Do you want to be Great! Do you believe we are born for greatness? Do you believe that our God is an awesome God Who always is ready to bless us with greatness? That everyday, something great is happening to you to make you greater?
Last night, I attended our regular Wednesday Training in Makati and was once again inspired by one of our leaders in International Marketing Group- IMG. He is the founder of the Wealth Academy and the author of the Lecture Series. He is no other than Noel Arandilla, a Chemical Engineer turned Financial Planner, Adviser, Consultant, Master Trainer, Master Builder and CEO of IMG. It was truly inspiring! Let me synthesize and add some personal insights and sharing on what it takes to be Great and may I add...and Happy!
To be great , based on the many success stories told over and over again, one has to find his gifting, develop it with passion , dream big dreams, focus and practice his craft . To be truly great and happy, I would like to add that we must be doing everything in the name of love anchored on the love of God and fellowmen. We must not measure our greatness alone by what we have accomplished ourselves but how many people have we uplifted and helped. We are great as measured by the "world" on how many places we have been, how many cars , house, assets we have. But, " Ang katanyagan na may kagalakan ay hindi lamang kung gaano kataas ka kumpara sa iba, bagkus kung gaano mo naitaas ang iba". True greatness with happiness is measured not by how much you are above others, but how much you have uplifted others .
One has to practice till perfection of his craft, never allowing difficulties block his way to success, and always go through difficulties and triumph (Try- Umph) over it. One has to spend at least 10,000 Hrs perfecting his craft by practicing diligently everyday for 10 years. Sometimes, practicing what others may consider already as punishing. And looking at failures as just a temporary halt to success. Never quitting, never stopping till he get his dreams!
When I was a boy , going 7, I have to be sent to my aunt in Gumaca to be adopted. We were poor that my parents cannot afford to feed and send us to school . I am the 5th of 12 children. Even in those times, raising a family of four was difficult what more with 12 children and with my father as lone bread winner. He was a Policeman, an honest policeman, "hindi nangongotong", and thus no sideline nor money from illegal means.
When I lived with aunt in the province, I had that frightening experience of sleeping alone in a room. There were no kids of my age to play with, that I even have to play with ants. There were times , I had nightmares and there was no one to embrace me or comfort me. Oh it was not just a difficult situation, it was horrifying. I was in that situation for one full year . And so after a year I asked my aunt that I be returned home to my family .
We were all back together and have to live with what we have. We have to help out in the family income. Imagine, this, My school uniforms are hand me down from top to bottom , including what is inside...yes, including that... you know what. I am assured only of elementary education as this is free and I just have to walk a short distance to school, thus minimal expense. My high school and college education is uncertain.
We slept 8 of 12 of us altogether in one sleeping mat we call "banig" and we do not have enough pillow and "kumot" when it is cold. We have one bathroom , that we have to cue in line each day, and thus some of us have to take a bath outside the house.
Because of this we all studied very well, dreaming, that one day, we will be able to lift us up from the misery of being poor. We also help augment our family's income by selling cigarettes, "mais", banana cue, "lumpiang togue" . We slowly but surely lifted up our living condition through the years.
I had big dreams... every time I see an airplane pass by our roof (we live near Manila International Airport now NAIA) I said to myself I will ride a plane someday. So as I fly my kite, I imagine myself soaring high in a plane traveling to different places in the world. I also dream of having a big house, a big bed with complete "unan at kumot". I dream of having a family , my own car,
I have finished my studies in flying colors, and completed college through full scholarship from the government with full allowances. Landed a good job, had traveled to most parts of the world, have a big house, , a car of my own, encircled with friends who has same passion and mission in life and more importantly friends who are also focused on serving and loving God.
Now as I look back, I thank God for allowing me to go through this experience for it had made me closer to Him. It also made me very calm and relax even in difficult situation for I know God is with me. It made me feel I am great for I have hurdled the difficulties, found my gifting as a trainer, with passion I use my gift, use and hone it by practicing it , and I help uplift many people with my gift.
But, let me add one more thing, we can find our happiness in our greatness by not comparing with others, but by looking at where we have been and how the Lord has blessed our way to greatness! And we must continue to look forward to each day for I truly believe something greater is in store for all of us each day!
