Christmas and Finances

Hi everyone!

Its that time of the year again where we are forced into consumerism. Unless you're one of the few people who have eco-friendly and sustainable holiday ideas.

I don't know if that's entirely possible. It's going to be difficult. Especially if you have children and you know you want to give them at least one of their material desires (because children remember two days in the calendar, that's Christmas and their birthday.)

I know shell out a lot during this time of the year. Good thing I don't have children. And we've decided as a family that we'll prioritize saving for our future. (Its never too early to think of retirement.)

We got to exchange presents beginning of the month and on Christmas eve we'll make a nice dinner from family recipe book and call it a night. Now that doesn't exclude me from social gatherings where I'm supposed to bring a gift or a token to the hostess. It also doesn't exclude me from my friends gatherings.

So what to do during this time to keep a budget?

1. Make a list. List down people. List down what you're giving them. Be realistic. Let's not put everybody's names and pair it with an iPhone 6s. Choose the people that matter and set a budget. How much can we spend? That's entirely up to you. I know one person who gave everybody he knows a dollar gifts. He gave about 700 people. I know another person who gives out 100 dollar gifts. She gives this top ten of her closest friends. Then she gives out cheaper ones to her friends. Acquaintances are not part of her list.

2. Compare prices. You'll be surprised at how much you can save during this time. You get more savings if you use a coupon. So leaf through magazines, papers, and check online. They advertise their prices. Usually marked with words SALE and BIG DISCOUNT. You can do this not just for gifts but also for Christmas dinner or if you're throwing a party. Shop for those ingredients. Avoid the rush. We do this as late as two weeks in advance. You'll know when you have Christmas in the Philippines. People here take Christmas very seriously.

3. When all else fails, if budgets can't be stretched. Be creative. Start a family tradition. Bank on the experience that you're giving your family. Children understand, they are beautiful little people who know life struggles. (And if they don't that's even more wonderful.) Give them a family experience, make a nice breakfast and spend a little more time with them. Give them lasting memories.

I remember my mentors before telling me an experience about Target. She forgot what she was buying but the cashier she remembers. The cashier gave her an extraordinary customer experience and it stuck. Same goes with Christmas, children probably won't remember what they received but they will remember the smell of chocolate pudding or fried bacon. They will remember the attempts to be funny that ended up to be a tickle monster just because they wouldn't laugh. They will remember how dinner was prepared because they helped make it. Its this little things that make up life. The little puzzle pieces that helps build the bigger picture. These are what matters.

Happy Christmas everyone! God bless you.

Xo,
Paula

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey everyone!

I know I've neglected this blog for a couple of days maybe even weeks. But since its thanksgiving I'm putting a pause on reminding you to plan and be responsible.

Just breathe. Deep relacing breaths. Release everything negative. What are you thankful for? I'm thankful for several things...


1. I'm thankful for the chance to travel more than once a year.
2. I'm thankful for friends and family that I can laugh, cry, shout at, rant, vent out, smile, fight with.
3. I'm thankful for the new people I've met. And also for the people that are no longer a part of my life.
4. I'm thankful for jobs that pay the bills. For promotions and for freelance projects.

I just need a boyfriend and I'm all set. What are you thankful for?

Xo,
Paula

Christmas bonuses and Black friday

Can you already feel the holiday cheer? What with Thanksgiving just around the corner and Christmas fast approaching.

My friends are already starting to go places, vacation sounds like a good idea to everyone. Except I'm swamped with work. Sometimes I hate it. Okay half the time I hate it. Okay okay okay! You got me, most of the time I hate working. But the making money I love.

Just wanted to drop some tips here and there,

1. Plan your shopping - SALES are going to be very attractive. Heck I know I want to buy the whole mall during Black Friday Sales.

2. Go cash - if you can't afford it in cash it's probably not the right time to go shopping. What I do is make sure I bring the exact amount I plan to spend on shopping. Yes, you have to factor in SHOPPING in your budget. I know I've said it over and over to budget. The only way to go is to plan it.

3. Compare prices - I know it can be tempting to buy the first deal you see but it does more harm than good to check at least three stores and compare price tags. These information are also available online so you can research online and then buy at the store. (Sometimes there are better online deals so also check those out.)

Remember to always be thankful for the blessings you have. People or things or your job. I know I can hate those things for the most part but it helps to look back and keep a thankful heart.

What are you thankful for this year?

Xo,

Paula

With Great Money Come Great Responsibility

In the few months of my employment I have negotiated my salary thrice that resulted to an increase every time. Of course, I also negotiate rates from suppliers and efficiency of banks. I talk money, saving and earning more.

Starting out in my current company I was the lowest paid. Which is understandable considering my tenure. After about half a year I've climbed the steps.

Now you must also understand how flexible and free my schedule and work load was. I was not doing much. And every time I negotiated the work increased. (The second negotiation happened after the increase of work though.)

Why am I telling you this? The point is if you work or think too little for the company, you get paid as little. If you work more or think more, you get an increase.

Consider fast food chain employees. Hard labor, fixed hours, very little thinking involved - minimum wage. But if you graduate college and put to use your degree - professional fee. If you think as hard as you work you can start your own practice. If you can lead people all the more earnings.

Tomorrow I'm negotiating my contract. Which I'm sure would involve taking on more responsibilities and more people to handle. But hey as long as I can manage my time properly I'm all for it.

Budgeting Tips

You can't grow money out of trees. And you can certainly not get to a million without a piso / a dollar. So let's talk about budgeting.

1.) Determine your cash inflows.

The question to ask is where does this money come from? Are you employed and get a monthly salary? Are you a student and get stipend? Are you getting an allowance from a corporation or a family member? Figure out where the money comes from. If there is no cash inflow we can't begin. (Just in case you realize that you don't have an inflow before going to step two establish one first. Get a job or a scholarship or allowance or stipend or retainer.)

2.) Draw a line between wants and needs.

Wants and needs varies. For instance, a car is a want for most people but if you're living with an old sickly grandmother you'll realize you need a car. Or if you have a pregnant wife and live far away from the hospital, the convenience and security the car provides you will easily make it a need. Map out what you need in your life. Follow the basic needs of food, and shelter. Factor in transportation cost. If you are just starting out in the industry you might need clothes. Normally I tell everyone asking me for advice to think annual. A venti doesn't look like much but if you convert that to annual costs you'll realize how much you could have saved.

3.) Map out your budget.

Again, normally I would ask my friends and family to do this annually. But for some people 100,000 PHP/USD would seem too much and I understand how that can be overwhelming. So map out your budget based on what's comfortable for you. If you earn on a weekly basis you can do a weekly budget. Whatever is comfortable for you since you're starting out.

4.) Set a goal.

Okay now that you've figured out you only use half the inflows for nneeds you can set a goal for the other half. Its always nice to visualize the finish line. Are you saving up for a nice car? A new home? An exciting vacation? For retirement? Once you have that you can see how long it would take before you can realize the goal. I know a friend who cut his food expense to a quarter to buy a car within the year. This is why you need a goal. If you want to get something out of it you have to have a clear idea of the finish line.

5.) Track your expenses and re-evaluate every (depending on the budget you set) week/month/year.

Personally I would suggest this to be bi-monthly. It helps you check if everything is in order. You can re-arrange your finances quickly and if you go out of budget you can catch the reason early on.

6.) Establish an emergency fund.

If you're only starting to save now (for whatever goal you set) do set up an emergency fund. Because there are risks in our day to day life and if we don't set up an emergency fund when we get a disaster we end up losing our budget. What if you lose your job? Or if your car breaks and you need it repaired? I recommend an amount that will keep you afloat for three months. So check your expenses. How much do you need in order to survive for three months if you lose your job today? Why three months? Because it takes about a month to look for a job. And another month to receive a paycheck. The third month is your buffer.

