Dealing with Reality


I'm a minimum wage earner it's obviously written in the heading of my blog. So many times I tried to search a financial blog who has the same situation like me but I have not found any. I tried to search for a ratio as to how many filipinos are earning a minimum wage, a head of a family or a breadwinner unfortunately the result is none.

I belong to a class C/D society where a hand to mouth lifestyle is sometimes our way of living. Reality check, if your a minimum wage earner - your a breadwinner, the head of a family, renting a house or has a kids going to school - P 10,000 to P 20,000.00 is not enough (kulang na kulang). Most of my colleagues here who's earning 15,000 to 25,000.00 salary bracket still making cash advances at work for house rents & tuition fees, how much more for a minimum wage earner like me. The good thing is that I am not renting a house  anymore, I only deal with the basic household stuffs & bills with the help of some family member of course.

"I am now entering another chapter of my life where I am more worried with the health of my parents, more worried that my salary is not enough since inflation continue to rise up, more worried that my brothers are still dependent and more worried that my brother who's been a big help to our family financially now has a family of his own." this was my mindset last year.

Good thing I discover blogging - this activity really helps me a lot - It's keeps me more focused, more motivated, & constantly seeking for self improvements. I cannot really follow some ideal financial tips like the 70-20-10, the 50-30-20 rule or as what Algamish told Arkad---10% part of what you earn is yours to keep, the pay yourself principle in " The Richest Man in Babylon". Maybe for some it works, but not for me I'm just being realistic. But I do track my expenses, save as much as I can, keep reading books  & continue to follow the goals that I have set. I'm more optimistic now in dealing with my problems - not to be caught on strikes when problem arises.

I've once read an advice " Let money work for you". I'm gonna be dealing with it on a different level & perspective since I dont have extra money in my hand -- not on savings, not on mutual funds & certainly not on stock market ( because I still dont understand how to it works--still confusing to me) but on credit cards. As what my brother told me last January - "Ate, puede mo yang pagkitaan". Hmmm, lets see......

But for now, my next goal -is the 2nd shot of cervical vaccine. I'm gonna be withdrawing P 3,000.00 on my savings account. Afterwards, I'll be focusing on my "money challenge" this September.

Saturday naman, I'm a bit lazy & tired today because of bulk jobs we had yesterday. I went home at around 12 midnight. Good thing I've got a few calls & email jobs today.......

Just in the mood of sharing some thoughts today while still at work!
Happy Weekend Guys!

14 comments:

  1. Sis, you are way better than most pinoys so, cheer up! Investing? You will get there, kasi you have a goal and when you have a goal,you will pounce on it no matter what. According to statistics, 700,000 Filipinos invest pa out of 10M, if my memory serves me right.. Don't get discourage. Keep on learning. Buy the My Maid invest in the stock Market. Highly suggest that you read it. Or go over to Truly Rich Club website, the main one, see if they still give away the said book for free ( e-book format. i know you mentioned you read e-books) if you sign up for the email list. Just sign up for the email list, not the monthly thing. K?

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    1. Hey, check your other post,too. I can't read it. Something wrong with it. :)

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    2. Talaga, 7% lang ng mga Pinoy ang nag-iinvest? Done reading ebook of "my maid invest in a stock market" - naintindihan ko na rin yung konting sistema sa stock market pero I'm not ready for the risk, maybe next year I'll try.

      Thanks to blogging & thanks to you- I'm more focused now. Remember an anonymous comment in 1 of ur blogs - " I wish I had a friend like you here who can help me understand investing" & u answered ---" the fact that ur reading my blogs , ur already investing"...thats when I started searching, reading financial blogs & writing my own blogs....

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    3. sori "miss pinas" I accidentally hit the enter key kanina....i'm still working on that post -di ko pa ma-organize ang utak ko kaya magulo pa....

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  2. Do not feel that way Ms. Grace! You are making your move slowly but surely! I am very inspired by your spending and saving posts! Though it may seem that you are a minimum wage earner still you were able to apply for a mutual fund! You got your medical pa! You are very wise Ms. Grace! Stay Happy, ok?!

    MY STORY, MY TIPS ON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
    YOU CAN BE RICH BOOK REVIEW

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    1. hi miss izza, congratz on ur coffee bean blog feature!!!, I want to post a comment kaya lang nagpapa-sign up pa....ano ba un? I am really happy for you friend.

      Yes, I've read ur you can be rich book review. hinanap ko nga sa national bookstore yan e, wala na. Ang nakuha ko, You can succeed-pero maganda rin....

      Yes, im happy naman today. It was last year that I was so down, I feel like I was not ready to enter another chapter of my life. Thanks to u guys I was enlighten by ur posts.....

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  3. Aaawwww. Don't feel so bad. I understand what you mean. It's disappointing to find no one you can relate to when you look for finance blogs that have the same experiences as you do, but on the bright side, you have the chance to learn from all of those who are taking charge of their finances and make them your role models.

    It's easy to lose hope sometimes, but always remember that all things will work for good. You're already on your way to letting your money work for you by saving and investing! I know how it is when you feel like your money is never enough and they're just too many things to pay for or to buy--happened to me last week when we had to prepare for field work in the Marine Sanctuary--but it is just temporary. Soon, when you have mastered the art of managing your money and making it grow, everything will be a breeze!

    You can do this! I am rooting for you with all my hear! <3 (If you want, I can share some of my online side-jobs you can do.) Good luck!

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    1. tnx miss florlin, for those encouraging words. I really admire u dear - estudyante ka pa lang but u seem so mature with ur words.

      yes,i can do it. i'm more optimistic now, good thing I discover blogging -- i'm surrounded by positive & realistic people like u.

      naku dear, di ako pede sa mga sideline mo---mahina ako sa english at grammar, mababasa mo yan sa mga next blog ko.

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    2. You're sweet. I admire you, too, because no matter how hard it is, you do your best to achieve your goals. :D

      You can always monetize your blog. Try Infolinks. There must be something we can do. Never lose hope! <3

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    3. thanks for your suggestion miss florlin, but my blog is not ideal for market, masyadong personal ang approach ko at di pa cguro maayos ang grammar unlike you, u are very good here.

      thanks again & god bless!!!

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  4. Hindi ka nag-iisa Grace, hindi lang siguro sila kagaya mo na nagbblog. Hehe. Nakaka admire kaya ang husay mong imanage ang sweldo mo. At unlike others na may mas mataas na sahod, may savings ka at may FAMI SALEF pa. You're doing great, believe us. It will take time before you could reach your financial goals, pero dahil nga goals yun, I'm sure ma-aacomplish mo yun kasi tingin ko sayo highly committed at motivated kang tao. :)

    Edel of
    LifeinManila.com

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    1. thanks mam edel, oo nga e, feeling ko nga weirdo ako. minimum wage earner lang ako, lakas pa ng loob kong mag-blog.

      but this blogging really helpful---serves as my diary, advantage pala talaga pag nakasulat goals, u become more committed in fulfilling it.

      ohh, lifeinmanila pala ang blog mo ngayon ko lang napansin, ngayon ko pa lang ma-eexplore, tnx again mam edel. God Bless!

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  5. Hi Grace, i discovered your blog just recently and i just want to reach out and say how i am very much inspired by your dedication to save and invest despite the meager income. Like what we often hear, It's not what you earn but what you save that counts.

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    1. thank u so much ma'am, for dropping by & for appreciating it. God bless!

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