Happy Holidays 2016 - Ho, ho, ho!

Hello, world! Two more days to go and it's Christmas? Are you already on a holiday vacation mode right now or are you busy doing a last minute Christmas shopping? Anyhow, I hope you're not stressed out commuting this holiday season. You know the traffic in the Metro is horrendous to the nth level!

Is it just me or someone else also like the glittering of Christmas lights lining up on the streets. It reminds me of something good will come my way and not to be grumpy while sitting there in the van stuck in traffic. Haha. The announcement of the PH government about the long weekend, this holiday season is the best news so far! Panalo talaga 'to.

For my few readers and new visitor of my blog, Merry Christmas! I wish you and your family's good health. Let's not forget to share our blessing with others.



Photo Credits: 
Pixabay (Daria-Yakovleva)
Canva

September & October Life Updates: Upwork Deactivation, Stocks & Birthday Plans!

August 2016 Life Lately: House Update, PH Stocks & Personal Life

Hey, all! I finally have the time to write an update to my blog. Yahoo! To my few readers, thank you for still keeping in touch with me.
Our house renovation is 90% complete while the remaining 10% is put on hold because I hit my budget constraint and I can't afford yet to buy paint materials. I’m planning to push through the incomplete task by November. The bad news is I use all the money on my emergency fund.  Boo. So yeah I'm starting again on building my saving/emergency fund. But I am not complaining because seeing our home before and after the renovation is a big accomplishment for me. I can now say that one of my goals is turning into a reality, one step at a time. Naks! You can read my previous post where I share about our house renovation dilemma here. 

Before the house renovation

After the renovation

About my stocks, I sold some during the first week of August 2016 (Ghost month) and earn a little from it. The funny thing is when I sold my stocks the price went high that I totally regret selling them but as they say an investor should be unemotional and move on once his/her stocks are sold. A gain is a gain! If you are curious how much I received, it is way higher compared to the interest that I get from the bank. If I have readers who are thinking to invest on stock market I recommend start now! But be reminded that you should never put all your savings on the stock market, instead set aside a portion of your money for emergencies.

Currently I have two stocks which are red right now. I'm  hoping it will turn green next month.

Aside from my full-time job, I’m also freelancing on Upwork. I am lucky I bagged a long term project from one client in Texas. So yeah, I have deal with my time management now since I have extra job to do at home. So many works so little time. Sigh. Sus, ako na busy! Charot. My budget plan is the same as before, I still in charge of making financial arrangements at home. I find it relaxing whenever I do grocery shopping. Well except when it’s time to pay the bills at the counter! Haha.

What about you? How's your August month so far? Share your stories in the comment box below. I hope it is more interesting than mine!

Photo Credit:
Canva.com
Pixabay.com
COL Financial

Life Lately: Job Promotion, House Renovation & PH Stocks!

Hello there! Yes, I'm alive. It's been two months since my last update here on my blog due to circumstance beyond my control. Don't worry it's all good news that happened to me while I'm away.

First, is I got promoted at work to a senior position! I'm very surprised about what happened because I’m not expecting it at all. Thank you, Lord! This is a very big boost in my career. I’m currently supervising two junior employees and giving them daily tasks that they need to complete within the day. I'll be honest that I’m still grasping on my leadership skill but on the other hand I'm enjoying my new role as a senior specialist.

Another good news is, we are now renovating our house! I think the Lord answered my prayers thru job promotion for me to have an extra budget. It came just in time, I plan to put the additional salary increment on upgrading our house. It started last May 16 and we’re halfway through it. Our place is really messy right now and disorganizes furniture is  everywhere.

Dust is everywhere due to cement, hollow blocks and dismantled walls. See picture below:

Excuse my feet. Dusty floor and unorganized furniture

Hopefully by the second week of June our house is completely done. I’m crossing my fingers for this one. Furthermore, I’m also praying that the allotted budget is enough to cover the expenses though I already applied for SSS salary loan so that we can also replace our old ceiling with a newer one. In preparation for the rainy season and typhoons.

