Saving vs Investing

Here is a good article why investing is better than saving. Read the article here.

After the Money Expo

It was a rainy morning when I went to SMX for the Money Summit and Wealth Expo. It was my first time to go to SMX. I was unsure where the Expo was held since I saw a Travel Madness expo in the first floor. Thought I was in the wrong place. Good thing I saw a tarp near the escalator indicating that the Money Expo was held in the second floor.

After freshening up, I went to the room where free talks where held. I was able to attend the talk about Investing 101 Parts A and B.

Part A was given by finance blogger Fitz Villafuerte. He started the talk by commenting on the cold, rainy weather that day. Wouldn't it be nice to stay at home and sleep? But since we are employees, we don't have that kind of luxury. By that opening remarks, I was hooked! Mr. Villafuerte talked about the difference between saving and investing. He also discussed the important things before you invest. You can read his blog here.


After Mr. Villafuerte's talk, there was a speaker from an insurance company. The speaker held a P100 bill and asked who among us wanted money? An audience member immediately grabbed the P100 from the speaker's hand. The speaker said that was a test. All of us wants money but we don't grab it even if it's in front of us.


Investing 101 Part B was by My. Rienzie Biolena, a Registed Financial Planner (RFP). He talked about Objectives, Risks, Returns, and Diversification. He advised us to put our eggs (investments) in different baskets, and put different sizes of eggs in those baskets. I will always remember what he said, time is the only thing in life that you cannot recover. You can recover lost money, failed relationships, etc. but not time. So, it's better to invest early on.

After the talks, I went to the expo to see the different booths of companies offering investments products from mutual funds to real estate. I got some freebies and lots of brochures. I even bought a book by Robert Kiyosaki, "Guide to Investing".

Money Summit & Wealth Expo

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I'm excited to attend the "Money Summit & Wealth Expo" on July 20-21, 2012, at the SMX Convention Center. I saw its flyer when I went to COL Financial office a few days ago.


The entrance fee is P100 but you can get a free pass. Just go to this website: http://conference.money-summit.com.


There are paid seminars and free talks during the expo. Of course, I'll be joining the free talks. :)


My goals for attending the expo:
1. Learn more about investing
2. Know other investing vehicles
3. Meet other financial savvy Pinoys


I don't want you to think I have lots and lots of money to invest. I just want the savings that I have to work hard for me. As the expo's website says: You can invest in stocks , government securities, and mutual funds for as little as P5,000!

While eating at a fastfood restaurant

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I saw a dad sitting, holding his son about a year-old. The child has a curly mop of hair, fair complexion. When his mom arrived with a tray with drinks, the child's face lit up and smiled at her.


Sigh. I can't help but imagine. When God blesses us with a son, he most probably will look similar to that kid. With a head full of curly black hair.

Garage Sale

"A garage sale, also known as a yard sale, rummage sale, tag sale, lawn sale, attic sale, moving sale, garbage sale, or junk sale, is an informal, irregularly scheduled event for the sale of used goods by private individuals." - Wikipedia


Last Saturday, I joined a garage sale in my colleague's house. That was my first time seeing and joining a sale.


Two days before, I hauled my unused clothes and bags, and my sister's Reader's Digests. I also included brand new fashion accessories, which is a teensy sideline business I just opened recently. I sorted my items and put prices. In my mind, the price should be low but with allowance for discounts. Even if the buyer haggles at half the price, I can still sell the item.


The morning of the garage sale, as I was preparing to leave the apartment, my Hubby called. Talk about perfect timing! I assured him that his call is more important than the garage sale and I can be late for the sale if it means talking to him. :)

I arrived at my colleague's house two hours after the opening. She was already able to sell some of her items. I hanged the shirts I brought and put the accessories in a plastic basket.

At the end of the garage sale, I sold 7 out of 9 accessories, including the dangling earrings I wore that day, and 2 out of 5 shirts.


I compared having a garage sale with managing a store. It's fun to see your products being sold and the art of selling and haggling is enjoyable. Also, I learned that it is not all rosy. Waiting for customers can be tiring. Someone should always be in the "store" to oversee customers and you have to be alert for thieves.


The garage sale was an activity, an exercise, which can teach you lessons as you dip your toes in the entrepreneurial world.

No Junk June a SUCCESS!

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Yes!


Congratulations are in order. I survived the month of June without eating any junk food. I tamed my salty cravings with popcorn and unsalted nuts. I feel happy, proud and healthy.


Yey for challenges which make life a little bit interesting!