7.) Reward yourself.

Okay, lastly reward yourself. You were disciplined enough to keep a budget. You deserve a treat. Don't deprive yourself because you worked hard for this and you deserve it.

Xo,

Paula

Trading in money for time

So you probably heard the sad news that I've decided to stop studying in a fashion school and prepare for my laws exam early next year. Maybe what you didn't know is that I died juggling work and school on weekdays. Sure they're 3 blocks away from each other but that doesn't help any. I remember going back and forth five times because I had to be in both places once.

And then it got me thinking, just how much do I value my time? And I factored in the company. Are they going to give me another raise? Or did I make the yearly quota? Being the finance girl of the company I know the position I'm in. And I need the time more than the money.

So similar to how you write a letter to your HR about getting a raise, its the same as writing to get more free time. Nothing final yet but I'm looking at a 3 day work week. I still have the same work load but I get the time to study. *wink wink*

Its all about negotiating. If you believe in yourself and how much you contribute to the company I think you can get anything you want.

Xo,

Paula

Value Added Services

Today I woke up with a certain irritation coming from an allergy, this made me lose sleep and occupied my hands for the most part. I was literally crying in bed. I did not want to go to work. It wasn't comfortable.

But I got up and prepared myself for work. I saw this guy I have had a crush on in elementary school, he's my neighbor, and I wanted to be swallowed whole by the ground. I don't like him anymore but being in a less than pleasant state I didn't and wouldn't be civil. I stopped by the drugstore before work to get something to numb the pain and give me some form of relief, but there wasn't any less strong that was being sold over the counter. (Cheers to people that helped.) I was literally crying because of that pain all morning before and the first few hours of taking the meds.

I got into a cab. Decided that it's an awful day. Internally cursing at the universe for the pain I'm going through. And as I pulled the ugly old cab door (I judged the cab. It looked awful okay?) close the driver greeted me with a smile, and a good morning, and offered mints and tissue. (He did see me crying and sniffling.) He and that moment 180 my day.

It is those tiny moments that get you through. These moments that put a smile on your face. These moments you recall after the day is over.

As a customer, and a merchant, we want to make sure we are able to give something more than what are customers are paying for. Is it courtesy? A smile? Being friendly? We earn from new customers. But its repeat sale and word of mouth that makes the company a success.

Xo,
Paula

Pre VS Post Paid Mobile Plans

Hello universe, 

I haven't been around lately (with the excuse that I have been too busy with work, life and studying.) Today I'm writing about mobile plans (what with the iPhone 6S coming out it pays to know what you're paying for.)

What most of you don't know is that I don't change phones very often. So while the universe comes up with a new phone promising to be better than the previous one, I'm still using my RAZR, my Palm, and my BlackBerry. Maybe some of you won't know or remember what those are, but I'm pretty sure you know what a flip phone is. With the keypads not being on the screen and actually being keys. I quite enjoyed that type of phone. And I didn't worry about dropping it from the second floor to the ground (I've gone as high as fourth and other than a few cracks and chips it works fine.)

I think I'm a good candidate to compare post and pre paid plans. I've been using a phone since Nokia came up with the giant hand-held phones with a giant battery. (That was in first grade I think.)

Let us start with the Prepaid Plans 

What do you pay for? A SIM card.

A SIM card that typically comes with initial credits that can make you call or text or surf (depending on your phone.) if you don't already have a phone, you have to buy one out right. You can get this from your provider, or your friend (using the same provider,) online (although beware of stolen phones and jailbreak/openline.) You can even get it free from parents or family members. Just make sure the phone and SIM are compatible meaning the phone is not exclusive to a provider.

What else you need: time and time again you'll need to reload/top-up your phone for credits if you want to keep making calls.

Why I like it: it's easier to budget with a prepaid phone. You know how much each message costs and how much credits you have left. It forces you to monitor your usage and stay on budget.

What's the downside: sometimes you get caught in a bad situation where you run out of credits. And you're in the countryside and they don't have top up stations, convenient stores or even internet connection. You'd have to wait to find one before you can start making calls or texts again.

Let's go to Postpaid Plans

What are you paying for? A SIM card, a phone, and the credits used monthly aka your credit plan.

Let's dissect that:

A SIM card is what helps you connect to the world. Similar to the Prepaid one only this is the brain that gives you automatically credits each month.

A phone- you can get this free with your plan if you stay with your provider for two years. You can get it in installments billed to you monthly. Or you can also buy it out right like a prepaid. This is one of the perk that postpaid offers. If you don't have enough cash to buy a 700USD phone you can pay in 20USD installments to get it. (Only if you really want it though.)

Credit plan- this automatically restarts each month for as long as you keep them as your provider. The good news is you never run out of minutes. And if you do you can continue making calls and will just get billed overage.

Why I like it: I think those listed above are pretty good reasons why I like it. 

What's the downside: You're stuck with a plan for two years minimum. So if I lose my job tomorrow and I still have 14 months left of my contract I would have to pay that amount every month or buy out my plan in order to stop paying for my phone monthly.

Pro tip: its always cheaper to buy your phone out right than pay for it in installments through your provider. Again you have pay in full, upgrade with a discounted rate (normally the higher the cost of the plan the better the upgrade you get,) and installments for as long as you have a contract. Remember that credit card talk we had? You don't get charged finance charges if you pay in full. Similar to that concept, since the provider is financing the cost of your phone they will (because it is a business) surely have some form of profitability from selling it to you in installments.

Pro tip #2: always review your plan if you're postpaid and your usage if you're prepaid. Re-evaluate. And compare always.  Are you paying for a lot of things you don't need? Do you need to top up less frequently?

What did I do?

I switched from post to pre paid to control usage. There's that extra control you have when you decide to have 100USD this month and 50USD the next. If you need to just use calls you can sign up for just calls. And the rates are cheaper than post paid plans.

I switched to a different phone recently because of work. I needed the functions in my new phone. If I didn't need it I would have stayed with my old phone from high school. This I paid for in full (through my credit card) deferred into 6 months. That way you get to pay in installments without being charged finance charges or interest.

Hope that helps especially Christmas is coming and i know a lot of people upgrade phone plans during the holidays.

Xo,

Paula

Why it pays to begin your day early

As a young girl living in the country side and working in the bustling Metropolis (imagine London the far drive to the countryside,) there are several reasons why it pays to start each day early.

I'm going to share how my morning routine looks like with you first. Just so you know how early I start my day and when I actually start working.

I don't know about you guys but for me, I need a quiet alone time to start my day. This usually happens at 1 or 2 am. I meditate on the day that passed and the day that's beginning. This is normally just deep breathing and thinking. Dark, quiet, background music playing softly. Now the good thing about this is nobody is awake yet. So you can really enjoy that quiet. I reach out to my friends abroad and respond to personal emails and messages. See, to wake up early one must sleep early and get enough rest. So any emails or messages that come in at night I respond to in the morning.

After that, I get up. I stretch. I get a light snack. I do all the hygienic stuff like shower and brush my teeth. When I'm done I prepare for the commute to work. Now when you begin your day early you can take the public commute. Chances are there is no traffic congestion yet and there is little to no chance that you will be late. I do this at 6am.

The commute without the heavy traffic is about 45 minutes on public transport, and about 30 minutes if you drive. I spend that time 15 minutes to read and 30 minutes to sleep. When I wake up I'm at my stop.

This is the first reason why it pays to start your day early:
Beginning early, clears away chances of stress.

Now if you're like me who is paid on a project basis and not an hour basis, you get to have a free schedule which means you can start and end any time you choose.

