investments

Sep

2022

4 Ways to Deal with Rising Inflation

Reading Time: 3 minutes

If you feel that the prices of goods you are able to buy is increasing; you are not alone. This is the effect of inflation. While most of us don’t really understand how it works; we feel it whenever we notice that our monthly income doesn’t seem to cover all the expenses we had as it did before. That is why you have to care about inflation so you can do something to reduce its effect on your finances. Prices are always rising but your income is not following that trend. So how do we deal with inflation? Here are 4 ways you can deal with rising inflation and maybe even beat it.

1. Reduce Your Expenses

Of course, the first thing you can do to beat or keep up with the rising cost of goods and services is to try to find ways to reduce your expenses. Inflation is a silent budget killer. It is a money leak that you have no control over. Thus, it is important to take the time to go over your budget and review your expenses as well as your financial strategy. See which of your regular expenses you can reduce spending on, replace with a less pricey option, or eliminate entirely. This way, you can still afford to pay for your regular expenses without having to dip into your emergency fund or savings account.

2. Increase Your Income

Increasing your source of income is always a good idea with or without inflation. Of course, the fastest way is to get a promotion in your current job. You can also create a business out of your hobbies or accept projects related to your job or expertise as a side hustle. Collaborating with other people on projects can also help. If you have non-performing assets just lying around; these are also good sources of minimal income. Try to declutter your space or declutter your entire home. See which items you have in your closet and cabinets that you’re not using and you can sell for some extra cash.

3. Keep on Saving

A good savings fund will not only give you peace of mind that you can survive inflation; it will also be a good buffer if you do need to spend more on important things. You might have to pause on some of your big-money savings goals until your income is more stable again to support your lifestyle. But you should not stop saving for your future while you’re struggling with inflation. You might need to pause for a while to review and renew your financial strategies and to adjust your budget. But don’t quit on saving.

4. Diversify Investments

Just as you continue saving; you should not stop investing as well. Learn more about other investment instruments that can help you diversify your portfolio to help you beat inflation. That means opening up new investments in stocks or industries that might be less risky to ensure long-term investment growth. This also means being open to investing in instruments that are more risky for short-term gains that you can use to fund your long-term investments. Depending on your money personality; choose what investments you are more comfortable with. Learn as much as you can about them so you can reduce your losses and maximize your earnings.

Inflation is always going to be around so the best way to prepare for it is to keep increasing your income and learning and adjusting your financial strategies. This way you can maintain the lifestyle that you want to enjoy and be able to keep up with rising prices without too much of a dent to your budget.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Jp Valery on Unsplash.

Sep

2022

5 Investments You Can Start Right Now

Reading Time: 3 minutes

If we want to improve our financial life, one of the things that we should aim for is to have an investment fund in our monthly budget. Ideally, you should start investing one you are debt-free. But if you plan things right; then you can do both. So once you pay off your debts; you will be able to appreciate your investment rewards even more. That said, here are 5 investments you can start right now so you can let your money work for you.

1. Real Estate

Real estate properties are always a necessary commodity especially in developing areas. This investment vehicle has a predictable money flow so it is easier to understand than other investment options. Aside from providing income from rentals, it also allows you to enjoy tax benefits and even inflation protection. Real estate values continue to rise especially in economic zones. If your timing is right, you can buy property at a location that is still being developed so you can enjoy higher value as the area become more commercially busy. You can also enjoy high returns on your initial investment when the property goes up for sale.

2. Virtual Assets

Virtual assets are digital assets that you can invest in. You must have already heard of the term cryptocurrency, and most recently it’s offshoot NFT. Cryptocurrency such as bitcoin and others, is a virtual asset that functions similar to traditional currency or fiat. However, unlike traditional currency, you don’t need to go through banks to transact using cryptocurrency. One more advantage of cryptocurrency is that it does not expire unlike vouchers or gift cards and since it is virtual, there will be no fraud or tampering. The cryptocurrency that you have in your digital wallet will always be yours and you can readily exchange it for fiat currency whenever you want.

