, including whole bananas, rather than canned pulp. Then he paid cash.

Havana Banana Breads bakes some 8,000 loaves a year and sells to metro Washington D.C. Whole Foods stores, but to grow, Lawrence now needs equipment of his own. With the help of the Small Business Administration, he’s calculated the risk and is borrowing enough money for a 400-loaf carousel oven and a commercial bakery space he plans to sublet in off hours to an upstart entrepreneur.

“Minimize the risk by thinking things through, weigh the pros and cons of each step you take, be honest with yourself and go with your gut. Make it part of your plan that when you sign your name on that loan package, it’s your money now—start paying it back,” Lawrence says.

For Lawrence, who was planning his business before retiring from the military, time was a luxury that many small-business owners don’t have. Still, preparation is often that thin line between success and failure. You must take the time. As Lawrence says, “If you rush, you’ll make bad decisions.”

Fear of What Others Will Think

Don’t kid yourself; relationships influence every decision you make, especially when you’re a would-be entrepreneur with an out-of-the-box idea. What if my friends think I’ve crossed over to Crazy Town? What if the in-laws think I’m jeopardizing my family’s future by leaving the corporate world to pursue an entrepreneurial dream? You aren’t the first or the last to ask these questions and consider the consequences of the answers.

“Anyone who chases a dream is accused of having lost it at one time or another. If they all listened, we’d go nowhere,” Groover says.

Entrepreneurs must differentiate between the constructive criticism of someone who is knowledgeable and the negativity of someone who is just worried for you because he can’t imagine taking the entrepreneurial plunge himself. Remember that others don’t necessarily have your vision, skills and drive, so just because they can’t envision your dream doesn’t mean you can’t make it come true.

Sure, you’d like for others to believe in you and to wish you well in your ventures. But what’s more important is that you believe in yourself and stay true to your heart and your instincts.

Fear of Growth

Many budding entrepreneurs can only hope they will one day have to worry about their businesses’ growing pains. But thinking through the stages of a new business—including growth, taking the business to the next level and even succession— is important.

Newly downsized architect Zach Rose launched his Green Education Services from his buddy’s couch two years ago. The business provides training in green design and renewable/clean energy. With nothing to lose in starting the business, Rose’s attitude was “Let’s see if this is going to stick!” And it did; a month later, trainings in Miami and New York City sold out.

Today, with second-year revenue projected at just shy of $2 million, Rose’s company has 11 employees around the country and has trained 5,000 people.

Demand is high—but so is competition. Rose must grow—or die. That leaves him fearful, but excited as he ponders new questions and challenges. Which new opportunities will serve me and my clients best as we grow? Will one misstep bring down the success we’ve created?

This type of fear isn’t necessarily a negative for entrepreneurs, however. It can be the wakeup call that shocks you into action or, in Rose’s case, provides the motivation to keep innovating and working hard even when business is booming.

Kids found money in manure

The internet is flooded with articles about entrepreneurship as the key to productivity growth, the means to end unemployment, and etc.

The StartUp America by President Obama aims to motivate economic growth with job creation through entrepreneurship. Every Americans who are planning to start a business can get a lot of help whether it is on funding or mainly resources on how to start your company.

Then I came across with a very interesting article. It's about the kids in Life Lab homeschooling group in Melbourne. They have a project called SuperPoo.  They scoop horse manure for profit.  With this project, the children were learning the basics of entrepreneurship and have an early understanding of the law of supply and demand.  

I hope their story will be an inspiration to schools and to families.  

Read the article:  http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110316/BUSINESS/103160328/Young-entrepreneurs-find-money-manure

Rich Dad Poor Dad

This is a must read book!  I read it before and I am reading it again. Sometimes, we have to do something twice or more to give us the same feeling of excitement, inspiration and motivation.

Life is a matter of choices. God has given us free will to decide and act. Robert Kiyosaki had made his choice to listen and follow his rich dad's advice.  His choice lead him to where he is right now.

You may visit http://www.richdad.com/ to read what the book is all about. 


