Where to Now?

I had a great weekend so far hanging out with Maddy - he bought a new laptop yey! Samsung R440 Silver! It's always fun to accompany someone in buying a new gadget. :) Also, I was finally able to do 2 things that I've been putting off for a long time

1) visit the Forever 21 store at Megamall. The store is huge! There's so much clothes but I particularly liked the designs at the Heritage section. I'll go back there when I'm in a shopping mood.

2) Redeem my free shoes from Charles and Keith! Good thing there's a branch at Megamall. I was not able to get a fashionable high heeled one, but instead, I bought a sturdy but shiny silver wedge that's soo comfortable. Proof of this is that I traded my Crocs for that new shoe once I got to Linden Suites for Ann's bridal shower. The soles of my feet were aching from walking in the same flat angle, albeit in Crocs.

While waiting for the uber-fun surprise bridal shower to start, Rom was asking me what I'd do next after MBA...

I actually do not know yet. I don't have a specific direction yet because MBA just broadened my horizon that I can try on different fields. This is obvious in my job search categories. Right now though, I'm considering the Management Trainee positions at top companies. I'll have to look into them more. I'm constrained by my high salary in IT! If I win the lotto, then I wouldn't have to worry about salary and simply do whtat I enjoy doing. That would be the best thing! Unfortunately, none of the numbers I played came out in the draw. Apparently, no one else's number combination won in tonight's draw. And so the hoping continues as millions of Filipinos contribute to the grand lotto 6-55 pot.. LOL

Where to Now?

I had a great weekend so far hanging out with Maddy - he bought a new laptop yey! Samsung R440 Silver! It's always fun to accompany someone in buying a new gadget. :) Also, I was finally able to do 2 things that I've been putting off for a long time

1) visit the Forever 21 store at Megamall. The store is huge! There's so much clothes but I particularly liked the designs at the Heritage section. I'll go back there when I'm in a shopping mood.

2) Redeem my free shoes from Charles and Keith! Good thing there's a branch at Megamall. I was not able to get a fashionable high heeled one, but instead, I bought a sturdy but shiny silver wedge that's soo comfortable. Proof of this is that I traded my Crocs for that new shoe once I got to Linden Suites for Ann's bridal shower. The soles of my feet were aching from walking in the same flat angle, albeit in Crocs.

While waiting for the uber-fun surprise bridal shower to start, Rom was asking me what I'd do next after MBA...

I actually do not know yet. I don't have a specific direction yet because MBA just broadened my horizon that I can try on different fields. This is obvious in my job search categories. Right now though, I'm considering the Management Trainee positions at top companies. I'll have to look into them more. I'm constrained by my high salary in IT! If I win the lotto, then I wouldn't have to worry about salary and simply do whtat I enjoy doing. That would be the best thing! Unfortunately, none of the numbers I played came out in the draw. Apparently, no one else's number combination won in tonight's draw. And so the hoping continues as millions of Filipinos contribute to the grand lotto 6-55 pot.. LOL

i wish i had known about this earlier

7 Money Tips for Twentysomethings

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David B. Armstrong, On Saturday 20 November 2010, 1:55 SGT

It's easy to look back, ask,"What if?" and second guess all the decisions I've made in the past 43 years. I have been fortunate to have no major regrets and a whole lot to be thankful for. However, there are some things I would have paid more attention to and done differently if I could go back and relive my early 20s.

Here's a list for all of you in your 20s, as well as for some parents to consider if you have children graduating from college soon:

1. Don't rack up credit card debt, and pay any debts off quickly. Seems simple and downright obvious, but taking on debt is easy to do. The transition from college to the working world can be expensive--new clothes, shoes, apartment, furniture, and other business-world expenses can make it easy to quickly pile on debt. Budget for these expenses, and if credit must be used to get going, have a plan in advance for paying it down.

2. Contribute to your 401(k). Just do it. Retirement contributions build up fast, often have an employer matching contribution, and are saved before taxes. Look at it as savings with an instant profit.

[See 6 Strategies for Funding Your 401(k)]

3. Start a savings plan early. The best time to start a savings plan is before you are used to having extra money in the first place. A good rule of thumb: Use 50 percent of your after-tax paycheck (excluding 401(k) contributions, of course) to pay for the non-negotiable "needs-based" expenses in your life, like rent and food. Use 35 percent for negotiable "wants-based" expenses--entertainment and other costs can scale back quickly if needed. Save 15 percent. Your goal here should be to save about six months of your pay.

