CORONA and Personal Finance

"Hindi po ako nagmamarunong dito, ginagamit ko lang ang konsensya!.  Ang sinasabi nya ay isang picha pie...." - Sen. Lito Lapid




Finally, the impeachment is over!!!  We can all go back to work?!?! =)


For the common Filipino, here are 3 personal finance principles I can relate with CJ Corona's impeachment:


1.  Know your Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).  More importantly, be honest with yourself and declare your true net worth.  Even if you have more liabilities than assets, at least you know where you are now, financially...the next step is to devise a plan on how to improve your SALN...


2.  Health is really Wealth.  No matter how much dollars savings you have, do you prefer to be walking and enjoying your wealth or in a "wheelchair"?  Do you want to be like JPE, he still have a sharp mind at his age?


3. Don't be "Palusot".  We all like to make "palusot" in delaying that savings plan for ourselves and our kids' college plan, in budgeting our expenses, in getting that life insurance....Stop making "palusot" na...=)


Hope this helps.


Ge

BORACAY and PERSONAL FINANCE

"God is now here or God is no where?" - Priest from Boracay

Last Holy Week, my family (wife and kids) spent our time in the beautiful island of Boracay...I know it's a not-so-holy place, but somehow the priest hit the right homily during Easter mass...is God now here or is God no where in Boracay?
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Anyway, let's stick to personal finance matters...
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First of all, I would like to thank my sister in-law who made the trip possible...she shouldered the plane fare, hotel accommodation and even gave us some pocket money!!!...I guess the first tip I can give you on saving for that family trip is to find a generous sponsor for your vacation....=)
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On plane fares....book early...the earlier the cheaper...however, be warned that a "Piso" fare (by Cebu Pac) or an "Itlog" fare (recent promo by Air Phil express) is not really P1 peso or FREE....of course, you still have to pay for taxes, surcharges, etc....
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On hotel accomodations....we all have different expectations when it comes to hotels...on a financial/savings stand point, as long as its safe, clean, with basic amenities, close proximity to restaurants/tourist spots, "pwede na yan"....do you really have to stay in Boracay Regency with a swimming pool but its beach front is full of "lumot"?...
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On food trips and restaurants....while in Boracay, I came to appreciate Mang Inasal and Andok's since they seem to be the only well-known resto chains there that offer reasonable prices....the rest are a little bit expensive with "pang-foreigner" prices....ok, enjoy the fine dining or beach front dining once in a while....basta within "budget" ha....
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On attires and dress codes...no need to buy those expensive board shorts, tank tops, bikinis...ang dami nga walang suot....na pang-itaas...=)....alright, I have to accept that some people really go to the beach to "make porma"....actually, parang fashion show nga minsan...pagandahan ng shades/hats/dresses then kunwari may abs....=)
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On gadgets....do we really need to bring ALL our gadgets?...our DSLR camera with tripod plus touch screen cellphone plus iPad/Galaxy Tab plus music player with matching big headsets plus laptop....come on...just chillax....some foreigners only brought a "book" while sun bathing...
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On banana boats and island hoppings....ok, I guess we need to experience and explore once in a while...all I have to say is as long as its within budget....=)
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All in all, its always good to have a break and unwind especially with your family....as long as you don't have to break your piggy bank or worst, charge everything to your "maxed out" credit card....
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~ Time's fun when you're having flies! - Kermit the Frog

Hope this helps,

Ge

LESSONS FROM "LIN-SANITY" (THE JEREMY LIN STORY)

Wow, when I first read and saw about the success story of Jeremy Lin, I just got excited and I said that I need to write about this kid! LIN-sanity!  LIN-possible!  LIN-mania! LIN-king! 

How did a Harvard Graduate (with a degree in Economics), an Asian-American (his parents are Taiwanese who migrated to the US in the 70's), and a devout Christian is currently making waves in the NBA and has helped the New York Knicks win 7 straight (as of date)?

