My First Dividend

Today I received my first dividend, it was a nice feeling to receive a dividend from my stock shares in a good and reputable company.

My Monthly Financial Journey(3-Emergency Money)

The third envelope where I put a part of my money is for emergency cases like when I become sick, money for my parents in the province, etc. 
This is the money that I put into my bank account because I can easily withdraw it. 
Putting your all savings in the bank is not a healthy practice. 
You should put only your money for emergency cases.

Investing Tips

Investing Tips

By Barbara Jolie

Investing can be a scary concept for people who don’t know much about it. Use these tips to familiarize yourself with the process.

1. Set clear goals: Why are you investing? Is it for short-term or long-term gain? What do you hope to accomplish? Ask yourself these questions before parting with any of your money.

2. Consider a target-date fund: A target-date fund automatically changes its risk set-up as you age based on your planned retirement date. This is a good pick for first-time investors.

3. Listen to your gut: Before investing, take a while, or even a night, to carefully consider the move. If the thought of it keeps you up and distracted, and if it just doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.

4. Avoid "too good to be true" situations: If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t over-extend yourself or wind up in a hole by chasing fantasies. Invest wisely, with planning.

5. Take investing seriously: Not to sound overly dour, but investing isn’t a game or a hobby. It’s a calculated financial move designed to yield a net gain. Approach it with caution and intelligence.

6. Understand fees and commissions: A fee is a flat rate, while a commission is a percentage. Generally, try to pay fees on big cash amounts and commissions for smaller ones.

7. Brush up on the Efficient Market Theory: Basically, this states that stock values are perfectly priced when you factor in all possible known information, so that the only way to really make big money is to take risks. Knowing this will help you plan those risks accordingly.

8. Don’t be greedy: In addition to the moral issues, greed is a bad financial choice. Just because you see someone making money through a particular investment doesn’t mean it’s a smart one to make. Always, always, always do your homework.

9. Consider overall value: In addition to a stock’s price, try to get a sense of its true value and how that might fall or rise with time. This is the true indication of a stock’s potential.

10. Get lots of advice: One of the biggest mistakes you can make is thinking you don’t need help, especially as a beginner. Talk with advisors and trusted friends with investing experience before starting out.

11. Don’t believe the hype: If you hear about a "hot tip," ignore it. There’s no such thing as a sure winner or inside scoop, and believing there is will just get you burned.

12. Be prepared to invest time and money: In addition to the money you’ll want to invest, you should prepare to spend plenty of time studying and researching the market and spend money on software or online memberships to trading sites that will let you invest.

13. Deal with the truth: If you’ve got a losing stock on your hands, no amount of wishful thinking will turn it into a winner. Don’t be afraid to confront the reality of the situation and save your money while you can.

14. Don’t forget taxes: Know how much taxes are required for different investment choices, and when it’s advisable to pay them. Taking tax policy into account before you invest ensures you won’t have any nasty surprises.

Article Source: http://www.onlineclasses.org/2010/06/23/50-important-financial-tips-for-young-adults/

Many people are afraid to invest in some companies like buying stocks of the company. But many people have been successful in investing and became millionaires others even became billionaires. We should take a risk in investing in companies, we should give them our full trust.

via reuters

Retirement Planning Tips

Retirement Planning Tips

By Barbara Jolie

It’s never too soon to start making plans for your future.

1. Set a date you want to retire: When would you like to retire? When you’re 65? 60? 70? Picking a date is the first step in planning because it sets a goal and will let you figure out what it will take to reach it.

2. Start saving immediately: Waiting just a few years to begin storing away money in a retirement fund will lower your eventual savings by tens of thousands of dollars or much more. Jump on the opportunity today.

3. Set up automatic investments: Have part of your paycheck automatically transferred to your savings account to make sure it gets done.

4. Find out how your employer can help: Many employers that offer 401(k) plans will match your contributions (up to a certain amount) every year. Ask how much your company will chip in.

5. Start a Roth IRA: A big benefit of a Roth IRA is that contributions you make are taxed, meaning you don’t have to pay taxes when the money is withdrawn in the future. Talk with a financial advisor for more information. These are great tools.

6. Adjust as necessary: As you save more and grow, you’ll be able to revise your savings plan based on changes in income and other situations.

Article Source: http://www.onlineclasses.org/2010/06/23/50-important-financial-tips-for-young-adults/

I totally agree with what the author said that it is never too late to start saving and making plans for your future. Whether you're 20, or 30, or 40, or 50 years old it is never too late. The most important thing is you should start today. Because one of the most difficult things to do is how to start. We should have a mindset that conquers this mentality.

via reuters

My Stocks went down Again

Today my stocks went down again for two consecutive days now. 
But it is just fine cause any time soon, I know my stocks will go up again.

