Why We Need to Save Early

Time is more valuable than money. You can have more money but you will not have more time. – Jim Rohn



"Piggy bank by http://akilszone.blogspot.com/"

 Let me tell you a story.

Juan and Pedro are best friends. They are the same in age and lived in the same neighborhood. They went in the same school. They played together, they studied together. But when they finished college, they were separated.

Is There Really Heaven?

First Reading: Book of Maccabees 7:1-2.9-14
Second Reading: Thessalonians 2:16—3:5
Gospel: Luke 20:27-38


“…and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.” – Luke 20:38


Have you ever wondered what does it look like in heaven? Have you asked yourself, is there really heaven? Imagine your idea of the place called heaven, do the people there really dressed in white all the time? Do the people never grow old? Are there big houses as well as small houses there? Are there also typhoons and earthquake there? Are there cars and bicycles? There are many questions that we can come up and we can go on and on… But what are the real environment and the situation up in heaven, we really don’t know.
  

"Road to Heaven" by Emily Mueller



How my Wife Changed her Mindset about Financial Abundance

My wife was very excited to talk about what she learned from the successful Think Rich Quick 2.0 Seminar by my real estate mentor Trace Trajano last October 23-24 at AIM in Makati City, Philippines. My wife really had a great time learning and meeting new friends in the seminar. Imagine, we talked from 10pm up to 2am. That was 4 hours, non-stop chatting thru Skype.

Few days before the seminar, she had hesitations to go because she has no idea about real estate. She told me that she will not appreciate the concepts because it might be too complicated for her. Basically, I know that she does not want to go out of her comfort zone. To persuade her to go, we invited her friend Hazel to come with her so that she will have someone to talk to during the seminar.

A Tribute to Kuya Jun

Who is Kuya Jun? Why is he so special to us?

I first met Kuya Jun when we bumped along the hallway of our flat in what I call Apartment 45, my place of residence in Abu Dhabi. He was just living right next to our room. He has a smiling face. He is approachable and always ready to spare his time for a chat. I normally see him at the lobby of the building looking to the people passing by while smoking.


One time while washing the dishes in the kitchen, we talked about his life while in the Philippines few years ago. I learned that he was an altar server during his childhood until his college days. He even went to the seminary but got out to pursue Mechanical Engineer which served as a medium for him to go abroad. He is a fervent church goer every Friday; he is willing to give you a lift before and after the mass. He was even present on the weeklong healing series of Fr. Arlo in the Misyong Pilipino at St. Joseph Church here in Abu Dhabi, which he routinely do every year.

Misyong Pilipino Healing Series Day 6: Love of God

For the past 5 days, we experienced different kinds of healing in many aspects of our life.  We were enlightened and changed our personal lives and life as a community.  We started to become whole, because by becoming whole we will become holy. 

And this last day of the Misyong Pilipino in Abu Dhabi for 2010 completes what we have gone through all the nights that we were together.

Role of Mama Mary.  Being Christians, we cannot separate Mama Mary to us. We cannot just set her aside. We are celebrating the Feast of the Holy Rosary this October. During the Day 4 of the Healing Series, Fr. Arlo discussed about the original design of man is holy and blameless. And the ones who have the privilege to get it were Adam and Eve. And 2nd original design was Mama Mary who is the Immaculate Conception. This was claimed by Mama Mary during her apparition to Bernadette in Lourdes, France. She maintained to be holy and blameless because of her obedience to the Lord as opposed to Eve.

Different Names of Mama Mary. But why does Mama Mary has many names? Why is she called Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Our lady of Guadalupe or Our Lady of Fatima? The niece of Fr. Arlo asked these questions. He replied, “How do you call your Mama?” And she said, I call her Mama. The series of conversation went on, How do I call your Mama? You call her Ate Lei. She is the only sister and the most favorite sister of Fr. Arlo. =) How do people call your Mama at the office? They call her Leah. How would her boss call her at the office? He calls her Mrs. Zeta. Imagine one person but different names; this is just the same with Mama Mary. Names of Mama Mary may depend on her role like for example Perpetual Help and Immaculate Conception. They may depend also to the place of apparition like Our lady of Fatima, Portugal where Mama Mary appeared to Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta. Lastly they may depend on the characteristics of Mama Mary like Mary, Virgins of Virgins or Mary, Queen of the Apostles. The litany pertaining to Mama Mary shows her characteristics and the way we understand Mama Mary to our lives.

