Category: Latest Posts

Like many others, high school was a time when I spent a lot of hours playing video games with friends. In true Filipino fashion, DotA was always our video game of choice. We’d spend countless hours trying to grind our way through the ranks.

Then, college came and it was time to think about the future. For me, that was when I started trading stocks. For a good 3 years, I gave up my hobbies and got addicted to the market. While I was lucky to be in a bull market during the start, the bear market quickly humbled me. After putting in a lot of effort, I still couldn’t find out why I wasn’t improving.

Summer came, it was still a bear market and I had no classes to attend. So, I decided to play DotA again. That’s when I realized there are a lot of similarities between trading and a video game. After a while, I realized I was learning valuable lessons that I can translate to trading.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways I got.

Focus on the things you can control

“The more time you spend complaining about what you deserve, the less time you have to focus on what you can create.”

James Clear

In the chaos of random matchmaking, everyone complains about something. Yet, only a few focus on what they have control over. DotA is a video game where you play in teams of 5, making it easy to put the blame on someone else. But, the matter of fact is higher ranked players often win games by mainly focusing on what they can do to win.

Likewise, you won’t always be in a favorable position when trading the markets. A lot of people complain about not having accurate insider information. Some blame the people behind pump and dumps. Others think that the top traders have the “holy grail” of trading, which is why they can’t seem to profit from the market. The truth is, the market is an even playing field. Everyone is subject to the same black swans and market crashes. The difference lies in how strongly you hold yourself accountable for your performance. 

Figure out the things you can control and find a way to use them to your advantage. 

Pick your spots

Early on, I had the problem of having a very low win rate. I’d try to make trades with a 3, 4, or even a 5 risk-to-reward ratio. But, I wasn’t converting on a substantial portion of those trades. I read in books and articles that traders often did have win rates below 50%, so I thought this was just a losing streak on my end – until the string of losses eventually ate up a big portion of my portfolio.

As I tried playing DotA again, I realized that risk-to-reward ratios are also present in the video game. While some plays are risky, winning on those bets could easily turn the tide. The key was picking your spots. Trying to balance out the chances of winning an engagement with the risk-to-reward of the idea became a skill I learned to help me improve. Unsurprisingly, I figured that the concept can be applied to trading as well.

Is the market bullish or bearish? Does the stock have any bulging red flags? Are there other factors I need to consider? Trying to stack the probabilities in my favor has been a big help in winning more trades and capitalizing on solid risk-to-reward opportunities.

Stay up to date with the latest changes

Unlike other video games, DotA constantly gets updated. Even the most minor of changes can often dictate big changes to the most effective tactic available (meta). It alters what decisions become suboptimal and which ones become the best course of action. Failing to stay in the know often leads to worse performance.

Likewise, being unaware of changes in the market can have an impact on how you trade. Changes in the Fed’s stance, the USDPHP’s trend, and what industries are currently the strongest are all important factors you need to stay updated on. Else, you might be caught off guard when trends change or be unprepared once big opportunities come.

There will always be losses – focus on the bigger picture

As in any endeavor, losses will always occur no matter how good you get. While they may be hard to accept, losing is a natural part of the learning process. Especially in trading, losses can help set you up to be better. Make mistakes, learn how others handle the same situations, and apply your solutions.

Just remember to keep track of your progress, and keep in mind that you’re in this for the long run. 

---

Traveling abroad to attend a concert is exhilarating. But how can we maximize our budget, and save big while having a great time? 

This article will explore several practical tips that can help you cut costs without compromising the quality of your overseas concert experience.

Travel with a Group

If you have friends or fandom groups interested in attending the concert, consider traveling together, as group bookings often come with discounted prices on accommodation and food. You can split the bills of your food and transportation costs to reduce your expenses. 

For instance, if your group is considering booking a hotel near the concert venue— which is more expensive. You can consider renting an Airbnb apartment near the concert venue. It allows you to immerse yourselves in the local culture while saving money by dividing your rent and costs equally. 

