A few months ago, I began another business. This time I got into the Financial Business. It involves life insurance, investments, debt settlements, and anything that involves managing money.
My Belief About Money
Ironically, I was never really taught how to manage my finances as I was growing up. All I know was that money was made to be spent. That’s it! I have heard about savings and investments, but I was made to believe that those were only for the rich.
I have always wanted to be in business, particularly the manufacturing business. Marketing and advertising appealed to me, as well. Therefore, in college, I studied Business Administration.
However, I still wasn’t taught that I could take care of my own money despite graduating from my course. Isn’t that weird? The notion that only rich people save and invest their money was so deeply ingrained into my brain that I still didn’t get it!
My Parents’ Role
Another fact was that my parents never really taught me the value of money. Sure, they said that money is essential, but again, was never really advised that a portion of the money earned must be saved or invested to grow.
My father was an excellent provider. He had everything and did everything for us! I guess he didn’t think that we had to learn to manage money because he did it for us. The idea of preparing us for the inevitable was not something that was pondered upon. That issue was taboo and was never discussed.
My Culture
I am Filipino. In our culture, the family dynamic is very patriarchal. Men are the sole provider of the family. He had to earn money for the family. The woman’s job is to support her husband by taking care of the home and the children. She is not to think about finances.
Therefore, as I grew up, my concept of the woman’s role was very traditional.
Changing Perceptions
Living in the United States changed my perception of my role as a woman, wife, and mother. It changed my opinion about finances, savings, and investments. It didn’t happen overnight, though. It was a process that got me to this point in my life. The point where taking care of myself has now gone into the forefront.
My children are now growing up. Slowly, they can take care of themselves and do not need their mother all the time. I have more time for myself and more time to do the things that I want to do.
The Journey
I began a journey of my own. First, getting myself physically healthy. Second, mentally. Now, I am on the journey of taking care of my financial health.
This isn’t about getting rich. This is all about taking control of my life. It’s having the self-confidence that I can do things for myself without being dependent on another person. It is about self-actualization—the capability of becoming or attaining the best version of myself.
That is empowering. It gives me a sense of purpose. It is motivating. It gives me the drive to reach my dreams that I have pushed at the back burner for so long.
Money, Goals, and Dreams
Money. WE have it—meaning my husband and me. I don’t. Our money is co-mingled. I do not have money in my name. Sure, I can buy anything I want using our money. But do I value that money? I do, and I don’t. I value it because, by its nature, money is valuable, and that money is hard-earned by my husband. I don’t because it’s not something I earned myself. Again, it is all about the idea that it is something I worked for—something I deserved because I toiled to gain it.
Is it too late for me to earn, save, and invest money?
No, it isn’t. Nothing is too late to work on our dreams, goals, and ambitions in life. This is the reason I started my financial business.
I am learning about being my own boss, producing income for myself, saving that income, and making my money grow exponentially.
How to Do All These
How to do all these?
I discovered the solution. I am now continuously educated about money, how to spend it, save it, and invest it. Now, I can say that I know how to handle my finances. I am content to realize that there are many possibilities for my cash flow to increase and to get to that point in my life where I can say, I AM GETTING THERE! Slowly, indeed, and steadily.
#FinancialEducation
Education is key. We should educate ourselves and the people we love, especially our children. As early as their teen years and maybe even before that, we need to teach them the value of money. Let them know that yes, money is not the end-all or be-all, but having them will make their lives more comfortable as they go through the many problems they will face in this world.