Misyong Pilipino Healing Series Day 5: Benediction

What is Benediction? Benediction means blessing or miracle. During the 5th Day of Misyong Pilipino with Fr. Arlo, the St. Joseph grounds were prepared for the great blessing and healing that we will have. The pathways going to the altar were covered with white linen cloth. The altar was full of lighted candles where the Blessed Sacrament is located. The place served as a venue where we can receive healing, forgiveness and give thanks to the Lord.

Three images were depicted during the night of Benediction. These are the image of healing, image of thanksgiving and the image of forgiveness and cleansing.

Misyong Pilipino Healing Series Day 4: Spiritual Healing

We thought God is awesome and all-powerful, but why do we suffer? We thought God is loving, but why He allow us to suffer?
 
If we have these sufferings and offer these sufferings to somebody else they become sacrifices. If we do these sacrifices in the name of love, they become blessings.

If we have these sufferings and always complain about they become miseries. If these miseries are done in the name of self pity, they become curses. You will notice that all people who complain have a miserable life. Look within your family, examine your siblings; those who always complain are the ones miserable.

Misyong Pilipino Healing Series Day 3: Forgive and Forget

“Forgive and Forget”. Why these two words should be always together? Is forgiving enough for you to move on? Tonight’s lecture was about relationship healing and discussed about how to get over with problems relating to relationship with the people around us.

According to the book of Sirach Chapter 3 which is entitled The Duties of Children to their Parents, Anyone who respects his father he atones for his sins. Anyone who respects his mother, one day his children will make him happy. Anyone who respects his father, his prayers are always heard.

Misyong Pilipino Healing Series Day 2: Live a Happy Old Age (Part 2)

On the first part of this Live a Happy Old Age article, we have discussed how to take good care of our health and our family. We have talked about how to treat our children in a Christian way. As promised, this is the 2nd part of the article. =)

d. Bring our children closer to God. It is said that fear to God shows self discipline. If we make it to a point to allocate time for our family to go to church every week or once in a year retreat like the Misyong Pilipino, you will see the changes in your family. Fr. Arlo shared a story of a 4 year old child who grew up in the teachings of the church. The love for God manifested when the child was playing with his friend inside the church, when an accident happened and his friend got a wound on the knee. What the child did was prayed over the wound and asked God to heal it. His friend, thinking that the wound was healed responded that God really cured his wound. Imagine that tiny 4 year old child has a faith as big as a mountain. Bring our family closer to God.

Misyong Pilipino Healing Series Day 2: Live a Happy Old Age (Part 1)

"Live a Happy Old Age". 
One sentence that depicts the healing lecture tonight. 

Imagine yourself with your husband or wife standing on a beach waiting for the sunset and holding each other's hand in your 80s? I repeat in your 80s... (just like the photo on the left)  Picture yourself seeing your children helping and raising each other up to achieve their dreams in life.  Imagine what it would be like if you see yourself enjoying the fruits of your labour?  Buying whatever you like under the sun.  Travel to places you have not gone when you were still working.  Taking your grandchildren out for a bite without thinking about how much money you have in your wallet.

What I Have Experienced in Misyong Pilipino Day 1: It's All in the Mind

"It's all in the mind." This was the quote that stick to my consciousness as I write this blog tonight.  This was repeatedly said by Fr. Arlo and the community during the 1st day of the Misyong Pilipino Healing Series at St. Joseph Church, Abu Dhabi. 

Together with incessant laughs as the priest described in detail what the conceptual healing really is, we realized that the way we think will be the the way we feel and the the way we will become.  Sometimes we are overwhelmed by problems and rigors of life.  In order to achieve this healing, we need to feed our mind with positive thoughts and look for opportunity in the problems instead of stressing ourselves of these burdens.  If we do the latter, we only making our lives harder.  In effect, negative thoughts cloud our mind.  The healing process is basically the nourishment of our mindset with positive thoughts in spite of the sufferings we are facing. What we think is what we become, it's the Law of Attraction.  If we think negative thoughts, that thoughts will materialize.  We are sending the negative frequency to the universe and that also we will receive.  On the other hand, if we thinks positive thoughts we will experience positive things in return.  And if we are grateful for the positive things we are receiving, the more blessings we will receive. 

Are You Wounded Within and Needs Healing?

Let me share you a story from the Bible.  There was a woman who suffered terribly from severe bleeding for twelve years, even though she had been treated by many doctors.  She had spent all her money, but instead of getting better she got worse all the time.  She had heard about Jesus so she came in the crowd behind him, saying to herself "If I just touch his clothes, I will get well."