4. Don't try to keep up with the Jones's. There is no need to buy the best brand of everything right out of college. People in their 20s who are driving expensive cars, living in luxury apartments, and buying the most expensive clothes either already have money from something other than their first job or they are piling on debt--which isn't smart.

5. Pay off your highest interest-rate debt first. Hint: It's not always the debt with the highest balance. The debt with the highest interest rate is probably the credit card you ran up on bar tabs and that Spring Break trip in the final year of school. Pay that off first. Your student loans, while they carry a big balance and are possibly the scariest in terms of size, probably have a reasonable interest rate relative to any credit card debt.

6. Save four months of your salary in cash before you start investing after-tax money in an investment plan. This may take a while, but the journey of a thousand miles always begins with one step. This is important because if you lose your job, you'll need to make sure you are not forced to sell your few assets at fire-sale prices or default on debt payments at a young age. It will keep you from a panic and keep you from moving back into mom and dad's place.

[See How to Teach Your Child Money Habits for Life.]

This also gets easier,because once you have the first four months saved, you can apply that savings discipline toward an after-tax investment strategy, and as salary raises come along, you can tune up your savings plan to raise your cash balance over the course of six months to a year.

7. Be patient. It's easy to "want." Be patient; with hard work and good fiscal discipline, you will amass a nice portfolio that allows you to realize all the hopes and dreams you may have for later in life. There are probably a lot more major financial events in your future, and you'll want the flexibility to make proper decisions when the time comes.

Having cash, savings, and an investment portfolio that allow you the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities down the road will really help.

If you remember nothing else, remember this: While it seems like your life is full right now, there is probably a lot coming up--such as a first home, graduate school, and maybe even, gasp, kids!

David B. Armstrong CFA, is a Managing Director and co-founder of Monument Wealth Management in Alexandria VA, a full service Private Wealth Planning and wealth management firm. Monument Wealth Management is backed by LPL Financial, the independent broker-dealer and Registered Investment Advisor. He has been named one of America's Top 100 Financial Advisors for two straight years by Registered Rep magazine (2009 & 2010) based on asset under management. David and Monument Wealth Management can be followed on their blog at "Off The Wall", their Twitter account @MonumentWealth, and on their Facebook page. Member FINRA/SIPC.

*The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendation for individual. To determine which investment is appropriate please consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance references is historical and is not guarantee of future results. Securities and financial planning offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

--
Grace

"Failure is not defeat unless you stop trying"

Welcome to Life! (not in the Philippines)

Welcome to Life! This was Chilean President's greeting to one of the 33 miners who emerged from a dramatic ordeal - trapped  69 days under the Chilean desert!

From the time that contact to the miners was established, I was very impressed with the provisions sent down to the miners to ensure top possible physical and mental well-being.

The miners were given planned and paced-nutrition, activities were set to focus on group bonding and unity; (i.e. mp3 players with earphones were not allowed since it would possibly alienate other miners), and video chat was possible with the miners' loved ones. Talk about 100% support from the government!

There were some worries about the long time it took to rescue the miners but everything was well planned. Now all the miners have been rescued, smoothly and even above expectations.

A part of me couldn't believe that such an impressive and well-planned rescue was possible coming from a government. My standards are quite low because of the norm in this country!

I found out as well that mining is Chile's lifeblood, providing 40 percent of state earnings so the rescue was really prioritized and money was not an issue. When that happens, the best can really be accomplished.

I doubt that something similar could be done here in the Philippines. I very much doubt it. 

The Ugly Truth

starring: Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl

Well, the title says it all :-p Good thing I didn't watch this in the movie house. It's short and didn't feel move-worthy at all. It's more like a developing drama in a sitcom. Personally, I think BONES does it better wtih Booth and Brennan.

I liked the story development of Princess Diaries 2 better! Sheesh.

I remember wanting to see this very much while it was showing in the theaters (more because of Gerard Butler and the 300 hype).

I hope Zac Efron does not disappoint me the same way in Charlie St. Cloud!

If there's any consolation, the movie soundtrack rocked!

