8 Smart Head-turners of the Philippine Stock Exchange

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     "Hindi lahat ng maganda nag-soshowbiz, ang iba nagti-trade"

Philippine Stock Exchange(PSE), has been the home of brilliant minds. In this very competitive field dominated by men, several women have stood up and excelled. They are called the "Alpha Female"; sophisticated, smart, and competent. When the market is down or on the roller-coaster ride, these ladies are breath of the fresh air... Now, lets get to know them and learn from these head-turners, chart-lovers!

#PSEbeuties...

Mica Tan

At 13, she was trading stocks on the Philippine Stock Exchange floor with the help of Regina Capital. Two years later, at 15, she was trading foreign exchange (forex) and getting mentorship from renowned investor Mark So, in addition to working at her dad’s family’s pawnshop business.

Tan eventually wanted to attend Fordham University like her business idol Donald Trump, but after getting admitted, she decided against it. “If I went to Fordham: Fordham would be my university – New York would be my campus,” she recalled. “If I enrolled into the school of ‘hard knocks’ [business in the real world]: Life would be my university, the world would be my campus.”

So fresh out of high school, Tan became an independent distributor for a beverage company, and it was around then that she began the small-scale angel investing by connecting small business owners in need of capital with the investors who could provide it.

source: rappler

Gracy Fernandez

She is a Financial Adviser by profession and takes interest in providing helpful tips when it comes to Wealth building and Money management.

For the past years, she has been immersed in understanding financial investments, stock market trading, as well as real estate and life insurance. She has also taken interest in Digital Marketing as a PR strategist and currently connected with BookAKA.com which is a trading tool that is helping stock traders in the Philippines.

Ace Gapus

Hazel “Ace” Gapuz is a lot of things. She’s an ADMU graduate, a UP-D MBA holder, and a Breakout Serendra Hall of Fame-r to name a few. Her “extinct” resume shows her working her way up in business development at Boardwalk to becoming PR Manager at GrabTaxi, to now having a multitude of jobs that fill her Instagram with #worklifegoals shots. 

Namely, being a co-owner of a Maginhawa restaurant, to managing director of Blogapalooza, to running a podcast called Wise Cash for The Global Filipino Investors.Her network, influence, and skills keep her running full steam ahead, with the numerous projects and plans she has on her plate. You can read the complete article here: How To Earn A Million Before 30: 5 Secrets for Early Success.

source:when in manila

Rose Fres Fausto

She's an investment banker turned full-time homemaker and now author, columnist, speaker on purposeful parenting, financial literacy and other topics that go with these advocacies (Womanhood, Behavioral Economics, etc.). Graduated with honors from the Ateneo de Manila University with a degree in A.B. Economics in 1985. He started her career as a Credit Analyst at Far East Bank & Trust Co., and then moved to Corporate Finance of some of the top investment houses in the ‘90s. She also had a five-year stint as a Financial Consultant to a USAID project on renewable energy.

source:www.fqmom.com

April Lee Tan

Ms. April Lynn C. Lee-Tan, CFA, is the Head of Research Department since 2003, and Vice President at COL Financial Group, Inc. Prior to this, she was an Assistant Vice President at COL Financial Group Inc. Ms. Lee-Tan has been doing equities research since 1996 when she joined the research team of COL Financial. She is a Certified Securities Representative and in 2000, earned the right to use the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Ms. Lee-Tan holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management Engineering from the Ateneo de Manila University.

source: www.bloomberg.com

Charmel Delos Santos

Charmel Delos Santos is a private trader, systems analyst and ex-beauty queen wannabe. She started her career as a business analyst and worked in information technology for 15 years. After investing in Australian and New Zealand real estate, Santos traded shares and options with little success but continued to work through the lessons, finally getting breakthrough after taking advanced trading courses and workshops with Van Tharp Institute and changing her trading style to “trade as a woman”.

source: www.highheeledtrader.com

Sarah Nicole Tiu Santos

This lovely lady is a Stock Broker / Sales Officer (Equities) at Maybank Atr Kim Eng Securities, Former Sales Officer at Philstocks, and a  Former Intern at Philippine Stock Exchange. She studied at Miriam College (formerly Maryknoll).

