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Wednesday, October 30, 2013

How the Poor is Looked Upon by Society

The poor will always be there. However, it is a person’s choice to stay on that group. No one wants to be poor. No one wants to feel hunger. No one wants to be dependent on someone. No one wants to beg for food. No one wants to live a life of financial instability.

So how does society look upon the poor?

Politicians: The poor is always the favorite sector of society that politicians are fond of campaigning with. The poor is the most underprivileged group of society and they comprise more than 80% of the population. You can just imagine the number of voters these politicians can obtain if they focus their programs on the vast number of poor people.

Church: The Church always looks at poor people the easiest to disciple as they are the ones who “need” God the “most.” The poor is always the recipient of the Church’s gift-giving efforts.

Educational System: The school looks upon the children of the poor as underprivileged sector of society. Sometimes, teachers tend to lower down standards to these children as they have to work for their needs at school. Poor children usually become underachievers compared to the more well-off kids.

Parents: Parents of well-off children look at the children of the poor as people whom their children should not associate with. They think that the poor have bad values and they do not want their children to be rubbing elbows with these poor children. Just think of “children” discrimination.

Hospitals: Poor people are not exempted from emergencies. The sad fact is that they cannot obtain instant medical efforts since they do not have the money for down payment. Hospitals see poor people as people who do not have money to pay for their medical services. Why should they serve this sector when they cannot get any monetary value from them? Why should they waste their hard-earned degree by serving the poor?

Justice System: When a person is accused to have done a crime, a person who is poor usually takes the brunt of society. Their poverty is enough reason why they should be guilty of a crime that they did not commit. 

Poor: How does the poor look at themselves? The poor thinks that life is unfair. They think that the government should be doing them service and provide them with all the benefits that can be afforded to them. They think that they were born poor and they will die poor. They have the mindset of “isang kahig, isang tuka.”

If you belong to the poor sector of the community and you do not want to be labelled by different sectors of the community as laid out in this blog, and you believe there is more to live than being poor, and you want to find a way, then feel free to comment on the comment box or send me an email.

To Your Financial Success!


Lornajane Altura

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Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Songs about Love and Money

I am a romantic---a hopeless romantic. I swoon every time I hear a love song. I giggle when I see my favorite love team become a pair at the end of the story.

Not really… You know why? I always believe that love is real. I have seen many get into relationships and then end bitterly when they get married.

I am neither anti-marriage nor anti-love. However, I hear these songs that have lyrics that lift up poverty.  Moreover, there are also songs that are not romantic that show the sad condition of people living in poverty. Here they are:

Love Will Keep Us Alive-Eagles

“When we are hungry, love will keep us alive.”

What person in his right mind would want to hear that love will stop stomachs rumbling? Can you tell your wife and your children that you will have group hug as this shows love? Will empty stomachs ever understand it? I do not think so.

Richard Cory-Simon and Garfunkel

“But I work in his factory
And I curse the life I’m living
And I curse my poverty
And I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be,
Oh, I wish that I could be
Richard Cory”

This is not really a love song, but this shows that a simple factory worker detests the life that he lives and he wants to be Richard Cory. Richard Cory is his boss.

Money (That’s What I Want)-Flying Lizards

“The best things in life are free
But you can give them to the birds and bees
I want money
You love gives me such a thrill
But your love won’t pay my bills
I want money
Give me your money
Just give me money”

Just look at that. There is this person who loves another. However, he or she would rather have money than the other person’s love. This must be like a dagger through the heart.

Love and money are related, aren't they? Love makes the world go round. Even with love on the sides, some people choose money over love. Some choose love over money, but in the end, how can you show your love if you do not have the resources?

Feel free to share your comments in the comment box or shoot me an email if you want to know how to find ways to earn money.

To Your Financial Success!



Lornajane Altura

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OFW: Ambition or Option

Being an OFW or an Overseas Filipino Worker is one trademark of Filipinos. Most Filipino families have either a family member or a close friend that works abroad. These people are considered to be the unsung heroes of the modern times. The government loves them as they bring in the dollars.

My father used to work as an OFW in Saudi Arabia when I was in my elementary days. I have both aunts and uncles from both my father and mother’s side working in different countries as OFW. Back then, I never did realize the great importance of them working outside the country. All I know is that they are working for the love of their family.

