What's Your Formula For Success?

I always want to be successful in every thing. I do a lot of thinking before committing into something because I don't want to end up regretting on it. It may be a little bit hassle but it is nothing compared to what could possibly go wrong in the future.

Few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me about what my formula for success is. I paused for a while then told him 'I make a plan'. Although this is what I've been doing, what he said in reply dag deep into my mind.

'You must have a passion that is rewarding.' This is what the company president told each one, including my friend during their Christmas party. There is nothing wrong with making a plan but when you have a passion, all else comes natural including the planning. Sometimes, it's hard if you try to mimic somebody. You do what he does because you see that he is successful but it's not guaranteed that you would also succeed. It won't be easy doing things you don't like. If you're a type of person who doesn't like talking a lot, you would most probably fail if you get into sales or hosting.

Plans enable me to achieve my goals but I need to reassess on what I love doing most for me to become more successful. Passion + Reward = Success.

Busy

Some people are concerned that they have a lot of things to do. They think they might not be able to finish them because of lack of time. Others are quite relaxed that they feel they're doing nothing worthy.

Do you think you're busy? Busy means actively engaged to something. We are actually always busy. A manager in a fast food restaurant is busy helping the owner run the business well. A hungry lady cooking her food is busy preparing for her meal. A child watching Tom and Jerry in Cartoon Network is busy relaxing.

Every person has a dream and to realize that dream he must set his goals. Your goals are your steps in reaching for your dream. Everyone knows about this idea but the problem is some earned the masters degree of procrastination. Most of the time, they focus on what make them feel good at present. So even if they've already planned their day, they easily postpone some activities for something else. I'm busy. This is a very common excuse people use in many circumstances.

We must realize that we are always busy regardless of what we do. It's a matter of what we are busy of. Is it something related to our goals, does it help you grow as a person, is it a worthy activity.

Now, make yourself busy.

Smoking or Millions

A while ago while watching TV, I smelled something unpleasant and saw some smoke. Then I found out that it came from a cigarette. It reminded me of how addicted I was to smoking until I stopped around 5 years ago. I used to consume about 8 sticks per day.

Aside from the health benefit, I've always wanted to share how quitting smoking makes us lots of money. According to the 2009 Philippines' Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS), 13.8 million Filipinos smoke everyday(adults 15 years old and above). They consume 10.6 cigarettes per day on average.

As of this writing, a stick of cigarette cost around 3 pesos. For one who takes 10 sticks a day, he can accumulate 1.1M pesos in 22 years. This is possible if he put his money in an investment vehicle that earns 12% per year such as Mutual Fund (Equity type). If your target retirement fund is P1M and you're 15 years old now, you can already retire at age 37. See illustration below.



Now you got one more reason to quit smoking.

The Fortunate Minority

According to survey, only 2% of the senior citizen population are financially free. The other 98% depend on charitable institutions, relatives and social security. Few have accumulated or maintained at least enough wealth in order to support themselves without having the need to work.

Is there something wrong with this? It's a big YES. What does this survey tell us? This implies that most Filipinos are not financially conscious or aware. Not all of us were born rich but that is not a valid reason for us not to be able to reach for our dreams. Education is one of our basic needs however that doesn't guarantee that we'll become wealthy when we earn a degree. As far as I know in most schools, financial literacy is not taught. In classes, we are being honed to become money-making machines. Also generally, parents at home do not train their children on money management.

In effect, children grow too pampered, employees are not able plan for their future, old employees cannot retire, and the aged ones become dependent to their children who may already have their own families. Senior citizens in a way become burdens to their children or siblings especially when they start becoming weak. Disease brought about by old age is one thing no one can escape. It could cost you more than what you expect.

To avoid this problem, it is important to build your financial foundation as young as you can. You should allocate your income very well and increase your cash flow if necessary. First, secure short term and long term healthcare plan. This would serve as the strong base. Health is our basic asset, if we get sick we can't work. So we lose money. Then protect yourself so that in case something happens to you, your family will still be able to live well. Your life insurance will replace your income. Also, eliminate or consolidate your debts and create emergency fund. These will strengthen your financial stability. Lastly, look for investments that suit your appetite. You will need these for your retirement and other future plans like travel.