How I Acquired My 3 Real Estate Properties Without Spending Money

My journey through financial freedom started when I worked here in Abu Dhabi 9 months ago. I am a newbie in real estate, I started only 2 months ago. In that short period of time, I was amazed because I have acquired my 3 properties (2 house and lot and 1 town house) with no money down or credit from banks, literally without spending money.

Are You Ready to Quit Your Job Today?

How will you know that you can stop working now?  When is the right time that you can safely decide to quit your work and say that you have enough money to sustain yourself and your family?  If you stop working today, how long your savings or money from business like real estate can support your lifestyle?

We usually associate the concept of wealth to having lots and lots of money.  We say that we are wealthy if we have a big pay check that we get monthly from our salary or from our business.  But in reality, having lots of money does not mean that one is wealthy and can afford to stop working for money.  Do you need to reach 1 million, 10 million or 20 million?  The answer lies on your personal financial goal.

How to Raise P31 Million in 31 Minutes!

Robert Kiyosaki says “Invest in real estate”. Real estate investing has created more millionaires than any other investment. However, most people don’t invest in real estate because of lack of capital. My friend, real estate guru – Trace Trajano has taken 163 beginners and taught them how to raise capital for real estate deals. In front of the video camera, he was able to have them raise P31 Million in just 31 minutes! I couldn’t believe it!

Think Rich Quick 2.0 Seminar (TRQ 2.0)

Are you tired of working long hours a day just to have an income?
Do you want to create passive income streams so that money will work for you?
Do you want to increase your wealth and invest in real estate the right way?

If your answer is YES, this seminar is meant for you... 

My real estate mentor Trace Trajano will be conducting the Think Rich Quick 2.0 Seminar in Manila, Philippines on Oct. 23-24, 2010.

Trace is a real estate investor who have acquired over half a billion pesos worth of investment real estate for the past 7 years. He is the best selling author of the book Think Rich Quick!. He is also an award-winning speaker (Toastmasters 2004, 2009) and winner of the Deal of the Year Award (2005) from Cincinnati Real Estate Investor’s Association.  He is a milionaire maker mentor having taught a lot of students around the world who are now real estate millionaires themselves.

These are the valuable reasons why you should attend the seminar:

1.  You will learn the FASTEST way to make money in real estate with No Money Down, No Credit and No Risk.
2.  You will get a FREE ebook:  How to Raise P31M in 31 Minutes
3.  You will receive a FREE Audio book:  7 Steps to Selling a House in 7 Days
4.  You will have an access to a FREE online seminar:  Anatomy of a Sexy Deal

Get this rare chance of a lifetime and reserve your seat now, email me at isefoncardas@yahoo.com or leave a comment in this post.

Real Estate Business Goal: 1M Php by 31 Dec 2010

Yesterday, 4 Aug 2010, I joined Trace Trajano in his Real Estate Investment Coaching Program.  I truly believe on his mission to help Filipinos become millionaires through Real Estate. In this regard, I am targeting Php 1M by Dec 31, 2010 on profits that I will get in buying and selling houses.  Cutting it into bits, that will be Php 200k per month.  IMPOSSIBLE?  Definitely not.  We will see...

I always ponder on the principle that we cannot share what we do not have.  Through this program, it is clear that my objective for this goal is share to others what blessings that I may get as I progress.  May it be tangible or intangible in nature, it is my intention to have others benefit from it. 

Come and follow me as I take my journey in fulfilling this.  Join me as we learn the concepts and principles that this program will show to be a successful real estate entrepreneur and as a better individual in general.  More importantly, this is just an ingredient in my pursuit to life's true happiness.

Reflection:  Have you thought lately to stand up and take charge in fulfilling your dreams?

Best Birthday Ever

Best Birthday Celebration

Best Birthday Gift

Last 20th July was my 31st birthday.  It was my first time to celebrate it away from my family.  During my regular work at the office, my wife kept telling me that we need to chat as soon as I arrive home.  I did what she insisted and when I saw them in the webcam on the other side of the world, I saw nothing but the party invitation that my wife made.  As she removed the invitation on the screen, I was really flabbergasted that they prepared a party for me.  (You can see the birthday banner above especially made by wife and kids.)  I saw her and my two kids together with their friends wearing party hats.  They even have a Sponge Bob party whistle blowing.  It is like a children's party with all the kids gathered around the table.  I was not aware that they will do something like that.  They have waited for ten o'clock in the evening just to see me celebrate with them.  Tears of joy started to roll over my face as I hear them singing Happy Birthday.  My youngest son, Jaizen was the one who blew the candle.  

