How To Retire in Early 30's?

How To Retire in Early 30's?
How to retire in early 30's? 

Is it possible to achieve financial freedom in your 30’s? Well I think it is possible depending on what your lifestyle will be. Also it will depend on how early your start doing it. The earliest you decide is most likely you will succeed, by doing so you have to sacrifice a lot like your friends, leisure and anything that will cost you money. Make this goal as your number one priority in your life. Always remind yourself about it. Make a personal sacrifice and melt the desire in your head. People will think that I am fooling myself when I say that it is possible to retire early or young but I think it is possible.

When I said lifestyle, it means how much you want to spend when you retire. Are you going to stay in the cheap and simple town or you want to live in New York, London or other expensive cities? We can not have same lifestyle with Bill Gates or other billionaires but at least you can live a modest lifestyle. The best way is after you accumulate money and wealth and ready for retirement, you have to move to cheaper place like Philippines and you can have your own servant.

Here are some guidelines to obtain Early Retirement:


1. First of all try to imagine yourself as if you are now retiring. Where are you going to spend your retirement period? Best of all how much money do you need to spend when you retire. It means lifestyle. Also consider the health insurance as you need this very much. Take note of inflation and where are you going to invest your savings. Make a chart or detailed notes for this.


2. You should make a lot of money if you want to retire early like landing a high paying job. Some of the jobs which offer big bucks this day are investment banking, Sales and Engineering. Make researches about these three fields and you will know. Medical care is also a source of good income this day. Make extra effort to earn money like overtime and another job if you have a chance. Look for a promotion if possible and master your craft.


3. Upon doing your goal don’t forget that it is not just the destination but the journey is also important. Enjoy yourself like strolling in the parks, painting if you have talent on it, dancing, writing or singing.


4. Be frugal in everything. Must people spend proportion of their salaries so they end up nothing. Make a budget, live in a modest apartment and don’t eat outside always. Celebrate if you meet your target of saving money.


5. Invest wisely on business or investments which are profitable. I will not include them here; it is long and beyond the scope of this topic. Study investment, business and accounting. Example of investment is real estate.


6. Don’t be discouraged. There are times when you are at low point and bored. Hang on and tell yourself that not all people are cut for this opportunity or ambition.


Some tips on How To Retire Early 30's:

• After working and acquiring money in big cities like New York, London or San Francisco, you better go somewhere else where the life expenses is cheaper. It is impractical living in a very expensive place.


• Don’t get married early. Marry when you are near to your retiring period. It is very expensive to raise children now a day. Finding a partner with the same vision is difficult. When you retire you can now focus on your career and while you are earning.


• Consider not having children as it will cost you too much like raising and to educate them. Plan it carefully as you will regret if you do this in haste. Remember you can’t rewind what you have done.


• Even if you did not get the target at least you have tried and end up wealthy too. You can now relax and go away from that stressful job and work as part time or full time but not stressful. Let your money grow through investment and retire after 10 years. It does not make any difference.


• Now even if you retire, you can still work as you wish and never worry if you will be fired. You can supplement your investment or nest-egg by accepting part time job like teaching.

Well, there are times or instances that we prefer comfort zone and happiness. Maybe it is right also but working up to 65 years of age and end up with a small monthly pension is not right. It is better to have choices rather than following an ordinary financial life which you don’t have any choice. Yes, I salute to people who are hard worker, who work hard for their company but don’t forget anytime they can replace you with new employee, so save and invest personally. Don’t depend on company benefits and pension; they are not enough as the inflation rises every year. This is how to retire early in early 30's. It really depend on what you want when you retire.




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Mutual Fund 101 | Why Invest in Mutual Fund?

Mutual Fund 101 | Why Invest in Mutual Fund?
What is Mutual Fund?
A Mutual Fund is an investment company that pools the funds of many individual and institutional investors to form a massive asset base. The assets are then entrusted to a full time professional fund manager who develops and maintains a diversified portfolio of security investments. People who buy shares of a mutual fund are its owners or shareholders. Their purchases provide the money for a mutual fund to buy securities such as stocks and bonds. A mutual can make money from its securities investments in two ways: a security can pay dividends and interest to the fund or a security can rise in value. The fund passes any dividends, interest or profits on the sale of its portfolio securities, less fund expenses, to shareholders in the form of distributions.
Mutual Fund Investment (photo by freedigitalphotos.net)


Interest rates can be volatile and passive short-term investing can erode investment values due to inflation. On the other hand, the stock market has historically outperformed both short and long-term bank deposit rates. Unfortunately, not so many people are familiar with active financial management and effective diversification. Through mutual funds, even investors with limited resources can participate in combinations of these high-yielding investment instruments without the headache of personally selecting and monitoring a portfolio.
Mutual funds are ideal vehicles for growing money over time. It can be used as a savings medium for retirement, education for a child, or building up a long-term cash fund for some specific future financial objective. While largely thought of as a retail financial product, mutual funds are also ideal instruments to augment the yields generated by organizational funds and enhance their level of diversification. Mutual funds have been popular investments for pension and trust programs, other employee benefit funding objectives, and institutional asset-liability matching.