Which brings us to the second reason:
Arriving to work early lets you get ahead. You start early, you finish early.

That's very true for me. I normally finish my work early so I can leave early. And if you're studying this gives you plenty of time to get to school. This happens about 1pm.

And that's third reason:
You can spend half the day doing something you're passionate about.

In my case its fashion school. It can be something else to somebody else. You can use the extra time to spend with your family. I don't know. Whatever you feel like will be valuable to you. Take your partner out. Host a dinner. Pick up your children.  Even if you factor in the traffic at 1pm? Its not as bad as traffic at 4-8pm. You'll get to where you're going in under an hour depending on how far away it is.

To do this, there is one rule. To strike a balance. You can't keep going to midnight parties and wake up at 1am. You'll be exhausted and when you're tired you're not conditioned to work, which is stressful. So if you still party at night, this is not for you. I would suggest you get enough rest to prepare for the next day. Again, balance.

Rest is equally important to work. You can start early or late. I chose to start early and gave you my reasons.

Xo,
P

Work, study, life balance

Do you ever get that feeling where you are alone on a weekend and half the time you're trying to get more sleep half the time you're still thinking about work. And all of the time your head goes back to the checklist of requirements that never seem to end.

My finals week was moved from the last to this week. And frankly I thought I would make the deadline last week. But when your suppliers decide to not tell you there are no stocks left to accomodate you, and when the other backs out even with the additional week you still kind of panic Additional pressure if your boss is your professor's friend and they both expect you to raise the standards to three levels up.

I have not seen my friends. I have not been to classes. All I have been doing is working. And like everyone says when your life is seemingly a mess and about to go up in flames that's when you get promoted. And I'm barely hanging on. My life is about to be toast. Or roast even.

So for this post. There are no tips. Just remember to know your priorities. Make sure to give time for what is important. At the end of it all you have to be able to live with what you chose from the beginning.

Because it does not just happen. Your life doesn't become a mess over night. It is a series of choices you made that makes your life a mess. It is premeditated and thought upon over and over. Do something about it now while you can. My life is so hard to manage now but I'm trying.

Xo,
P

How to get a raise

First things first, make sure you are employed. And then make sure you are a good if not a great employee. That means don't come in later than your boss, don't come in wearing rags of a pyjamas (not even kidding my co-worker showed up with wet uncombed hair, unironed ratty shirt and butt ugly old shorts,) don't slack off. And go above and beyond what is expected of you. Sure they don't expect you to pick up the things your partners left at the event, and it's been there for a week. But you will because you're stellar.

Second, work hard. Hard work pays off. Do your work according to schedule, lead the team, call the shots. 

Third, if your boss doesn't notice (which she does) bring it up. Let her know the extra responsibility you took on. The results you are producing. The extra hours you devote to work.

Fourth, ask for it. If it's not offered. Ask. Knock and the door will be opened. If you're producing results and they don't notice, make them look your direction.

Fifth, actively look for a company who will appreciate your effort and contribution. Let your employer know. And resign.

Okay so not a lot of people know that I've had thoughts of resigning. And I would have two weeks earlier if it wasn't for my boss who noticed and promoted me. Of course because i know my worth I've taken the time to think about it before signing a contract and an increase of pay and responsibilities.

So those are my five tips. 

Xo, 

Paula

How your credit card works

If you're one of those who pay the minimum amount due of their card every month and wonder why she or he is buried under credit card debt, this post is for you.


I only ever use my credit card for two things. One to buy plane tickets that are on sale online, and two to book uber trips because I don't have a driver or my own car.

I do not shop online. Well I tried that. It did not end well. It was expecting to get a really nice product, getting something mediocre. Returning said product. Exchanging it because you do not get refunds, still not being happy. Settling for a product I don't need assured that it was an original, only having it cleaned at the store and being told it was not their product. End result? Never going to shop online ever again.

So, going back to the credit card talk. Credit card works like cash. Only its a plastic with  a magnet stripe. This is ideal for those purchases that require a huge chunk of money. Knowing my country, there are risks involved to bringing a wad of cash. One of those risks being theft. Even if you're in a private vehicle or a public vehicle the risk will always be present.

So just like your normal everyday trade, you purchase a product or avail a service and you pay with your card (similar to paying with cash,) only instead of receiving change you get a triplicate of your payment received that you have to sign.

That there doesn't harm you. What harms you is the finance charges. What are those? These could be anywhere from 1% (I think local coop banks still offer that)- 5% (cash advance rate) of your total amount due charged to your account.

Its not that simple though to illustrate here is the reply my bank gave me when I asked about it my MasterCard:

         

We compute finance charge on retail purchases by multiplying each transaction by the number of days from transaction date until statement date and then multiplying it by 3.5% by 12 months divided by 360 days. This is the average daily balance method

So you have to take into consideration, amount you spent, how long it took to be billed, the number of transactions you have and then multiply it by .035 (this is your rate) and then multiply that by 12/360 which I figured would be the month.

Now here's a little secret they do not tell you. (Even on fine print its no longer there.) you don't need to worry about that computation if you pay your monthly balances in full.

Yes folks, you do not get charged finance charges if you pay the amount due in full. Also pay your bills full once every month. Because they charge you payment fees if you do it over and over within the month.

Hope that helps you!

Xo,
Paula

Did he value your time?

Today I sat in a coffee place for an hour unaware that banana pancakes take more than an hour to make. The reason you might ask? They bake pancakes. For thirty minutes. Each. Now I'm okay with waiting 30 minutes for really spectacular you'll-forget-your-name-and-go-crazy fluffy pancakes. But over an hour felt a bit too much.

While the waiters, crews, baristas are unapologetic and continue to gossip about local celebrities and what they wore to a screening of a low budget local film they co produced (made up that film bit) I start counting minutes. I start getting angry. I start counting what millionaires are making while I waste time waiting for three pieces of pancakes with frozen peanut butter and over ripe banana swimming in a dollop of salted soft butter. I start picturing the ifs. The phone calls I'll miss, the emails left unanswered, the meetings I'll be running late to attend. How much would that cost me? If I was a high powered rich business woman making over USD1500 a minute.

The young man who looked like he was fresh out of high school handed me my order, with a smile and a small I'm sorry. No remorse what so ever. I left briefly. As the driver drove away, I calmed the storm inside me. The problem, I thought to myself, is the mentality. The people in that establishment did not value time. The way I valued mine. I wasted less than two hours for those pancakes. Lucky I wasn't paid by the hour.

In those mundane day to day activities for the rest of our lives lie the awakening moment, the big flashy LED sign that blinks, the hard slap, or that three gold strands on a well greased ball, often times we miss if we don't pay attention. It was on that brief drive that the difference begins and ends in the mind.

It is the lack of ambition. It is the lack of urgency. It is the lack of self appreciation. Appreciation of self worth, of time, of other people's time and interest.

What makes a poor man poor is his way of thinking. The same way a rich man is rich because of his thinking. A dollar is just a dollar. To a rich man it could be the building block of a million. To a poor man it could be the difference between life and death. It could be a fraction of the cost of your lunch. It could mean a lot of things to different people. That all depends on you.

Xo,
Paula

Rest is just as important as Work

TGIF meant very little to me. It meant close yo nothing actually. Until this week. Never have I thought that I would see a working week that looked like this. Where it starts at 6am and ends at 9pm. Hustling every minute of it.

Suddenly weekends meant more to me than anything. Weekends were developed historically to promote recreational activities and motivate workers to spend money. This improved the economy a great deal.

I don't know if the struggle is coming from my recent vacation. Maybe I'm not over staying at the beach and swimming with the fishes. Maybe its really just a crazy week. And maybe we don't need sleep. So while I accumulate baggage under my eyes, and pretended I am working hard to improve company standing, other people rest.