God bless us all !
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Family Planning! How to become Happy Healthy Wealthy and Holy...
We are twelve in the family.... as there were not so much family planing initiatives by the government when our parents were raising us. But this is not the family planning I want to talk about in this page. To be Happy Healthy Wealthy and Holy, this does not happen by accident, this needs to be planned... and not just by individual persons but by the whole family.
We have started our planning last year and me and my wife had made this commitment to do this every year. Either on the Christmas Holidays (between December 25 to January 1) when our kids are out from school and my son can take a brief leave from work. This year, we did it January 2 right after the New Year.
We reviewed our past year goals and defined our goals for this year. We do it individually and we ask each one to share their dreams and goals for this year. We also planned out our family's activities for the whole year. We cover the different aspects : Relationships, Health, Finances, Spiritual, Studies, Work...
We thank the Lord for the many blessings he has showered upon us last year and we ask Him to doubly bless us this year with His abundant blessings.
We believe that God is opening up the flood gates of unimaginable and bountiful blessings! We believe that "something GREAT is already happening to us this very day, this very day, for Jesus is blessing our way!" .
I hope that you had also completed your family planing by now. If not, it is not yet too late...go for it.. And lay before the Lord almighty all your plans for Him to bless it and make it happen.
God bless us all!
We have started our planning last year and me and my wife had made this commitment to do this every year. Either on the Christmas Holidays (between December 25 to January 1) when our kids are out from school and my son can take a brief leave from work. This year, we did it January 2 right after the New Year.
We reviewed our past year goals and defined our goals for this year. We do it individually and we ask each one to share their dreams and goals for this year. We also planned out our family's activities for the whole year. We cover the different aspects : Relationships, Health, Finances, Spiritual, Studies, Work...
We thank the Lord for the many blessings he has showered upon us last year and we ask Him to doubly bless us this year with His abundant blessings.
We believe that God is opening up the flood gates of unimaginable and bountiful blessings! We believe that "something GREAT is already happening to us this very day, this very day, for Jesus is blessing our way!" .
I hope that you had also completed your family planing by now. If not, it is not yet too late...go for it.. And lay before the Lord almighty all your plans for Him to bless it and make it happen.
God bless us all!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Having Credit Cards and Staying Happy!
The indicators shows more and more people are using their credit cards and this is a positive sign for economic activity. However, the grim side of it is that there is also a 3% increase in the number of people defaulting in their payments. See related news below I took out from BizLINK of Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Are you one of them? Do you have troubles coping up with your plastic money expenditures? Are you heavily indebted that your payment is taken from another credit card loan? Or are you one of us who have credit cards but are able to maximize its usefulness? Do you have credit card debts but is able to stay happy?
We were in the same pit some years back. But with discipline and financial literacy which we have acquired from Bro Bo's Truly Rich Coaching Seminar, and a series of free seminars at International Marketing Group Makati Office, we were able to get out of the sad predicament of having credit card debts which even ballooned to over a million pesos. So how did we do it?
First, we changed our spending habits by strictly monitoring our cash flow. Then, we consolidated our debts and eliminated some of our credit cards. We reduced it from 7 different bank providers to 2. Then we pay up our credit not based on what is minimum required. This is actually the credit card debt trap. They put in bold numbers the MINIMUM REQUIRED PAYMENT which if you follow will make sure you do not get out of debt.
Since we are paying in advance and more than what is required, we also negotiated for none payment of annual dues on the credit cards we retained.
Now, we are debt free and we make sure that we pay the dues before due date. We not only maximize the convenience , but we also enjoy perks like having to accumulate points which we exchange for some needed items in the house. We also got to enjoy some freebies that credit card providers gives to its users. Like having to eat for free in a fast food chain using the points we accumulate.
If you want to be coached, trained on how to be debt free... please respond to this blog or send me an email. I will be more than happy to respond and help you.
Now indeed, we are glad we have a credit card and we stay happy!
I hope you do too!
God bless!