However, when I get to think about it now, I wonder if being an OFW is an ambition or an option.  Here are some points about what I think of this question.

Being an OFW is an ambition because:

1.       OFWs bring in the dollars. A Filipino working abroad has a bigger payslip compared to a Filipino working here in the Philippines.

2.       OFWs work in greener pastures. The Philippines is a third world country. Filipinos usually work in first-world countries like the United States. Working in these countries usually means a better life, a better work environment, and better benefits.

There is another side of the coin. Being an OFW is an option because:

1.       The minimum wage in the Philippines barely supports the minimum requirements in order to have a decent life. How can a family of five live properly when the breadwinner of the family earns P277 per day?

2.       OFWs do not want to leave their families but they have to. People never like to be separated from their families. If they have an option of working where their families are, they would not leave the country.

3.       The government cannot provide the best opportunities. It is a sad fact that the government cannot provide the best for everyone. 
I salute OFWs as they help the economy get better. I salute them for making sacrifices.

What about you? Is being an OFW an ambition or an option? Feel free to make comments on the comment box or you can send me an email.

If you are an OFW and you desire to have a better life without leaving the country but you do not know how, you can send me an email on how you can do that.

To Your Financial Success!




 Lornajane Altura

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lornajanealtura@gmail.com

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Saturday, October 26, 2013

A Short Pause

I have a trip to Manila so I will be having a short pause in posting my posts. See you around!

Thursday, October 24, 2013

7 Top Benefits of a Home-Based Business

Companies are downsizing and many people are discovering the advantages of running home-based businesses. If you desire to get out of the rat race, and spend more quality time with your family and friends, then having a home-based business is the right decision for you.  

Here are advantages why it pays to run a home-based business:

You control your time. If you are tired of spending and wasting lots of time in traffic going to and from work on a daily basis, then you should run a home-based business. According to a study, Filipinos spend 90 minutes commuting everyday. Engaging in a home-based business would provide you with those extra hours in order to regain control of your personal life.

You make yourself get richer. In the corporate world, your hard work makes your boss get richer. In home-based businesses, you get to keep the money you make. You can save money on gas and food. It is also more cost-efficient if you prepare meals at home.

There is less risk. The need for small start-up cash makes running this kind of business with less risk. You can also create more of your own income-producing opportunities. Industries are already shrinking the number of employees that they have and more promotional opportunities within these companies also dwindle.

There is less tax. Another advantage of having home business is that the operating and depreciation expenses of your home can be deducted from your business expenses.

You get to spend more quality time for friends and family. Parents of school-age children will benefit from this as they find it easier to send the children off to school. It is also easier for parents to take care of children when they get sick as they do not have to ask permission from their boss.

You get less stress. When you control your own schedule, you find it less stressful to balance the demands of family and work.

You get to grow more professionally. You get the chance to learn everything about the business as you are your own boss. This makes your grow more professionally.

If you want to engage in home-based business, feel free to comment on the comment box or send me an email.

To Your Financial Success!





 Lornajane Altura

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Wednesday, October 23, 2013

10 Top Reasons That You Should Resign from Your Job

Almost everyone who has ever worked for a boss struggled to go to work from time to time. The alarm bell rings and you detest getting up. However, what would it mean if it is more than that? What if you do not feel happy about work? Does this mean you have to resign from your job?

Leaving a job means not having money to be put food on the table. When you resign from your job, this would probably mean to be in a worse position. Health is more important than any kind of job. 

Here are 10 top reasons that you should resign from your job:

1. There is a heavy burden in going to work in the morning. If you alarm rings and you feel like you want to cry, then you have to evaluate your current status at your job. You have to know what bothers you. You have to consider if it is the tasks that you have to accomplish, or is it the people you work with. It could also be that you are bored with the monotony in life.

2. There is loss of interest in the work you do. If you are in a job that is completely misaligned with your personal goals and interests, then this is definitely a sign that you have to resign from your job. The amount of money you receive cannot compensate if you do not enjoy your life to the fullest.

3. You feel monotony in your job. If you feel that you are constantly fighting boredom in your job and life has become monotonous, then you should decide in changing course. If you have discussed with your immediate superior and there seems to be no change, it is a sign that you have to resign from your job.

4. You do not attain personal and professional growth. Your workplace might have made you feel stuck and you feel that there is none to learn anymore. If you have moved up the ladder and still find it unfulfilling, it is time to change course.

