Earthquake and Tsunami did not stop our Thailand Mission

A double whammy hit Japan! Earthquakes shook and topple structures and caused Tsunami that delivered the second blow which destroyed and practically wiped out one town in Japan. We watched this grim reality unfolding on the TV screen on the second day of our Mission in Thailand to spread Financial Literacy. We see massive destruction, and enormous difficulty of hundreds of thousands of people, probably even millions in spite of them being the most prepared country in the world!

This event unfolding in our midst while we were away from our own home and family made us further resolute in our mission to spread financial literacy among our fellow Filipinos to prepare them from a similar double whammy in their financial life.

The Mission had been organized through the efforts of Rachel Jane Dolido ; a school teacher in one of Thailand’s private schools. She is graciously supported by Fr. John Tamayo-SDB ; Parish Priest of Mary Help of Christian at Krungthep Kritha (pronounced with silent R and very nasal), and Maria VonRufli. We were with Nancy Martin ; one of our Marketing Directors, and Menchie Castro an Associate. We had our Seminars given for free on 3 different venues. One in Fr. John’s Parish, another in the UN Office in Thailand, and on Maria’s place.

Every day in our mission was a grace filled day! We had the opportunity to hear mass every single day. Though the language was in Thai, we understood the flow, and commune with the Lord. We also enjoyed the hot and spicy and tasty flavors of Thai food, soups, and desserts. We were given very comfortable accommodations on the Parish complete with kitchen and meeting area. Basic needs all provided for by Maria our generous host, and Fr. John our new found spiritual guide and mentor.

But what make this Mission extra special are the people we met. We really thank and praise God for Fr. John Tamayo. I see Jesus in him! He makes me proud I am a Catholic. He has countless stories to tell how good God is , and how he was used by Him. He has graciously offered his parish guest house for us. We also thank God for Maria who has shown us how to love others without condition. I see in her, our Mother Mary for she is very prayerful and always invoke the Holy Will of God in everything she says and do. She took care of our needs, and even added a bonus; an authentic Thai Massage to cap our activities. We were really blessed to be welcomed by Fr. John and Maria at the airport. It’s so nice a coincidence… Maria and John: the Mother, and Most Beloved of Jesus!

We also met with Babie Muangsiri who hosted our seminar at the UN. She has been in Thailand for more than 20 years and has been employed with UNHRC. A wonderful woman inside and out. She continues to help her family here in the Philippines.

The Filipino expatriates we met were hungry for financial literacy and how to actually execute it. Some of them are facing their own financial earthquake and tsunami so to speak. A majority of them have extended family needs here in the Philippines which they also support. Mostly teachers in various schools there in Thailand. We opened their minds to our prosperity formula Income- Tithes (10%) – Savings (20%) = Expenses (70%). We also showed them investment opportunities to enable them to achieve their financial goals and transform themselves from active income earners to passive income earners. Likened to building a house to withstand big earthquake, we showed them the proper way of building a solid financial foundation that can withstand any eventuality. Even a double whammy like major hospitalization and worse even death of the bread winner can be prepared for. We performed financial check up and coached them to come up with their own personal financial plans so that neither financial earthquake nor tsunami can topple them down.

We felt very good and blessed as we are doing this for Him who provided us with all our provisions and made this mission possible! To God be the glory forever!

Seven Years of Famine!

As I look back from 2002 to 2009, I was struck by the fact that it was indeed a Seven Years of Famine so far.

In Exodus, Joseph the Dreamer , son of Jacob, was asked by the Pharaoh what his dream meant. It was about a forthcoming 7 years of famine. And he advised the Pharaoh to issue an order in the whole of Egypt to make sure that 1/5 of the harvest are saved. And this is what Egypt did and they survived till the next good harvest finally resumed. They did not just survived, they even made a big growth in their economy as the countries and kingdoms around them purchased their goods from them.

Relating it to what is currently happening to our country and the world, it is a stark reality of the same thing that happened in Joseph's time. And it's a vicious cycle. It happens every so often though varying in depth and expanse. Only lately has this economic famine hit its greatest devastation of the world economy that even the economic giants folded on its knees.

What's the lesson behind this bible story in relation to Steps to Riches? Very much relevant and apparent. But let me spell it out to those who still don't get it. Those that had saved and invested their hard earned money in the last seven years will have the sure chance for survival no matter what happens in the next coming years.

Let me show you why? If you had been receiving a salary of 50K/month and you had save 20% of it or 10k/month and invested it wisely on an instrument that earns 12% (note some Mutual Funds even performed better than 12 % in the last 7 years) for seven consecutive years, by this time, you should have more than a Million Pesos and you can survive for more than 20 months even without working. And you can invest your 1M and it will earn more than 120K per month sufficient for your needs.

Now check your own savings if you have any. Is it within 5%, or 2%? You wont survive specially if you are suddenly retrenched from your work. You are a month away from bankruptcy.

So where and when do you start. Start now. Pay yourself first. Save and Invest. Reduce your Expense and Increase your income by using your spare time. You may not be able to achieve what you could have if you started earlier but at least you'll be away from being in a debt hole. Start to teach your kids as well.

Look for financial mentors who will show you the way on correct and safe investing and saving. Be careful in choosing your mentors. Ensure it is your benefit they are really after and not your meager income or your few remaining savings. Increase your financial intelligence. Go with people with the same discipline and advocacy. Go and find an IMG Associate nearest you. Or better yet...contact me.

I'll share to you my secret of surviving and thriving in this economic crisis, and you will also have the opportunity to earn additional income for your family too.

God bless.

Investing on a Property- Consider Flooding History

We have practically covered all the steps in achieving Financial Freedom from our previous blogs.

But let me expound a bit more on the topic of accumulating Long Term Assets.

Firstly, just a matter of review, I subscribe to the definition of Robert Kiyosaki on what is an Asset vs Liability. Robert defined Asset as something that you buy that puts money into your pocket. I added, anything that increases your value.

This is very important in making sure that indeed what we accumulate across time are assets which we will be able to use to generate our passive income.

One very relevant question to ask ourselves today is: Is buying a house and lot a good investment ? Is it really accumulating wealth when we buy a house and lot?

Other than the aforementioned consideration or definition of what is an asset, we must ensure that the house and lot we buy are free from flooding.

It will be a big mistake to invest on a house and lot that has a history of flooding as you wont expect said property to increase in value over time. Thus, it will not guarantee you returns from your investment.

I'm sure nobody will be interested to buy a property that has history of flooding.

It will also be difficult to find tenants if you rent out your house if people know it has history of flooding.

Of course, there are more to consider as well.... for now, I just want to emphasize on flooding as this is the most relevant today in view of the destruction brought by Typhoon Ondoy.

God bless!