Joanne Atienza

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The Art of Borrowing: Usapang UTANG

   "Borrowers are made, not born" 

Well, you are lucky enough to click this link and get into my site (This is not a spam!) Probably, you are just having a bad day and you want to quickly resolve it through borrowing (no money? no problem!) I can definitely help you! Don't worry, this is absolutely for free, ideas are all borrowed anyway...(duh)! Welcome to "Getting into Debt 101".

Let's start to learn the 6 Legendary Techniques of Borrowing: 

1. Dress to Impress. Do not look Poor. 

You have to look awesome and you need to look rich. It really depends on how you carry yourself. If you have a friend who has four-wheels, then you can take advantage of it. Nobody will lend to someone who looks broke. Prepare ahead of time. In your social media, show them that you're living a rich kid, show them that you are often dining in a fancy restaurant (even you're not ordering) and show them what you've got (but in reality, you don’t have).

2. Make a list and Profile your friends.

Now is the time to categorize people around you that you can take advantage as your prospects. People can't give you something what they do not have.To save time and effort, choose the right people who you think have something. 

Eye for an OFW friends, check their timeline and observe when they would be coming back to the Philippines.Usually, they will be having hard time refusing because they want others to know that they have a lot of money or they just can't refuse at all. Di sila makaka-ayaw!

For employees, observe a good timing. Money will always be on payday, the rest are empty wallet days! So better be hurry because once they receive the salary, it will be gone with the wind.

Easy target are your friends who are always showing off. Try to flatter them and you will have your reward.Then you can apply Strategy #3. 

3.Be always ready with your winning spiel. 

Borrowing is an art so be excellent.The best borrowers in town are those who have very good communication skill.It is all about your convincing power, it is not about what you will say but how you will say it. It should be spontaneous. Never take no for an answer!

Here are the most common but effective spiels that I have already tried:

For Students and Officemates: 

"Friend, pahiram naman wala akong barya. bayaran kita mamaya ha!" 

   (Friend, I don’t have coins here, I'll just pay you later) 

"Friend, nakalimutan ko wallet sa bahay. pahiram naman oh. 

(Friend, I left my money in the house. Can I borrow some?) 

"Friend, di ako makapaniwala sa nangyari. Nahold up ako!Pahiram naman oh." 

(Friend, I can't believe what just happened to me. I was robbed.Can I borrow?) 

For Professionals and Businessmen: 

"Bro, pahiram naman ng pera.Bayaran kita agad. Bukas darating pera ko"

(Bro, Can I borrow money.I'll pay you right away.I'll have money tomorrow) 

"Bro, mag invest ka sa business/project ko. May tubo ka 10% after 1 year."

(Bro, you can invest in my business/project. You will have your money back with 10% interest) 

4. Acting is everything. 

Successful borrowing strategy is how you act it. Saying is a good thing but portraying is another thing.You need to act natural.Most common but effective scenarios you can use are; your family member is in an accident, you're wife is giving birth, somebody in your house is admitted in the hospital.You should think of something which is urgent and realistic.

Human Psychology is that the person just can't refuse it or else he will be blamed. I've been there, done that!I brought it to the next level.I even told my boss before, that I badly need to get a loan from the company because one of my relatives died and I need to help them (I was just lying, though) 

5.The "Amnesia Teknik"

Considering that you're finished borrowing, you already spent it buying, buying, and buying and now is your turn to pay it back.What if you can't pay a thing?

No problem! 

Pretend that you have forgotten it until you can't remember it at all. Just to remind you that most of them will hardly forget what you've borrowed but 90% will hesitate to say it (Sila na lang ang mahihiya!). So this is a good thing for you. 

Time will heal.They will just forget it someday. 

6.The "Beast-Mode Teknik"

Now, if the mentioned above is not working out, then this could work for you to avoid collectors.Show them who's the boss. You might scare them. It is better to be on the defensive side and get mad first to let them know that you are not intimidated. This is the power of intimidating! This might not work sometimes so apply this at your own risk.

