After some years in the speaking and training arena, writing hundreds of articles, columns and blogs for magazines, newspapers and websites, and quite a number of TV and radio appearances, many assumed that I started my advocacy of educating Filipinos with a book I have written. It is quite strange that this book is being written 5 years after I became an independent personal finance coach.
QUESTION: There have been a lot of news about “investment grade,” what is it all about and what will it really bring?—Isaiah Clemente, employee via e-mail
Question: How should we do personal financial planning based on our culture? Unlike the west, we heavily support family members. Randi Espera Ongoco (@randieongoco) via Twitter
Question: I have been reading about the peso getting stronger and the BSP controlling the exchange rate. Why is the peso getting stronger and what are its effects? Why is the BSP controlling it? —Name withheld upon request, asked via e-mail
Question: Where should I put my money? In a bank, property, business or stocks?—Miccael Ibarra Naig via Facebook
There has been great news about the Philippines with respect to economic gains, increasing remittances, record-breaking stock market performance, strengthening of the peso—all pointing to breakthrough economic growth. The Philippines is indeed one of the nations on top of the list of many investors and corporations as a destination. If the government continues to play [...]
Question: Our economic fundamentals showed a lot of improvements lately—credit ratings upgrades, BSP rate cuts, lower inflation rates and stock market all-time highs. But it seems Juan dela Cruz doesn’t feel these improvements yet. The poverty and unemployment rates are still high according to news. How long will it take for our poor kababayan to feel the said improvements in our economy?
I often read about investing in stocks and bonds. I get to read a lot of discussions on stocks but not much on bonds. What are bonds and should I invest in them?—Name withheld upon request, asked via e-mail
Question: I’ve been reading your articles and blogs for sometime now, which have been of great help to me. I think I am ready to make some investments now and I would like to know what investment would be best for me.
Allow me to veer away from the usual question-and-answer format of this column as I felt the need to share something that is very important to me.
Question: I’m a family man and sometimes I feel guilty spending money on our birthday celebrations and family bonding. How much should I be spending on bonding activities for my family?—Asked via e-mail, name withheld upon request
When is the best time to teach kids about personal finance? And how?—Joey Villarinte via Twitter