I take calls until 11pm and maybe I have been over working. It is my father's words that I go back to when I'm in such stressful hectic situation such as work. He said, "separate work from personal life. Strike a balance between the two."

I am excited for the weekend. I expect to have a wonderful lunch with friends and sleep long hours.

I hope that you guys value rest as much as you value work. Make sure to keep the fire burning. Rest when you should. Work when you should. Stay lovely.

Xo,
Paula

The Art of Shutting Up

"Hypocrisy is the lubricant to society."

During my first day in fashion school, my professor Levinson Rodriguez quoted these words.  He asked us to remember them and later after the semester tell him if we agree or disagree.

I have a loose tongue. And I'm very opinionated. My ego and pride will not let me be defeated and there's a constant need to win every argument I get into.

What does any of it have to do with my blog? Being employed I am learning the art of shutting up. And not letting my temper get the best of me. Its not very professional to hear a co-worker going all Heneral Luna and flipping tables in anger. I think it was two "ay shet, putang ina" curses that woke me up. At that time I realized that it wasn't very nice to listen to. And put myself in the same position. I have cursed several times and never put myself in the position of the people around me listening.

Consider a client, arguing to have his way. You can be the best debater in the planet. You can win every argument there is. But at what expense? Honestly, I wouldn't mind losing an argument if it meant winning a client.

The phrase, "the customer is always right" holds some if not all truth to it. You wouldn't and shouldn't argue with the customer about anything. If the customer says the color yellow is too lonely for her. Offer a different color. Offer to make it into her favorite color even. If the customer says the soup is too salty, its salty. Its not as it should be. Its as the customer prefers it to be.

Strike a balance though because as an entrepreneur you have to know if your idea is worth pursuing if the client says it sucks but you feel in your gut that there's a gap in the market that you can fill, by all means go on and fill it.

Shut up when you need to, but don't be a push over. Strike the perfect balance between the two.

Xo,
Paula

Let's Talk About Sandy Lerner

Not a lot of people know Sandy Lerner. People don't know her as the other half of Leonard Bosack (at that time) and co-founder of Cisco Systems Inc. technology giant from the 1980s. People also probably don't know her to be the name behind brand Urban Decay cosmetics. And if you still don't know her by those two giant brands you probably haven't heard of her Ayreshire Farm.

The sad story about Sandy's co founding Cisco, then having been funded by venture capitalists, later voted out of her own company. (Okay that might be an exaggeration, but I would imagine feeling worse after having poured all of me into my first company and being asked to leave.)

You know how people are obsessed with labels and how you should stick to the assigned group? You have to really think about who you are? And make sure to find out what is your brand! Sandy is the girl who didn't fit the mold so she created one.

Who would have created a make up brand after being kicked out of a technology based company? I'd have done a Cisco 2.0 and got some revenge. I mean I am the brains of Cisco I can probably redo and do better.

Sandy is an inspiration for all the women out there that you dont need to fit a certain mold. You don't need to wear pencil skirts and high heels if it isn't you. She tells you that its okay to be smart and pretty and care about the environment. That you don't need to just focus on one thing to be successful. Or that having more than one passion can make you a failure.

There should be more Sandy Lerners in the world. Why? Because there's fewer women entrepreneur compared to men. And the women are often shut down when they have too many great ideas.

"I think at some point you have to believe in yourself and satisfy yourself that there's a market there. You just have to do it "- Sandy Lerner

Be amazing. Be beautiful.

Xo,
Paula

The Value of Planning

Planning to some people can mean a lot of over thinking, going over pieces of information, anticipating events that may or may not happen. It is for this same reason that people tend to forget it.

Let me tell you this, planning is the difference between getting off a plane and going somewhere specific versus getting off a plane, taking a while to come out of the toilet and seating on a stool in the airport lobby. It is bringing an umbrella because you checked the weather app and you know it will rain. It is packing sandals for when you can't wear sneakers. It is a lot of things considered to make the best of a circumstance.

If you were from my country you would understand what I was trying to avoid when I took the first flight out of the city. Originally I had a meeting scheduled for the most part of the day. I imagined the air traffic and the actual traffic on ground and felt the need to book a flight early.

It's a four day trip with nothing planned. Last night I couldn't sleep. Thinking about what I'm going to do. I have no meeting to go to. No people to see. Nobody I knew. I was in a new place all alone. Its like the perfect adventure.

And I aim to make it just that. In a bit. After coffee. When the sun comes out. Actually not even. I just need it to be 5am so that establishments start to open and I can start doing something.

I'm writing this with people staring at me. Mostly cause it's a ghost town and I'm literally the only one here. While they make necessary preparation to make the airport look decent. I can hear them murmuring a foreign language I can not understand. I blink in response when they seem to address me. I've been pointed towards the exit several times but I just can't leave the comfort of this stool, lighting, ventilation and Wi-Fi.

Is planning important you ask? Definitely it is most definitely important. Next trip I'm doing a full on itinerary with time stamp and everything else!

Its a lot of waste when you don't. Not having planned on transportation and accommodation I'm probably going to have to book a room right now unsure if there are rooms available. I'm going to eat again in any place open to pass time. For when the sun is out and I can sight see.

Happy Eid to all my muslim friends! Enjoying this long weekend cause of you guys.

Xo,
Paula

Go Homemade!

It probably won't come as a surprise that homemade meals are less cheaper than store bought.

Take for example, two weeks ago, in my hunger and almost being late I've decided to pick up (instead of getting it delivered) a chicken sandwich. Which cost me less than PhP 200 about USD 4. All it had was flat bread. Thinly sliced chicken meat, onions, cucumber, tomato, honey mustard sauce, mayonnaise, and catsup. I also added some potatoes for extra carbohydrates. So that brings my total cost to USD 5.

To first world countries USD 5 is a small amount but even in first world countries their meals cost less. I remember having bought a meal to share and have a drink to go with it on my USD. That said store bought food can cut your budget in half. 

Same principle homemade food can double your budget. Take a quick trip to the grocery later and buy a week's lunch. 

Grocery Tips:

1. Make a list- it helps to know what you need versus what looks good. The list also gives you an estimate on how much you're going to spend in the grocery.
2. Compare prices- in this country raw meat is sourced from different places. And those places vary in pricetag. Everytime you walk into a grocery there's at least 3 options. (There's the "generic" grocery label meat, there's the heavily advertised widely popular label meat, and then there's the somewhere in between the two brands label meat. You're going to notice that the lighting and the vendors look sometimes act differently from the other.)
3. Stick to your list- chances are youre

So there you have it folks! Stick to your budget and save to invest.

Xo,

Paula

Why I switched from EIP to Stocks

Before I continue, let's start with defining terms, what is EIP? And what is a stock?

EIP is a bank solution in the Philippines that means Easy Investment Plan. The product automatically get money from your savings account and invests it in stocks or funds depending on how aggressive an investor you are. They assess you like how they do when you purchase an investment linked insurance, asking you questions like how much can you invest and what is your risk tolerance?

Stock is a part or share of a company, usually being given to raise capital. Say for example I have a clothing company but little to no money to employ people to make clothes or to purchase raw materials. What I can do is offer part of my company for capital. And when the company starts earning money the profit will be divided equally based on the parts or shares that each person has.

If you're a young professional with little no knowledge in investing, or if you don't have enough savings to invest in Equity Stocks. EIP can be a really great product for you. You get to save the money in a bank and it gets returns higher than the bank's annual rate and chances are you're beating inflation. Truly I say that a hundred invested today is not the same as a hundred invested a year later.

