how ya doin'? ;)

So how am I doing after 4 months of starting this journey? I would have to honestly say I am still a work in progress and I love how this has changed me in so many ways such as the following:

I have somehow channeled my extra energy to do something more than ordinary.

You may not believe it but I love waking up early and sleeping late. So I got myself into different kinds of hobbies which were really good channels for my extra energy. But you know what, these old hobbies aren’t really taking me anywhere. Yes, there are some outputs but these outputs are not those great in substance. It was superficial in a way that I’m not touching enough of my life and other people’s lives. I wasn’t contributing enough and that was a waste of time and energy.

So when I started on this hobby (journey to financial independence), I felt really good about myself, about the outputs (which may take time but) with great substance. It feels good to actually reach out and share to yourself, your family and friends, and even to strangers anything you know that could make lives better over time. :)

I have developed really good habits.

I now keep a budget and keep track of our expenses. I read about personal finance articles and collected the books below (because after all, I am Filipino. Nothing beats reading in our context) every day.

• Kontento ka na ba sa kaPERAhan mo? (Vic and Avelynn Garcia)
• Kasusweldo pa lang UBOS na? (Vic and Avelynn Garcia)
• Ang Pera na Hindi Bitin (Ardy Roberto, Jr.)

I often talk and share about what I know now that I didn’t know before. I’ve become frugal like I’ve never been before—example: a cousin gave me some cash gift. Can you believe I actually hesitated to accept it? LOL! Here are the reasons:  1) this extra money was not planned so I have to fit it somewhere in the budget spreadsheet. Hahaha! And 2) It got me confused whether to use it pay off some debt or put it in the emergency fund. Lol! Then I realized how starting this journey has changed me. If this cash gift was given to me a year ago, I would have spent it on something. But now, I know a little better.

But that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t hate me. :hide: Again, I’m still a work in progress. Some days I’m calm. Some days I get crazy.  But definitely, I am in a much better version of me. :)

How ya doin’? :)

you busy you

I understand I have been neglecting this blog but it’s for a couple of valid reasons aside from work. First, it’s back to school time! And second, I got busy with “entrepreneurship” and sharing it during weekends. Haha!

First, it’s back to school time. Two kids are going to school now and so apart from managing finances I have to manage the menu and the schedule as well. So for the menu, I’m still doing the all–in–a–week’s–meals. A lot of people are amazed how I was able to do this and honestly, I get surprised with the reaction. Why, everyone can do it. You just have to find the time (what else?) and energy. I drink vitamins and supplements as often as I can. It can get tiring, but really, it’s either you getting tired or you for a whole week worrying and scramming to cook and get some food on the table. Of course, I'd choose the former. However, that's just me and I understand we've got different situations. I can't simply tell you to do this because it may not work for you. :) Anyow, here’s the menu photo I posted for this week:

 

And so for the scheduling, I just dislike the first week of classes because the school tends to follow an irregular schedule. First two days, graders only have half–day classes and pre–schoolers are released an hour early. You know what this means. You have to adjust your scheduling again next week moving forward. But really, this is not me whining. This is me just saying. Haha! Jk. Below is a picture of my weekly planner (downloaded for free from iheartorganizing.blogspot.com) and the Pilot Frixion pen that I just love very, very much! Lol!

Now for that subject of entrepreneurship, I’ll discuss in my next blog. And it’s something I’ve already shared with my 2 mommy friends and they’re doing it as well.  I’m just so happy to share in my own very little way. :)

How about you? How are you doing this week? ;)