"Having two dads as advisors offered me the perspective of contrasting points of view: one of a rich man and one of a poor man. The problem was that my rich dad was not yet rich, and my poor dad not yet poor. Both were just starting out in their careers; both were struggling with money and families."

It's All About the Attitude

Financial education is supposed to start at home. Unfortunately, a typical Filipino family wouldn't discuss issues on finances openly.  Well, in my generation at least. I belong to Gen X, by the way. I don't know with the Gen Y.

The times that money were discussed loudly were during the bickering of my ma and pa which sounds pretty awful especially to a child. It had subconsciously inculcated in my mind that money could spark a petty argument and could wreck a relationship and worse a home. And as a child, since our mind were like vacuum, absorbing almost everything, I brought those negative beliefs in me. I may not verbalize it, but the way I looked at things, it actually takes me back to my past.  So what I am now is actually the product of the things that happened in the past.  So sometimes, understanding a person's outlook in life is also trying to understand where he is coming from.

If only we did a little twisting of the story, then perhaps things could have been different. But that wasn't the case.

If only I could fabricate my life I could probably start it by having my parents teaching me, first and foremost, fear of God because that will keep me grounded no matter what.  Second, they will teach me how to be headstrong because things might not go the way I wanted it to be but if I am determined, then I shouldn't let anything hinder it, not even fear.  Third, the importance of happiness in whatever I do. That I realize now for I have been pursuing happiness all my life. And when will money comes into the picture?  Well, after teaching me happiness. It is important that we love and we are happy of what we do, and I am sure money will come right after.  When you are happy, there is no such thing as tired or bored. What is there is excitement.

Since I couldn't change my past, what is there to do is to be selective of my thoughts and feelings.  It is quite a challenge because the world is full of distressing situation and people.  Watching TV alone gives a bad vibes. I actually shied away from watching news, I don't know if that is bad but I rather get a financial education through reading books and surfing the net.

I do not claim that what I do is right for everybody but it is definitely right for me.  I am actually pursuing happiness. And I am trying to get in control of my life and finances. Yes, there is a hint of fear but I am excited as well. I will make this work. Watch me.

Lessons From A Life's Crisis

According to the dictionary, a crisis means a dramatic emotional or circumstantial upheaval in a person's life.

Two things could happen to you in a crisis - either you get depressed or it will show the best of you.

If I have to think of a specific crisis in my life that literally pulled me down and put me in a situation where there was nothing I could hold on but faith alone, it would have to be during the time when my father was battling with cancer. I was financially stripped.  Day to day expenses was difficult. But I guess, it is through such tough times that tested not only my faith but strength and resilience as a person.

Now, I sometimes have to go back to that experience to let me think that I have been through the worse - emotionally and financially that is. That crisis actually made me realize a lot of things, and my fingers wouldn't suffice in counting. But let me mention three of them:

1. Cancer is painful. I saw how my father suffered. It breaks my heart until this day if I remember how he looked at me. He may not say a word, but all I see is his love and his pain.

Making the matter worst, the hospitalization bills were painful.  I may want to give him the best medical treatment in the country, but we were financially limited.

2.  Health is wealth.

 I know my father to be a very workaholic person.  He worked in extended hours and even worked during weekends.  I thought there was nothing wrong with that. But according to a specialist we have talked to, stress is toxic to the body. It puts your blood in a high acid level.

If you want to enjoy the prime of your life, you have to take care of your health. Though stress is inevitable, we should try to balanced it out with something that relaxes our mind and body.

3. Money makes the world round.  Honestly, I don't know what it means. But I have to tell you that a crisis that involves a sick in the family, you will truly do your best to come up with money.  Though there is a slim chance of survival, but seeing someone you loved suffer like that, you will never know what you can do and what you can give up until you find yourself in that situation.

The experience is nothing unusual. Some people have gone through difficult situation much worst than this.


The sad truth about it all is money plays a vital role. Money shouldn't have matter.  But having less of it, narrows your options.  And sometimes, death comes handy. I was sad that my father died, but I was also relieved from the burden.