How to Fight Back Against Unfair Circumstances

“Unfair!”, I declare to myself upon receiving the email confirmation that I am not a part of the staff who were given yearly increase. My dream of boosting my EM Fund and setting a Travel Fund vanished in thin air. Bothered, I rethink my “pity” situation and how it has drained my energy. Thus, I made this article to fight back during this unfair times [my unfair situation – no salary increase].

How does unfair circumstances affect us as a whole [e.g. unfair compensation benefits]?

1. It creates an unhealthy feeling within. It creates greed, envy, anger, and self pity. True enough this is what I notice from myself and from a fellow co-worker who shares the same situation as me. She has become a victim of her own self, brooding in self pity and anger towards management. But who are we to blame anyway, we were just victims of circumstance and we have no control over this. But we can control our emotions and this is where both of us need to improve. Try this serenity prayer.
2. It creates a low self esteem. You might experience questioning yourself what your other peers have that you don’t have which is also a form of self-pity. When your self esteem goes down the drain, your work and your relationship with your coworkers will be affected. Keep your self-esteem in check always and bring yourself to reality that this too shall soon pass. Do not degrade your self esteem, bring it back by accepting your situation by inviting positive thoughts. Read blogs that motivate, bible verses that will uplift your weary soul, or get another job or a part-time job when your income does not suffice.
3. It can create crab mentality. Yes, scary but true. I came to think like this and it left me ashamed and feeling immature. This is a feeling that you should not entertain. Divert your attention from this feeling. Think the other way around, think positive and force yourself to see the good side of the situation.

The good thing with my situation is that my humility is shaped, my perseverance continues, and my positive thoughts are tapped. Who knows one day I will meet someone who shares the same situation as mine and I can share with them some advise.

How to Maximize the Benefits that You Will Receive

Congratulations to me because effective as of June 13 I am now a regular employee of the company. Although I still have to wait for the appointment letter to make it official (I did received it but the effectivity date was wrong so it was sent back for correction).

Does becoming a regular employee changes anything? Yes it does! A regular employee will now receive full benefits offered by the company. This includes health and medical benefits, bonuses, and allowances.

Here are ways on how to maximize these benefits:

• Get a yearly dental prophylaxis together with your loved ones.
• Boost your emergency fund with your bonuses.
• Set a travel fund using your allowances(I like this!).
• Invest your bonuses in small businesses [e.g. selling load, buy-and-sell ready to wear goods, and even food like tocino and longganisa] and let it grow.

There are many ways to maximize the extra benefits that you will receive. Why splurge when you can maximize the money for your advantage.

As for me I have yet to receive my benefits. I hope I will receive it. I’m planning to use it for my masteral studies.

Food Trip 2

My Choice of Meal

We had a worthy meal at the Old Spaghetti House. I ate a hearty meal of Chicken Piccata with Garlic Spaghetti and gulped it down with iced tea. It was definitely worth the money. At Php 140.00 and less you can afford the meals on the left (drinks not included).

My friend was a rice person so she ordered this chicken rice meal (Golden crusted chicken with rice and cheese crepe). And she totally loved it!

I’m planning to go back and interview the owner about his/her shop for my blog. Ohh and I’m also planning to taste their classic lasagna at Php 135.00 only.

Old Spaghetti House is one affordable and chic Italian restaurant.

My Friend's Meal

Rating/s:

Restaurant Ambiance: Very Good! The restaurant is designed in an old fashion way from the furniture to the floor to the ceiling and walls. There are wines set in all tables but these are not for drinking.

Food: Delicious – 4 stars! The food is affordable, clean, and delicious. They even over these “Merienda Meals” with prices pegging from Php 80.00 to 120.00 only.

Service: Very Good! The crew were courteous, friendly, fast, and clean. Food preparation takes about maximum of 10 minutes. Service charge is 10% of your total order.

