I've been working with various industries for the past few years. Name it, I've been there and done that. Now, its only natural to make friends at work where you sometime spend time talking about more work and a few times non-work related. It helps you ease-up and let loose even for a while on any busy day.
In my past jobs, I've meet different people. Some were just officemates, but some were the ones I can call friends. Like after work, we hang-out for a few hours with a few bottles of beer while singing in the videoke. Those were the good times and unfortunately, all good things has come to an end.
I kinda miss those moments. Even if you're way too stressed at work, just a few hours with them would make the pain all go away. There were times that I'm kinda attached to those moments that I know it will just be a part of a good past.
Taken from Google
Moving forward to the present. While I'm in good terms (kinda) with my colleagues here, its just its not there anymore. I mean, every time they would invite me to go out and have a few rounds, I'd make up excuses not to join them. Its weird for me to decline such invites to relax and hang-out with office mates. Eventually, they set-out their own plans (most of the time) and not include me anymore. I guess I'm kinda used to it that it works well on my part not to get too attached with my current colleagues at work. It also saves me from probably having the feeling of despair if (and only if) I'm not with the current company I'm working (only time will tell when).
Though I've never burn any bridges with anyone, I guess they've already initiated that a long time ago. But anyway, life goes on and besides, I have more than enough friends to keep me sane (the same friends I've been with for more than a decade now).
Oh well, its lonely working here all by myself, I wish I could go home after. XD
Its kinda weird for me to write a letter to myself but after reading some blogs on why they wrote to their old self, it was like, okay. So here goes.
Hey Quarter-Life Bro,
Its been like a decade since the last time we've talked. How did it go from there? You know, there were things that I wanted to look back and think about what if you were able to do the things I do now. Kinda weird huh? Well...
I know you really enjoy life just I do now. But I wish that you were able to save a portion of your small earning when you used to teach at that school in Las Pinas. While you were earning just enough for you to spurge on food trips and gimmicks, you shouldn't ask for money from Mom and Dad since you're already earning on your own. I mean, you used to save when we were back in college but what happened after there? You see, I've been saving a few years ago which you should have done it sooner. You could have been a millionaire and be richer than me If only you have started investing in either the Stock Market or in Mutual Funds with as low as 1000/month. But anyway, I'd help you on this only once though I only have twenty five years to help you. Its up to you how you'll make it grow. Probably next time, teach Marien the concept of money (like when she's 8 or 10 y/o). I'll probably lend you some books I've purchased on personal finance.
I know your Dad is really proud of you when you finished your course in only four and a half years and passed your board exams. You were really ecstatic that you forgot to continue learning some more tricks off your sleeve that you were totally dependent on your diploma and that PRC license of yours. While passing the Board Exam and getting Cisco Certified a few years back could give you a certain advantage, today's technology has a faster pace. So fast that you forgot to renew both of them and got mixed-up somewhere. I really liked working in an IT environment and I wished you have joined me sooner. We still have a few more certifications to take plus the ones that you need to renew. I'm sure you still want that CCIE title someday right? Or maybe you wanted more like taking the LPIC (Linux) that got me interested? Anyway bro, let's review together soon.
We've been together through tough challenging times especially when dealing your dilemma with women. I know you've enjoyed their company when you were younger like I did, had a few heartbreaking moments that I know it took you a while before you recover. I was able to overcome that sadness when my wife (your future wife) came into my life. She had my heart beat faster and slower at the same time just like a quote from the movie "Hot Chicks" She may not have that Angelic Face and a Heavenly Body that I was dreaming when I was your age, she complemented me in almost all aspects and she can make me laugh the way I do to her. I'm sure you'll find yours in God's Time. But be sure she's the only one and no other else alright?
I've been hooked in photography for quite sometime now as well as blogging like you to basketball and playing video games. We can spend some time together like you teach me play arcade and I teach you to handle a DSLR camera. Then we can form a collaboration against the best in the country to show them how creative our minds are. Maybe when you get your own camera, we can take a photowalk within where I live now (its pretty more interesting there). Then I'll teach you to use Photoshop to enhance some of your shots
But what we have something in common probably is that both of us need to lose weight. I mean seriously, both of us really weighed much that we should buddy-up in a gym or do some long 5K or 10K jogs like I did last year (but I wasn't able to sustain it). I know you were really a health buff a few years back unlike me which I need to face the reality that I'm getting older and older that I just hope my application for VUL gets approved despite my current physical condition unlike yours. Also both of us love to read. You with your mens magazines (FHM, UNO, Maxim, Rogue, Esquire, Playboy) while I'm more into books now. Just take care of my magazines back home for me and I'll send you some books on Photography and Personal Finance in a few weeks time.