We had a neighbor before that is so good in doing this that until now she still did not pay her debt and we can't collect her because we don’t want a confrontation. She wins though. 

Friendly Reminders: 

Be ready to lose important friends. Most likely the first people who will lend you money are the ones closest to you. So this could be your living sacrifice.In our church we don’t encourage borrowing because we don’t want to make it a culture and it costs relationships. 

"Money often cost too much"- Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Once you're there, getting out is hard as going through a needle's hole. Getting into debt does not just happen overnight.It is a process.It starts from a small amount then into a huge amount.So huge that some brought it even into their grave.Some gets into nervous breakdown. 

"Anyone who borrows is a slave to the lender"

  

                                            Proverbs 22:7 

Count the Cost. You will be living in fear and you will not have peace of mind. 

"Debt is the worst poverty"

                          Thomas Fuller 

Your love ones will suffer. Debts is one of the cause of family problems.According the survey, the main cause of divorce is not "third party" but finances. 

It will surely affect your reputation. Above all else, choose your name over money. 

"The wicked borrows and does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives" 

                                                                                                  Psalm 37:31

"It takes 2 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it"

                                                                    Warren Buffet

So, It is now up to you, Life is a choice...

Related Articles:

Life After Debt: Should I Settle my Debts First Before Investing?

6 Reasons Why You Are Still Not Saving

How I Escaped From Being Broke to Become an Investor

5 Secrets Your "Kuripot Neighbor" Won't Tell You

 Do you want to Get out of Debt? 

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Open-Minded Ka Ba?

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I was often asked if what keeps me busy these days. The other day, when I was in a small coffee shop waiting for a friend, a friendly and beautiful crew asked me..."Sir, what do you do po if you don't mind?" I mean, kasi palagi ko kayo nakikita dito. We've been friends since the first time she works there. I've been there most of the time in that coffee shop when I'm around San Juan (I usually meet up with clients and friends in the church there). 

I'm a nocturnal, that explains why I love coffee...

She's curious and looks like she has something to ask. I just smiled at her. 

Are you a networker?

I stared at her without any idea what's the best answer. She's waiting for some answer though... 

Do I look like one?

She nods! Just kidding lang po...

Nakiki-wifi lang...I answered her.

Di nga!
 

(medyo makulit siya and talkative)

I am a call center agent... 

But after shift and rest days, I'm trading stocks!

I'm blogging too...
 

Because I saw you before looking at a chart and I'm familiar of those...She told me.

That starts our conversation. She told me that she helps managing her tito's coffee shop and restaurant. Our combo turns emotional when she told me how they we're well-off before when she was young.

They had a family business that was working out well. Her dad was into casino and a seasoned gambler. At first, it was only a hobby then it became an addiction. That made her parents got into more troubles and got separated. 

They had to close shops because of financial problems and debts. She could overheard her tito who is a stock broker telling her dad " Mag trade ka na lang kaya ng stocks, may mangyayari pa sa pera mo" and her dad's answer " Ayoko ko dyan, di naman tumutunog dyan"...Her dad was having a close-mind.

His addiction went too far that he could not resist it. To make the story short, her dad lost most of their wealth and properties.

On the other hand, her tito opened more shops and became successful.He also helped her and her siblings to go to university because his dad got into an accident. 

I asked her, So what are you doing to correct the course of your life? 

"You know what, I've got the same advise in school. My economics instructor was always sighting examples about stock market, his stocks experiences and having a long-term goals. So we went to Ortigas to inquire about it and attended seminars. Hearing about stock market, I would always go back to my tito's advise to my dad that day that he just ignored.

 I want to try it because this is the only way I can think of  that we  can get back on track. I invested in mutual funds, bonds, and stocks and I'm happy about the returns. There's still hope for me! She answered...

I was  relieved but felt sad at the same time about what happened that it will no longer be changed. I could not imagine the chain reactions of his dad's tactless actions which everyone suffers.

I've heard these sad stories countless times. Mostly, those people who were scammed or they hit a wrong investment. One bad move can change your life forever...

You can also read my previous blog: Scammer Spotted: Shocking Signs of a Scam.