Advantages in Investing in a Mutual Fund:

Professional Management 

Mutual fund is managed by experts who accumulate investment from investors and invest it in different stocks or investment. The investors don’t need to study everything before he could invest. He may need to ask several questions on how the investment is going and where to invest but not any small details as it is said you will have to leave it to the expert.


Low Capital Requirement If you invest in stock, you need to invest a big amount of money as will as T-bills and other investment. Mutual fund has a lower initial investment like in the Philippines, you can invest P5000.00 roughly $108.00 as of this writing and P 1000.00 addition every month if you wish to. Indeed it is very affordable to everyone especially to overseas workers if they want to invest.

Diversification
There is a saying that goes, “Do not put all your eggs in one basket.” This adage is especially true in the world of investments which is full of uncertainties. There is no such thing as a “sure” thing. An important investment principle that requires holding several securities to reduce the risks associated with investing in individual securities is called diversification. When people invest in a mutual fund, they achieve instant diversification because the fund is usually invested in a wide array of securities.

Liquidity
Liquidity is the ability to readily convert investments into cash. Investment like real estate needs a buyer to turn it into cash. Though it needs 7 days to liquidate the mutual fund but most them can do it in a day.

Safety
Safety is a very important consideration for most investors. Sometimes even more important than potential returns (well… on second thought, maybe not). Nevertheless, mutual funds are highly regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Company Act and its implementing rules. They are prohibited from investing in particular investment products and engaging in certain transactions (this is discussed in greater detail in a latter section). They also have to submit regular reports to the SEC as well as to their shareholders. As mentioned earlier, all of the fund's assets must be held by a custodian bank for safekeeping.

Potential Higher Returns

Because a mutual fund is managed as a single portfolio, it is able to take advantage of certain economies of scale. For instance, with its millions under management, it can negotiate for lower stock brokerage fees or command higher interest rates on fixed-income investments. In the end, however, it is still the investment adviser who really makes the big difference between making direct investments and investing in mutual funds because very few individual investors can match the experience and skill of full-time professional fund managers.

Convenience

In other countries, mutual funds can be purchased directly from funds or through a broker, financial planner, bank or insurance agent, by mail, over the phone and increasingly over the internet. The popularity of mutual funds in the Philippines is fast catching up. It may be a matter of time for this level of convenience to be a reality in the country. 

Funds also offer a variety of other services, including monthly or quarterly account statements, tax information, and 24-hour phone and computer access to fund and account information.



PESO EQUITY FUNDSJanuary-March 2015 YTD Gain (Loss) %1-year Gain (Loss) %3-year Gain (Loss) %5-year Gain (Loss) %
ALFM Growth Fund10.84%20.61%7.72%17.25%
Philippine Stock Index Fund10.74%23.41%16.56%20.5%
Philequity PSE Index Fund9.67%22.16%16.19%20.69%
United Fund8.93%16.87%6.56%8.02%
Philam Strategic Growth Fund7.79%16.65%7.34%16.64%
Sun Life Prosperity Philippine Equity Fund7.76%18.37%12.48%17.68%
Philequity Dividend Yield Fund7.12%30.40%No dataNo data
First Metro Save and Learn Equity Fund7.02%18.65%10.67%21.15%
Soldivo Strategic Growth Fund6.79%No dataNo dataNo data
Philequity Fund6.11%24.07%15.99%22.74%
ATRKE Equity Opportunity Fund0.83%13.59%11.86%16.81%
ATRKE Alpha Opportunity Fund-8.38%19.84%No dataNo data

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Buy Gold Coins Now and Earn

Buy Gold Coins Now and Earn
I will buy buy gold coins when I go for vacation because I want to add my coin collection that I started since I was 15 years old. I have Indian coins from India that was given to me by my Indian friend. I have also Turkish coins given by a driver of truck when I hit a ride in Saudi Arabia. I have also coins from Latvia and Nepal. The rest are coming from Russia, Malaysia and Spain.

Lately I observed that collecting coins like precious coins such as gold and rare coins is worth because their values appreciate faster than other investment. For other coins which I collect maybe and who knows they might also become rare and even if they are not gold they will also fetch a high price just like my 200 years old coin.
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Why Lodging House and Apartments are Best Investments Too?

Why Lodging House and Apartments are Best Investments Too?
One of my dreams is to have lodging houses for rent. I saw a big money potential in this business. As a student away from my small town, I have to rent a room or bed space near the University where I schooled when I was in college.