Banks’ credit-card receivables up 3% to P134B
BizLINK
Defaults rise to 13.5% of total borrowings
By Michelle Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:45:00 01/06/2011
Filed Under: Economy and Business and Finance, business
MANILA, Philippines—Credit-card spending rose anew in the third quarter of 2010. This, according to regulators, helped keep the consumption level high enough to help boost economic growth.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the outstanding credit card receivables of universal, commercial and thrift banks as of end-September 2010 amounted to P134 billion, up by nearly 3 percent from P130.2 billion in the same period the previous year.
The BSP said bank loans in the form of credit-card receivables accounted for nearly 5 percent of the total loans extended by universal and commercial banks.
Central bank officials said the continued rise in consumption provided good prospects for a sustained economic growth. They said consumer spending was one of the major drivers of economic growth.
As credit-card spending rose, defaults by “plastic money” holders also increased. The BSP said non-performing credit-card loans to total credit-card receivables ratio remained in the double-digit territory. It even increased year on year to 13.5 percent from 12.8 percent.
Loans are considered non-performing if they remain unpaid at least 30 days after maturity.
The latest non-performing credit-card receivables ratio was much higher than the total non-performing loans-to-total loans ratio posted by banks of only about 4 percent.
Analysts said this was an indication that credit-card holders were more likely to default on their obligations compared with other types of borrowers.
Also, non-performing credit-card receivables accounted for 13 percent of the total non-performing loans that the banks were exposed to. This was higher than the 12.3 percent recorded as of September 2009.
In view of the rising credit-card receivables of banks, the central bank last month issued tighter rules governing credit-card issuance.
The BSP earlier prohibited banks from issuing pre-approved credit cards.
Pre-approved credit cards are usually sent to target clients through regular mail or courier service.
The new guidelines also imposed tighter disclosure requirements. Banks are now required to present a table of credit-card transactions with the applicable interests and penalties in the billing statements issued to customers.
Cardholders should also be reminded constantly in the billing statements that payment of the minimum amount due, or any amount lower than the total amount due, for a billing cycle would result in the imposition of interest and other chargers.
According to regulators, some cardholders do not know how interests and other charges were computed. They are not aware that paying less than the total amount every month can result in the building up of interests and other charges on the balance, they added.
Some people who are not aware of how interests and penalties are charged on credit card borrowings tend to spend more than they can afford to pay using their “plastic money.”
Are you one of them? Do you have troubles coping up with your plastic money expenditures? Are you heavily indebted that your payment is taken from another credit card loan? Or are you one of us who have credit cards but are able to maximize its usefulness? Do you have credit card debts but is able to stay happy?
We were in the same pit some years back. But with discipline and financial literacy which we have acquired from Bro Bo's Truly Rich Coaching Seminar, and a series of free seminars at International Marketing Group Makati Office, we were able to get out of the sad predicament of having credit card debts which even ballooned to over a million pesos. So how did we do it?
First, we changed our spending habits by strictly monitoring our cash flow. Then, we consolidated our debts and eliminated some of our credit cards. We reduced it from 7 different bank providers to 2. Then we pay up our credit not based on what is minimum required. This is actually the credit card debt trap. They put in bold numbers the MINIMUM REQUIRED PAYMENT which if you follow will make sure you do not get out of debt.
Since we are paying in advance and more than what is required, we also negotiated for none payment of annual dues on the credit cards we retained.
Now, we are debt free and we make sure that we pay the dues before due date. We not only maximize the convenience , but we also enjoy perks like having to accumulate points which we exchange for some needed items in the house. We also got to enjoy some freebies that credit card providers gives to its users. Like having to eat for free in a fast food chain using the points we accumulate.
If you want to be coached, trained on how to be debt free... please respond to this blog or send me an email. I will be more than happy to respond and help you.
Now indeed, we are glad we have a credit card and we stay happy!
I hope you do too!
God bless!
Banks’ credit-card receivables up 3% to P134B
BizLINK
Defaults rise to 13.5% of total borrowings
By Michelle Remo
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:45:00 01/06/2011
Filed Under: Economy and Business and Finance, business
MANILA, Philippines—Credit-card spending rose anew in the third quarter of 2010. This, according to regulators, helped keep the consumption level high enough to help boost economic growth.