3 Ways To Get Rid of Envy

While my co-workmates were celebrating the 20% increase in their monthly income, I stay put on my desk and contemplating “Will I have a raise in my income as well?”. You see I’m still on a P (under probation) status and I don’t get to enjoy the benefits until I get to be a regular employee. I admit at that specific moment I was nursing my pride, feeling a sense of self-pity, slightly angered on why life is so unfair, and all sorts of silent drama.

So how to battle those envy moments? Here are 3 ways to do so:

• Be True To Yourself. Don’t deny yourself that you experience these negative feelings. These are natural emotions that you cannot control. What you can do is to acknowledge your emotions. Accept it and then ask yourself the following questions(whatever suits you): Are your feelings reasonable or just a result of your high pride? What will you gain when you dwell upon that feeling? Will it make you feel better or worse?

After you contemplate you can now proceed to the next step.

• Choose to Think Positive. It’s a cliche but you have to admit, it is true. Now the question is: how do you manage to think positively even when you’re feeling down at that time? That would be difficult to do. Yes, I admit it is not easy. But you can try.

For instance, I did not receive an increase and my part-time income was delayed and I have to give money for my brother this coming June 15 classes. What should I do? Either I complain or do some math. I can waste my energy and time on this problem but that will only leave me bitter. On the other hand, I can do some math and properly budget the available resource I have [which I gladly obliged to do]. After which, I felt more secure doing the latter.

• Lastly, Give Thanks. I always stress this out. This is one positive trait everyone should have – a thankful heart. When you have a heart that appreciates and considers any situation a blessing, you will also be blessed. This is how I usually think to get myself out of a negative emotion and it works.

When I saw that my payslip did not include any raise at all, I was frustrated. I gave myself a pat on the back, gave thanks for the blessings I have (both the money and the experience not to dwell unto monetary things), got back to work, and whisper to myself – I will be a regular next week (I’m praying for this!).

Random Stuff

After reading this article, it made me think how I was evaluated before landing this job. True, discrimination exists in subtle ways and its difficult to change that. But one thing you can change is your perspective. Change your perspective and think positive. Life is naturally unfair. How you handle the discrimination is up to you.

Building An Emergency Fund

I have been working in this financial institution for almost 9 months (I was hired as contractual and currently I am on probationary status) and I am slowly building my own emergency fund. So what’s an emergency fund(EM) anyway?

An emergency fund as the name suggests is intended for emergency use. That means buying the latest Nintendo DS using your emergency fund is not an emergency at all. I interviewed some of my colleagues if they know what an emergency fund is. The shocking truth was a BIG NO.

They were financially oblivious that there was such thing as emergency fund (and to think that I was working in a financial institution). So I came to share with them what an emergency fund was (A/N: I also came to know what EM was about after reading personal finance blogs just last year though.)

As this is my first job, all my savings goes to emergency fund directly. My goal is to put an emergency fund equivalent to my  6 months of gross income. I am diligently investing 20% of my net income to my EM account. I am hoping that by the end of this year my EM will be finished and I will have to start another savings for travel.

Why is it important to maintain an emergency fund anyways? Why not use your uncategorized savings for emergencies?

True, you have set a good amount of money to your savings account but where is it intended for?

It’s better if you categorize your savings to either leisure, travel or emergency. The latter needs to prioritized.

Emergency fund will help you in times of:

• EMERGENCIES. You never know when you will experience one either it may be a natural calamity, health problem, or urgent repairs.
• SUDDEN JOB LOSS/RESIGNATION. This will help you cope with your monthly expenses even if you don’t have income as of the moment. The transition period will make it convenient for you to adjust and get rid off your worries.

Consider your priorities of the moment and think if you can set aside 10-20% of your net income for an EM fund. Do not make your low income an excuse. No amount is small as long as you diligently save. Always think long term because that small amount will soon earn interest.

Why don’t you start one now? Go to your nearest bank to avail either an ATM, passbook or ATM-passbook account. Building an emergency account is as simple as that.

