crosswordbebop

"If you cannot control your emotions, you cannot control your money." - Warren Buffet The Problem I am dangerous when i'm stressed or having issues with my self-esteem. I swipe my card and I slash my savings. Good things those moments come few and far between. But the main culprit that hinders me from attaining financial freedom is the 'upgrade' in lifestyle and that need (or more aptly - want) to 'reward' myself for a day's hard work in the form of food. Kapag na-stress - kain tayo sa masarap! Kailangan masarap. Bawal magutom, marami pa akong gagawin. I can't believe I have been spending more than 10% of my net pay on food! But my growing waistline is enough proof. I feel the need to be up-to-date when it comes to gadgets which explains the recent impulsive purchase of Samsung Galaxy S4 even though I still have an iPhone 4s that works just fine. Ewan ko ba. Then the news of iPhone 5c and iPhone 5s came out. I wanted to trade-in my S4! And I stil...

This week, I made another slightly major purchase of a 'want'. I feel giddy and guilty. photo grabbed from Egandeula's Sari Sari's Facebook Page So I'm sitting here on top of my uncomfortable high chair, in front of a borrowed laptop (my husband's), willing myself to start on my financial plan. To be fair to myself, I am not starting with nothing. I have some savings. But to be realistic, I am an employee, part of the (hard) working middle class. I have two kids, one of school age (4 years old). The husband and I are bracing ourselves for a major borrowing commitment (his part of the commitment) and a major unavoidable expenditure (my commitment) in the next 3 to 4 months. Now if I could just win the lotto. Not that thought again. :) If you are like me, let's not despair. I have just read this article on www.brighterlife.com.ph on How an Employee Can Prepare for Retirement . Th e article says if we, ordinary Juans (and Juanas), can save 20% of our net pay co...

I realized for a while now that I am living head over heels aka in disorderly haste every day, mostly because I'm very busy at work. I hardly have time to be a good housekeeper, wife and mom. I am grateful, therefore, to have the weekends to myself and for my family. I am a wife and a mom to two young kids but most of my hours are spent working, which makes me a hardworking (albeit sometimes reluctant) working girl, aiming for self-fulfillment and financial freedom. I love reading and writing and sleeping (not a morning person - not me)! I have taken up driving lessons but can't find the guts to actually drive. I have a love-hate relationship with commuting. I hate the traffic and the queue and the drivers who hate traffic too. But I love that I get to read and write during commute, my precious ME time during workdays. I am an Ilokana but thrifty is not in my vocabulary, to save and spend wisely are my flitting goals. Despite of my lack of time, I find myself perpetually wantin...

I am supposed to be a successful and career-driven woman. Afterall, I graduated with honors, passed the board exams and have had a good career head start. And then suddenly, I was lost. I don't know what I want anymore and I don't have the drive to aim for more. I want to do something else. I want to write. I want to design. I want to edit photos and make invites. I want to blog. I need help and counseling. I need a mentor. I need someone to look up to. And I also need money, lots of them. I am okay. I mean, I am happy that i have my hubby and son and that we are blessed to have more than enough for our needs and wants. But as I get older and wiser (I hope), I begin to question myself, is this it? Is life just supposed to be about me and my family and friends. Aren't we supposed to have a purpose, a deeper meaning, to touch lives and all that? This then brings me to my next endeavour - to obtain financial freedom so that I can do what I want in my own time. I can also start...