According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the outstanding credit card receivables of universal, commercial and thrift banks as of end-September 2010 amounted to P134 billion, up by nearly 3 percent from P130.2 billion in the same period the previous year.
The BSP said bank loans in the form of credit-card receivables accounted for nearly 5 percent of the total loans extended by universal and commercial banks.
Central bank officials said the continued rise in consumption provided good prospects for a sustained economic growth. They said consumer spending was one of the major drivers of economic growth.
As credit-card spending rose, defaults by “plastic money” holders also increased. The BSP said non-performing credit-card loans to total credit-card receivables ratio remained in the double-digit territory. It even increased year on year to 13.5 percent from 12.8 percent.
Loans are considered non-performing if they remain unpaid at least 30 days after maturity.
The latest non-performing credit-card receivables ratio was much higher than the total non-performing loans-to-total loans ratio posted by banks of only about 4 percent.
Analysts said this was an indication that credit-card holders were more likely to default on their obligations compared with other types of borrowers.
Also, non-performing credit-card receivables accounted for 13 percent of the total non-performing loans that the banks were exposed to. This was higher than the 12.3 percent recorded as of September 2009.
In view of the rising credit-card receivables of banks, the central bank last month issued tighter rules governing credit-card issuance.
The BSP earlier prohibited banks from issuing pre-approved credit cards.
Pre-approved credit cards are usually sent to target clients through regular mail or courier service.
The new guidelines also imposed tighter disclosure requirements. Banks are now required to present a table of credit-card transactions with the applicable interests and penalties in the billing statements issued to customers.
Cardholders should also be reminded constantly in the billing statements that payment of the minimum amount due, or any amount lower than the total amount due, for a billing cycle would result in the imposition of interest and other chargers.
According to regulators, some cardholders do not know how interests and other charges were computed. They are not aware that paying less than the total amount every month can result in the building up of interests and other charges on the balance, they added.
Some people who are not aware of how interests and penalties are charged on credit card borrowings tend to spend more than they can afford to pay using their “plastic money.”
Friday, December 31, 2010
A Different Kind of Fireworks
It's just a few hours before fireworks and firecrackers blasts left and right to usher in a new year. Most people spends a big sum of money to burn in this revelry. Even the poor folks under the bridge who do not have enough money to put food in their table surprisingly or should I say maddeningly burn their money on what I consider as senseless noise making. How about you? Does it make you happy creating noise to welcome the new year by lighting up fireworks and firecrackers?
Years back, I am part of the noise making revelry to welcome the new year. I had fun, but now there is so much regret that I did. As I look back not only did I burn money, but I also took part in polluting the environment with noise, thrash, and a lot of smoke! I cannot be happy, healthy, wealthy and holy this way. In fact, i am saddened by the fact that I took part in this senseless madness!
We need a different kind of fireworks... fireworks that do not pollute the environment, and does not burn our money... If we want to be truly happy, let the fireworks of love explode in your heart and make us move to share what we would have spent and wasted by burning fireworks. Then, if we do this , we can help reduce the pollution caused by this annual revelry, thus we breathe cleaner air rather inhale the sooth and smoke of fireworks. If we also desist in this senseless ritual, we can save a lot of money, individually and as a family, community, and country. Imagine . just say each family have spent 300Php to fireworks on the average, and there are say 12 Million Families in the Philippines, we could have saved that's a whopping 3.6Billion pesos, more than enough to feed so many people who do not have any food in their table... I hope more and more people follow the sample of people in Davao, and now in Bangkal Makati who had a total ban in fireworks....
I say again, let a different kind of fireworks burn in the streets!
God bless us all!
Years back, I am part of the noise making revelry to welcome the new year. I had fun, but now there is so much regret that I did. As I look back not only did I burn money, but I also took part in polluting the environment with noise, thrash, and a lot of smoke! I cannot be happy, healthy, wealthy and holy this way. In fact, i am saddened by the fact that I took part in this senseless madness!