Based on his interviews, I picked up some lessons we can use in our daily challenges in life:

• TRUST IN GOD!  He always says he is blessed and he is thankful to God's perfect will and God's fingerprints all over his story;  He also says that basketball is his calling and his purpose in life is to glorify God in everything he do! REFLECTION:  "DO WE TRUST IN GOD WHATEVER OUR SITUATION IS RIGHT NOW?

• BELIEVE AND WORK HARD.  He wanted to play with Stanford  or UCLA  in college but didn't get noticed.  He went undrafted in the 2010 NBA draft but he continued to trust in himself and work hard. REFLECTION:  "SO WE GOT REJECTED SEVERAL TIMES, WE ARE DOWN, WE DID NOT GET WHAT WE WANT, ARE WE JUST GOING TO GIVE UP OR CONTINUE FIGHTING IN LIFE?"

• HUMILITY.  "It's not just me, it's the team."  He always gives credit to his coach and teammates. REFLECTION:  "IN OUR SUCCESSES, DO WE GIVE CREDIT TO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED US OR ARE WE ALL ABOUT ME, MYSELF AND I?

• SCHOOL FIRST.  He loves basketball, but he pursued and graduated from Harvard with an Economic degree.  REFLECTION:  "DO WE STILL VALUE EDUCATION?  ITS THE GREATEST GIFT THAT PARENTS CAN GIVE TO THEIR CHILDREN!"

•  RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME.  Being a stereotyped Asian American with a 6 feet 3 inches frame (not as big as the 7 foot Yao Ming), J Lin has to continue to prove his worth from high school, college and even in the NBA to earn his spot.  REFLECTION:  ARE YOU CURRENTLY UNHERALDED, UNDERAPPRECIATED AND UNDERRECOGNIZED BECAUSE OF YOUR RACE, COLOR, STATUS, PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS, MAYBE YOU JUST NEED TO BE PATIENT AND TRUST THAT ALL WILL HAPPEN IN GOD'S TIME?

Hope this helps.

Ge
 

Gerald Cantor is a Financial Planning Advocate of Personal Finance Advisers of the Philippines (www.personalfinance.ph), a Financial Consultant of Pru Life UK (www.prulifeuk.com.ph), a Registered Financial Planner graduate (www.rfp-philippines.com), and a Certified Public Accountant.  Ge is most 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 (3yo).  

WE ARE NOT 100% SURE...

We are not 100% sure that...

...we will impress our friends and coworkers, but we still buy that new shirt or dress 
...we will use all its features, but we still buy that latest gadget (i.e. cellphone, laptop, etc.)
...we will jog or run every week, but we still buy that new and a little bit expensive running shoe ...we will improve our game, but we still buy that latest Kobe or Le Bron sneakers 
...we will lose weight, but we still enroll in an expensive gym or buy that home gym equipment
...we will always be on time, but we still buy that Rolex or Tag Heuer watch 
...we will always have lots of money in our wallet, but we still buy that Hermes or LV bag 
...we will always have that youthful face, but we still buy those facial products 
...we will wear all those bling blings, but we still buy those jewelries 
...we will be able to shoulder increasing gasoline prices and cost of maintenance, but we still buy that new car 
...we will enjoy the trip, but we still buy that plane ticket and book that hotel
...we will be successful in business, but we still buy that franchise or invest in a new venture
...we will earn more than the inflation rate, but we still put ALL our money in banks 
...we will be safe and be fully maintained in the future, but we still buy that condominium 
...we will earn and be successful, but we still invest and join that new network marketing co. 
...our children will be successful in the future, but we still enroll them in the best schools

On the other hand, we are 100% sure that we will die, but we still don't buy that LIFE INSURANCE 

Please get one not for yourself, but for your family, loved ones, and dependents... 

Hope this helps.


Ge

Gerald Cantor is a Financial Consultant of Pru Life UK, a Registered Financial Planner graduate, 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 (3yo).  