This is why the guidance of the Registered Financial Planners, Professional brokers, consultants, and Financial advisers are very important for sound advise. So be open-minded with opportunities that are coming along your way, may it be in business, investment, or career growth but at the same time be wise enough to do your due diligence.

 Let me leave you these wise advise in proverbs;

Proverbs 16:25 

"There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death"

Proverbs 1:5  

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning..."

Proverbs 12:15

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel"

Do you want to learn how to become a Successful Investor? 

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My First Investment Lesson at 11 Years Old. Find Out...

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What you'll do today will have an impact  in your life 10 years from now! 

I did not expect that growing up in our farm will become my edge today and  a small act can teach me  investing lesson early in life. 

When I was  in Grade school, we were asked to write an essay about our unforgettable experience from the previous summer. After we have finished writing, Everyone should recite it in front of the class.

"We went to Boracay", one classmate proudly said.

"We went to Enchanted Kingdom," said the other.

When my turn finally came, I stood up with excitement. I told the class about the durian trees I planted that summer. I saw it in the hallway and convinced our  kapitan that we will just  plant it in our vacant lot. He agreed since they're just excess from previous project. We planted 40-50 healthy seedlings together with my mama. That was our vacation and that was our family bonding!

I love planting because I spend most of my life in the farm.

I was excited, telling myself, " Soon, people will look up on the fruits of my durians." That was for me a young but awesome accomplishment! I was so proud of it...

Then, suddenly the teacher interrupted and corrected me. She asked me to tell something else, like a vacation somewhere. Feeling embarrassed, I then  saw my classmates laughing. That time, I knew, it was not appreciated! But, for me, that was so valuable.

Few years passed, things have changed. Now my durians have already became fruit-bearing trees! They now became the darling of our farm! When it bear  fruits, my durians are "talk of the town". They have become celebrity for all Durian-lovers like me. On the top of that, I was also able to get a good profit out of it every year. It's a living proof not to despise small beginnings.

 It was a good investment from that little farm boy!

From then on, I understood the principle of investing. The heart of an investor has born in me. Those small durians have taught me something...

There's a season to plant and a season to harvest.

There's a time for toil and a time for dancing.

Good things will come to those who wait!

Do you want to learn how to become a Successful Investor? 

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What It Takes to Build Your Emergency Fund?

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Question: "Hi, I am an OFW here in London for 8 years. I followed your blogs every week and I'm  so inspired by your story on how you managed your income, saved it and invested it. I'm single,earning well but honestly I dont have savings. Most of my income are sent back home to support my family and pamangkins education in the province. I see them as my investment. However, lately, I felt guilty because I've been helping others but I'm not setting aside for myself. What should I do now?"

Grace Gomez, Nurse,sent by email

Thank you for your message and I'm glad that you took the time to bring up your financial concern. First, I appreciate you for acknowledging this problem and second, I admire you for having such a big heart to help your relatives...You seem a very kind and generous person. On the other hand, you sounds like frustrated and feeling something like that is a good thing. That means that you've already woke up! I tell you now, it's not only you who's experiencing this dilemma. 

It has been  a long practice in our culture the "Padala-Probensya system". That shows our strong family relationships. I don't have anything against it as long as it is still on the context of balance. The greatest investment is yourself. My blog today is not about how to stop extending help to your relatives but to balance things up. You have to consider also the other side. I will sight you an example...

 Not too long ago, I did not know how important the Emergency Fund is, to its core. All I knew is that it's part of the process that I need to go through in investing. So basically , I have set already an Emergency Fund good for 6 months ready for use (I did it reluctantly, though!). 

One day, I felt something bad and I felt sick and some parts of my body were in so much pain. I thought it was just a "trangkaso" and the following day I was so weak. When I went on check-up, I was told that I had an adult chicken pox. Worst thing was, my bosses wanted me to be on a long sick leave for the whole month. They want to make sure that I can't harm others due to our close-knit workplace and I might infect others as well if I would just spend few days without complete recovery. So I spent a month with all of the expenses from my Emergency Fund. That's when I fully I understood it, with a big sigh "Buti na lang!" From then on, Emergency Fund for me is so important that I can use it on an unforseen circumstances.