"Hot 'n' Cold" by Katy Perry
"Cafe Metropole" by Rick Krive
"Catz Meow" by Scott Robinson
"Solo Violin 2" by Daniel May
"Everybody Got Their Something" by Nikka Costa
"Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield
"Under the Covers" by Josh Kelley
"Soluna" by Los Pinguos
"De Vez en Cuando" by Los Pinguos
"El Gitano del Amor" by Latin Soul Syndicate
"Chainsaw" by Daniel Merriweather
"Right Round" by Flo Rida featuring Ke$ha

The Ugly Truth

starring: Gerard Butler and Katherine Heigl

Well, the title says it all :-p Good thing I didn't watch this in the movie house. It's short and didn't feel move-worthy at all. It's more like a developing drama in a sitcom. Personally, I think BONES does it better wtih Booth and Brennan.

I liked the story development of Princess Diaries 2 better! Sheesh.

I remember wanting to see this very much while it was showing in the theaters (more because of Gerard Butler and the 300 hype).

I hope Zac Efron does not disappoint me the same way in Charlie St. Cloud!

If there's any consolation, the movie soundtrack rocked!

"Hot 'n' Cold" by Katy Perry
"Cafe Metropole" by Rick Krive
"Catz Meow" by Scott Robinson
"Solo Violin 2" by Daniel May
"Everybody Got Their Something" by Nikka Costa
"Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield
"Under the Covers" by Josh Kelley
"Soluna" by Los Pinguos
"De Vez en Cuando" by Los Pinguos
"El Gitano del Amor" by Latin Soul Syndicate
"Chainsaw" by Daniel Merriweather
"Right Round" by Flo Rida featuring Ke$ha

While Letting My Hair Dry...

I thought of trying my hand again at baking, but I guess it won't happen this year. School schedule is too tight to give me some free time to regain my creativity in time for joining bazaars for the holidays.

I think it's better if i spend the time to relax and think about my future.

I'm still in limbo right now because of this horrible last subject: Strategic Management. When I hopefully get a grade on my paper this coming Saturday, I'd only have a month or so to prepare for the Oral Comprehensive Examination.

When I finish that along with graduation requirements, I think that's the time i can finally breathe and think of my career path and basically what I want to do in my life.

I'm a late bloomer in the life planning department. I only started saving for real last year! Imagine that. Well, better late than never hehehe.

I am still awake coz I took a bath but my hair dryer is not working... thus, I'm air drying my hair while blogging so I can finally sleep afterwards.

Yoga again tomorrow! Yey!

While Letting My Hair Dry...

I thought of trying my hand again at baking, but I guess it won't happen this year. School schedule is too tight to give me some free time to regain my creativity in time for joining bazaars for the holidays.

I think it's better if i spend the time to relax and think about my future.

I'm still in limbo right now because of this horrible last subject: Strategic Management. When I hopefully get a grade on my paper this coming Saturday, I'd only have a month or so to prepare for the Oral Comprehensive Examination.

When I finish that along with graduation requirements, I think that's the time i can finally breathe and think of my career path and basically what I want to do in my life.

I'm a late bloomer in the life planning department. I only started saving for real last year! Imagine that. Well, better late than never hehehe.

I am still awake coz I took a bath but my hair dryer is not working... thus, I'm air drying my hair while blogging so I can finally sleep afterwards.

Yoga again tomorrow! Yey!

S. T. R. A. M. A.

That which never ends.

Is it a test of patience? of endurance? of perseverance.?

Is it a totally twisted and elaborate plan that everyone thinks they can win over but end up being stuck in the same maze as everyone before.

It's a mystery and simply something that I have to deal with.

I keep wishing that it's over. It's been eating up my life too much. I've put so many things on hold, but I can't anymore. It can't lord over everything else anymore. I'm still pushing through with it but putting it in its rightful place -- and definitely not at the top.

Life has to move on. Strama or no Strama.

Life goes on. Grrrar!

7 Spending Tips From Frugal Billionaires

I read this right after I get to the office from a 1-inch jeepney seat and a mosh pit of a bus ride to Ayala. Can I be a billionaire first before being frugal? ;-p I guess not! Looks like i have to get used to body grinding from random people on the way to office LOL.