Create your itinerary 

Creating your itinerary ahead of time is one of the most effective ways to save money on your overseas concert trip. Arrange your daily plan for where and when you should see the place. Through this, your trip will be organized, giving you a clear picture of what you should expect while avoiding unnecessary spending. Research tourist destinations offering free or low-cost attractions and activities, such as museums, parks, and festivals. You may also look for tourist spots that you can visit near the concert venue for free to maximize your concert experience abroad.  

Consider Alternative Accommodations

Booking a hotel can be tempting for travelers and can be luxurious. However, they are often the most expensive option. Explore alternative lodging options such as hostels and homestays through platforms like Airbnb. These options give you a more authentic and immersive local experience without breaking the bank. If you have friends and relatives living in your destination country that can offer their homes for you to stay, consider reaching out.

Utilize Public Transportation

Using public transportation is cheaper than hailing a taxi and renting a van, and it also gives you a local experience while saving money. As concerts often attract a large crowd because of the large number of attendees, this can lead to heavy traffic congestion and increased taxi fares due to demand. Thus, riding their public transportation saves you from the stress of traffic jams and absurd taxi fares. Using Public transportation also allows you to experience the local culture, offering a unique opportunity to interact with locals. You might also meet fellow concert attendees, creating opportunities to share your excitement, exchange concert experiences, and make new friends. 

Eat Like a Local

Eating authentic and good food should not break your wallet. Thus, consider dining at local restaurants and street vendors that offer authentic flavors and cultural richness of your destination that are a fraction of the commercialized tourist price. This immersive food place is cost-effective and deeply rewarding, as you can also find new friends in the local community. Oh? Did we mention that local restaurants often serve generously portioned meals that can be shared between two or more people? With this, splitting the cost of a meal with travel companions is a smart way to save money. 

Keep In Mind 

In conclusion, you can have a memorable overseas concert trip without breaking the bank. By following these tips, you can save big on your next adventure without compromising on the quality of your experience. After all, you should enjoy your concert as this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!  

---

In case you haven’t heard about it, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” is a classic book that talks all about the different habits that separate the rich from the poor. Here, Robert Kiyosaki talks about his two fathers. His biological father, who was a highly educated man but struggled financially, and the father of his best friend, who was a high school dropout but became a wealthy businessman. 

Within Rich Dad Poor Dad are a lot of financial lessons that can be used by anyone looking to grow their wealth. Here are some of the biggest takeaways from the book. 

The rich don’t work for money

Wealthy people don’t rely on paychecks to generate income. Instead, they invest their money in assets that generate passive income. These include businesses, real estate, or even stocks. These allow them to live off of the income that their assets produce, without having to work a traditional job.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that wealthy people don’t work at all. Many of them work very hard, but they do so with the goal of generating wealth. They may start their own businesses, invest in real estate, or become entrepreneurs. They may also work in high-paying jobs, but they use their income to invest in assets that will generate even more income in the future. On the other hand, the poor often work with the goal of buying their next big liability. Be it a car, luxury goods, or expensive gadgets. Generally, things that don’t generate passive income.

The main message here from Rich Dad Poor Dad is that if you want to become wealthy, you need to start thinking like the rich. You need to invest your money in assets that will generate passive income.

Dare to take calculated risks

It’s important to be willing to take risks in order to achieve your financial goals. However, the book Rich Dad Poor Dad also stressed that it’s important to do your research and understand the risks involved before you make any decisions.

The rich are willing to take risks because they know it’s necessary to achieve financial success. However, they also know that there’s no such thing as sure profits. Not all risks are equal. Depending on the rewards, some risks are worth taking more than others. The key here is to understand that losses are inevitable, and that you need to make the most out of the risks you take.

Opportunities come to those who are prepared

if you are open to new ideas, then you will be more likely to see opportunities when they present themselves. It’s important to be creative and think outside the box. Even in what may seem like troublesome situations, an opportunity can always be present.

In one of the stories featured in Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki talks about the time gas prices were rising. While most people saw it as merely an increase to their expenses, the rich saw it as an opportunity to invest in Oil companies. 