We need a different kind of fireworks... fireworks that do not pollute the environment, and does not burn our money... If we want to be truly happy, let the fireworks of love explode in your heart and make us move to share what we would have spent and wasted by burning fireworks. Then, if we do this , we can help reduce the pollution caused by this annual revelry, thus we breathe cleaner air rather inhale the sooth and smoke of fireworks. If we also desist in this senseless ritual, we can save a lot of money, individually and as a family, community, and country. Imagine . just say each family have spent 300Php to fireworks on the average, and there are say 12 Million Families in the Philippines, we could have saved that's a whopping 3.6Billion pesos, more than enough to feed so many people who do not have any food in their table... I hope more and more people follow the sample of people in Davao, and now in Bangkal Makati who had a total ban in fireworks....
I say again, let a different kind of fireworks burn in the streets!
God bless us all!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Stop Complaining & Comparing... Start Thanking and Trusting...
Most people search for happiness from material things, things they see around them. This is specially highlighted during this season of Christmas. They want this huge LED TV, this new IPAD , this new car, and many other wants triggered by the commercialism of Christmas. Certainly some people can afford it and be able to spend money in it within their means so they fall into buying things which they still do not need but can afford. There are those who also fall into it even if they cannot afford it because they saw their neighbors or friends or family having one. They fall into the trap of comparing and starts complaining why they do not have the same thing or things and to satisfy their want spend beyond their means attaining a momentary happiness but a long term financial disaster which eventually make people in this situation unhappy.
So how do we avoid this trap? We must always be thankful for what we have. We must simply avoid to compare with others for there are others who will be better than us that we feel sad about ourselves and there are people who are less than us that we also will feel sad for them. So when you compare with others you always end up unhappy.The best thing really is to be thankful for what you are, and what you have regardless of your situation. Thank the Lord first of all for the gift of life, for the gift of family, for the many blessings that you have, and that others have as well.
Secondly, trust in the Lord with all your heart that He cares and loves us all so much that He has always been there for us, and has already prepared all the things we need. We just have to recognize the blessings that comes our way and trust that there is more to come and that God will surprise us with His abundance so that in turn we can bless others.
You want to be happy? Stop Comparing so you can stop Complaining. Start Thanking the Lord for all the blessings that comes everyones way, and keep on Trusting that God will provide all that we need!
Merry Christmas and God bless us all!
So how do we avoid this trap? We must always be thankful for what we have. We must simply avoid to compare with others for there are others who will be better than us that we feel sad about ourselves and there are people who are less than us that we also will feel sad for them. So when you compare with others you always end up unhappy.The best thing really is to be thankful for what you are, and what you have regardless of your situation. Thank the Lord first of all for the gift of life, for the gift of family, for the many blessings that you have, and that others have as well.
Secondly, trust in the Lord with all your heart that He cares and loves us all so much that He has always been there for us, and has already prepared all the things we need. We just have to recognize the blessings that comes our way and trust that there is more to come and that God will surprise us with His abundance so that in turn we can bless others.
You want to be happy? Stop Comparing so you can stop Complaining. Start Thanking the Lord for all the blessings that comes everyones way, and keep on Trusting that God will provide all that we need!
Merry Christmas and God bless us all!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Spend Now or Later? Save Now or Later? Christmas Commercialized....
Every-time the last three (3) months comes, the Christmas frenzy heightens up. Christmas bazaars, Christmas Sale and thus Christmas spending abound. It is a beautiful season of giving but I hope we do not over do it. I hope and pray we can be spared from the commercialism of Christmas. I hope too that we have the right direction and answer to the question: Spend now or later? Save now or later?
We must be thankful for all the blessings we have received and show our gratitude by giving to people and institutions. We must carry on with the tradition of gift giving and still be able to save for future needs. How do we do this? Very simple. We stick to our prosperity formula. Income- Tithes(10%) - Savings(20%) = Expenses (70%). Since there will be an inflow of money which is our 13th month pay, we must ensure we allocate the amounts the same way and not go beyond the 70% of the Cash In-Flow.