The surprises did not end there.  As they were eating, my wife instructed me to open the package that she sent.  When I opened it, I saw the best gift I received in my whole life.  (You can see the photo of the customized t-shirt with my family on it.)  It is a gift that cannot be replaced by anything in this world.  Not even the newest model of Black Berry, Storm 2 can substitute on it.  It is not the t-shirt that is irreplaceable, but the mere presence of my family on it made me feel that I am with them whenever I wear it. It made me feel as if my family is wrapped around me, hugging me whenever I use it.  It is their way of saying "Daddy, we will always be with you wherever you go."

That day was the happiest day I have since I am away from them. It was the birthday party of all birthday parties.  And it was the best gift that I have received.

Being away from my family to work overseas is really a sacrifice.  I am unable to hug my family whenever I want to.  I am incapable of playing with my kids whenever they want me to play with them.  I am unable to guide my kids as they grow and see the world.  But in spite of all of these, constant communication keep us strong.  Our investment to our relationship keep as intact.

Thank you Mom for all the love.  Thank you Kuya Jade for looking after Mommy and Jaizen.  Thank you Jaizen for being our playful mascot.  And most especially I thank God for giving me such a wonderful family.

Reflection:  How much did you invest in your relationship with your family?

Letter to Mommy on our Wedding Anniversary

Dear Mom,

Thank you for being there for us through thick and thin.


Thank you for always thinking of our well being.


Thank you for always praying for our family.


You are always there to listen to our problems and joys where we can confide anything to you.


You lift our spirits up when we are down on the ground.


You caution us when we are a bit hasty.


You are the most precious piece that completes my whole being.


You are my inspiration to do things beyond the ordinary and remind me to keep going.


You are my Castor above the sky that gives light to us.


You are the special gift from God that makes my true heaven.

Now I know, it is real that there is heaven here on earth because I am with you.


Happy 3rd Year Wedding Anniversary!

I LOVE YOU.

Love, Dad



P.S. 

watch this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPtLVsHAQio

Financial Literacy Training at Dubai

The Clock Tower at Dubai, UAE

This is my first blog and really excited to write up.  Let me share to you what I did last week.

My journey to financial independence opens new doors of opportunities as well as venues for learning.  The thirst for knowledge is incessant.


That is why last April 30, 2010, while most of our fellow OFWs here in Abu Dhabi are having their day off watching movies on their laptop, going to the mall for a stroll or simply chilling out at home, my friend John and I went up to Dubai to visit the IMG Office for a training on financial literacy.

Just a calling card on our hands, we went to Bur Dubai. It was my first time going to Dubai on my own and it was quite a long trip. We saw the famous Burj Al Arab on the left side of Sheik Zayed Road and the tallest building in the world, Burj Khalifa (formerly known as Burj Dubai) on the right side. The excitement made us awake on the 2 hours road trip.

As we drop off the van at the bus station, the environment of Dubai started to come into us. The roads are smaller than in Abu Dhabi, the road networks are much complicated. Examining the address which says "near the Clock Tower", we started asking for directions.  Finally, we end up riding a cab.  The fare is more expensive since they charge a minimum of AED10.  Upon arrival at the Clock Tower, we recognized that we were definitely lost because it is a roundabout and buildings are just all over the place.  We called the facilitator for another set of directions.  Finally, we got to the office after a few blocks walk.  We were excited to enter the room just like a student going on his first day at school.

We have learned vast information about the proper ways of savings and attaining financial freedom.  The training can be highlighted as follows;

6 Steps to Financial Freedom:

Step 1:  The Discipline to Increase Cash Flow

"The way you manage your time and cash flow can make your poor or rich". 

How will you manage your expenses?

How will you earn additional income streams? 

Step 2:  Debt Management

How long will it take to pay off debt (credit cards, loans, etc.)?

Do you have strategy to get out of debt?

Step 3:  Create Emergency Fund

What would happen if you lost your job today?

What about unexpected expenses?

Step 4:  Ensure Proper Protection

Are you prepared and protected if you become sick, disabled or die?

Step 5:  Build Long-Term Asset Accumulation

Are you saving enough for your retirement goal?

If not, do you know where and how to start?

Step 6:  Preserve Your Estate

What will you pass down as a legacy to future generations of your family?

Do you have a strategy to help you meet goals?

There is so much yet to be learned since I just started applying the above concepts and the principles that I read in the financial books which I came across. What is imperative are the passion for learning new things and the openness to new ideas.

Next time I will share to you the privileges and advantages of attending financial literacy trainings.

Be a blessing to others everyday.