Money Magnets

Personal Finance superstar Suze Orman was in the Philippines for a brief road show, encouraging Filipinos to believe in the Philippines, to start saving, and to finally launch that journey to financial freedom.  Here are some of the key points that she imparted during her stay.

On Marriage and Finance

• Having a Prenuptial agreement (prenup) is good.
• Marry someone who you can freely discuss money issues with.

Some people think that buying books or attending seminars about finance / personal finance are a waste of money. But what these people don't know is that being financially ignorant is actually more expensive! You may be an expert in your current profession but knowing How money works is a totally different field of expertise.

Lesson 1: Avoid Bad Debt Like Bad Bacteria

Robert Kiyosaki in his bestselling book Rich Dad, Poor Dad explained that bad debt is when we buy things that take money away from our pockets.

Bo Sanchez suggests the following crucial actions you need to make if you are buried under a lot of debt.

• Declare your Freedom Day
  

Set a target date when you want to be debt-free and call if your Freedom Day. Read, think, and pray about it daily. Focus on your freedom and not on all your debts.

• Create New Ways of Pleasure

Examine your lifestyle and cut back on your expenses. Find new and simple ways of joy, and pleasure. Preferably, find substitutes that are free or much more less expensive but that can provide the same level of pleasure or even more.

• Schedule Your Steps to Freedom

Schedule your debt payments. Start paying off high-interest loans first. Try looking for loans with lower interests, where you can transfer your current high-interest loans.

• Don't Borrow When You Can't Affort it - Period!

And I will quote Bo on this, "Don't borrow to buy consumer goods ever again. If you don't have money right now to buy it, then don't buy it." If you can't discipline yourself to use credit cards then get rid of them.

• Negotiate with Your Creditors
  

Banks and other lending institutions are ran by human beings after all. Meet with them regularly and assure them that you'll pay. Negotiate with them. Ask them if they can lower the interest rate. Don't back down simply because they say it's policy. Everything is negotiable.