We also have to ensure we only buy things that we really need and give also things which people can make use of and more importantly a basic need. For institutions that we would like to help, cash gifts is most appropriate. For individuals, and loved ones, we should identify what do they really need, which we also can afford.
We must not fall for SALE items which we actually do not need or we still have. Do not fall for nice items to replace old ones that are still usable. Many fall for new LED TV or a touch screen phone, to add on to their still working TV or phone. Big purchases like new cars also happens during this season as the cash inflow is really huge, but how about next month? Will there be another 13th month pay?
So there you are friends, I submit that we must spend now within our means and not later for this is the season of giving. And we must consistently do it even if it is not Christmas. Giving must be consistent and all through out the year. That's the real spirit of Christmas.
I also propose we save now and not later at least 20% of the total cash in-flow. And we must not fall victim to the commercialized Christmas.
Spend within your means for what is needed and save whatever you can consistently this Christmas and through out the year!
Happy Spending and Saving!
We must be thankful for all the blessings we have received and show our gratitude by giving to people and institutions. We must carry on with the tradition of gift giving and still be able to save for future needs. How do we do this? Very simple. We stick to our prosperity formula. Income- Tithes(10%) - Savings(20%) = Expenses (70%). Since there will be an inflow of money which is our 13th month pay, we must ensure we allocate the amounts the same way and not go beyond the 70% of the Cash In-Flow.
We also have to ensure we only buy things that we really need and give also things which people can make use of and more importantly a basic need. For institutions that we would like to help, cash gifts is most appropriate. For individuals, and loved ones, we should identify what do they really need, which we also can afford.
We must not fall for SALE items which we actually do not need or we still have. Do not fall for nice items to replace old ones that are still usable. Many fall for new LED TV or a touch screen phone, to add on to their still working TV or phone. Big purchases like new cars also happens during this season as the cash inflow is really huge, but how about next month? Will there be another 13th month pay?
So there you are friends, I submit that we must spend now within our means and not later for this is the season of giving. And we must consistently do it even if it is not Christmas. Giving must be consistent and all through out the year. That's the real spirit of Christmas.
I also propose we save now and not later at least 20% of the total cash in-flow. And we must not fall victim to the commercialized Christmas.
Spend within your means for what is needed and save whatever you can consistently this Christmas and through out the year!
Happy Spending and Saving!
Roxas City... I Love The Place and The People...
We have just completed our 5-day stay in Roxas City. It was actually our third time to be there doing our IMG Mission of spreading the gospel of Financial Literacy. We are so fortunate to be there this time to experience their "Sadsaran sa Halaran" which is A Street Dance Festivities as an offering to Mama Mary (Immaculate Conception). We are also so happy to meet up with a new set of families, couples, and people from young to old (24 Years old to 74 years old). Young entrepreneurs, Mayors, Vice Governors, and ordinary folks. Varied people with different status, dreams and goals in life.
It was hot and humid most of the time which supplements the warmth of the people of Roxas City. At times drizzling and in early morning rain pours generously which highlight to me the generosity of the town folks specially our host Kuya Rudy and Bebeb (Beth).
I did enjoy the street parade of young boys and girls from the different schools of the City. They all danced their merry way on one singular tune but with varying choreography for each of the schools. I enjoyed too the sumptuous meals we had at the plaza in front of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Provincial Capitol's Office. There are so much choices of food and drinks mostly authentic to the place.
The whole festivities run for five days from the time we arrive which culminated in the Feast of Immaculate Conception. We truly enjoyed it... the people and place... I love Roxas City....
It was hot and humid most of the time which supplements the warmth of the people of Roxas City. At times drizzling and in early morning rain pours generously which highlight to me the generosity of the town folks specially our host Kuya Rudy and Bebeb (Beth).
I did enjoy the street parade of young boys and girls from the different schools of the City. They all danced their merry way on one singular tune but with varying choreography for each of the schools. I enjoyed too the sumptuous meals we had at the plaza in front of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Provincial Capitol's Office. There are so much choices of food and drinks mostly authentic to the place.
The whole festivities run for five days from the time we arrive which culminated in the Feast of Immaculate Conception. We truly enjoyed it... the people and place... I love Roxas City....
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