Failure is part of the process

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s never a bad thing to fail. In fact, failures often provide you with valuable lessons that can help you succeed in the future. We become forced to confront our mistakes and weaknesses. It can be painful, but is ultimately essential if we want to grow.

If you study the lives of different successful people, you’ll find that failures were often present in their early lives. What can differentiate you from others is how well you accept your mistakes. The rich make it a habit to lake accountability, while the poor often put the blame on other things.

One last piece of advice that you can use to tie everything up is to get started. Start learning about the different ways we can make our money grow. Start reading on how you can profit from the stock market. And of course, start investing your money in assets that can create wealth.  

---

Habits are an integral part of life to achieve our goals, as it is built by small repetitive action that can lead to success. Habit may help you achieve your goal and make your journey sustainable. However, when spending habits are inclined to overspend and splurge, this might be a problem. As spending habits significantly affect our ability to reach these dreams. Thus, managing our money has a profound impact on our finances. 

Impulsive Buying 

Toma got his monthly salary and went to the nearest mall to buy a bag. Days later, he starts receiving his utility bills and becomes frustrated because he has no money to pay his bills. Sounds familiar? 

Unnecessary splurging is caused by impulsive buying, which disregards thorough decision-making and prioritizes immediate desires over long-term goals. Social media and online selling platforms have made splurging and succumbing to impulsive buying easier. Nevertheless, these impulsive purchases seldom contribute to your long term goals and health. Instead, they often lead to buyer’s remorse and financial strain that can hinder your progress toward your substantial goals and that is how spending habits affect our financial goals. 

Financial Constraints 

Budgeting is the backbone of effective financial management. It allows us to understand our earnings, expenditures, and cash flow and allocate funds appropriately. When we consistently spend beyond our means, we jeopardize our ability to save for emergencies, invest in our future, or achieve essential milestones such as homeownership or retirement. We can mitigate this problem by creating a budget sheet where you can track your spending, gain insight into your habits and identify areas where you can adjust. Failing to establish a budget often leads to overspending, impulsive purchases, and an inability to save for our goals. 

Delayed Long-Term Goals

It requires discipline and commitment to achieve our long-term financial goals. It requires an effective system to allocate your funds properly and distinguish your purchases from needs and wants. However, if your spending habits tend to splurge on unnecessary things that do not contribute to your long-term goals, that might be a problem.  

To tell you a story, Mark started his career and wanted to purchase a house for his family. Thus, he decided to curtail his spending on entertainment, such as buying a new phone or watch. He prioritizes his financial goals and aligned his spending habits with his long-term aspirations, such as buying a new house. He knew that by analyzing his spending habits, he could identify areas where he could cut back and redirect funds toward our most important objectives. Through this, It gives Mark a blueprint that he can follow to fulfill his dreams and gain financial stability.  

In Investments

Spending habits contribute to your ability to invest in the future. You can accumulate funds for  investments such as stocks, bonds, or real estate by cultivating healthy saving habits. These investments offer the potential for long-term growth and financial security and may help give you financial security throughout the years. However, if you consistently spend beyond your means, It may restrain you from investing and limit your potential for wealth accumulation. Moreover, delaying investments due to poor spending habits can significantly diminish the compounding effect and the value of our savings over time and that is how spending habits affect our financial goals. Thus, you should change your spending habits, which may help us achieve your goals by promoting saving and investment, which is essential for building a secure financial future.

Keep In Mind

To achieve our long-term financial goals, we should recalibrate our spending habits and establish a system where we can see where our money is being spent. Through that, we can have a roadmap to align our daily spending with our long-term financial goals. 

---

Even though I learned a lot about economics, trading, and the like, investing was still a habit that hadn’t stuck with me yet. This is when I realized I had to make investing fun. 

It’s always easy for us to do things we enjoy, and vice versa. No matter how important something may be, we’ll always find it a chore if it’s boring. If we can make investing fun, it becomes less of a hassle and more of something we look forward to. Here are 3 hacks I learned that helped me to do so.

Treat Investing Like a Game

Chances are, you’ve already tried playing games such as Monopoly and the like when you were younger. These games were fun as they rewarded you for constantly investing, and of course, staying out of jail. Similarly, how we deal with our finances can be treated in the same way. Oftentimes we should also rely on a steady source of income, then use it to build our investments. In the case of Monopoly, that was buying up properties and building hotels. 