One last thing, the best news so far was my youngest sibling graduated from college last April 2016! As her big sister, I am very proud of her accomplishment. My parents are beyond happy too!

Anyhow about my stock portfolio, it is still in the sea of red but there were two stocks that are green. I’m wishing that the Philippine economy will become bullish for the succeeding months to come so that I have a higher return on investment. Naks! Fumi’feeling investor ako. Hehe.

So yeah, that’s the reason behind my long absence here on my blog. Hopefully, you still visiting my page even if I am not active here. How about you? What keeps you busy this month? Share your stories in the comment section below. I want to read them.

Photo Credits:
COL Financial,
Pixabay - https://pixabay.com/en/users/Alexas_Fotos-686414/
Canva.com

Pisobilities: 10 Financial Commandments

Hello, my dear readers! I hope you're all doing well and financially stable this first quarter of 2016. I apologize for my long absence here in my blog because I'm hella busy doing office works, job-hunting, and budgeting. To sum it out I'm going nuts but let's not talk about it right now. Hehe.

Anyhow, I want to share with you 10 financial commandments that I learned from Pisobilities; it is a financial show I frequently watch here in the Philippines thru UNTV channel. I am an avid viewer of the show and the main host Mr. Francisco Colayco shares awesome tips that I try to exercise in my money woes. I hope reading below 10 lists will inspire you to be financially free from expenses and start building your emergency fund.
1. Pay yourself first - save, save and save!

2. Define your financial target at each life phase:

-Start-up stage: 3 months cash reserve
-Build-up stage: 6 months cash reserve
-Asset Allocation stage: 5 years of cash reserve

3. Stop spending on things that will decline in value

4. Protect your greatest income generating asset (YOU),  seek for protection like insurance: term life insurance and hospital insurance

5. Grow with the economy and beat inflation

6. Trust the power of compound interest

7. Assess risks and options:

Remember: The higher the return, the higher the risk!

8. The power of leverage

9. Invest and diversify

10. Make use of the power of one:

-Mutual funds
-UITF's
-VUL

I hope you learn something after reading this entry and inspire you to start saving now! Do you have any financial show that you watch right now or do you have any financial guru that you follow? Share it in the comment section below.

6 Great Ways to Celebrate Valentines without spending Money

Valentines day is happening soon and since this is a financial blog I thought this is a perfect time to share some ways to impress a girl without hurting your pocket. Furthermore showing your affection with your special someone shouldn't that expensive, right? Let's begin on the list.

1. Love letter

It may sound old school but this sweet gesture is surely the best way to get her attention to show her about your love. Add some your creativity juice by writing poems or cheesy lines.

2. Flowers

If your mom has a garden and she has flowering plants you can simply pick some of them and give it to your girlfriend. Daisies, carnations, roses or yellow bell will do.

3. Movie Marathon

Download romantic movies before the V-day then invite your girlfriend for a movie marathon date. Don't forget to buy chips or popcorn to fill her tummy too. I would recommend movies such as love Rosie, Titanic, 500 days of summer, The perks of being a wallflower and so much more!

4. Cook her a meal

If you know how to cook then use it to impress the girl you love. Prepare her a luscious meal that she likes. This gesture is super "kilig" moves! If you can also bake then make her cookies or cupcakes.

5. Local Chocolates

Who said that you need to buy imported chocolates to impress your girl?! Why not try our local chocolates and add sweet notes in it.

6. Serenade Her

This "kilig" move is sure hit-- if you have that golden voice. Sing your lungs out to your special girl on that special day! It will earn you 100 cute points in her heart.

I hope my recommendation can help you in a simple way on a V-day with your partner. Happy Valentines Day Guys!

Photo Credits: Pixabay.com - Alexas_Fotos, canva.com