Retire Rich

From the beginning of my working career---that was right after graduation from college in 1997 up until 2015, I found myself trapped in a cycle familiar to many: living paycheck to paycheck. The same thing happened even though I was able to work overseas as an OFW in 2006 but still the cycle continues. My situation even get worse while working as an OFW. I came to a point wherein I sold my blood at a blood bank for straight six months (literally blood... the white blood cells or the leukocytes). The constant stress of not knowing if I could make ends meet weighed heavily on me. I knew I needed a change, and that year, I took the first step on a journey that would eventually lead to financial stability.

It all started with a free seminar on financial literacy. I'm forever grateful to OFSI and its team. The seminar opened my eyes to the possibilities of managing money wisely and growing it through investments. It was a turning point in my life. The knowledge I gained motivated me to take action immediately.

One of the key takeaways from the seminar was the importance of saving and investing. I knew I had to start small, given my limited income at the time. So, I committed to saving as low as 1,000 pesos a month from my salary. It wasn't much, but it was a start. The key was consistency. Every month, without fail, I set aside that money and invested it in the stock market.

My initial foray into the stock market was cautious. I knew little about how it worked, but I was determined to learn. As I invested, I simultaneously immersed myself in studying investing and stock trading. I spent countless hours reading books, watching tutorials, and following market trends. This self-education not only helped me make better investment decisions but also gave me the confidence to stay the course, even when the market was volatile. I even get my hands into stocks trading and that is well documented on my YouTube channel and some of the videos I made were also shared on this blog.

As my knowledge of investing grew, so did my ambition. I realized that financial literacy wasn’t just about investing; it was about understanding all aspects of money management. To broaden my skill set, I started studying business accounting. This knowledge was crucial, as it provided me with the foundation I needed to think beyond just investing in stocks. The book I can strongly recommend to read before you start your own business especially if you are not an accountant is "Finance for Non-financial Managers". It sparked an interest in entrepreneurship, and I began to explore the idea of starting my own business.

By 2023, I felt ready to take the next big step in my financial journey. With the savings I had accumulated over the years, plus the capital from my stocks stocks trading portfolio, and the knowledge I had gained, I invested in a startup business in the motorcycle parts industry. It was a calculated risk, but I believed in the potential of the market and my ability to run the business effectively. 

Running a business brought its own set of challenges, but the financial literacy and business accounting skills I had acquired over the years proved invaluable. I was able to manage the finances of the business efficiently, make informed decisions, and navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Today, my business is thriving, and I have successfully broken free from the cycle of living paycheck to paycheck.

Looking back, the journey wasn't easy, but it was worth it. The key to my success was a combination of education, consistent saving, and calculated risks. Attending that financial literacy seminar in 2015 set me on a path of self-improvement and financial empowerment. By taking small, consistent steps and continually learning, I was able to transform my financial situation and achieve a level of stability I once thought was out of reach. 

My story is a testament to the power of financial literacy and perseverance. No matter how small you start, with the right knowledge and mindset, you can break free from financial limitations and build a brighter future. Break the cycle.

Today, I challenged myself to exercise daily for one month. The exercise routine is very simple. Five regular push-ups, five wide push-ups, five diamond push-ups, 10 burpees, 10 jump squats. This is composed of 2 sets. I'm doing this routine in the morning after getting up from bed and another one after I arrived at home from work.

Forget about the background on the below picture. I edited in Canva to look nice. The routine doesn't need any equipment. No reason to go to gym. I just deleted the background because my room is disgusting. 

Why I'm doing this?

At age 47, I felt that I really slowed down. Not as sharp as before. The nature of my work requires me to sit most of the time. My posture is now molded to a chair. So, I will try to do this routine for one month hoping to build a new habit.

I went back to the basketball court also and started playing basketball to build my stamina.

On stocks trading

I intend to go back to stocks trading this coming January 2025. My trading capital was spent on the renovation of my vulcanizing shop. Hopefully, by January, I can pull out some of the profit from my shop and put it back in my trading account. Inshallah!

As a first time start up business owner, there's a ton of improvement I wanted to implement right away. But it could be overwhelming and stressful. So, I slowed down and enjoy every small details of the process. Continue stirring to create ripples and hopefully I can brew waves in the process. 

Slowing down business improvement in a startup allows me to savor each step of the journey, fostering deeper learning and creativity. By taking time to reflect, I was able to make more thoughtful decisions, reducing costly mistakes. 

This approach also encourages stronger relationships with customers and my team, as there's more focus on meaningful interactions rather than rushing growth. Enjoying the process cultivates a positive work culture and prevents burnout, ensuring sustained passion and energy. Additionally, it provides space for innovation, allowing the business to evolve naturally rather than forcing rapid changes that may not align with its core values.