Different people probably have different games in mind. Whatever it may be, try to find something you can compare investing to. Of course, a big help would be to keep track of how your portfolio’s progressing. In a way, you can treat it as your real-life level or rank in order to make investing fun.

Diversifying for an Ego Boost

Speaking of tracking your progress, it’s also a big help for you to find “easy small profits.” Investing in the long term can be hard and stressful. You’ll most likely be subject to the market’s volatility and will experience losses every now and then. 

To help make investing fun, adding in short-term investments such as treasuries, bonds, or even partaking in promos from digital banks can help you experience the joy of seeing some of your investments make a profit. The fruits of long-term investments really take time before you start to enjoy them. In the meantime, short-term investments can help you to find small wins to celebrate.

Join Forums

“Have you heard about stock $XYZ? I heard they’re making a breakthrough soon!” “I heard $MOON is gonna be acquired, do you think this is a solid opportunity?” As social creatures, we tend to find joy in doing endeavors as a community. There are many forums like r/invest and Trading Tips PH, where people talk all about investing.

While it might seem like investing is all about numbers and ratios, the truth is every successful investment has a narrative. By talking with peers, you gain useful knowledge of what’s the story behind the numbers. And of course, who doesn’t like hearing about market gossip from time to time? 

Last words

Investing is an integral part of how we reach our financial goals. No financially independent person has ever done it without investing in one form or another.

By making investing fun, we can make it easier for us to strive toward financial freedom. Like in the game of Monopoly, as we continue to build our portfolio we’ll eventually improve our finances. Just make sure to stay away from jail while you’re at it. 

---

Graduating from college is an exciting milestone that marks the beginning of a new journey in your life. As a fresh graduate, the world is a basket of opportunities and possibilities you should conquer. Stepping out of your comfort zone and facing the challenges is often daunting. Thus, Planning for your future during this transitional phase is vital to ensure a smooth and successful transition into the professional world. 

Set Realistic Goals

After graduating from college, Fresh graduates often feel pressured and intimidated by the real world, leading them to create significant goals for their career journey. However, these objectives are usually all over the place and often need proper planning. 

Hence, It is important to define your goals in planning your future. Start by identifying your passions, interests, and strengths. Reflect on what inspires you and what you envision for your future. A clear vision will guide you in making strategic choices and setting achievable objectives. Setting short-term goals is a way to achieve your major milestone. Align your action plan with your passion and aspirations and break them into smaller, actionable steps. This approach will give you a roadmap and help your journey be more sustainable. 

To tell you a story, Mark and Jonathan are fresh graduates from Far Eastern University. They aim to find a job and start working as soon as possible to start their career journey. However, the two approached this differently.  

Jonathan has one goal, and that is to find a job quickly. He is obsessed with working in a company and only focuses on his primary goal. However, he has no concrete plan on how to achieve that goal. On the other hand, Mark set small and attainable goals. He compiled his portfolio, built his resume, and called his supervisors to request a recommendation letter. He focused on the process rather than the goal itself. 

Set Up Your Credentials

In today’s highly competitive job market, having relevant work experience is vital. Setting up your resume and portfolio is essential to showcase your strengths and skills. You may compile your certifications from seminars and Internship certificates from companies you worked at. You may also seek recommendations from your professors and intern supervisors to enhance your resume further, as It can give you a competitive edge and increase your employability.

Build Your Network And Connections

Engage in career fairs, networking events, and industry conferences to expand your professional network. Building relationships with professionals in your desired field can open doors to internships, mentorships, and job opportunities. Additionally, consider joining professional organizations or associations related to your field of interest. These organizations offer valuable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development programs that can enhance your skills and boost your career prospects.

Improve Your Work Experience

Seek internship programs and volunteer opportunities that align with your career goals. This experience will improve your social, professional, and technical skills as you experience the professional world and collaborate with your colleagues. You may also consider pursuing additional certifications or online courses to enhance your overall skill sets. Because companies often look for competence and skills rather than just your diploma. Thus, to stand out among others, you need to gain those experiences and develop essential competencies. 

