Salary or Camaraderie?

Would you rather stay in a job with a good salary or because of good camaraderie among your colleagues?

I've been thinking this question while on my way home because I was so upset since my favorite colleague is leaving for good to her home country in Indonesia. 

I became so attached to her, perhaps I looked up to her how she handle and managed to be calm always despite of our busy schedule in our department.

She's kind, adorable, organized with her work, very approachable and so religious.

Ever since I started my new work, she was the one who always support and motivates me to keep going.

I was really saddened when she breaks out the news before I left for the day.

Back to my question..

For me, my main priority for accepting a job offer is because of the salary package and camaraderie comes second. Besides, I know myself that I can easily adjust to a new environment. It's just a matter of positive vibes.

However, in case of some circumstances that I may not be happy with the job because sometimes, there are really difficult people that you may encounter in the corporate world… of course, I will quit.

What is the use of receiving good salary if everyday coming to work is like a torture to you? Getting up in the morning and always planning to call in sick...

Still the answer depends on the situation. If you have dependents and responsibilities, I believed the answer would be the other way around. We, Filipinos are known for being martyr. We can always sacrifice and endure whatever are the circumstances just for our families.

However, since I started being debt free person, with few investments and emergency fund on hand, then I can decide to quit easily.

On the side note, it would be great if we can have both - good salary and good camaraderie.

True to its word, being financially free gives you freedom to be happy. Money is a powerful tool if we will just use it wisely. Wish I was able to know this when I was younger. 

Maybe, I am no longer an OFW living a simple life in our far away island in the Philippines.

Moving on, being frugal is a choice but at the same time, it has given me a choice, which later on makes me realized, I made the right choice :)

Excuse my rhymes. Kulang na lang Ladies Choice. Hahaha! I am not sure if it makes sense. I just want to share my day…

Good night peeps.

My Bucket List in 5 years

Time flies so fast.

It is almost 2 months left and welcome 2015. I have to review and revamp my Bucket List again.

So far, here's my priority list to achieve within 5 years!

• A 5-hectare rice field or "Palayan". 

• Best school for my daughter in Dubai. Gems Wellington it is!

• Trip to Japan, or Canada on 2017 as a 7th birthday gift to my daughter (year 2017)

I am trying to list more but I can't think of anything else. What is happening to me? I used to have an endless list always. Perhaps, I have practiced the simple way of living, being contented and be grateful for every blessings coming to my way.

However, aside from above mentioned bucket list, all i can wish is for the best of health of my parents and family. They are my joy and my life. No amount of wealth can replace my parents. How i wish i will be able to spend more time with them.

This is also my greatest motivation to acquire a 5 hectare property so that within 5 years time, I can go home and live simply with my family.

By that time, I hope i already completed my VUL, UITF, FAMI and COL for my retirement and educational fund of my daughter.

Aja!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Lessons Learned: Never Ever Lend Money out of Emotion

I always thought that I've been wise over the years.

Still i've been fooled by my emotion.

Two years ago (or more!), I easily gave away my Php50K to my sister's friend to use as a pooled money to lend in our wet market at a minimal interest payable in a daily basis.

An extra income, so why not? Besides, I have spare money sitting in the bank as Time Deposit which barely earns an interest.

Along with brother's + niece's savings, we pooled our money and handed it over to our "trusted" friend to manage the lending and collection.

During the first 2 months, she's consistently remitting the collection to my mother but after that she barely pays unless chased by my mom thru text and house visits. So far, until now she didn't even completed half of the money. Grrrr!

VERY TRUE!!!

I was very upset, not for me but for my brother and my niece because those were their hard-earned savings. My brother don't have a permanent job but still managed to save while my niece is just 11 years old that time but she always kept her gift money and allowance. 

The blame is on my sister and myself for pushing them to share and pool their money with the hope that it will grow more in a short period of time. Sadly, we were wrong. 

However, despite of what she did to us, my mother keep on telling me to wait. Be patient and soon she will pay. No need to say any hurting words. Just wait.

Fine! In case someday, she will be able to pay, i will consider it as a bonus. Maybe, I will buy additional shares of JFC :)

Time and again, a distant relative which i never met in person for more than a decade, borrowed money because she have to pay the tuition fee of her children. She's a single mother of 3 and since it was just Php7k, alright, no problem. Anyway, she promised to pay 1st week of November.

Then, 1st week is about to finished and i was contemplating if i will ask or not. No hi, hello after taking the money thru my brother. So, why do i have to be ashamed? 

Thru FB messages: 

I said " Hello, have you sms my brother? I told him that i will not send money this month because you promised to pay this week, right?"

After few, minutes she replied "Hi ate, Sorry, i was about to send you message about that.. is it ok to delay my payment because i was not able to collect my receivables this week?"

I didn't respond yet. Haler! It is not my problem! A promise is a promise! Have you heard "word of honor"?

Once again, i remembered my mother saying "no need to say hurting words, just be patient, it's already there, you cannot do anything but wait".

It was my choice, so i should learn from it.

Don't be so emotional and trust easily to people.

Be cautious with money. It is not because I earn well, i didn't work hard on it. I spend many hours in computer - my eyes are getting weak and my fingers are getting numbed by typing all day.

From now onwards, i have to think those hard work before giving away my hard earned money.

Always say No to money lending!!!