Anyway, I hope to see you soon somewhere, somehow, someday. And let's celebrate this over a bottle of Jack Daniel's and a case of San Mig Lights. XD
Take Care,
Your Mid-Life Bro
PS. Please take time to study on how to make our website earn more while I'm away at work ok. Buy a domain for us and I'll let you re-brand it as a gift to you.
PPS. And please, make sure to start working on those backlogs as well so we don't get dumped with more.
Early last year (or I think as early as 2013), I began to take an interest in Personal Finance and Money Management. These are something that wasn't taught in schools (yet) nor from your parents but rather these are learned online (mostly) supplemented with some books authored by experts in Personal Finance like Robert Kiyosaki (Foreign), Francisco Colayco (Local) and the like.
While I took my sweet time (almost two years to learn the basics (and I'm still learning), I didn't realize that I am slowly wasting time to start investing early. While I'm used to save (and spend) my paycheck with all the basics, I wasn't able to start ahead. Why? I guess I set my first target too high that eventually I had to make some changes (for the best). Anyway, I was able to spread-out half of my savings to some financial instruments that will help me achieve my goals in the years to come.
During the last two months, I started investing in the Stock Market. Even with a little background on finance, I took the plunge and opened an account with COL Financial (Stocks). Why COL? Because its where most financial bloggers are entrusting their money with. While there are other reputable Online Trading Platforms in the country, I guess I'll put my trust with COL for the next couple of years. I won't divulge any information how much I invested but it grew by about 4% and I hope It earns more. While there are two (or more) ways to let your money grow in the Stock Market, I'll let the experts do their sharing (I'll do mine really soon) for now.
Taken from Google
After having my feet get wet in Stocks, the next is to choose which Mutual Fund Company should I trust my money with. Initially, I am sold with First Metro Asset's Save and Learn Equity Fund (better known as FAMI's SALEF) because of its high return rate and low charges. But when I checked Philequity Management's Philequity Fund Inc (better known as PEMI's Philequity Fund) and compare it with the former, I got so torn I instead opened an account for both. As of writing, I have opened an account with PEMI and put my initial investment already (with some returns already) while with FAMI, I had to wait for my account number before I can place my initial investment (I have submitted all my requirements with them already. Anyway, we'll see who performs better for the next 3, 5, 10 years or even longer. In the end there can only be one.
Taken from Google
Even before I opened an account with COL, I am already in contact with one of Sunlife's agents regarding their Variable Universal Life Insurance product (better known as VUL). They gave me a proposal (Sunlife Maxilink Prime) which was hard to refuse (or even resist). Their offer was like a part of your payment will be placed in stocks or in bonds (or a combination of both) for the next ten years but I prefer to have it placed in Stocks for a more better return. I just needed some time to think about it before saying yes to their proposal. I also asked for a modified version which of course the payement changes as well (didn't matter much to me anyway). I also checked what Insular Life has to offer (their VUL is similar to Sunlife's) but I was more convinced with what Sunlife. Well I thought after signing with Sunlife, its all a done deal.
Taken from Google
But I have to undergo a Full Medical Exam to see if I am fit for their product (this means that my application is still pending and could possible be rejected and have my inital payment refunded). I only realized that its really best to get a VUL (or any life or term insurance) while you're still young and very fit to work. Just to be sure, I'm checking Philam Life's VUL as well as AXA and others. Its better to be protected than sorry.
When we went home to my folks over the weekend, I also considered putting my money in Unit Investment Trust Fund (Better known as UITF). Since we have an account with BDO for the past couple of years, I got to check what they offer. Under high-risk and high-return, I was able to take a brief review on BDO Equity Fund, BDO Sustainable Dividend Fund, and BDO Focused Equity Fund. Their returns are all good and at the same time, the NAVPU for Sustainable Dividend Fund and Focused Equity Fund are still affordable. I'll take time (not that long) to choose the best and at the same time, check other banks who has the best performance for Equity Fund.
Taken from Google
This year would also be my redemption against the 52-week peso challenge (50-peso version). Mid-way last year, I lost my battle as I wasn't able to temper myself back then and squandered all of what I saved from this challenge. But now I have already learned from my mistake and I have already revised my battleplan to conquer this challenge. It would still be the same mechanics like the one I posted a year ago.
Not taken from Google XD
Wait a minute. Except for the 52-week money challenge, all financial instrument that I am venturing into entails high risk (since its focused more on equity/stocks). This may not be for the weak of heart especially there is a possibility of losing all money that I invested. But, I hope it would be the other way around as I learned how to control money instead of the money controlling me.
I look forward to make my money grow not just for a year, but for the years to come. I hope you would try at least one of the financial instruments I'm venturing into, and this is for the long run. And also, sorry for the very long post. ^_^