My landlord was a very strict and as I counted all the students in the lodging house and computed the total rentals minus the maintenance of the house I found out that he earned big bucks by doing almost nothing. He only fixed the water pipelines if there are some clogs and changed the bulb and florescent lamp if they were boosted. At the end of the month he started collecting money and invests it in other venture.

Here are some guidelines if you are interested in this business:


1. Buy a parcel of lot near in school, hospital, government offices, near the mall, processing Zone or any place where a lot of people are going for works, shopping or going for government services.


2. If you have a lot near to any of those locations then you can start building your house. You don’t need to beautify but just simple but durable so you could save money. Be sure to make it safe for any unpredictable calamities like fire, storm and burglar too. It should be of high standard. Of course you have to take a building permit and other papers requirement. You could ask an Engineer to see electrical wiring and etc.


3. Start posting a vacancy or it is better to ask for a referral for anyone who wants to rent. It is very hard now a day to trust anyone whom you don’t know. If you are running a big or lots of lodging houses, it is better to insure your properties to insurance company.


4. Maintain your lodging house like fixing the bathroom, lights, and other facilities. Ask your boarders what they need. Make your rules clear to them from the very start.


5. Treat them as part of your family too. Be friendly to your tenants.


6. You can also offer laundry or food catering; these will add income to your business.

Indeed lodging house is a profitable business. It has low maintenance and your capital is intact. Whether you are an overseas worker or just around to maintain this kind of business, you are sure of big return and easy money out of it.




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Solid Gold Bar

Solid Gold Bar
Gold is considered as synonymous to wealth and power in many centuries. Many kings and queens used gold to buy anything and even prestige because gold never fade and depreciate. Crowns are mainly made from gold and precious stones to represent wealth and power. For thousands of years gold is still the most important and most known metal that human kind uses.

Gold is form in gold coins, ingot and gold bar when they are in sale because they are easy to transport. Invest in gold today by buying gold bar and place it safety box. Buying gold as investment is better and the best than buying a stock because it is secured and tangible, buy now.
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Gold Coins from USA

Gold Coins from USA
My friend bought many gold coins when he went to United States of America. Actually 10 pieces and he put it in his antique piggy bank which he inherited from his grandfather. His family is in artifact business and he is very proud of it. I have no idea at first what he will do for the coins but later on he explained that gold coins is the best investment because gold is appreciating its value.

He also said that aside from that if he is lucky and that his coin collections are rare then the price is very high as high as $200 thousand or more. Right now he has coins from Turkey which are 100 years old, a silver coin from Spain which was issued during the reign of King Ferdinand. He told me that he has no plan to sell these coins and plan to give them to his future children.
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List of Businesses You Should Avoid If You are an Expatriate

List of Businesses You Should Avoid If You are an Expatriate
This is somewhat ridiculous. I should not write these but it might help you anyway. I am working abroad for the past 8 years and I have heard and experienced these kind of businesses one way or another.
List of Business Expatriate should avoid

Here are the List of  Businesses You should avoid if are an Expatriate:

Computer Internet- 
I have lot of friends who were sorry to have this kind of business and this business that they have are all closed now. Here you have to pay for the place rental, electric bills, Telephone connections and DSL. Also you have to upgrade your PC every now and then especially when there are new programs and new games that need big memories and processor for computer speed. Aside from that, there are lots of competitors in this business, customer services is a must. One of my colleagues here sold his Computers and changed his business. This business needs your presence so don't do it if you are working abroad, somebody will benefit from it. Remember, it is not an investment if the business needs your presence. If you are not sure about the loyalty of your business manager who managed this business then don't do it.

Jeep or any car business services for commuters.
Lot of OFWs are thrilled to buy this, thinking that it will yield good income. My answer is a big NO! I have lot of experiences about this. I have a jeep and multi cab. This business is okay if you invest in quantity and again need your presence. You need to have a good mechanic and drivers. My friend cried a lot and felt sorry when he bought one. His driver abused the jeep and was able to own a Sari-sari or mini grocery store while my friend is away working hard to pay the mortgage of the jeep. In business my motto is " don't trust anybody". The Chinese are known for this motto. I observed when I work in a Chinese department store that the Chinese owner only trust their employee if he has been working with them in at least TEN YEARS! This business has a flaw. Your capital will be affected.

Sari-sari store or mini grocery
Anyway this one is tolerable if the capital is very small. Don't give a big capital like more than one month of your salary. Remember business should start small especially if you don't have any experience or the one who will manage it. Sari-sari store is good if it is manage properly. Again if you have someone who is trustworthy.

Piggery, poultry,Fish Pond-
Another dangerous businesses. It it easy to say that this business is attack by a pest or disease. Actually when it is true, everything will perish including your capital. Fish kill is another problem. These business again needs your presence so again it is not an investment. My advice is don't go for big returns. Do it slowly but surely. The fastest way to get rich is to do it slowly.

