Prices of gas (gasoline, diesel and other variations with high-octane ratings) are skyrocketing. The constant increase of gas prices is, to say the least, frustrating. When you pass by the gas station in the morning, you’ll often discover that prices were raised while you were sleeping. Consumers are constantly faced with balancing an almost stagnant income with a constantly-increasing fuel costs. (more…)
Some time ago, my father handed me a book, Who Moved My Cheese, by Dr. Spencer Johnson. It’s a short one; I finished it in just under an hour. The theme is about anticipating, accepting and enjoying change in work and in life. It’s about having the guts to step out of our comfort zones. The tendency to stay in one’s comfort zone, specially within the corporate ladder, is also touched by Robert Kiyosaki in his book Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Mr. Kiyosaki beautifully explains why we have to move out of the rat race, and to do it early. Striking out on one’s own becomes more difficult later in life – with family, loans and other expenses. (more…)
If the concept of “Pay Yourself First” is foreign to you, don’t worry, the concept was also greek to me during my YUPpy (young urban professional) days. Working as an associate in a Makati law firm, I had the means to spend, nay, splurge. I had my own condo unit, go out whenever I want and splurge on anything I fancy. I spend so long as there’s cash in my wallet, or, more appropriately, ATM. Whatever money is left, I told myself, will be my savings. This strategy appeared to be sound. I realized later on that I had no savings, primarily because by the end of the salary/pay cycle, I had spent all I had and nothing is left for savings. (more…)
The headlines these past days have been all about rice. I know rice, and not simply because I don’t feel satisfied eating without rice, just like any Filipino. Many years ago, while growing up in the province, I would walk the pilapil of rice paddies with ease, something which would probably come in handy when I try the “sangkilo” bridge at Isdaan. We have a modest tract of ricefield, with produce sufficient to last the family, and some, until the next harvest season. Just like any child, I loved playing with, and in, the ricefield mud, and I refused to understand, way back then, why such pleasure would merit punishment from my mother. I have cultivated rice — from the preparation of the field, preparing the seeds, planting, weeding, harvesting until milling. (more…)
The government recently calculated the cost of raising a child from birth to age 18 and came up with $160,140! That doesn’t even touch college tuition. For those with kids, this figure leads to wild fantasies about all the money we could have banked if not for (insert your child’s name here). For others, that number might confirm the decision to remain childless. (more…)