5. You feel that there is instability of the company. If you see that there have been massive lay-offs and you feel uneasy, then you should resign from your job.

6. You are not yourself. Your workplace might have left you your spark. If you feel that you lost your passion and you are only surviving your day, then it is a great sign that you have to resign.

7.  Your body undergoes physical and mental stress. If there is a fluctuation of your weight or you experience excruciating body pain, or you feel melancholia or attacks of anxiety, then you should consider other alternatives.

8. You are at “war” with your boss. If your boss makes you go crazy that your body seems to always be in an elevated level of anxiety, then you should change course.
  
9. You are so filled with negative emotions. If you do not put effort into your work or you have lost the will to care, then it is a sure indicator of busting the want ads.

10. You spend your free time for work. If you spend all of your time for work and you do not feel like a human being anymore, then what is the point of living if your source of living kills you?

If you feel at least three of these signs, then you should consider other options rather than your job. You can share your comments on the comment box or you can send me an email if you want to know other better options than working for another boss.

To Your Financial Success!





Lornajane Altura

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Why Procrastination is a Big No-No to Success

My mind is getting drained of its creative juices as I just finished a blog post for another site. I am trying to write this blog post with the plan of procrastinating.  I was already writing the first two paragraphs of the first two articles. However, my mind and soul do not seem to be in accord with what I write. Even though my eyes are about to close and it is almost 1 a.m. here, I am fighting because I am in a 21-day challenge.

And then I chose this topic as I know I have to do it. I know procrastination is a big no-no to success.

Here is why the error of procrastination hinders people towards success.

1.       Procrastination is a result of the manana habit. Filipinos have engrained in their minds with this bad habit. We tend to say we still have time tomorrow and we can always do what we have to do today tomorrow. Then tomorrow, we say we still have time to work on it the next day after tomorrow. And then the cycle becomes difficult to break.

2.       Procrastination is a waste of time. Time is gold. Time that is lost will never come back. Money can be retrieved if it is lost but time lost can never be regained. Just imagine a person who misses the plane by just 30 minutes, or a student who has to take the exam and misses the correct time of getting the exam and gets a 74 instead of a 75, or a lover who could have stopped the wedding if he just came in time to object when his or her lover is about to say “I do” to another.

3.       Procrastination can result to broken relationships. People who do not value keeping up with their promises always procrastinate. Parents who say I can always have time for my kids the next month will forego each time he has to do it, and then they will soon realize that their kids have grown up and now have no time to spend it with them.

4.       Procrastination lessens productivity. Workers who say they will work on their current task at a later time decrease their own productivity.

5.       Procrastination…..

I have just decided to procrastinate and can’t seem to finish the other points J
Kidding aside, procrastination will do us more harm than good.

If you desire financial freedom and procrastination is your weakness, you can comment on the comment box and share us what you feel about this. Don’t procrastinate.

To Your Financial Success!




Lornajane Altura

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lornajanealtura@gmail.com

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Monday, October 21, 2013

Lesson from a Pedicab Driver

Today is my eighth day in writing posts for my current blog. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I really am trying to discipline myself and force myself to write even though I just had a hectic day. I really want to beat that 21 day challenge. 

I have been planning to write a different article but decided to write on something that happened today. I was riding a trisikad (padyak) or bicycle with a side car with a friend and co-teacher in the school I worked with. There was this mamang pedicab driver who is really old (I mean age is relative). 

I was quite worried because when I ride the pedicab in the mornings, it seems like he does not have enough energy to drive me until I reach my destination. I was quite worried as I see him as an old man and still he is driving the pedicab as a source of his income. 

I asked him a few questions. I found out that he is already 68 years old. As he was talking about his life (although I was already having some deep introspection), I was wondering as to how many people are like him. 

Here are some of my thoughts about the event: 

1. People of their age should not go to work anymore. People who are in their twilight years should be spending their time enjoying the fruits of their labor. 

2. Hard work does not pay off. I know the pedicab driver is toiling hard every day. He gets his skin burnt and increases the possibility of him getting skin cancer. Working hard does not guarantee financial success. 

3. I do not want my parents to reach that age and still worry about finances. 

Fetching people to and fro from work to their home is a noble task. I do acknowledge the importance of their job in driving people through their pedicabs. However, it is sad that a person will never be able to experience what living life to the fullest is when he still needs to work when he should not be working anymore. It is not my dream to be still working at the age of 68. 