7 Spending Tips From Frugal Billionaires

by Jean Folger
Sunday, September 5, 2010

provided by

Carlos Slim Helu (Carlos Slim), a telecom tycoon and billionaire with well-known frugal tendencies, has a net worth of $60.6 billion, according to Forbes. Assuming no changes in his net worth, he could spend $1,150 a minute for the next 100 years before he ran out of money. To put this in perspective, he could spend in 13 minutes what a minimum-wage earner brings home after an entire year of the daily grind.

Granted, the world's billionaires (all 1,011 of them) are in the debatably enviable position of having, quite literally, more money than they can possibly spend, yet some are still living well below their means, and save money in surprising places. Even non-billionaires (currently 6,864,605,142 of us) can partake in these seven spending tips from frugal billionaires:

1. Keep Your Home Simple
Billionaires can afford to live in the most exclusive mansions imaginable -- and many do, including Bill Gates' sprawling 66,000 square foot, $147.5 million dollar mansion in Medina, Wash. -- yet frugal billionaires like Warren Buffett choose to keep it simple. Buffett still lives in the five-bedroom house in Omaha that he purchased in 1957 for $31,500. Likewise, Carlos Slim has lived in the same house for more than 40 years.

2. Use Self-Powered or Public Transportation
Thrifty billionaires including John Caudwell, David Cheriton and Chuck Feeney prefer to walk, bike or use public transportation when getting around town. Certainly these wealthy individuals could afford to take a helicopter to their lunch meetings, or ride in chauffeur-driven Bentleys, but they choose to get a little exercise and take advantage of public transportation instead. Good for the bank account and great for the environment.

3. Buy Your Clothes off the Rack
While some people, regardless of their net value, place a huge emphasis on wearing designer clothes and shoes, some frugal billionaires decide it's simply not worth the effort, or expense. You can find David Cheriton, the Stanford professor who matched Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page to the venture capitalists at Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers (resulting in a large reward of Google stock), wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Ingvar Kamprad, the founder of the furniture company Ikea, avoids wearing suits, and John Caudwell, mobile phone mogul, buys his clothes off the rack instead of spending his wealth on designer clothes.

4. Keep your Scissors Sharp
The average haircut costs about $45, but people can and do spend up to $800 per cut and style. Multiply that by 8.6 (to account for a cut every six weeks) and it adds up to $7,200 per year, not including tips. These billionaires can certainly afford the most stylish haircuts, buy many cannot be bothered by the time it takes or the high price tag for the posh salons. Billionaires like John Caudwell and David Cheriton opt for cutting their own hair at home.

5. Drive a Regular Car
While billionaires like Larry Ellison (co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation) enjoy spending millions on cars, boats and planes, others remain low key with their vehicles of choice. Jim Walton (of the Wal-Mart clan) drives a 15-year-old pickup truck. Azim Premji, an Indian business tycoon, reportedly drives a Toyota Corolla. And Ingvar Kamprad of Ikea drives a 10-year-old Volvo. The idea is to buy a dependable car, and drive it into the ground. No need for a different car each day of the week for these frugal billionaires.

6. Skip Luxury Items
It may surprise some of us, but the world's wealthiest person, Carlos Slim (the one who could spend more than a thousand dollars a minute and not run out of money for one hundred years) does not own a yacht or a plane. (Reducing the amount you spend is the easiest way to make your money grow.)

Many other billionaires have chosen to skip these luxury items. Warren Buffett also avoids these lavish material items, stating, "Most toys are just a pain in the neck."

What We Can Learn
Some of the world's billionaires have frugal tendencies. Perhaps this thrifty nature even helped them make some of their money. Regardless, they have chosen to avoid some unnecessary spending (at least on their scale) and the 6,864,605,142 non-billionaires out there can follow suit, eliminating excessive, keep-up-with-the-Jones style spending. No matter what a person's income bracket is, most can usually find a way to cut back on frivolous spending, just like a few frugal billionaires.

--
Grace

"Failure is not defeat unless you stop trying"

Spot the difference.

Previously: I choose not to get a car
..because I'm expecting my boyfriend or husband to get one and drive me around

Currently: I choose not to get a car
...because it is financially  more practical not to.

It seems trivial but it makes a world of difference to me.

Empowerd woman, yeah!