Life lately + Savings Update

Hello, readers! Sorry, if I've been missing in action here in my blog for I have to two seminars line-up for this month. The first one is the COL Seminar (free) while the other one is Digital Marketing seminar (I paid 200 bucks for this one) which is related to my career right now. The latter event that I attended gave each attendee a certificate and there's a free meal too! I can say it is worth it because I can use the document for my job hunting next year.


For this half month of August 2015, I save more than 20% of my salary and put it into emergency funds. Yay! I also didn't go to the malls even if there's a makeup sale. Heh!

To divert my attention, I clean my closet instead. Oh boy, it was therapeutic! It's unbelievable that I have kept my old clothes way back in high school and college. Haha. Too bad those shirts and skirts won't fit me anymore. I decided to give them to my less fortunate neighbors.

I'm happy with the last two weeks of August 2015 because there's a long weekend due to a holiday that falls on Monday (Aug. 21) and Friday (Aug. 31). Yahoo! It means I can save a small amount of money because there's no work and more relaxation time at home. What about you? Do you have any plans for this upcoming long weekend?

Photo Credits: Canva.com, Pixabay.com & Lyra

Calculating My Net Worth: August 2015

I have seen many financial blogs I frequent to read online publish their net worth. An idea pops out on my head, why not I create an entry on my blog too! I grab a pen and paper and jot down my assets. I did a mental computation for I have only a few cash and property.

The figure is lower than 100K and far behind from other financial blog's net worth that I've read, but I don't mind. In fact, I feel proud of myself for achieving that kind of amount. I am now more inspired to add more and tally it again at the end of this year.

On the other change, I am now torn between opening a BPI Maxisaver or BPI's Save-Up Automatic Savings + Insurance Account. I'll make a decision once I sort things out.

What about you? Did you compute your net worth this month of August 2015? Leave your comment or your blog's link below.

COL Financial Seminar August 2, 2015 + Stock Picks!

Last Saturday I attended a seminar at Meralco Theater entitled "COL Financial's 2015 Mid-Year Market Briefing: Shifting Gears". It was my first time to attend the said the event, and I enjoy it a lot!

I am totally a newbie when it comes to investing and having the opportunity to attend the seminar widens my knowledge about the Philippine stock market. I have a companion that day my officemate Jean. She's also a first-time investor just like me. Hehe. Before we enter on the venue, we are given pen, pamphlet and notepad to jot down notes.

There were five speakers: Mr. Juanis Barredo, Mr. Marvin Fausto, Ms. April Lee Tan, Mr. Edward Lee and Mr. Conrado F. Bate. Base from what I understand, we are in the bull market. It means we are in a rising position unlike other countries such as China and Greece which is in the bear market.

Sorry for the low resolution of pix, I have a dinosaur mobile phone. hehe.

They tackle about the power of peso-cost-averaging in picking stocks as an effective strategy and to diversify the money on investment, savings, or mutual funds. They also warn not to invest everything you have on stocks, it should be 20% of your savings only. Among the two share their stock picks.

April's Stock Picks - Airlines: CEB, Banks: MBT, Properties: SMPH, FLI, ALI & AC, Power: FGEN. I forgot the other stock picks. Huhu. But those who have COL account can read it on the homepage.

After the event, there's a Q&A portion. Some ask about mutual funds, SSI, gossip about LBC and the like. The question that has an impact for me is the 2016 election next year. The speakers said whether Binay, Roxas or other Presidential candidates will win we can still have a positive Philippine stock market. I hope it will happen. So there you have it. I can't wait to attend more seminar of COL.

What about you? Did you attend COL seminar before? Share your experience below.

Photo Credit: COL Financial, J. Demata

7 Frugal Hacks that I Do to Save

I don't mind being teased as a cheapskate. My father would call me "Corry" a name he coined for me which means "Kuripot" whenever I mention the lines budgeting or saving money to my mom. I just shrug it off!