Starting out my career as a young professional two years ago, with minimum living expenses (I live with my parents, and brown paper bag my lunches mostly cause the people I work with have toght schedules and are often too exhausted to drive out for lunch) and earning more than minimum wage, I've decided to brave the market and invest my money. EIP was a fairly new product, I had heard about in a financial seminar from college. (Yes I started working when I was in college.) Now Stock Exchange was really were the money is. Until now its still where the money is.

But there was a challenge to enter the market that EIP has made easy. At the time I have several savings account saved up. I was trained to save money. Being in business school they train you to handle your finances well. I paid attention to my accounting professors. And listened to their advice. I stayed an extra fifteen minutes and chatted with them. Its like getting a consultation, free from experts.

So I set up my EIP to draw momey (I really wanted to allocate as much as I can) each month and for it to be invested. I signed the papers for that money to be injected in my portfolio every month. And I was happy with the investment certificates that I got.

But after I resigned from my job, I had the chance to evaluate my portfolio. By that I meant compare fund performance with several people. And that's when I found out that the money I invested was only making 3%. I was looking at stock performance that was climbing at the time. EIP felt like a safe investment platform. Though it rises and falls like the stock market, it felt like having pooled investors to cushions you from the decline, and when it rises same principle it is still cushioned. You barely feel the ups and downs.

I withdrew my investment and transferred it in stocks. Although the stock market is more scary with its sudden rise and fall the rates are more competitive.

Of course with the recent decline of the stock market a lot of people are worried. But I'm not much worried. As long as I don't pull out my money its all paper loss. And I can make it up after it rises.

For people who are a bit on the safe side,  I would recommend sticking with EIP. You have a bank manager to discuss choices with. Its a lot safer than Stock market investing. But if you really want to maximize the returns middle to long term, go for stocks. Invest more than 50% of what you're making (if you can, if you're a young professional like me it would just take a lot of disciple to get you started but once you're in the habit of saving to invest it gets easier.)

Happy investing guys!

Xo,

Paula

4 Make Up Products I Trust and Recommend

This is my first beauty focused blog post. As a fashion student and a girl who works for a brand that communicates luxury, I have to make sure I look well put together. Although I feel like I have no time to bother. But, it is a material world and after all I'm carrying the company's name with my image.

You don't need to pile make up on your face like you're about to be crowned in a pageant. Not saying that pageant girls wear a load of make up. That is another one of my bad examples.

Gone are the days where you need to have strong eyebrows, contour your cheeks, line your nose, highlight half your face. Not only does it cost a lot to complete that make up look and the tools, but it's also too long to complete.

From a 9hr/day shift to 4hr/day shift

Hi again,

Please don't think I'm a lazy ass girl who is living large through my parents bank accounts and trust fund. Although I'm totally for parents who set up trust funds for their children. This is not the case. My parents are not politicians, they aren't in show business either. If you're Filipino you know that those are the top 2 groups that are wealthy in the country. You either have to have artista parents or politiko parents to be wealthy. Or you're Chinese.

We are not the Sys. I think anybody who knows me can say easy that I look more European than Chinese. Since I don't have Chinese businessmen, or show business personalities, or politicians for parents please don't say that I'm living off of their wealth.

Also please don't think I'm criticizing people who work more than 8 hours a day. Honestly I look up to them because I get easily tired and exhausted of what I do and people who are driven enough by need who can do it five times sometimes even six times a week should be someone who is admired not criticized.

I've tried that 9 hours a day shift before. And Lord knows it wasn't easy. You can get fuelled by money in the beginning but after a while you'll realize you're no longer alive and you've morphed into a workaholic zombie who functions on caffeine going from shift to shift until the weekend so you can sleep. I've grown all too familiar with this because i was maintaining a relationship (long distance) and studying at the same time. And boy this was no easy task. Especially when the guy you're with doesn't even know you're working. (I wanted to tell him, I did, but he kept saying "just focus on your studies.") What drove me was peer pressure and that need to earn money. Because when everyone you know starts rubbing it in your face that you're unemployed and early 20s, you really feel the need to start making cash so you can all shop designer clothes that you can't afford and drink expensive coffee and eat good food together while you talk about each other's weekend plans.

After getting my diploma in my 4.5 years in college, I immediately packed my office stuff, handed in my resignation, and went on a 3 month long vacation. (Don't worry I used the money I saved up for shopping to travel. Think Ferragamos converted into plane tickets.)

So, 3 months later I am now a Fashion student, still in between being broke and being well off. I work in a local bag company with a slightly famous designer. I make half of what I made when I was in a bigger firm where people are half ready to kill you when you don't meet what they need. I've transitioned from a 9 hour work day to a 4 hour work day with no requirement of days. I can come when I want.) and I've never felt as productive as I did before.

Knowing what needs to be done and being disciplined enough to get it done without having to be reminded and being forced to take on a 9 hour shift is something that I'm grateful for with my current job. It has taught me love of work (although in general I still think I'm not cut out for employment.) This job is flexible enough to meet my needs and still make sure the company didn't lose money by paying me a month's salary.

It's given me enough time to study, and work at the same time without feeling like i would die tomorrow because of exhaustion. It's giving me time to unwind when i feel too overwhelmed. And it's ensured that the quality of work I deliver is the best.

Working a 9 hour shift doesn't mean that you're working or doing more than a person who works 4 hours. I know a bunch of people who works double shifts getting paid for each minute but are not able to deliver the products or services that they are being paid for. Productivity's not about the hours.

Not everyone gets this opportunity at such young age. Maybe that is why I'm thankful for my job. Gratitude for my job makes me perform and do my best. Always deliver more than expected.

Xo,
Paula

Traveling to work is considered work hours?

Time spent travelling to and from first and last appointments by workers without a fixed office should be regarded as working time, the European Court of Justice has ruled.- BBC News, (www.bbc.com/news/uk-34210002)

I was surprised to learn about this piece of information. I first heard it last week two weeks ago, can't be too sure, but I didn't pay much attention to it. While reading about it I also got a chance to look closely at EU's Working Time Directive (WTD.)

I like how the court ruling is pro-workers. Basically the WTD, ensures that each employee works a 9 hour 5 day shift with a maximum of 3 hours overtime per week. Putting the employees best interest first and guaranteeing that they get enough rest, access to health care, an option to switch from night to day shift if he or she chooses and protection from over work if your field is hazardous, i.e, you work at night or involving heavy machinery.

(Actually the law says 48 hours a week, I just did the basic math and assumed that it's a 9 hour 5 day work week.)

Okay, now that we're acquainted with WTD let's go back to the court ruling and why I'm talking about this in my blog even if I'm not in EU.

This is relevant news, and we should promote social economic awareness after all one economy's rise or fall directly or indirectly affects all countries. Also after hearing a handful of my fellow country men talking about it I felt like I needed to see if it was applicable to Filipinos too.

Who are affected by the ruling?
Those without a permanent office, including sales representatives, installers of equipments, care workers.

Why are they affected?
Because there is no uniformity in the commute from one point to another. Unlike people who work in the office 9am-5pm.

What does the ruling do?
It protects workers from being unfairly compensated. If employee A takes 4 hours to get home because her last meeting was outside the city, it would mean that she is compensated for the effort and energy she spent that could have been used to rest.

What would it mean if we have the same law in the Philippines?
If you're (a) company doesn't have a permanent office address, (b) you commute directly from home to clients because of reason a, you should be compensated the moment you live the house to see a client. Why? Because the time you spend on public commute varies everyday. Unlike when you have an actual office to go to everyday before going to client meetings.

So folks having learned all that, if you work in an office or an institution with a permanent address, this does not affect you so the hopes of getting paid while stuck in EDSA is gone for now. Imagine how much you'd have made if you were paid on September 8? You were just there. Stuck. Let's continue to hope for better roads and mass transit and traffic.