If you feel that you have been working hard all your life and you do not seem to have the right results in terms of financial success, feel free to send me an email or you can make a comment on the comment box. 

To Your Financial Success!


 Lornajane Altura

+639197440334
lornajanealtura@gmail.com

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Sunday, October 20, 2013

Money: What the Bible Teaches

It is a Sunday. Sundays are for God (as well as other days). I have been thinking on what to post about today and I decided to talk about money and the Bible. 

Financial gurus come and go. What they teach may work for a period of time unlike the Bible that has timeless messages. What is true 2000 years ago remains true 2000 years after. Regardless of your belief in religion or spirituality, the Bible speaks loudly about principles regarding money.

Although the Bible does not talk about how to diversify your income, the Bible has a large bank of advices regarding “mammon.” It teaches how you can be a person who earns money, saves money, and gives money.

(All the verses here are in King James Version).

1   1.      It is God who creates wealth. Deuteronomy 8.18.
 
“But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth…”

Everything that a person has is from the Lord.
 
2.       Rich men should not boast of their wealth. Jeremiah 9.23-24

23 Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:

24 But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

There is power with money. However, the rich should not be boastful of this. The Lord can give, and He can take away as well.
 
3.       Parents should save for their children and children’s inheritance. Proverbs 13.22

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

A good parent leaves inheritance for his or her children. If I take this seriously, this would reach until the third generation. 

4.       People should be free from debt. Proverbs 22.7

“The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.”

The pain of being in debt can really jab through the heart and soul. It bothers people up to their minutest cells. There is power with money. The rich does have power over the poor.

5.       Beware of being greedy. Luke 12.15

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”

Greed should be done away with. The life of man is not worth his material worth but spiritual value.

6.       Money is not evil. The love of money is the root of all evil. I Tim. 6.10.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Money in itself is not evil. It can be used either for good or bad. It can motivate people to do good or bad. The love of money is evil. People should guard their hearts when they look at money as the sole thing that moves them in this world.

7.       Honor God by returning tithes and offerings. Proverbs 3.9.

“Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”

Give back to God which is God’s.

8.       God owns everything. Leviticus 25.23

“The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.”

A person is born and brought to this world with nothing. He will die and will not bring with him anything. God owns everything.

9.       Put God first. Matthew 6.33

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

God is first.
 
10.   Plan your expenses. Luke 14.28.

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”

Everything should be planned out well. This also speaks about spending money.

The Bible is and always be the best source of principles in life.

To Your Financial Success!




Lornajane Altura

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The Evolution in Employment

Employment has changed through the years. We still have the employers and employees. However, as time goes by, employment undergoes evolution. There is an evolution in employment. When I was younger, I remember my father talking with his former officemates of friends about employment. I think I was seven years old then. He used to work at Electrolux. I really did not understand what they were talking about but I remember this—“Sang una, One will be lost, hundreds will bulos; Subong, One will be lost, thousands will bulos.” In English, then, one will be lost, hundreds will replace: Now, One will be lost, thousands will replace.” 

I probably can remember it well since they rhyme. However, these strong words are really true nowadays. So, what does that mean? 

During the industrial age, for every job that requires a certain profession like an engineer, companies have to compete with that one engineer. They do not care if the engineer has passed his course with flying colors or not. They need the manpower. 

However, the evolution has changed the workplace. Nowadays, if there is a vacancy, there are literally thousands who will compete for such position. Employers can now select the best among the applicants.

Thus, the competition is increasing by the second, minute, hour, day. 

Now, if you are part of the applicants who were not hired, what will happen to you? You will be economically displaced and you will find a job that is not in line with your field of study. Nowadays, there is a sprouting of call centers with people who have various degrees such as Nursing, Education, and others. Being a call center agent is an honorable job, but if you went to school for Nursing, you should be in a hospital taking care of the sick. 

Another sad thing is that every year, various colleges and universities produce 500,000 graduates every year. Those who graduated the previous years were not hired yet, and then here comes the new batch trying to find jobs. 

Employment has really evolved. There is a tougher place for competition among the new and the old graduates. 

If you are part of the group who is still finding a job and there seems to be no available jobs in your field, you and I can talk about a solution to the problem. Just send me an email or comment in the comment box. Feel free to share your thoughts as well about this topic. 

