"iPhone" or "iPon"

Today marks the launching of my "iPon" project.  I sent out invites to most of my friends to take time out and have a one-on-one meeting with me to discuss about personal finance.  Its my way of sharing what I've learned so far on my journey towards financial freedom...
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Why "iPon"?...."iPon" is a Filipino word meaning "savings".  My personal advocacy really is to educate people, especially fellow Filipinos, on the value of saving.  I learned during J.Randell Tiongson's Steps to Financial Peace seminar that we have the lowest savings rate in Asia and the world.  On the average, we, Filipinos only save around 15-18% of our earnings, while our Asian neighbors save over 30% of their income...
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I always tell this story too.  When I worked in London back in 2004-2009, I met younger colleagues (early to late 20's) from different countries (i.e. UK, Australia, China, Portugal, New Zealand and Malaysia).  One commonality among them was they have a "savings" mentality.  At a young age, their priorities were to invest in stocks, mutual funds, business and real estate.  Meanwhile, me and my Filipino friends were just happy buying consumer goods like clothes, shoes, bags, watches, cellphones, etc.
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Thus I thought of the "iPhone" vs. "iPon", which is more important?.  Lets review the facts.
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"iPhone":  The latest model now is iPhone 4.  One of its slogans in Apple Store's website is:  "While everyone else was trying to keep up with iPhone, we were making it more powerful, easier to use, and more indispensable than ever. "  Is it really indispensable???...when will the iPhone 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. will be released?...To be honest, I like the iPhone...its cool and its hip!!!...I "want" one but I don't "need" one...In personal finance, one lesson I've learned is that before buying (esp. the major purchases), you have to ask yourself, is it a "want" or a "need"???
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Meanwhile, "iPon" is neither sexy nor exciting nor cool.  You can "show off" your iPhone, but not your "iPon".  When you "iPon" you don't feel instant/immediate gratification.  In the book, "The Millionaire Next Door", one of the characteristics of America's millionaires is "They believe that financial independence is more important than displaying high social status....the wealthy aren't interested in status vehicles or other showy products. After all, it is much easier to appear wealthy than it is to be wealthy."
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I'm keeping my fingers crossed.  I'm hoping my friends will accept this FREE  invitation for the "iPon" project.  I am devoting my personal time for the whole month of October to spread the importance of financial wellness.  I envision that this is just a baby step towards something bigger in the near future.  So "iPon" na tayo!!!  =)

Hope this helps,

Ge
Gerald Cantor is a Registered Financial Planner graduate and a Financial Consultant of Pru Life UK.  He is also a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Internal Auditor.  Ge is proud to be an ex-OFW, a "career-shifter", a baller, a newby entrepreneur and most importantly, a "proud" dad of Gia (4yo) and Clarie (2yo).