My Stocks Are Up

Wow today my stocks are up.

Basic Saving Tips

Basic Saving Tips
By Barbara Jolie

Whether it’s holding onto more of your money or spending it in different ways, there are plenty of ways to save.

1. Take 10 percent off the top: Take 10 percent out of every paycheck and put it into savings. You can split it further into long-term and short-term savings accounts, but the key thing is to take that 10 percent off the top, before you spend anything else. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your savings starts to grow.
2. Start an emergency fund: Put some money every month toward an emergency fund that you can use for things like hospital trips or car repairs.
3. Cut the excess: Sure, it’s nice to have a Netflix subscription or premium cable channels. But if you really want to see savings, you’ll eliminate those luxury perks.
4. Consider the options: Paying yourself first by taking 10 percent off the top is smart, but putting that money to work in a higher-yield savings account over the long-term is even smarter. Talk with your banker about how to get the most from your money.
5. Sack it: Do you eat out for lunch most days? Time to trade that habit for a brown bag lunch. You can save hundreds of dollars a year by preparing your midday meal at home and taking it to work with you.
6. Hop a bus: This might be easier for people in big cities, but public transportation is still a great way to save money by cutting down fuel expenses. Plus you get to help the environment.
7. Don’t use credit cards: One of the best ways to save money is to eliminate all — each and every one — of your credit cards. Just don’t use them, period. Pay off the balances and you’ll be floored at how much you can save when you don’t have to pay monthly minimums.
8. Shop for generic brands: When you’re at the grocery store, buy generic brands of products like soda and medicine. You get the same ingredients for a fraction of the cost.
9. Shop in bulk: Consider joining a warehouse club like Costco or Sam’s Club. The cost of the annual membership can be easily offset by some of the savings you get from buying in larger quantities.
10. Set your thermostat higher: I know summer can be brutal, but setting your home’s thermostat at a higher degree will keep the air conditioner from running all day in a futile attempt to turn your house into a refrigerator. Buy a couple of oscillating floor fans to help with circulation.
11. Change those bulbs: It sounds like a little thing, but it’s not: Switching to energy-efficient light bulbs can save you hundreds, especially since they last years longer than traditional bulbs.

Article Source: http://www.onlineclasses.org/2010/06/23/50-important-financial-tips-for-young-adults/

It really is important for us to save. We should be saving even how rich we are. Because we cannot tell what the future lies ahead of us. So as not to be caught off guard, we must save today for our bright tomorrow.

via reuters

My MOnthly financial Journey(2-Life/retirement plans)

Aside from buying stocks, I also have retirement savings in GSIS because I'm a government employee and I also have a retirement savings in SSS when I taught in a private school for almost half a decade.
 It really is important for us to save and plan for our future. 
We should not spend all our salary for today's consumption instead we have to be smart enough in thinking for our future.

My monthly financial journey (2-Life/retirement Plans)

The second envelope where I put a part of my salary is for my retirement.
 I want to be a millionaire when I grow old because I want to continue giving to God's works.

My stocks are down

Today my stocks went down, but I'm not sad because it will give me a chance to buy socks at these low values.

My MOnthly financial Journey(1-Tithing)

Every month when I receive my salary, I follow Bo Sanchez's suggestion to put my money in 5 envelopes. 
The first envelope is for tithe. 
I give back some amount to God, my salary is a blessing from Him so it just but fitting that I give back something to Him and this is to support His works like orphanages,etc. 
I was enlightened by Bo's words that I am now one of the many donors of his works. 
This is one way of tithing, other ways are giving your time to God's works, church involvement,etc. 
May God always bless people like Bo Sanchez who enlightens many people's minds and have pure hearts.

My financial journey in the Philippine Stock Exchange

I am now 8 month old in stock exchange.
It was really a roller coaster journey for me. 
Sometimes the value of my stocks goes down and sometimes it goes up. 
There were times that I became uneasy since I was new to this "world". 
But I became relax when my mentor Mr. Bo Sanchez always fed me with some inspirational things for me to learn in the world of stock exchange.
Now I don't care anymore whether the value of my stocks goes up or down.
This is because I trust and believe in my coach and mentor.
At the moment I have bought stocks from two companies, the AYALA LAND INC. and JOLLIBEE FOODS CORP. 
And they are doing well at this moment.