Xo,
Paula

Learning from Classics

"As she said, she was 'fond of luxury', and her chief trouble was poverty." - Little Women

I think most of us would be able to relate. If not all of us. Luxurious items are often too beautiful to dislike. Noone was ever handed an Hermés and said it was too plain. I can't imagine anyone turning down a Bentley either. And all the time our only issue would be inadequate resources. Who wouldn't enjoy Louboutin stores if they had enough to spend on their desires?

It is that very quote that drives me to do my best to make sure that I won't be an old woman buried in credit card debt with no health care or a roof above my head. In this country those two are probably the biggest things that you need to worry about. Shopping using your credit card can sometimes carry us away in a place where a store is Disneyland and sales ladies are your best friends.

I know this because I experienced it first hand. Coming from work. Feeling rich. Eating out. And passing that store where you've been eyeing a white sleeveless blazer. And then a friendly sales lady smiles at you wearing a white shirt with the letters in capitals and bold say SALE.

Just like that you've burned through your month's hard earned pay. In a few minutes you've reduced your month's work into 5 paperbags. Or fewer.

Having expensive taste can drill quite a hole in our pockets. But take to mind Imelda Marcos when you shop. Its not about the price tag. I mean Imelda Marcos shops divisoria products and she still looks like she's wearing a $2500 dress.

When budgeting, also take to mind, to reward yourself every now and then. You don't have to deprive yourself. Set goals. And reward yourself when you reach them. That way you don't feel too kawawa (pathetic.)

The road out of poverty doesn't mean starvation and deprivation. Its all about finding that balance between savings and expenses. And to do that you have to be responsible enough to look at those credit card statements and check if your loans are paid on time. Be smart and manage those finances.

Xo,
Paula

To Shop or To Save

Yesterday, I got into a lengthy conversation about a pair of shoes I can afford but costs  most of a month's salary. It involved an Italian label, a pair of heels, my emergency fund savings, and self control. I constantly talk to an older fellow (who is more affluent than I am, and with a kid) who thinks its normal to buy clothes and shoes and food. These are needs, he said. I also mentioned a query on how people in the fashion industry afford their lives. Especially when you know how much they make and how much they spend on shopping (factor in online shopping, shipping, and customs duty.) I can't keep up with their lifestyle so I've decided to be frugal. Brown paper bag-ing my lunches, and walking short distances instead of cabs.

"You work hard, its your money, you shouldn't deprive yourself of things you want. You're not stupid to spend all of your savings on shopping. I don't get why you didn't buy it... *some more irrelevant things here* oooh... cause for me its a normal that I buy food and clothing." -said the older fellow.

I have a goal. And that goal is greater than my want to be the next Imelda Marcos. Although pricey heels will retain some of its value through out the years, it will still depreciate over time. The more you wear, the longer you have it, the lesser its value will be.

I don't think he understands what I'm going through. Although a fellow Filipino, he lives in a first world country with a higher paid high skill job. He has his own practice. He owns several real estate properties. He was born to an affluent family with significant participation in the government and military. (Remember what i said about parents, in my previous post, to be rich?) These things he accumulated over time.

Sure, he has always been accustomed to splurging. But I was raised in a more frugal manner. I studied money and business and how it works. I've been in several finance seminars and classes and talks. So when one thinks of spending I think of saving. And when I think of splurging I think of ways how to afford that.

Saving is not depriving myself. I need shoes, but that doesn't mean it has to be another pair of Ferragamos. I need suits, it doesn't mean it has to be worth more than thirty five thousand a piece ($750.) There is a giant difference between a want and a need. I definitely want a $750 designer suit, but I don't need one.

People in my country can live for three months with that amount of money. Even if I worked hard for it. It doesn't mean I can afford walking around malls and buying things that cost as much at a drop.

When asked why I don't purchase my wants, I respond, "because I don't need it." And also, "because I think about my future."

I dont imagine myself working until I'm 60 and eligible for retirement. I imagine myself leisurely enjoying my early retirement. And you have two ways to get that 1) ask for your inheritance early or 2) you plan ahead.

I prefer the latter. Really think about your wants and needs.

Xo,
Paula

Affluent Comparisons

We Filipinas/Filipinos have a tendency to look into the person next to us for comparison. May it be through her bowl to check if we have equal portions or through his clothing to see if we can match his labels.

But I've noticed one thing we do, when we're down we look to see if the person next to us have lesser and it puts things in perspective. Like another man's misfortune is our gain.

Let me tell you this. I want to stop the poverty comparisons. Why? Because if you're aiming to do better with your finances, comparing yourself to a man going from paycheck to paycheck will not help you any.

It's like setting a goal too low. If you're aiming to make 1 million in 3 years, I urge you to take the challenge of 10 million. At least if you don't make the 10 million mark there is a high chance that you went over the 1 million target you originally set for yourself.

That mentality of okay na ako, mas mabuti na itong kalagayan ko kesa sa mga nanlilimos at nagugutom sa kalsada (I'm okay, my current standing is better than that of hungry beggars in the streets) will not get you anywhere. Wouldn't it be better if you said kaunting kaunti na lang maabot ko na annual income ni Henry Sy (just a little bit more and I'll reach the annual income of Henry Sy.) at least you have something to strive for.

It's always better to aim high. Actually aim higher than your goals. Take the challenge and do better than what you're shooting for.

Xo,
Paula

Failure and Growth

Fear is constant in our daily lives. In the morning while taking the public commute, I fear I'll get robbed. While in a cab, I fear that I'll be drugged and murdered and thrown into an abandoned building after being raped. At nights when it's raining, I fear being stranded alone in the cold. I fear for the "big one" that will end the country.

Fear is so constant it's probably there in everything you do. So for today I'd like to share my fear of forever being employed, and my fear of a failing start up.

I've always thought that employment is not for me. Maybe it's because my college has always drilled in our heads we should be brave enough to have a start up two years after college. I guess that's a good thing. While others are busy thinking about clothes and which latest gossip it is they heard over the weekend, I see possibilities and think of new ventures.

Coupled with my brain's constant churning of business concepts and possible ways to get out of the rat race (as Robert Kiyosaki calls it) is the constant fear of failing. What if the gap I identified in the market is not really there? And the problem I identified is not really relevant to the consumers?

This fear of failure is the reason I have my other fear, of forever being employed. Which is a great boost for me. It lets me think. If my fear of failure asks, what happens if I try and fail? My fear of being trapped in employment asks, what happens if you don't try?

It's a two end spectrum. I am young, and i can only hope I have learned enough from other people's mistakes and failures to not experience them.

But i guess failure really isn't something to be frightened of. It is a necessary step to learning and growth. How many days til I launch my start up? Honestly? Right now the equipment we ordered hasn't been delivered its supposed to come today though. If it comes today, I'm getting a ledger and raw materials i can test the product and try it in the market 15 days from now. If that goes well I'll launch it 15 days after trial week.

Cheers to the beginning of the week. Remember that you shouldn't feel bad that its Monday and that it's back to work. Work is a good thing. And we shouldn't dread it. It's time for a paradigm shift.

Xo,
Paula

Compulsive Shopping and Fashion Classes

The thing about being a fashion student is that you get exposed to fashion industry a lot. Our class yesterday involved analyzing and observing the retail industry. And as my professor said, what better way to study the industry than be in it and participate.

So he asked all of us to channel our inner mademoiselle Coco and go to 3 brands that we are drawn to. These 3 brands must be brands that captures our brand and aesthetic.

Now the thing is when surrounded by people who are shopaholics, and inside a store where sales associates are trained to sell. There is a high chance that you will in fact, not leave the store without carrying a ribbon tied pastel colored box inside a beautiful paperbag, with a note of appreciation for spending so much money on clothes you probably don't need.

