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From Financial Struggle to Financial Stability

From Financial Struggle to Financial Stability Home June 28, 2025   1.  What are your short-term and long-term financial goals? There are numerous goals on my behalf yet my short-term goals are to grow my business production by 100% to meet distributor demand (already in the works!), Build a 3-month emergency fund to handle unforeseen expenses smoothly, Track monthly savings consistently using a budgeting app. As for the long-term goals: I purchase and renovate a second rental property for passive income, Diversify my investments into stocks or mutual funds, and Build a flexible financial lifestyle that allows me to travel or explore bigger ventures without financial strain.   2.  What saving and investment methods (e.g., VUL insurance, PERA, mutual funds) are you considering, and how do they align with your long-term goals? I am considering a mix of saving and investment methods such as VUL (Variable Universal Life) insurance, PERA (Personal Equity and Retirement Ac...

My Financial Journey

  Money talk isn’t always easy—but it’s real, and it's necessary. When people ask me, “Where does your income come from?” , I proudly say I earn through my own business and from rental income. These two streams didn’t just fall into my lap—I worked for them. I took risks, made mistakes, learned, and I’m still learning every single day. Living Independently Since 18 I became financially independent earlier than most. At 18, I started living in my own tiny home (a gift from my parents), but independence meant paying for everything on my own. Utilities? Mine. Groceries and daily food? Mine. Personal expenses? That’s me. Even small joys and family bonding moments—I budget for those too. On top of that, I’ve been reinvesting in my business and venturing into property investments. Sometimes, unexpected expenses creep in, and they don’t exactly ask if it's a “good time.” Spoiler alert: It’s never a good time, but we adjust. My SMART Financial Goals Like any goal worth chasin...

Tired but Grateful

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Tired but Grateful Home February 20, 2025 It’s always been a tiring day—or let’s be real, a tiring season. But oddly enough, I find myself grateful for the kind of tired I feel. It’s the kind of tired that comes from opportunities others might only dream of. And though I sometimes joke that I have no right to complain (because yes, it’s a privilege), I’m starting to realize that maybe I’ve just been gaslighting myself into pushing through the exhaustion. Lately, I think I’ve been using “busy” as a distraction. When I’m constantly occupied, there’s no space left to sit with my own feelings. No time to process the loneliness that’s been creeping in. It’s easier to just keep moving, keep doing, and keep showing up for everyone else—even when my body is gently (or sometimes loudly) asking for rest. There’s a quote I came across today that struck a chord: “I’m tired but I will never lose a grateful heart.” And I felt that. Deeply. Because yes, I’m tired—but I’m also full of gratitude. I d...

The Calm in the Chaos

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  The Calm in the Chaos Home | Pamilya Grill February 19, 2025 Celebrating and feeding people during the festival has always been a cherished tradition in our family—passed down from my Lolo Dad’s generation to ours. It’s more than just festivity; it’s our way of expressing gratitude and sharing the blessings we’ve received. That spirit of generosity is alive in our home, and for some reason, I’ve been the one managing the budget since I was 18 (lol). It's my way of helping ease my parents' responsibilities while quietly learning how to manage money, allocate resources, and keep things on track behind the scenes. Every year, menu planning becomes a serious operation. Mom and our helper are in charge of everything—from breakfast, lunch, and dinner, down to meryenda and the inevitable refills. I used to be deeply involved in the planning (and arguing), but now, they handle it and just let me know how much they need. I check, adjust, and if the budget comes up short, Dad is alway...

The Falls That Caught Me

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  The Falls That Caught Me DSB - Malatan-og Falls | Hilltop - Murcia February 15, 2025 It’s Saturday, and I woke up later than usual. With my weekday to-do list finally cleared, I decided to reward myself with something spontaneous— a hike and a swim! I rang up my cousin, Manang Jel, and as always, she was game for anything. She's my one-call-away buddy, my go-to for morning walks, nighttime strolls, and now, apparently, impromptu adventures too. We both needed this break—something to clear our minds, lift the weight off our shoulders, and simply breathe. Though we had decent endurance from our daily walks, the trail to Malatan-og Falls was no joke! We had to pause a few times to catch our breath, laugh at our struggles, and take in the view—but oh, was it worth it. The falls were absolutely breathtaking. It felt like nature’s way of saying, “You made it. Now, heal.” This moment is one for the books. The exhaustion melted away, and even if the hike didn’t fully erase the stress,...

Fries Over Guys

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  Fries Over Guys  Kabankalan City | Office | SM - Bacolod | La Salle | Home February 14, 2025 Today is a day to celebrate LOVE —and guess what? It’s my first-ever Valentine’s Day as a single woman… and it’s a great day! The day started with a business trip to Kabankalan City with Dad and Ms. Roselyn for a bidding activity. We visited different schools tucked away in the mountainous areas—long drives, winding roads, and scenic views that reminded me how refreshing it is to be out of the usual office routine. There’s something special about being surrounded by nature on a day that celebrates the heart. Back at the office, I surprised my angels with a heart-shaped cake to celebrate Valentine's Day together. The way they devoured it, you'd think love was baked right into it! Their joy made my heart full—it’s moments like these that remind me how love shows up in so many ways beyond the romantic kind. After that, I made a quick detour to SM Bacolod before heading to a meetin...

How the Moon Waits for the Sun

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  How the Moon Waits for the Sun Bantayan Park | IBP - Bacolod | Flower Shop | Lola Evelyn's Resting Place February 13, 2025 It’s been a while since I last went on a morning walk—and this Thursday, I finally decided to change that. I woke up early, surprisingly energized despite barely getting any sleep the past few nights. Not sure where the sudden boost came from, but I welcomed it with open arms. As I started my walk, I witnessed something beautiful— the sun rising while the moon still lingered in the sky. I’m not a science geek, but moments like these always leave me in awe. It felt symbolic, like a perfect reminder that even when one thing ends, another can gently begin. Then, I saw my favorite flower— orchids ! I didn’t hesitate to take a photo. They reminded me of Lola Evelyn, who used to grow orchids in her garden. Maybe this was more than just a pretty flower—it felt like a sign. Around me, flower and food booths were already being set up in preparation for the upcoming...