More Than A Market Update

Last Wednesday, September 14, 2011 I attended a seminar about investment at the IMG Makati office. I arrived there before 7pm but there were no more seats available, a lot of people were already standing and the environment was kind of hot. Both of my legs were aching because of the basketball game we had two days ago.

At first, I didn't feel excited when the speaker was introduced but after a few words that he uttered, I knew that it would be an awesome night. He was technical yet full of humor, I’m sure the novice didn’t get overwhelmed that time.

Rex Mendoza is the President and CEO of Philam Life, one of the largest insurance companies in the Philippines. He also serves as the President and Chairman of Rampver Strategic Advisors (RSA), the partner of International Marketing Group (IMG) for the mutual fund products. Moreover, he manages the fund of Kaiser International Health Group, Inc., the only long term healthcare provider in the country.

As expected we got very informative market updates. There are several solid reasons why Filipinos should stay invested. The companies in the Philippines are disclosing significantly higher profits recently. The country's credit rating was upgraded not only once but twice. This is great news for us because this is in contrast with what is happening in the U.S. where their credit rating was downgraded.

I got amazed when he started giving his audience not only financial advice but also personal motivation. I can almost compare him to John Calub, one of the greatest Filipino motivational speakers. This is no wonder he is very successful.

I thought I couldn't last almost 3 hours of standing and heat, however when Rex started ending his talk, inside my mind I was shouting 'Please give us some more presentations and powerful ideas'. It was one of the best seminars I have sat in. It exceeded my expectation.

Looking For a Condominium or a House and Lot?

Real estate is one of the most popular investments nowadays. You buy a property to have a place to stay or to make money through rentals and buying & selling. There are a lot of things you should consider in acquiring a condo or a house such as location, price and floor area.

Condominiums provide comfort whether you’re single or you have a family. They are built in areas near the heart of the city, schools, churches and malls. Many developers in the Philippines offer very nice projects. Their units are designed in such a way that residents won’t feel suffocated.

Some like house and lot because they want to be away from the busy areas and have more privacy.

Whatever you prefer, Ayala Land, DMCI and Vista Land can give you a wide range of choices.

If you’re looking for one or more, don’t hesitate to contact me.

The Financial Industry

How do you think about making money today? You don't want to be an employee for eternity, right?

Are you planning of renting a section of a food court or a school canteen for your kiosk? It's a good idea but the risk of your stock getting spoiled is there. Is your friend proposing for a partnership on her clothing line? This is also good however the demand is not always constant. You could get out of fashion and fall down.

Good news! There is one sector where products and services don't deviate from what is fashionable and get spoiled. It is the financial industry. Who doesn't need money? Who doesn't want to make money? No one. A healthcare plan owner get more money than what he paid his provider when he is hospitalized. The beneficiaries of an insurance policy holder get a guaranteed amount of money if he pass away. However, it's as if he's still with his family because the income is replaced and the family is still supported. How much money do you put into your bank accounts? Do you know that the savings interest can't even compensate the inflation rate? You deserve to know that there is an investment vehicle that can give you higher returns. It is Mutual Fund.

Let's talk and make more money.

Time

Some of us may have not given much value of our time. Now is the moment to reflect how we did since we came into existence. Were we able to do what we were supposed to? Did we do things just to please our loved ones? Have you achieved the goals you set few years back? These are some of the questions you might want to ask yourselves.

I made this blog to tackle things that have something to do with money but the answers to the questions above may branch out to other aspects of life. Money is one of the most important things in this world however let us not make it as the core of our lives.

Henry Sy, one of the richest man in the Philippines used time very well to get to where he is now. He came here at the age of 12, worked hard from sari-sari store, buy and sell, shoe store to SM Investments Corporation. He didn't start rich but manage to reach the top because of his ally, time. He took advantage of it. He studied the market, designed ways to multiply his income and do things better and better.

Time, a free resource. Let us use it very well to make money.