The Pinoy's Power Nap

It's been a while. I missed writing my thoughts away.

Something for you readers.....

THE POWER NAP

They say power naps are good for you. However, the ordinary Filipino do more than just nap in the afternoon. They (we) sleep.

I am referring to the lazy ones of course. Or those who just don’t understand that time is gold. Or those who think their work for the day – and so are their income for the day – are enough for them to afford  a longer nap than usual.

When I was in the US,one of the first things i noticed was the ordinary US street (kalsada). They are almost empty , unlike in the Philippines where in every corner you’ll see some group of people chatting their time away. I’m talking adult half-naked males puffing cigarettes and women (sometimes even carrying around babies) here, by the way.

Dear reader, ever wondered why we have become this way? Or who taught us to be this way? Or why? Again, our society permits us to be like this. I have never heard of anybody in the Philippines who  EMPHASIZED that this is bad. No one, Nada.

“Kulang na nga ang kinikita natin sa maghapong trabaho, may gana pa tayong makipag-tsismisan sa kanto? O kaya matulog sa hapon?”

If we want wealth to follow us the rest of our lives, let us stop following  the old ways. Let us value TIME more. I mean 100x more. Be productive; Find work; Find means to earn extra cash during your spare time.

DO NOT TAKE A longer NAP than usual. It is bad. Even  shameful.

When you’re retired and gray, you’ll have plenty of naps and tsismis time. But today, while you still can, be as productive as possible. Always be on the lookout for extra income. Earn more cash. Seach for it; Ask around; Think of ways to earn more.

Once again  dear readers, do not let the world pass us by. Pinoy, wake up. It is time.

The Secret Millionaire

Have you heard of this show that's been taking the US by storm?




Very very touching show. Very moving.

Watch clips here:

What the show is about: 

America's richest will spend a week in poor communities PRETENDING they're one of them. Ultimately, they learn valuable lessons about life, and choose to reward some unsung community heroes with hundreds of thousands of dollars of their own money.

Excerpted from the show's website:

"Residing in local housing on welfare-level wages, these "secret millionaires" will try to find the most deserving people within the community. We're talking about those selfless individuals who continually sacrifice everything to help anyone in need, and ultimately encourage others to do the same.



Throughout this incredible experience, the millionaires will come face-to-face with some truly extraordinary people who put their own needs aside for the sake of others. At the end of the journey, they'll reveal their true identity and donate their own money to these local heroes."

My take: The public should be fed a lot more of these kinds of TV shows. I'm wishng it will be shown in the Philippines very soon.

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Money saving tip

I'm going straight to the point - saving is a skill. It takes 3 things: discipline, discipline and discipline.

But let me ask you first. Why do you save? Why not just spend? Which is harder to do, saving or spending?

The rich have a different mindset on wealth creation - It's not how much money you make, but how much is left after paying all the bills. Think about it. No matter how big your salary is, what matters more is how much are you able to save before it runs out. And, what are you going to do with the excess, if any.

Let me share with you my story:

Believe it or not, but if i choose to, i can go to my  (daytime) work, and back home without spending a single penny. Of course proximity is a huge consideration, but that's besides the point i'm trying to focus on. You see, i believe i have already mustered the art of discipline. It's all about planning and execution and willpower. I consciously practice this "zero" expense ritual every now and then. And everytime i succeed, i pat myself on the back. For not only do i save in the process, but i also prove to myself that i can choose to NOT be a slave of money. I can survive the day without being tied up to my expenses or budget.

Oh, my secret? The ever-reliable lunch box. 

Simple living is the name of the game. What i save, i can invest anew. So, don't i have a sweet, sweet life? Then, from my work-at-home job at night, i make money some more and therefore save some more.

We Ilocanos are something, huh?

The hesitant Filipino

Here's another true story:

I recently had a very engaging conversation with an interesting lady who works for the government. Our discussion went from the usual ‘where are you from” to the topic of investments and the stock market. Before long, she was googling websites of my broker and the better performing corporations in the Philippines. Before we went our separate ways, she thanked me for all the information I fed her and I thanked her back for listening.

Little did she know that thanks to her, I now have something relevant to blog about today.

earth hour

Earth hour observed today. See link.

My view:

Allow me to share with you a personal experience. Looking at the sin city, Las Vegas for the very first time from my vantage view in the airplane while approaching McCarran airport

Investing 101 - a guide for the newbie Filipino investor

Where to invest spare money

So you have extra cash? Wondering how to start investing and creating wealth? Here are choices a wise man (and woman) can consider:

The banks in your locality: The good-looking tellers there are your friends. Think more than just opening and maintaining a savings account. Consider Time deposits: Your money will be kept by the bank for a fixed period (30 days, 60 days, 90 days or more) in exchange for a higher interest rate than an ordinary savings account. How about a fancier product

saving for an emergency

For a lot of us in the Philippines, everyday is an emergency.

Let me relate that to this true story:

Just last Christmas, a generous kin handed me and my 2 brothers each a cash gift of P8,000. This amount in this country is equivalent to a minimum wage earner's one month salary, gross. So just imagine how we must have felt.

Almost immediately, i asked my brothers what they intend to do with the amount. Both said they're keeping it "for emergency".

Making the U-turn - a true story

,

When we got married 7 years ago, my wife and I were making what I used to call “just right” income. We both have good jobs. We both drive our separate cars (which in the Philippines is uncommon) . Life was so good I was never complaining. We were content with our salaries taking care of the food and rent (yes, we were renting).

2 years into married life, I began questioning

THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW

Sounds cliche, but i'm starting off with this statement: The time to act is now.

You see, a lot of us Filipinos don't realize that the world does pass us by quicker than we could ever act. Before we know it, our youth is gone; our dreams; our aspirations. For most of us, we make the same mistakes our parents did when they were young.

I hope to inspire readers by FIRST, pointing out what we are doing wrong, then EVENTUALLY offer ways out. If you’re in your twenties, you are very lucky. The world is at your fingertips. For the rest of us, we have a lot of catching up to do. Hence, the time to act is now. Not tomorrow, not next week.