If you haven't been able to build your Emergency Fund, I want you to start now. We don't know when we will be needing it the most. It is just very simple but the struggle boils down to its greatest enemy, YOURSELF! What are the things to consider when I am building my Emergency Fund? This is always the common question. Learn from my personal experience...

1. It will take 100% self-discipline.

I asked myself if an Emergency Fund is so important, Why many Pinoy are not paying much attention about it? I got a quick answer, we dislike consistency as we dislike discipline. It is boring and painful, indeed!

This happened last year when my friend who had a pregnant wife for their first baby. They were so excited and the pediatrician told them the schedule of the expected delivery. They did not prepare much about it because their expectation that it would take few months to go. Then one day, He was shocked because her wife was rushed and he was informed on duty that his wife was having a premature delivery. He could not imagine how shocking it was without any much preparations!

As my friend told me about it, the doctor refused to do the procedure because they need to give a cash advance. It took few hours before he could borrow a needed amount while the wife was already in pain. That was a very unpleasant experience. Although, the delivery went well, that was supposed to be a joyous experience but they're looking back with a hard lesson and remorse. 

When I decided to build my Emergency Fund, it took me a while to find its deeper purpose and it needs to be self-convincing because I can't trust myself. I could be too excited to start but I will end up not saving something at all. So I thought of realistic "What If's"! What if I would lost my job tomorrow? What if I'll get sick and needed immediate operation? What if one of my family members is on an emergency and needs immediate assistance? This is where this fund comes into play. You can read my previous blog on 6 Reasons Why You Are Still Not Saving.

2. It will cost your social life.

When I started to build my Emergency Fund, I started to cut expenses. You know already that my salary is just an average call center agent can get. I started cutting expenses from my favorite leisure; hanging out with friends, going to the cinema, and spending time in an expensive coffee shop to maximize my savings. So what I did, I became active in social media to still communicate to friends, minimized going out when unnecessary and do online shopping if needed. I also bought packs of 3 in 1 coffee (It tastes and smells the same like coffees in Starbucks anyway!). 

Yes, I've lost bunch of friends and keep some. I also joined financial groups in FB and met some same  "kuripot friends". Now, I feel good and spend time with the right people and at the same time, I was able to reached my financial goals.

3. Many will dislike you.

In my previous blog; 5 Secrets Your "Kuripot Neighbor" Won't Tell You, I wrote an article about how we have a negative connotation on the word "kuripot". We tend to have an advance thought that these type of people are selfish and hoarders. I am one of them and I raise my case! Kuripot people are the best people that you can have as a friend and rest assured that we will not borrow from you. I saw many relationships became sour because of money matter and unpaid debts. 

So if you are dislike because of you being kuripot, they are not friends for keep. A funny quote from local celebrity Keanna Reeves once said; " It not my lost it Yours!

4. Some of the favorite lists might need to be put on hold.

I received a sermon coming from my cousin saying that it is okey to be frugal but I don't have to save too much. How could we know that we are already saving too much? For me, saving too much means not being able to maintain your basic needs. Basics needs has never been a question for me, it always my top priority. According to my budget, top of my lists is the food allowance and next things are all considered secondary priorities. I'm also setting aside now for leisure, travels, personal stuff, and for others (mission, charity, relatives assistance).

5. It will take time.

My early days on saving were mostly trial and error. It took me months to apply it seriously. I tend to go back to my past practices and that was so frustrating. I finally found a mentor that is so successful in building his Emergency Fund. I reached out to him  and asked for guidance. He gave me some mathematical computation but what sinks in to me was to do it over and over again and learn from past mistakes. Your goals won't become a reality until you make it a priority. Read my friend's inspiring story on how she was able to build her Emergency Fund and started investing. You can read the full article here: Bing Su Inspiring Story: The Secretary and the Stock Market. 

Related Articles:

Practical Tipid Tips for Every Pinoy

6 Reasons Why You Are Still Not Saving

5 Secrets Your "Kuripot Neighbor" Won't Tell You

How I Made My First Million in the Stock Market

Do you want to learn how to become a smart-saver? 