We visited six individual stores and two department stores. I left with two paperbags. It took all of my will power to put down an electronically pleated navy skirt (that I swear could easily match all of my whites, and blacks, and navys.) It took me a little less to let go of black and white ankle strap heels (which I have in flats, that I got while I was in college, of course my parents paid for it.)

You know how banks now offer forced savings? They deduct an amount every month from your savings account and transfer it to a secured account for saving and investing. This is a bank solution that they offer to make middle class (or young adults, or those who are between rich and broke) afford luxury items that they can't spot buy.

Now the thing is when you have that set up please please please do not withdraw it for a pair of Valentinos. No matter how much that product screams your name. Or no matter what the sales lady tells you. Or no matter how much discount she throws in. Let it rest there. And be invested. Let it grow. Nourish it by injecting more money. Those pumps will decrease in value but investments will keep you alive after 5 years.

It felt like I needed these purchases but after awhile, you'll realize that you don't need it and that these could have been properly invested somewhere else or saved for a rainy day. And unlike in the US you don't get refunds when you return in this country. So you have to be sure you'll be able to live with yourself if you splurge while on a budget.

Now I just have to ask myself always "do I need this?" And make sure I answer ccorrectly. Need to budget!

Xo,
Paula

Emotional Creatures need some form of release

I've been a lot mellow lately, like a blue sadness ghost is attached to my back. Slowly breathing depression into me. But the thing about those suicidal depressed people is that it's not as easy as Peter Pan's "think happy thoughts" and it's not all in my head. Okay, maybe it is all in my head. Ask my therapist maybe she can help you out.

But for people to tell depressed/extremely sad people that they shouldn't be and it's in their daily choices if they want to be happy. Bitch! (Excuse my French) let me tell you this. Telling me it's a choice, is like telling a junkie its a choice. (That's a really bad example) it sometimes can't be helped. Sometimes you're just really sad. And you have to be in that moment to feel better.

I've tried the "today I'm going to be happy" and sometimes it just isn't the way. Maybe eat my feelings. "I'll forget about it after this tub of salted caramel." I've previously talked about eating my feelings out in an older post. You know how they keep saying "acceptance is the first step to recovery"? That's actually very true for me (and I'm guessing most people.)

Faking happiness is not healthy. Eventually you'll just get tired and things that you do to make you happy won't work anymore. (Like eating ice cream when it's cold and being a burrito in the dark.)

To anybody who is there, in that dark space with a blue plushie called sadness hanging around your back, hang in there. There are others like you and me. And it will get better. Be strong. Be courageous. You are beautiful and you can survive this.

Xo,
Paula

Email is not dead

Hi again!

There's been a long debate on emails and how it isn't useful anymore. Several successful folks have voiced their opinions, including CEOs, COOs, start-up entrepreneur, employees and self employed alike.

E-mail is not dead. Although I still very much prefer sitting down and discussing issues. E-mail still play a key part in day to day life.

E-mail to some, (including myself) is a security blanket. Not a lot of people will have the courage to text a personal number a lengthy message of intent. Not everyone has the courage to make a cold call to a mentor to seek advice. And between the phone transactions calling and texting, e-mail is the safest way to go. You can go over your message several times but you can never un-say words that have been spoken. There is no pause, rewind button when you're on the phone with a client or your boss.

Any tool is effective if used correctly. You can make it or break it if you decide to use e-mails. Personally I'm restarting my career with emails. Since we are rapidly becoming dependent on technology, it's an edge to be able to impress a person with an email while being in the company you're working for. I'm also networking through emails. It isn't as intimidating as making cold calls. Especially if you know you have proof read your email and you know there's potential.

E-mail is just one of the many tools available to us. I suggest we exhaust it and use it to our advantage.

Xo,
Paula

Paranoia and Self Appreciation

You know how my professors all know my boss? Cause in this industry everybody knows everybody. And those teaching fashion are a select few and because of the scarcity they teach in all the fashion schools available.


Yesterday my prof snapped a photo of me, in my very minimalist kind of sad ensemble consisting of a grey origami skirt, a black knit long sleeves rolled up to my elbows and tucked in neatly, pearl with gold details earrings, gold watch, gold stud necklace, and black booties and tote that came as a set, and he texted during my presentation. And I assumed he was texting my boss. Who coincidentally texted me in class.

I texted her back telling her I won't be able to meet her that day and I'll just do whatever needed done tomorrow (which is today.) and Lev called me out. Good thing i was slightly paying attention and was able to salve what little was left of my dignity after being called out.

So there really isn't anything going on. Or at least my boss hasn't confronted me. I am prepared too. If you go through my neat table (with the mess is hidden inside the drawers) you'll find in a little envelope my resignation letter. I have no reason to stay in this company anymore. I think I've learned everything I can. Got the contacts and networked to all the people I needed. And those I'll need in the future I can also make through other opportunities.

Honestly I think my silence has improved the attitude of all my other co-workers towards me. But the feelings that have been stirred up mostly leading towards the dark dark sadness and loneliness do not just go away. And although my bosses are amazingly kind and easy to get along with in the end its the environment and the people you spend less than eight hours a day with that makes or breaks the way you see yourself in the company. And most of my co-workers, I've nothing against them, have future plans that doesn't involve the company. Of my whole stay its always been "my friend who works for my old company gets benefits, wonder when we will." Honestly? People who get paid a lot either are skilled a lot or work a lot and in this co-worker's case she is neither skilled nor hard working enough to get what all her other friends get.

I get it, friends compare company backgrounds, and employment benefits and salary packages. I do that too all the time. But everybody knows although all my childhood buddies make 3 or 4 times more than I do they don't get the same work hours that I get. They have no peace of mind on weekends. They dread Mondays. They get little to no sleep each night. They're in the office sun up to sun down. And I don't. I go to work when I feel like it. I leave whenever I want. I have the longest lunches any working girl ever has. So I don't know why my co-workers would compare what they make to what their friends make. On a side note, why stay if you feel like you can do better?

No I'm starting to sound bitter. Let's go  back to talking about me. You know how I'm in between rich and broke at the moment? Quitting my job would mean being broke. Now this is what an emergency fund is for. For when I go broke. My mum taking me to work every morning helps me save. So far I haven't shopped. I need to prepare for my resignation. Unlike that time when I graduated and I had a tiny bit of surplus when it comes to cash because of my thesis equivalent which is business implementation. I don't have that surplus anymore, because commute is not cheap and neither are lunches, or tuition.

All my future expenses that comes after my resignation is making me even more sad. This is the last month of my contract. I'm not going to extend it. Even if they all quit. You have to know when to stop a non profitable business. And I'm worth more than I'm getting in this place. Originally since I don't know anything being paid little was okay. But as a person who knows a little now and who is taking additional classes for self development I would say my worth went up a little.

Its a Friday and I'd like to end on a positive note. Never settle for something less than you deserve. If you know it in your heart that you're worth more than that bargain for it, insist a little. And if they turn you down move on to the next. Never stop believing in yourself. If you don't who would?

Xo,
Paula

Tuesdays and Eating your Feelings

Hi again,

Tip for the wise, never eat your feelings. Especially not at a fine dine restaurant.

I missed my scheduled lunch appointment sandwiched between work, with my classmates. Now the good thing in eating with schoolmates is the very high probability that they are under allowance which means they have very small budget for food. Always try to eat with people that are poorer than you are or have a tighter budget. This makes for more savings in the long run.

I don't have packed lunch since I anticipated eating out at a fast food chain or something nearer that budget. But since I'm tired, and stressed out and half sad that I'm alone I found myself in a fine dine franchise. Overloading on carbs based dishes (particularly potatoes and pasta.)

