IF all this talk about the way we are eating the dust of our more progressive Asian neighbors puts your teeth on edge, as they do mine, why don’t you join me in a little exercise?
Look around when you’re malling or just eating out. There are millionaires around us, never doubt that. I’m talking about rich people — none of that millionaire-at-heart blah. I’m talking about individuals who have worked hard in their professions, and made it their business to understand money. People who want to have a full life and who don’t live payday to payday.
OK, so the word “millionaire” might be stretching it a little bit, but just for the sake of literary appeal, let’s call them your neighborhood millionaires. For sure they aren’t the Henry Sy-types — they drive modest cars, some even live in rented homes (that’ll be the subject of another blog!) but their kids go to the best schools and they don’t drink Starbucks coffee everyday.
Point is, being well-off certainly is not just a hazy dream for average Pinoys. It’s happening all around us to many people and it can happen sooner to more people if the right ingredients are allowed to brew together. Blast the GDP figures and government’s number crunchers who say too many Filipinos live below the poverty level. (My fave economist Noet Ravalo will give me a lecture when he reads this).
This blog is for those who want to know the ingredients, who want to be inspired by other Pinoys who give the rat race a kick on the butt, and for those who are already financially independent but want to coach some people along the way. This is a blog for Pinoys who want to be money-smart, not just rich, and for Pinoys who understand that the best way to focus on that goal is to help each other.
Look out for Friday entries called So What Chocnut? where we will try to make sense of business stories that matter to us.
I am also going to put so-called financial tips under the microscope and report to you if they really work in Money Myth Busters. (Do you have a tip you want me to test? E-mail me.)
Lastly, I’m looking for an individual (better if a couple) who wants to discuss his financial goals with me and, reality TV-style, record in this blog his journey to that goal with the aid of financial planning experts. (If you want to be this person, e-mail me!)
Almost 10 years of business reporting and writing about personal finance has blessed me with opportunities to meet a lot of people and one thing is evident: those who try to reach financial independence together have more fun.
Speaking of fun, look at how these traders were having fun in the stock market. This is a picture of the Manila Stock Exchange back in 1935.
I had fun digging up old issues of the Manila Chronicle and found these old photos at the Lopez Memorial Museum. They were using chalk to record trades, can you imagine that. We had the best exchange in Asia, even in those days.
March 21st, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Hi! Thank you for sharing your knowledge on wise handling of money. This is my first time to read your blog. Honestly, it was only recently that i started being conscious of how I handle my finances. Im in my early thirties, a typical working guy, single and broke. I don’t want this to sound soapy, but hell, I desperately need some guidance. You posted an invitation for anyone who would be interested to be your ’student’. I prefer that term. I’m willing to do anything to get out of this financial rut I’m in. At the risk of sounding too hopeful; i dare to say , perhaps you could be the angel I’ve been waiting for that would show me the path to the light. Glad to hear from you.
March 20th, 2007 at 11:31 pm
Your article is very informative. I’m sure many will benefit from it. Our countrymen need guidelines and directions to uplift them in their miseries.Congratulations!
March 17th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Congratulations, Be! It’s a nice read…..galing mo……
March 14th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
wow. got here from the inquirer home page. medyo familiar yung article na buying in bulk. pinag-usapan nyo ata yun sa e-group eh.
March 13th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
hi. i am graduating student and I am really excited about exploring the real world. you know, the world different from my friday-saturday night gimmicks and vanities. (note, I have a budget for that, Im not blowing up my whole allowance!). It’s a good thing that I saw ur blog while I was reading the news at inquirer.net. I always believe in securing one’s financial future, in our world today, if u dont have money, no one else will give you, nor notice you. I look forward in reading your entries!