2015 Reflections

Today is my last working day for the 2015. Finally, I am going home in a few hours.

Looking back for the whole of my work days for 2015, I am truly grateful. I am thankful I still have this job that provides everything for my little family and extended family. It has been a non-noticeable working days of 2015as the time flies so fast. I still vividly remember coming to work on January this year, hopeful that all my financial plans for this year will eventually be cross out from the list. But again, there are few of them which I need to carry over for the coming year - 2016. I will talk about those financial plans that materialize and some that did not on a separate year end blog.

This year was a little difficult financially than 2014 with our little family living on a single income. Yet, it teaches me so many lessons and I promise myself to strive learning more of the investment basics. I haven't gone that far from the starting line. Though I am proud to say that at least I am now a bit advance from the gun point. Our/My investments is on a steady manner. We/I did adjust to frugal living to sustain our/my little savings. The so called delayed gratification application.

Little business? This is currently the most challenging portion of my life this year. I am currently on the road to balancing life, work, and side lines. Learning the ins and outs of a business. Testing my limits. And learning what I can really give in the entrepreneurship world. The rice business in the province is being manage by my father so I do not exactly know how it runs. But with the online shop, I am the operator/owner/one-woman team. While I am dealing with so many things, from bogus buyers, online scammers, possible posers, courier's delays, supplier issues, legitimacy issues, slow Internet connections, buyer's expectations, and so many other distractions, the almost 2 months in operations have thought me a lot of how to be a businesswoman in the real sense. It is all hard work. And a great deal of patience. I just drafted new house rules from what I have learned to be able to improve my online service and manage the customer's expectations. After all, every successful and failed transactions I have noted one or two things I acquired from it. Innovations. Future forward thinking. Visions. I still have so much to learn.

Friendship goals-wise? I have parted with the so-called 'friends'. I come to understand that maybe, I will come to know some people, learn from them, and then they will eventually go away. I am being careful now to those I share my inner me. It's a lesson I learned the difficult way too. Some people pretend to be in good terms to me. Even gave a generous smile when we meet. But talks about me in social media with their rants. I know, I am not perfect. I also make mistakes. However, what I show to my 'friends' is the real sincere me. Maybe, a lot of times misinterpreted. But this is just me. So there, I am now making sure to stay away from the bullies. And to be very discerning to people's motives. Better than having another heartache.

Relationships? Thank God for uniting my immediate family again. I am thankful that all past differences has been resolved. I know, we will still meet a lot of bumps but I am positive that we become stronger than ever. I prayed so hard for an intact family after I exhausted all my humanly means to communicate with each and everyone and still so distant from unification. It is Him alone can make things turn around and possible when nothing else is left. I just witness His miracle happened to the family. God really answers prayers in His perfect timing.

Signing off for this year.

Enjoy the holidays! :)

God bless us all!

My December Thoughts

Do you easily gets upset when in the crowd?

Do you hate the traffic?

Do you prefer to be at home on rest days?

Okey, it is actually pertaining to myself. My answer to all 3 is a definite yes. To be honest, doing grocery after payday is the most 'painful' duty for me. Because of the crowd. But because some of my free days fall on these days, I do not have other options than to bear the long queues at the grocery shop.

How about this holiday blues? I am sure, you are all aware that every shopping place around the city is jam packed with people doing their own shopping list. And even if you just stand still in the middle, you will find yourself somewhere at the edge in no time because people will either unintentionally push you there or you go with the tide of people.

December is the busiest month for all these shopping malls, bazaar, and flee markets. This is mainly because most employees will be receiving their bonus.

If you are like me who have not found the time to shop for Christmas gift yet, why not share your talent in cooking or baking? Why not help preparing the noche buena instead? Gift is after all not just something wrapped in a fancy paper. But of us just being here. There.

Visit your loved one in your hometown. Your parents who have been wanting to see you but you are too busy working your way to the corporate world. Visit a friend you have lost touch. Catch up with a family abroad.

Offer food to a beggar you come across the street. Find time to share your blessings to an orphanage. These kids deserves more in life and you can make a difference.

Shop online. Though you have to be patient with the couriers. They are too busy as well. But at least you are only waiting for the item to arrive at your doorstep. Spell convenience.

Or you can just visit and shop at the market. Those street vendors who are trying to earn a decent living and trying to make a good sales for their Christmas. You help them in a form that is both fulfilling and rewarding. 

Stay calm these days. Bring out more of your patience. And enjoy the joy this season brings. Count your blessings. And be a blessing.

Just sharing. :)

On Blogging

I love reading blogs of other people and I keep on wondering how they actually sustain their blog entries for more than a couple of years. It was like, how come they have so much things to write and be able to keep their readers intact and even grow? While for me, it seems like I already wrote everything I know of how I am going to reach the much coveted financial freedom.