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Awesome Perks of Being Single

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Are you still single? Are you worried that you're left behind while you're batchmates are ahead  of you? The sayings "staying single is a blessing" might be so gasgas na! All you can think of might be life is so unfair!

There are two types of single people in the world today; the happy ones and the bitter. If you are the latter, join our league... I raise my case! Being single is the most awesome thing that can happen in your life. If you could hardly believe it, I will tell you why...

You can get rich while you are younger.

I'm not sure how many but most of my friends became financially stable first, before they got married.  Dont be worried that your age is depreciating, my successful friends married on their 30's and their partners are worth waiting for. There are lot to cheer on and dont mind your relatives and friends reminding you that you are almost on your dead-end. Learn to build one of the most important foundations in your life and that is your financial life. According to studies in the U.S., the most common reason of divorce, is not third party, but finances. I would rather pay the price now and play later.

Being single is very much an advantage for me because I'm able to save 30%-40% from all my income even my salary is only on an average. I was able to maximize and concentrate it on investing without thinking of something else. All I know is  If I fail, the damage is lesser. All I can blame is myself and nobody else will suffer. As a result, I'm reaching my first Million through my assets in stocks early quarter next year, should my portfolio gets an annual return of 5% (which is the least). It has gotten an exciting effect on me and I see it as a good riddance for all the sacrifice of starting up.
You can read the entire blog here: How I made my First Million in the Stock Market.

You can be a good relationship Adviser.

Yes, I'm already a guru if you'll call it that way (just kidding). I already spoke to multiple singles and married alike. I'm always the haven of my married friends when they have trouble with their partner asking for things on what to do and what not. Common things they said to me; "Bro, wag ka munang mag asawa. mag-ipon ka muna". Good thing about it is that I can learn from their mistakes and get wiser on what to expect.

You can explore the world before getting married.

Being single means independence. You can craft your map without much worrying on budget. Once you get married, you could tell your kids of the exploits you have with many places you visited and your husband will admire you even more. Most of the travel bloggers I knew were singles and this could probably explains why...

You can write a list of "50 places to visit before becoming a mom" or "100 things to do before I die". I wrote about that 15 years ago when I read it on reader's digest. Being single is not forever, so pack up your traveling bag!

It adds value to yourself.

It doesn't automatically mean that if you are single, you are choosy. Being single is being careful on your choice and decision.  I've seen many people who are trigger-happy and can't sleep without having a girlfriend. So they jump from one relationship to another and that's very devastating. If you can't agree then create your own blog (duh!).

According to the book " Real Men are Pogi" by Ardy Roberto; you have to  develop yourself from the inside out. Once you have fully developed yourself and your character, to be engaged in a long-term relationship is a lot better and mature. I would suggest that you have to challenge yourself and get out from your comfort zone while you are single. You have much time to prepare for the bigger things and to have yourself appreciate in value.  What I do today were not what I expected... All I dreamed was after graduation, I will work in the government as a teacher. 15 years ago, I never dreamed to be a Stocks Trader or a Blogger. We will attract great opportunities once we are on the process of doing extraordinary things and going the extra mile!

You can make a difference and save the World!

If you have a dream to change the world, staying single is the wisest thing to do. That's the reason why Batman, Tony Starks, and Captain America remained single until now. It does not mean that girls messed up and are destroyers of dreams but sometimes staying away from them are the best thing to do. So if you are building the next facebook, crafting a Filipino spacecraft to Saturn, or if you're doing something incredible, sometimes working alone can save the day.  You can avoid hurting somebody's feeling telling you "You're too busy with what you're doing", "Sinong mas importante sayo ako or yang ginagawa mo" or "Break na tayo kasi wala ka ng time". Sometimes you can be misunderstood. Being single means you have all the time in the world to fail and learn it yourself.

  Do you need a Mentor? 

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Life After DEBT: Should I Settle My Debts Before Investing?