To Your Financial Success!


Lornajane Altura

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Friday, October 18, 2013

Is Education A Good Financial Investment?

Education
I am a teacher. I teach. I am part of the educational system. I motivate people to learn. However, it came to a point in my life where I wonder if education is a good financial investment.

So, before DepEd bosses and CHED Commissioners lambast me in this blog post, I urge you to read the whole blog first and read what I think about this question.

It takes six years in Elementary, four years in High School, and an average of four years in College to finish a complete and formal education.

Assuming that a person went to a public elementary and high school that would mean he got his education for “free.”  Just exclude all the transportation, food, miscellaneous, and other requirements that teachers require per subject. Education is for “free.”

Going to college is on a different level. Assuming that each semester costs P25,000.00. Eight semesters would mean spending P200,000.

Now, let us talk about return of investment. Return of investment in layman’s term is “How much profit do we get if we invest in this project?”

Now, in Iloilo City, the minimum wage is P277.00 per day. If there are 25 working days in a month, that would be around P6, 925.00. Is P6, 925.00 per month good money to finance the needs of a single person? How about if the person who works is a parent of five?

Also, P6, 925.00 is the gross pay and not the net income.

With all the expenses that a person needs to have everyday which include food, transportation, rental, electricity, and water bills, I don’t think P277 per day would be enough.

I teach. I educate people. Education is important. However, as a financial investment, education is NOT a good financial investment.

If you think that you invested much in education and are not getting the right return of investment and you would like to find a way on how to overcome this, you can come in contact with me. You can comment on the comment box or you can send me an email.

To Your Financial Success!



Lornajane Altura

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Thursday, October 17, 2013

Nine Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires

I am an internet addict! I surf the net 24 hours a day 7 days a week. With this “asset,” I was able to find out about Chinkee Tan’s Developing the Millionaire’s Mindset in Iloilo City last September 14, 2013.

Kidding aside, I am not an addict. I surf the net both for business and leisure. During the time I discovered the event, I was surfing it because of leisure.

Anyway, I was excited since I was the first one who paid for the ticket. I went to My Mom’s Grill in Jaro, Iloilo City and I met some of the organizers of the event.

So, to cut the story short, I was able to grab the early bird discount and had my ticket at a price of P500.00 only. The best thing in attending the event would mean getting Chinkee Tan’s book entitled For Richer For Poorer.

I got so many principles from the event. It can really change the way on how you think about money. The best point that I got from the event was how millionaires think.  Also, I got to read more about their secrets from interview of well-known personalities. Here are the nine secrets of self-made millionaires:

1.    Millionaires live simple lives. These people live frugally. Thomas Stanley made an interview with a number of millionaires and they all lived in average neigborhoods in average houses.

2.      Millionaires Dream Big. People who made it big always know what they want. They do not get surprised when they create their first million. Millionaires dream of being their boss rather than looking forward to an annual increase in their salary.

3.      Millionaires Invest. Rich people take calculated risks. They do not invest everything in one basket but they also diversify.

4.       Millionaires Network. “No man is an island.” The same is true when millionaires reach their success. They create big and power networks of people in all walks of life. They know that their next partner, client, or employer could be anyone anywhere.

5.       Millionaires Focus on their Goals.  There is a difference between dreamers and performers. Both can have the same best ideas but the latter is better when it comes to implementing the best ideas. Millionaires are focused towards reaching their dreams at all costs.

6.       Millionaires Never Stop Learning. Rich people believe that learning is a life-long experience. They do not believe that they know everything. They learn from others and never stop learning.

7.       Millionaires Avoid Bad Debt. Rich people know the risks of having debts. Instead, they grow their money by saving, investing, or even lending it in order to accrue more income.

8.       Millionaires Delay Self-Gratification. Rich people believe in “Pay now, play later.” They know that by delaying instant gratification, they will eventually reach lifelong success.

9.       Millionaires Lead their Pack, not Manage them. Rich people are great leaders. They do what is needed to be done and not manage it.

Millionaires comprise only a few percent of the general population. If you want to be part of this group in the years to come, just send me a message or comment on my comment box to know how to become a millionaire. My group and leaders can show you how.

To Your financial success!




Lornajane Altura

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lornajanealtura@gmail.com

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