What I learned today...
Yes. I learned something today like what any consciously existing human person should do in each and every waking day of their lives. Simple. I realized that I could do so much more or dream something / anything else other than studying at a decent law school or getting promoted. I noticed that my family is no longer speaking with each other. We only talk about bills, debts and what little income we can pool together to pay off everything. I can now empathize with my father by somehow realizing that we both love my mother but she is just relentlessly talking/reminding us about problems, just problems. Even at times when we can afford to keep each other seated together at the dinner table, it is either silence or money. Sometimes, the talk can be inserted with the little concern about our pets health, but that's about it. Hence, I have decided that I shall become a millionaire and my goal is a relaxed retirement by the age of 25. *Good luck! $_$* I realized that I can only think of "realize" and "learn" to describe the results of my observation this past week. So, here is proof that I truly started to read up:
In the few sites I've surfed in the past 20 minutes, there are three things I learned to help me start in achieving my retirement goal. These are: 1. THRIFT HABIT; 2. START NOW; 3. THINK LONG-TERM. All of the entries I've read in those personal finance sites say these three things. Firstly, make savings a habit, that is, spend less or make more money than what you spend. Take a portion of your salary, which doesn't have to be half or even one-tenth of it, just enough so you can still pay your bills, feed yourself and a little something extra for small luxuries. Secondly, if you want to earn interest or invest in liquid assets, the usual advice is to start early, better yet, NOW. I still don't know how to start investing so I don't really know anything yet. But, I read somewhere that the best advice for amateurs in investment is not to invest in something you don't understand, so better read up first! Lastly, having a goal or purpose, I believe, does not only apply in managing one's personal finances but also, in most aspects in life. Left-brainers are born with this character; they are naturally goal-oriented. Typically, men are the best stock brokers, business tycoons, and entrepreneurs because, by history and nature, they can concentrate and stubbornly stick to their goals. This one is simple if you have the determination and the need. If you don't think that way, you will lose to your compulsiveness and your egotistic urge to try and keep up with a certain lifestyle you thought you are entitled to. (Is it egoism or egotistic? I believe I can use egotistic here.) To look at it in another perspective, you just buy things because of its value, its use and purpose. Certainly, you can buy a dress if you're in desperate need to have a new one. You may even consider it as an investment if you're trying to find work and you're going in a bunch of interviews. However, buying a dress because it's the new fad or because it complements your favorite shoes is money, which you could have saved to spend on your future.
In conclusion, I will now declare a strict budget per day! No coffee, chocolate and alcohol, junkfoods, lunch out / gimiks with friends, and no to new shoes and bags! Since this is now war, I'll do anything to win! HARHAR.
P.S. I should really NOT plan on retiring right now but that is a good goal and it's very attractive and practical. If Koreans can have their early retirement in the Philippines, why can't I retire early in my own country? Certainly out of context, I apologize.