While having my Morning Coffee, I came across this post from Money Smarts. Only now have I known that “Ka Bel” passed away. I can’t believe that he fell on the roof, I can’t believe that that is his house, and I can’t believe that he was poor. Well, poor seems inappropriate, and subjective, as people have different opinions on what it means to be poor. Let’s just say that he had a very simple life. According to the report, he had a net worth of only 22,750. Oh c’mon, 22,750 pesos! I mean, is that all?! That’s it?! Crap!
I don’t want to be poor. I’ve been poor half my life. I don’t want my family to scrape for food. I want to provide for my family, have a nice house, in a safe neighborhood (where kids can play outside), and retire as early as possible (maybe after 10 more years of working). And I think it’s safe to say that most people want the same thing. That’s not much right?
A very wise man asked me this:
Which would you rather do, work for 50 years or work very hard for 5 years?
Of course, I naturally said 5 years. So he asked me this:
Are you willing to do whatever it takes to retire and have a good life in 5 years?
Again, I said yes. But is this (legally) possible? YES. IT. IS. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes. He said that it can only be possible by having your own business. Wala namang empleyadong yumayaman. Ask your boss. If he said yes, then ask him why he hasn’t retired. And take note of his age. By the time I’m 45 or 50, I don’t want to be working still full time like that. I want to enjoy life when I’m that age. Maybe overseeing things for a couple of hours. That’s it.
That is why all business opportunities should always be explored for yourself and not rely on hearsay. Imagine you are there when Bill Gates was still developing Microsoft, and he said Want to be my business partner? But you said I don’t know, I’m kinda busy, pupunta pa kami sa bahay ni Kuya. So Bill partnered with another guy. Tough luck! The key is to explore all business opportunities, to do research, know as much as possible about it, look at its potential, etc. Don’t dismiss it right away. Sure it beats going to Bahay ni Kuya, seeing a lot of artistas, and having a ton of fun. But what if that 2 or so hours of business meeting might just be that effing opportunity for you? And you missed it big time?
So explore all opportunities. Go out of the comfort zone. And while we are waiting for that Bill Gates opportunity, here are some of the little ways from Money Smarts for us to start with:
Nice entry. And I’m taking note of it. Bookmarked!
Posted by Ade at May 22, 2008, 5:16 pmI live by one rule when it comes to money: “Live below your means.” You’ll never go wrong with this.
I’m always careful when it comes to money because I don’t want to dwell on it too much. For me, it brings too much temptation. Money can break families apart, destroy relationships, and allow people to forget their values….and that’s the last thing I want to happen in my life. That’s why I’ve never really regarded money as a [top] priority. But then, maybe that’s easy for me to say because I’ve never really had [major] problems when it comes to money. He! He!
But that doesn’t go to say that money is not important. I mean, who doesn’t want to have money! We need money! I’ve also looked for ways to earn more than what I am earning right now. But sometimes I get too focused on the money that I’m not liking it anymore, as in. That’s why I go back to the one rule that I follow (as stated above). Wag lang sana ako maubusan ng pera! Ha! Ha!
Beltran may have died with only PhP 20,000 [and debts of PhP 40,000 pa] to his name but I believe he has left behind much more than that, things that cannot be measured in monetary value. 
But then, these are all just me!
the husband, I want to congratulate you nga pala because you have money sense na, especially now that you’re married (remember the “single” days?). Kailangan yan….lalo na when you plan to have kids.
Si the wife magaling sa pera yan, and I bet it rubbed on you na!
TPS: I should have asked you for money advise a long time ago. If all goes well (read: no shopping galore), by next month, we will be debt free. Wohoo! And the wife has confiscated (read: cut and burned) the cards. 
Ade: Thanks!
k.g.: Ah the single days. I call that my reckless days. I was earning and spending so much. I should have been prudent. The wife is excellent with money. She taught me how to budget.
Ooh, talks on money. I don’t think money, alone, is bad. It’s how we see and react to it that causes us trouble. Get a hand of Bo Sanchez’s 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. Great book for financial freedom.
In our case, hubby is the money-savvy one. Gastadora ako, hehe.
I think the wife has that book, among others. Gastador din ako, though I don’t really like shopping. 
i thought i’d just take a peek, but i ended up reading most of your posts! simple but insightful, easy and very entertaining read
Wow! Thanks!
Posted by thehusbandspeaks at May 31, 2008, 7:40 amthanks for the mention, the husband. your spot here looks very interesting. will check out some more of your articles. regards.
Ooh! Thanks for dropping by!
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Google Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. It really helped us with our debts.
Posted by TPS at May 22, 2008, 12:52 pmAnd, oh, burn that f&*king credit card—helps a lot, I swear!