Why people don’t like to buy life insurance

Why people don’t like to buy life insurance

REFLECTIONS ON POVERTY, FAMILY & FAITH

"...For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." - Matthew 25:35-36

Recently,  I've been blessed to visit two institutions for the first time:  Kanlungan ni Maria (a home for the aged in Antipolo City) and Molave Youth Hall (a "therapeutic center" for youth/minor offenders in QC).  
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Kanlungan ni Maria takes care of 21 abandoned lolo's and lola's while Molave houses around 230 minors who were charged or in the process of being charge of crimes (such as robbery, theft, frustrated murder, rape, public scandal, etc.)
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The first question that came to my mind is why is this happening to our "kababayans"?  Who in their right mind would neglect and leave alone a lolo or a lola?  Why kids at their young age would commit such crimes?
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One reason I can think of is POVERTY.  Maybe lolo's or lola's family cannot support him/her anymore so they have to let them go.  Maybe our youth offenders come from poor families as well and they have to make ends meet by stealing and robbing other people instead...
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Another cause maybe is FAMILY.  Maybe our family foundation is getting weak so that it's okay to let go of our grandparents and it's okay for our kids to roam around the streets and do whatever they want without proper guidance.
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Maybe its also a question of FAITH.  Maybe since we are poor that we feel that we are neglected by God.  We have our own free will and we choose to do what is "practical" in order to survive instead doing what is "moral and right".
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In a recent Advent recollection, the priest said that we must be ready to feel the "tsunami of faithlessness"....I think this is also one cause why these things are happening to us...
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But there is always a ray of light....a goodness in every heart....such as the tireless men and women who provides care to our lolo's and lola's...the social workers and staff who dedicated themselves in guiding and counseling our youth offenders...
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But we need to do more...a question to ask ourselves is NOT WHETHER TO BUY THE NEW iPHONE 4S =)...but more importantly, what can we do more to alleviate POVERTY, promote strong FAMILY values and stress the importance of keeping and living the FAITH...
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Washington SyCip (founder of SGV) said he admires someone if he has done something to reduce POVERTY....
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Ma. Lourdes Carandang (well-known clinical psychologist) mentioned that PARENTING plays a most critical role in nation building...
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Lastly, Jesus said " Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."
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Let us join the fight....starting NOW...in our own little way....whatever we can....

To God be the glory and have a blessed Christmas everyone!

Hope this helps.

Ge

IF I AM SANTA CLAUS...

If I am Santa Claus....I will wish and give you some "priceless" gifts this holiday season...

But first, I will remind you that Christmas is not about me but about the Baby Jesus who was born in a "manger"...

For your country, I wish you freedom from war, poverty and corruption...

For your family, I wish you will celebrate Christmas together and may LOVE and PEACE reign with all of your family members...

For your belief or faith, whether you believe in Jesus, Buddha or Allah, may you continue to keep the faith and your Supreme Being bless you always...

For you my friend, oh there's a lot of things that I would like to give you.  I know you would have wanted a new phone (i.e. iPhone 4s is coming), a new car, a new house, a new job, etc. ..but since your Santa Claus is now an advocate of personal financial planning, I will wish you and give you some "priceless" gifts instead...=)

• HAPP"Y"NESS...(hey, start smiling...)
• PEACE OF MIND...(hey, start appreciating the simple things in life...)
• GOOD HEALTH FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY....(hey, start exercising...)
• FINANCIAL WELLNESS....(hey, start budgeting and saving...)
• CAREER FULFILLMENT...(hey, start about thinking and living your passion...)
• POSITIVE FRIENDS...(hey, when was the last time you catch up with your "positive" friends..)
• GOOD LUCK...(hey, we all need some luck too...)
• FULFILLED GOALS AND DREAMS....(hey, dream big and start living your dreams..)
• BACK TO BASICS...(hey, what is really important for you?...)
• LOVE....(hey, GIVE LOVE NOT JUST ON CHRISTMAS DAY...but EVERYDAY!...)

I wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a blessed NEW YEAR!!!

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).