Hm. A few days, I became curious about Yaya Dub's blog and went on to read a few of her entries. And I am actually super impressed that she's actually just 20 years and can write so well. And even can write a short excerpt of a novel. Ang galing talaga!

Ever wondering why I look up for her blog? Well, a few weeks ago, while we were on a van with my little girl, she blurted out "Aldub" and pointed her finger to the car stereo. I was like a little bit of confused and turn my eyes to my husband who confirmed that it was actually the theme song from the "Aldub Kalyeserye" that was playing on the background. Hahaha. (Mas me alam pa ang 2 year old ko kesa sa akin.) And then I just saw my 2 year old danced with the upbeat song.

So, out of curiosity, I mentioned this instance to my office mate who confirmed that "super like nga ng masa si Maine".  And even added more details of her. What caught my attention was that Maine "Yaya Dub" Mendoza is actually in blogosphere.

True enough. When I look up for her blog. There it is. http://mainemendoza.com/

Unfortunately, it is not accessible at this time due to bandwidth limitation of the site owner which she actually mentioned beforehand, that she is about to reach her consumption of the data storage for her blog. Luckily, I was able to read few of her entries before this happened and I got a glimpse of her writing prowess. Wow, she is really a talented young woman.

Her blog inspired me to write just anything under the sun so long as I am not hurting anyone in any of my post. It's as if that after so many hesitations before, finally, I can give this blogging more about myself and my thoughts. Of course, what I am talking about are those beyond the scope of personal finance on which why this blog was originally born. So, if I added more topics on this blog, maybe I can sustain this blog for more years. Because admittedly, I am not keen in writing technical stuff of personal finance.

I am amazed on her writing prowess. I am inspired from where her writings are coming from. And in some instances, I feel her. Especially, those times when she distanced herself from her friends. Because I am like that. It is just that I am often misinterpreted and in the long run losses friends. Or maybe I am not actually a good friend. (Hehehe, hindi ko alam) At least, now I know I am not the only one who feels like that. (wink)

Now, when I look at her billboards in EDSA, I now know that she deserves everything she has right now. Because there is more to her than what we can see on national tv. A real fresh face in the industry who is not afraid to wrinkle her face because deep down her she knows she is a beautiful girl. Way to go, Maine.

And congrats to your achievements. (As if naman, mababasa pa niya ito, hehehe)

Hashtag fanmode. Hastag pagbigyan nyo na ako. It's Saturday and I am about to go home.

Happy weekend. God Bless! :)

A Renovation or Make Over In Order

I was on a deep thought for quiet sometime. And then I searched my own blog via google. It's url is freedom and self worth and it left me wondering how come a personal finance blog is entitled as such. And then I remember. When I started creating this blog, it was those times that I felt I have a lost a friend. An indeed I really lost her for life. I lost her because it is my fault. I came in one day, not in the best mode to speak nor chat. I just wanted silence because I have so many things swirling in my head. And then the same thing happened the next day. And then the following days. I could not just pull myself together and I was lost. I felt like I have lost my own self worth. I am in the lowest of lowest self esteem. Until, it became the usual instance that I never talk to her again. I diverted myself to writing, and thus this blog was born.

I have asked her an apology but maybe the impact was not just a crack that can be put back together. Maybe, it was chipped out and I can no longer find that piece. Anyway, I can see, she's happy now. And I am happier too even though she's no longer a part of my life but will forever be a part of who I am.

I can now look directly in her eyes after like an unending making ways of not crossing her path. And she smiles back once in a while. I guess it will be like this until we no longer see each other anymore.

So now, I am contemplating of completely renovating or doing a make over of this blog site to include more pieces of what I think. A portion to direct how things are outside of being walking the path to financially free, like simply enjoying something. And I guess I will need to learn some more tips on how to blog. I just love it. Writing my thoughts, how I feel, and just everything in my head. I love how I tap the keyboard and the sounds it makes when I tap.

It is refreshing to just release all the tensions and stresses of life. I thank God for everything. The way He made me realized how important 2014 was in terms of having to start the road to financial freedom. The thoughts of sustaining the real friendships this year. And the patience to understand how miracles keeps unfolding each day to my life and the lives of my loved ones.

It's amazing to just realize the beauty of what we have. Yes, we do not own a house yet for us to live as a little family. But I am thankful for our parents who are giving us the incredible support. We don't own a car yet, (I have a car, but I have given it to my parents), but I am hopeful that someday, we can have one. Besides, at least when I commute I just get to enjoy the green scenery of TPLEX.

I am giving myself the expectation that this blog site will turn into something new before the year ends. More to life. More to sharing random thoughts and happiness.

Cheers. God Bless. :)