Planting Rice
Planting rice is not fun or accepting a rice plantation as collateral for loans. You can accept other plants for collateral that are not prone to damage like when there is typhoon. This may sound nasty but again I have experienced this and the problem is, there are lots of works to do like sowing, cultivating the soil, irrigation, applying fertilizer, cleaning the rice field, harvesting, drying the rices and dressing it. A lot of works. When the typhoon strikes, everything is gone.

Restaurant- 
This is a good business because everybody eats right? But be careful, your capital might be eaten alive by somebody. This business needs your extra time and care. Don't trust it to anybody. Why would they care if you don't care. Even relatives are not honest now a day. My two cousins never talked to each other ever since they closed their business.

Water Refill- 
This business sprout like mushrooms lately. Before I can have one, there are four of them right now in my small hometown.

Please add more if you believe that there are more businesses which are not for OFW or you think not a sure winner. I know business is trial and error but I have experienced these kind of businesses and I knew some of my friends businesses are like these as well. You can criticise this post too if you think that this is a nasty post.

Think of business which will generate money without your presence. That what we call investment. 15% to 20% yield a year is healthy and okay.

How to Make Money
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Buy Gold Bar

Buy Gold Bar
Many people in the Philippines and even in the world still believed that the Marcos family has many gold bars deposit in Switzerland. It is estimated that they stole billions of money in the Philippines during their time. Gold is timeless that is why many corrupt leaders chose to stole gold than papers because gold never depreciate and in fact yield more interest than other investment. Yamasita Treasures is believed to be found by a farmer in the Philippines including the Golden Buddha but later on Marcos took them.

When they left Malacaňang Palace they brought them lots of gold bar and right now nobody knew where they hide them. If you have money invest in gold now by buying gold and place them in the bank or depository and wait for a few years because they will appreciate.
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How to Attract Potential Customers Using Internet?

How to Attract Potential Customers Using Internet?
If you have a business right now you need to improve your sales by using a lot of techniques. One of the methods is referral, by giving some freebie to your returning customers; they will invite new potential buyers. You have to maintain good relations to your present and previous client so they will not look for other stores.

My friend is using MLM method to generate new customers. He gives an award or some bonuses if his buyers or costumers invite one or more persons to his shop. Banners and flyers are also effective in advertising now a day. You can paste flyers in posts, walls, cars and also print your ads in mugs, t-shirts, and other souvenir items. Just spread the words regarding your business and be friendly to your existing costumers. Words of mouth are the most effective in advertising. Make a buzz.

If your business is small and you want to go global for more sales then you need an internet to spread the news. This is the cheapest way than to advertise in magazines, newspaper or television. In ads campaign you need to do trial and error to succeed.
In the net you need to have a website for your business and some tools on how to sell or pay via online. Make it presentable and easy to navigate. After that you have to advertise your website. Let them know that you exist on the net. Submit your URL to a lot of search engines and directories. Yahoo and Google are some of the major search engines. LondonAdvertisingDirectory, Link2me and Addme are some of the directories which you can submit your Website Link. These websites have categories where your URL is place. For example if you have a business about MLM then it will be put in Home Business category. Directory is good because it is usually free than other ads campaign. It is also targeted traffic. My website about investment tutorials gained a lot of traffic through this kind of method campaign. Major search engines will charge you for placement just for exposure, so why not try linking through directory. Forums, joining a group or email list are also good but you need a lot of time writing an article.


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Where to Buy Gold Bullion?

Where to Buy Gold Bullion?
Investing in gold is the best option today if you want to quadruple your money in less than 10 years. Gold never depreciate as I experience buying jewelries before. If I bought lots of gold jewelries before then I could have earn big bucks today. There are many ways to invest in gold like buying stock in companies that cater in gold but doing this needs extra study because in stock you need to study also the company itself where you want to invest your money. Buying gold coins or ingot is the best way because you have the gold safe from where you want to keep it. Make business with United States Gold Bureau because they have good reputation when it comes to gold dealership. They also deal with other precious metal like platinum and even silver.

Buy gold bullion today and earn money after several years of keeping this metal. Many people were able to earn big money because they deal with gold. Try it today and I am sure that you will not regret it.
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Gold Coins is the best Investment

Gold Coins is the best Investment
One of the best investments today is gold, aside from jewelries of course. I bought jewelries before and right now they valued very high. Thanks to my instinct, I earned some money out of my collection at the same time I can use them when I attend parties.

Collecting gold coins is a nice investment because gold is appreciating in value and easy to keep in your house or in safe keeping box in your bank. Gold coins can be a very good investment especially if they are rare coins. Gold is considered as measuring tools to determine man’s wealth. It is used even during the time Cleopatra. Some of the artifacts that were dug contain gold and other precious stones.
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