Here are links to other sites that offer tips on emergency fund:

http://frugalpinoy.com/saving/why-you-need-an-emergency-fund/

http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/09/08/how-to-start-an-emergency-fund/

http://zenhabits.net/2007/07/21-strategies-for-creating-an-emergency-fund-and-why-its-critical/

Some Random Stuff

YOU DESERVE A PAT ON THE BACK

I’m back!

It has been 2 months since I last posted on this blog. I was ecstatic and inspired to start out this blog. But my commitments where elsewhere. I thought I could manage to post 3-4 posts per week but unfortunately I end up posting only 2 ever since this was born.

But now I am reconsidering my commitments and decided to make 2-3 posts per week. Although I don’t have reader for this blog, I want to make this a stepping stone to practice my writing skills and share my financial knowledge.

My goal for the month of June – commitment to write 2-3 posts per week.

Simple but important. Posts that are informative and entertaining. I’ll keep my fingers cross.

Yay! I’m so happy to be back. I will pat myself, there you go.

P.S. Happy 49th birthday to my mother!

Food Trip

A Yummy Treat - Shawarma Pizza

The 2-day weekend is a time for a good rest and fun. That includes bonding with your close friends while enjoying tasty yet affordable food.

Aside from friends, it is also entertaining to observe how the restaurant operates – from customer service, ambiance, and down to the food they serve. I thoroughly enjoy trying out restaurants that are new to my taste.

I make it a point that once or twice a month I try new tastes. Every new taste is an experience. I consider this a reward for my hardwork. I sometimes get lucky to eat these sumptuous feat without shedding money.

What’s my sneaky secret? People.

Filipino people are generous by nature. We are fond of treating others in any occasions. This is advantageous for free riders like me.

Nothing taste better than eating good food without paying at all. Though this should not become a habit. My technique to repay their kindness is by paying it forward.

Being a free-rider always is not a good reputation. Its always good to share whatever blessings you have. In the long run it will always go back to you in another way. Practicing prudence does not literally mean that you have to be a scrimp when it comes to spending. It just meant that you have to be both practical and generous.

Make a Budget Plan for Convenience

I read this article on GetRichSlowly.Org and it encouraged me to make my own budget plan using the Balanced Formula. Although I made some modifications on  “Wants”. Instead of using the 30% wants, I decreased it to 20% to prioritize more on needs rather than on wants.

As of this moment, I am building up my cash assets by practicing frugality and prudency. Difficult at first but definitely reqarding in the long run. So I will be sharing to you my proposed budget plan. You can do some modifications depending on your preference.

Having a budget plan will aide you in spending your money and will also help you reach your financial goals.

Five Ways to Be Satisfied with Your Income

Today, I received my 13th semi-monthly pay. Although I am not too elated and appreciative as compared to receiving my first pay. I realized some things.

1. Money is not a major motivator to work.
2. Money is worthless when I do not love my job. And,
3. Money can never buy happiness (such a cliche).

Here are some tips on how you can be more appreciative, motivated and satisfied with your paycheck.

Tip #1: Avoid Unhealthy Comparison. Yes, never compare your pay with other people. Either you will hurt your self esteem or the other party’s ego.

Tip# 2: Be Thankful! Practice the habit of praise whenever you receive your paycheck. No matter how small or how big you receive, whisper praises to yourself. When you do this you welcome blessings in your life.

Tip# 3:Think Positive! If you have the right perspective with the money you receive, you will also attract positive aura in your financial life. Thinking positive will make you think creatively in budgeting your money.

Tip# 4: Remember to Save. Allot 10-20% of your income for savings. It is mandatory. Just think that as you save you are treating yourself in the long run.

Tip#4: Practice Prudence. At this financial turmoil, you have to be flexible with your expenses. What you need to do is to start practicing delayed gratification. Cut back on unnecessary expenses on focus on priorities.

With that in mind, getting your next paycheck will be lighter, satisfying and feels good. It all depends with a capital A – with your Attitude!

I am doing it now. Why don’t you try it too?