Non-stop shower of blessings :)

My last day of September was a very memorable day for me. Why? Because unexpected blessing came just when I really need it the most. Last Saturday, I asked permission from my boss if it would be okay for her if I'll spend New Year at home. I promised to finish all my reports before going home and to be back by January 2, 2008. Thank God she allowed me. Now my dilemma started when I was starting to canvass for my plane ticket. There are available low rate fare but booking is good for three days only and if I can't pay on the deadline, then my reservation will be forfeited. As of yesterday, I was totally broke. I do have my savings but all of it were invested in my mini loan business. Mini because the capital was small but at least it helped 4 striving people. I offered a loan to my four friends with a minimum interest for a month. I was actually helping them get out of a credit with a very high interest rate. Presyong kaibigan ;) But I on the other hand was left with nothing. As in nothing. Tanga ako minsan! :( I searched for help from my high school barkada but to my dismay, most of them have already closed their credit cards and one do have cash to lend me but she's on a very tight schedule and can't spare some time to send me the money. Last resort was to loan from a friend but for a lower interest rate since I'm going to return the money after 5 days. I was able to negotiate with the lender. Now I feel a little bit secured. I can buy my ticket going to Cebu (I'm gonna take the bus going to Bacolod na lang) the following day. But I was still bothered with the thought that I do have the money but never left anything for my emergency use. Asa man ang utak mo jai man??? I attended the Sunday Mass but I felt guilty for not paying attention because my thoughts were really flying high.

After attending the Sunday mass, I met up with two of my housemates at the mall. Just when I arrived at our outlet, I received a text message from my Auntie (my father's sister). She informed me that she's going to deposit my money on Monday (which is today). The money my Auntie was talking about is my profit after the harvest of our rice crop. This cropping season, it's my father's turn to make use of their family's land for business. Since my father passed away, the profit from the rice crop is handed over to me. Ako ang taga pagmana eh ;) hehehe.. Feeling mayaman. I thought matagal pa ang pag-ani ng palay, d ko alam naka-ani na pala sila. I hurriedly texted my friend that I would cancel the loan. I really feel blessed. God must have heard my prayer. And I bet Tatay convinced God to help me. Thank you so much Tatay! :)

I really believe in the power of giving and sharing. When you give, it will always come back a hundred fold. And in God's time, you will always receive what is due for you. I know I'm blessed because I know how to share, but syempre, I also know how to keep some for my future. Lesson learned. Always set aside a small amount for emergency use. Save save save for the rainy days! ;)

Saving for the rainy days

I'm back :) Joni's post made me think of blogging about it too. I want to share my way of saving for the rainy days. Last year, I've managed to allocate at least 10-20% of my salary every payday. I've accumulated a not so small yet not so large amount by the December 2006 but came January, I have to go home to attend the burial of our Lola Puring, my Lola's older sister. And when I went back here, I was shock to discover that all my savings vanished in thin air. Teeehee :D How did it happen? Just like Tina, I'm also wondering why money go away so fast? One would take at least 15 days of hard work to earn it and then in just one day, swoosh... hahaha :) Wala na! :/

So here I am now, back to scratch. I actually asked a friend to help me with my savings. I know I just need to have discipline and a basic knowledge in budgeting but I really think that having someone to constantly remind me that tomorrow might be a disaster day will make me achieve my financial goals smoothly. I once again opened a savings account with BPI since it's also the same bank where our salary is being onlined. I enrolled my savings account online so that I can schedule a monthly transfer from my payroll account to my savings account. My friend back in Bacolod is the keeper of my ATM Card. She volunteered keep it for me so that I will not be tempted to use make withdrawals ans she will also check my account every payday, to see to it that I am paying myself atleast 10% of my salary.

From January until May, kakarampot lang ang savings ko. But I've partnered with a friend and invested my little savings in a small business. Now, my invested money earns atleast 5% a month. Not bad at all. :)

It's really important to pay ourselves first before others every payday. It's one way of making our future secure. You can never tell what will happen tomorrow. It's a good thing if you've got lots of friends who are all willing to lend you moolah when you're sick if you don't have enough cash to pay for all your medical expenses, but one can never tell. What if all of your friends and even your family are also having financial difficulties? What would you do? You see, it really pays to save. Just like Tina, she was able to make use of what she had saved.

I recommend Francisco Colayco's book to those who want to learn more about the importance of savings. Mr. Colayco suggests the 80-20 rule or also known as the Pareto Principle. Save 20% of your active income (income from regular job) and budget the 80% for your daily expenses and other needs or maybe wants. It's a must-read book for all yuppies out there :) Let's make it a habit to save. :)