Question: Hi Kuya, I just want to ask a financial advise from you. I'm really eager to start to invest in the Stock Market because my roommates are already investing. The main reason that is hindering me is that I have debts from my credit card. My bonus that I will receive next month will go all for payment for my credit card. Should I settle all my debts before Investing?
- Maureen Rhea, CPA,sent through FB

Hi Maureen, Thank you for having an eagerness to start early in investing. By having that interest alone, will bring you far in life. I'll be more practical in my advise since debt is something everyone of us has become a personal struggle. On different degrees, we all have problems with it at some point. I don't want to be a self-righteous because until now I'm still paying debts... Those are coming from my suppliers from my failed businesses before. I'm on the payment arrangement and still paying it slowly. 

I've read a book Till Debt Do Us Part by Chinkee Tan and it has revolutionized my mind and open my eyes to the damage that a debt can inflict into my life. I was tired of that same old lifestyle and I called it a quit! I understood that the way out of it is to break-free...By God's grace, I was able to get out and I hope that you will do too...

''Paying your Debts is already a form of Investment"

Believe it or not, Getting Out of Debt is a good investment and having a good reputation is essential in business and investing. I worked for the biggest high-speed internet provider in the U.S. which provides the fastest connection among others and I'm in both tech and sales.

When we have new customers who want to subscribe to our services, we screened them through credit check through their social security number. Companies profile them through credit scores and that's how they gauge them  in getting loans and other financial leverage. I even talked to an OFW who told me that to be able to make your life easier in the U.S., you  just have to maintain a good credit standing. 

Good credit standing gives you a good night sleep. Here in our country, we have a different process but without having much debts can get you out of many troubles. Few years ago, I promised myself that I will not borrow even how small the amount is not unless it's for business purposes. Borrowing is a bad habit and it's all complimented with our impulsive behavior. 

I'm not against using of credit card, it is just I'm not a fan of it. Spending through credit card is using the money you haven't earned yet and it gives you a high price tag in return. With the convenience it gives you, if you fail to pay it on the allotted time, you'll gonna pay a very high compounding interests in the company's favor. If you have a credit card, my financial advise is to use it responsibly.

"You can't Get Out of Debt by Paying it from another Debt"

I can't grasp the logic of this manner but I think if your creditors are already looking after you "kapit na lang sa patalim". For me, people gets broke because of this and it entangled them that they don't have already a way out.  Getting into debt has a chain reactions and you will keep on doing it over and over again. In my company, many employees are using their ATM to the creditors to guarantee a payment because they don'have much options. These type of arrangement has a very high interest rate most of the time. Debt is like "Pandora's Box" that you will enjoy it for short-term but will destroy you for the long run.

Read my blog on How I Escaped From Being Broke to Become an Investor. 

"There's only one Good Debt. When you use it for Business Purposes"

You can consider this but please be responsible once you're already into it. It's a good thing to leverage money from bank loans or other financial institutions to use it to your advantage but it's not wise to borrow when your just on a start-up business. When you are new in business, funds should be coming from your resources first. You will have more pressure and my business failed because I was not that stable and most of my fundings were borrowed.  

Before setting up your business, build first your emergency fund to use for this purposes. Have a 3-6 months buffer funds. A Singaporean business tycoon told me that he made his emergency fund good for one year so that if his business fails, he can still have one year to look for a job.

"Debts can't be use to Invest"

I was asked by my colleague if it's okey to get a loan to fund his initial capital in the stock market. For me, It does not make any sense at all and you can't invest what you do not have. By principle, The money you will invest has to be an extra-money that you will not use for a period of time, say 5-10 years. Market is so volatile and you'll might get frustrated that your interest in your loans is bigger than your earnings in your portfolio. 

"Getting Out of Debt needs Action Plan"

Getting Out of Debt is a personal decision and it needs a timely application. Borrowing is more on behavior and to turn against it is to change our mindset. I knew somebody who always become sad when she doesn't have money and ends up borrowing and borrowing all the more. It is never too late to turn things around! Once you were able to get out of Debt, you're one step way to your Financial Freedom! 

Kindly read this blog The Art of Borrowing to learn more on how to live a Debt-free life.

Related Articles:

Best Books For Investor-Wannabes

6 Reasons Why You Are Still Not Saving

How I Escaped From Being Broke To Become an Investor

5 Secrets Your "Kuripot Neighbor" Won't Tell You

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