And when you're sad. Prevent yourself from getting that extra scoop vanilla ice cream on your banana split sundae. Consider how triumphant and happy you'll feel when you walk out of the restaurant with your wallet and budget in tact. Almost humpday. Stay strong!

Xo,
Paula

The 5s I Like

Hi again!

Today's a holiday and one would normally rather lounge and go on vacation but here I am in my room thinking about my sales strategy (its a homework for, wait for it, my fashion class), also in between that reading business articles and browsing through exchanges in our group.

So here we go... because I am currently thinking about the future and financial freedom. I have a few practices I learned over college.

The number five is crucial for both this. One I like to call 5 piso jar, and another I like to call 5k build fund.

1. The 5 PISO (in a) Jar
How does it work: fish for 5 piso coins in your bag, pocket, coin purse and put them in a jar.
What does it do: it helps start up your savings technique. It builds up that discipline to start saving.
Why do you have to do it: cause 1s too little and 10s too much.
When do you start: Now. I'm sure you have a 5 piso coin somewhere.

You'll easily get a full jar. Once your jar is full or you're no longer on allowance from your parents or you don't have thesis to finance you can continue saving through 5k build fund.

2. 5k Build (a) Fund
How does it work: save 5,000PhP each month
What does it do: you can now open an EIP fund through any local bank accounts, or a COL account. Or you can save so you can invest more aggresively
Why do you have to do it: investing can be very intimidating for young people and I firmly believe in starting early. If you start saving to invest early you win by ccompounding :)
When do you start: start now, there is no better time than now.

So I've stopped practicing the 5 Piso Jar because (1) I need coins for public commute, and (2) I'm focusing on multiplying assets and I can earn more from 5k Build Fund. But I started with the coins before the bills and it will really help in the long run. You can do it with your baby sis and bro or cousins or if you have children. When you've developed a savings habit that red sign that says SALE won't be so attractive. And the sooner you stop accumulating debt and start accumulating savings the better for your future, the faster you can retire. Woohoo! Cheers to the week!

Xo,
Paula

When do you start? (Richard Branson's thoughts on turning an idea to a business)

Richard Branson has been one of the many business icons I look up to. Although I don't rank them in order I can easily say he's at the top 5.

I read his article earlier today (read article here) and it inspired me to write about this too. I can somehow relate to Taylor. The UST student that asked and inspired Richard's article.

I too was an entrepreneur major. The great thing is that this course is now being offered in colleges and universities. Unlike generations before us who had to start from scratch and scratch their head in wonder of how to start. Their business plans probably look like a piece of crumpled paper with a simple sentence that they were made to write by their venture capitalist. And they probably had to stumble before they got somewhere.

Chinkee Tan said "instead of learning from your mistakes, learn from other people's mistakes." What he said makes a lot of sense. If you see that person A failed because of reason A. Please don't try and fail because of the same reason. This can be an avenue for innovation. Try doing that, create a reason A.1 and test it out ;)

Now, you might be saying "okay. I tried that I have a reason A.1 all improved and a positive winner." Let's go back to the issue at hand. When do you turn your ideas to a business?

Richard (okay Mr. Branson) ((for the sake of feeling close to him, I will now refer to Mr. Branson as Richard. It puts you in a comfortable position while writing)) had several things in mind when turning an idea to a business. I'm using his words as a guide to write this piece. I hope that the general idea is still there after writing it though.

1. Find your safe space.

Find a space you are comfortable in. Or where you normally spend alone time and think. I spend mine in the T&B (toilet and bath) cause people don't really bother you in the shower they let you use it until you're done. You can pray in there, you can think, you can even turn it into a hideout.

2. Think about what you're interested in or passionate about it.

You'll find that most people who are passionate about what they're doing are successful. Like what Blake Mycoskie said, "I feel like everytime I've made a decision at TOMS that I'm passionate about amd improves someone's life, the company grows and makes more money." Follow your passion even if you're worried about money, your passion and your determination to see the project through will guarantee that your idea is going to be a success.

3. Mum test it.

I like how Richard phrased this. (Especially cause I call my mother mum too.) Ask your mother's opinion. You know that saying "mothers know best" doesn't exist for no reason. I personally ask my mum about my ideas too. Although my mum is naturally a pessimist, she's also an idea generator and a business woman. She knows what she's talking about more often than not.

4. Calculate and involve risk.

Once you have your idea mum tested and approved, and you have your business plan ready. Get a group of friends to test out the product and/ or service you're offering. Gather feedback and tweak the product according to the info you have. If its all good and perfect, chances are your friends would ask for more. And spread the word around.

5. Gather feedback for product improvement and development.

Sometimes your customers have special requests that could branch out into a second product or a general concern that can help make the product better. Keep the communication open and listen to what your customers want. Remember that the customer is always right (even when they aren't.) If she says the soup is too salty, it is.

6. Think ahead, hire people, delegate tasks, and grow.

A good quality product will keep customers coming. Think ahead. Aim high. It always pays to be ambitious. If you're targeting 100. I urge you to add two more 00s to that figure. What have you got to lose? If you don't make 10,000 you would have reached the original goal of 100.

Hire people. There is no one man multi billion company. The bigger your company gets the more people you need to bring in.

I'll end by quoting Debbi Fields, "the key word here is 'imagined'... you have to add a zero or two to your net worth and direct your attitude and financial strategy toward getting there."

Money Saving Tips For Your First Day of School

Hi again,

It's Paula, new update I'm a fashion school student. YAY! Now there's a lot of misconceptions about fashion students one being "all fashion students are loaded stuck up sons and daughters of bitches" I call bull. Not all of us are loaded or stuck up or sons and daughters of bitches.

And since I'm currently in between rich and broke at the moment here's a few money saving tips for all you guys and gals that are back to school-ers like me.

1. Eat breakfast at home.

(If you take caffeine I suggest you do that at home too.) skip the long line at Starbucks and avoid spending over 300PhP for a sandwich that you can make at home for quarter the price. Also there's a lot of instant coffee that you can get for the cheap.

2. Trade cabs for walks

Now if you're like me who takes public commute from my home to the school/office try leaving 30minutes earlier and avoid the traffic. It'll give you plenty of time to get to work or school.

3. Bring essentials

There is nothing more expensive than purchasing at convenience stores. A regular pen would cost you 5PhP but that's going to be around 21PhP in convenience stores. Turn those into savings by making sure you have everything you'll need in your purse.

4. Brown Paper bag your lunches

Or be creative and make a bento. Being healthy is the in thing now, so if you're thinking of eating salad for lunch skip that trip to Wendy's and buy fresh veggies and fruits and whip it into a salad.

Remember that money doesn't grow on trees. And start saving those pisos. It would feel like 200PhP on cab fares is nothing. But accumulate that into a month and you can easily purchase a new pair of jeans with that.

Xo,

Paula

Introduction

Hi,

I'm Paula. I'm 23 years old. Barely successful in my career. Often bored. Wishing to travel but rarely get the chance or the budget together to get to it. I work in the fashion industry selling premium bags as their admin and finance head. I also double as the hr. And sometimes even the inventory officer.

In this world people are dressed up in labels, where you eat, who you are wearing, where you spent your weekend, what you did on holidays. Everything is labeled and judged based on your ability to keep up with the high life that everyone you work with has. Well in this case their parents.

I'm under paid. And i work few hours. I'm taking a course (that I think I paid too much for) to network and to better my chances in life.

This will be a chronicle of my struggles in fashion and food, and finances. I'll try to post as often as possible but I'm trying to develop my discipline. And with that I'll post at least one note about finance every Tuesdays 8AM CST. Cheers and have a good one!

Xo,
Paula