Plan Your Finances

Early financial planning is essential in planning for your future, as this will set a strong foundation for your future financial stability. Budgeting money can be your practice for your financial journey. You can start by evaluating your financial situation and creating a budget that accounts for your expenses, such as student loan repayments, rent, utilities, and daily living costs. 

Through this, you can avoid splurging and overspending on non-essential assets and focus on one. 

Remain Adaptable: This Is Not A Race

Lastly, it’s important to remember that this is not race, and everyone has their phase. So don’t compare yourself to your friends, because this can distract you from achieving your goals. Focus instead on your self-growth and development, and if you encounter situations that do not go according to your plans, remain adaptable and open to new opportunities. Your career path may not unfold exactly as planned, and that’s okay.

The Final Word

Your early career years might be daunting and intimidating. However, with the right mindset, you will come out victorious. Embrace the journey and instill resilience, adaptability, and a positive attitude. Believe that you can do great things, and everything will follow. This world is for you to conquer.

---

If you haven’t heard about it yet, Pag-IBIG MP2 is one of the BEST investments available for Filipinos – consistently providing high returns for a very small amount of risk. The Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (or Pag-IBIG MP2) is a voluntary savings program for members who want to save and earn more compared to the regular savings program.

Highlights of the Pag-IBIG MP2 

Here are some of the key features of the Pag-IBIG MP2 that make it a solid investment:

• High interest rates: The savings fund has constantly performed well throughout the decade. Participants have been enjoying rates above 5% for multiple years now. Interest rates even reached a high of 8.11% back in 2017, with the latest for 2022 giving a solid return of 7.03%
• Government-guarantee: The Philippine government guarantees the safety of the participants’ money. If something goes wrong, participants will still receive their principal.
• No limit: Compared to digital banks, a Pag-IBIG MP2 account doesn’t have a limit. You can put in as much money as you want. Just take note that for contributions above P500,000 you need to do so through a manager’s check.
• Tax-free dividends: Earnings made from the this are also tax-free.
• Flexibility: You can choose to deposit one-time or make regular monthly deposits. You can also choose to receive your dividends yearly or have it continually compound throughout the years. During emergencies, you also have the option to withdraw all your funds.

Applying for a Pag-IBIG MP2 account

To be able to apply for a Pag-IBIG MP2 account, you should be one of the following according to the organization:

• An active Pag-IBIG member with at least one monthly contribution in the last six months
• A former Pag-IBIG member with other sources of income and has made at least twenty four (24) monthly contributions 
• A former Pag-IBIG member who has reacquired their citizenship and has made at least twenty four (24) monthly contributions

If you meet the requirements above, the easiest way to get your Pag-IBIG MP2 account is to apply for it online. Here’s how you can do so:

1. Start your application through this link: https://www.pagibigfundservices.com/MP2Enrollment/ 
2. Input the your Pag-IBIG Membership number, name, and date of birth.
3. Specify the amount you want to contribute every month to the Pag-IBIG MP2 fund.
4. Set your preferences such as how often you want to receive the dividends, what your mode of payment will be contributions, and where the funds will be sourced from.
5. Afterwards, you should receive your MP2 account number which you’ll use to make your payments.

Making contributions to the Pag-IBIG MP2

There are different ways to invest or make contributions. The easiest way would be to have your employer automatically deduct the funds from your salary. If that isn’t an option, you can also do so through different over-the-counter options. Another easy way to invest in the Pag-IBIG MP2 is to do so through e-wallets. GCash and Maya now allow you to make contributions through their apps, usually through the pay bills feature. Just keep your MP2 account number in hand, since you’ll use this no matter which payment method you use. 

Is investing in this worth it?

The Pag-IBIG MP2 is a solid savings program to join. Aside from the high-interest rates, it’s also somewhat risk-free given that the government guarantees at least the principal. If you’re just starting to invest, this can be a solid starting point for building a diversified portfolio to help you achieve financial freedom. 

---