10 Things I Hope I Know 10 Years Ago

Looking back, I hope I was able to open my eyes earlier on what is more important things in life.  Nevertheless, we always have time to change and turn our ways around to dream a bigger dream and to reach a better goal.

Here are some of my personal realization about jobs, money and life:

1. Saving 

Buying the newest gadget will not last for 10 years but a savings account will.   Let's do some mathematics - In every 6 months there is a new state-of-the-art phone coming out that cost around Php 50-60k.  If I buy at least once a year, I will spend half a million in 10 years.  If I put that in the good old savings account with 2% annual interest, after 10 years I have Php 510,000 in cold cash.  I can pay a down payment for a house and lot with that money. 

I know, I know, I can hear you asking if I will keep my phone for 10 years.  Of course not! What phone will last for 10 years?  But it's not bad that I change my phone every 2 years and get at a much lower price.  After all, I don't use all the features of the phone anyway.  

Now, ask me again - which one do I prefer, phone or house - you know what!

                                                                  (Photo: Flame.org)

2. Life Insurance

Whether I like it or not, I have to get an insurance sooner than later.  I know for the fact that I want to raise my own family 10 years ago.  I should've bought a life insurance even before I commit to forever (opo naniniwala akong meron "forever). If you plan to have a family of your own, life insurance is a must to protect your dependent from uncertainties in life.  If there are 2 things that we are all going through this lifetime, those are tax and death.

(Photo: TheFinancialBrand.com)

3. Investment Tools

Savings account is better than nothing but for a long-term savings, it's a different story.  With inflation rate of 3-5% annually, the value of the money in the savings account decreases every year.  There are other investment tools that are available for everyone to grow our money, it is just that few people knows about it.  Did you ever asked why rich are getting richer and poor are getting poorer?

 

(Photo: Shutterstock)

4. Stock Market

I always thought that stock market is for people who are good in math.  My colleague even thought that stock market is only for highly intellectually human beings.

Never did I realize that I can invest in it even if I am not a math genius or economics graduate.  The good part of it, I can do it anywhere I am...And the best part of it, I can start investing (not trading) with small amount.

 

(Photo: Shoppoerfrolics.com)

5. Retirement  

Born and raised in a family of employees, I always thought that life is all about work, then a little play.  That when I become old and weak, I could stop working and enjoy travelling.  Wrong, wrong, wrong!  Retirement is when you have the money to enjoy more of life.  Retirement can be enjoyed in 40's, 30's or even 20's.  Retiring in 60's is the norm for most employees but no one said one must work until 60's.  It's never too early to save for retirement.  Funding it as soon as one starts earning will always be the easiest and fastest. Retirement is not about the age, it is when you can afford it.  

 

(Photo: CollegeTimes.com)

6.  Haters and Bashers

By nature, people are nosy about what other people are doing.  People loves to give their opinions.  People will always have an argument against you as long as you do not meet their personal standards.  How unfair is that?  Whatever I do whether good or bad, whether helping out or destroying myself, people will have to say something about it, do I really need to explain myself all the time .  It's our life, it's our choice.   

Haters and bashers actually exists long before we know it.  So better to surround yourself with positive people.  But if you do not have that choice, learn the art of letting go (i-Frozen attitude mo na lang)

(Photo: Feel-Spirit-Bonsai.Blogspot.com)

7.  Job security 

Have you experienced office politics?  Have you ever wondered why in many companies, they only offer contractual basis?  Job security or tenurity rarely exist these days.  We are only as good as our last project. And what makes it worse, if you argue with your boss, you can kiss your job goodbye.

(Photo: HerCampus.com)

8. Education

There's no golden rule that tells us that we only need to learn at certain age.  Education is everyone's right.  There is no age boundaries or race limitation.  As long you want and you're willing to grow, it's never too old to learn and start anew.  The best investment in life is education.  Why limit yourself to what your mind is capable of?

(Photo: BeyondWealth.co.uk)

9.  Mindset

By nature (again), people branded those who are conscious, comfortably living and well-off people as "Materialistic".  Money may not buy a family but it is a tool to make the family live better.  Sabi nga , "Hindi masama ang magmahal, pero hindi nakakakain ang pagmamahal.  Kapag wala ng nakahain sa mesa, lumilipad ang pagmamahal sa bintana." Hindi masama ang maraming pera dahil mas marami kang pwedeng matulungan kung marami kang pantulong.  We cannot help others if we don't have enough.  I'd rather be on the giving end, it feels much better.

Money is not "THE ALL" but definitely will make anyone's life better.

(Photo: Giphy.com)

10.  Happiness 

We can never control a situation all the time.  We cannot control what others believe.  We cannot control what others will say.  We cannot control what others will think of us.  But we can control our reaction, our emotions, our words and that is a whole lot difference.  

Happiness is a choice. We are the captain of our own ships.

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