3. Fast Food Chains

Just like real estate, food will never lose its value so large fast food chains are always a good investment vehicle. There are many well-known fast food restaurants locally and abroad that you can choose from. Of course, it’s good to support your local businesses first so you can help your country’s economy grow. Most of us also have favorite cafe that we go to just to meet-up and to work as well. So why not invest in them too? That means you earn even as you continue to patronize their different branches. It’s like you own a piece of the company you like to visit anyway. Of course, you can do this by investing in the company’s stocks; so start to learn about the stock market so you can invest more confidently. There are other company’s in different industries that you can invest in too.

4. Stock Options

Investing in the stock market is a long-term plan but you can enjoy high rewards for short-term investing through stock options. Start by learning about the difference between stocks and stock options. Stock options are “contracts that allow the investor to buy or sell shares of stocks at a predetermined date, at an agreed upon price. Although investors have the right, they are not obligated in any way to buy or sell the shares.” Get yourself familiar with how you can earn through stock options. Some people end up doing stock options instead of trading in stocks for many reasons.

5. Your Own Business

If you have always wanted to start your own business, then why not consider investing in it? If you are suffering from a toxic work place; then you might want to use your savings to put up a home-based business. A lot of people have started their business from a hobby that they are passionate about. Some have even started different businesses alone or with friends and family. In the end, they settled for the one that fulfilled their sense of purpose and continue to work on growing their brand. Start putting pen to paper and start planning your business. There are many apps to help you grow your business until you can assemble your own dream team to help you.

Investments always have their risks and rewards. So be sure to study each one carefully so you reduce the risk of losing your money. Also, it is always good to not put your eggs in one basket. So as you learn one investment vehicle and invest in it; continue to learn about others and invest there too. This way, even if one investment fails, there will be other streams of income that you can rely on.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Mikhail Nilov on Pexels.

Nov

2021

Designer Handbags as Investments

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Women love bags. Bags are not only useful, they also complete an outfit. Bags are included in the basic fashion must-haves. They can also serve as statement pieces. But did you know that designer handbags can be part of your investment portfolio too? Yes, you have read it correctly: designer handbags as investments.

Although there are many different styles and brands to choose from, more and more women dream of owning at least one designer handbag that will make their outfit look so much better and make them the center of attraction.

The shoes make the man…the handbag makes a woman.
– Milton Pedraza, Chief Executive Officer of the Luxury Institute of New York

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy designer handbags. Characterized by certain features like timeless appeal, impeccable style and quality materials used that are meant to last long; designer handbags come with a huge price tag. That is why some women opt to settle for knock-offs thus, making the counterfeit bag market a billion dollar industry.

Yes, luxury bags are expensive but did you know that some handbags can be considered as investments? Based on a study made by an online bag seller BagHunter.com; luxury handbags have gained value faster than the stock market.

Hermes Birkin

Take the Hermes Birkin bag for example. The famous Birkin bag has increased in value by more than 500% ever since it was first produced in 1981, outperforming both the stock market and other precious commodities such as gold. Not everyone can buy an Hermes Birkin Bag. It is considered a limited edition bag because it is only available for purchase to special clients of Hermes. Thus, it has now become the new status symbol for women.

In most cases than not; the value of your Birkin bag will increase as soon as you walk out of the Hermes store. Why? Because it is so difficult to buy one. Even if you are fortunate enough to be considered eligible to buy a Birkin bag, Hermes still puts a limit on how many you can buy in a year. That’s how exclusive the bag is. The limited supply fuels the price growth, which is predicted to double in the next 10 years.

Chanel 2.55

Another bag that beats the performance of the S&P 500 and the real estate prices in the last few years is the Chanel 2.55, the famous Medium Classic Flap Bag by French luxury fashion brand Chanel. First sold at US$200 in 1955, it now sells at US$6,900. Just a month ago, Chanel announced that it is putting a limit on the number of purchases for their popular bags. The One Bag Per Person Per Year policy will surely jack up the price of the Chanel classic flap bag in the second-hand market.

Keep in mind though that while designer handbags are all of good quality, not all of them are worth purchasing…at least investment wise. Like other luxury items, the monetary value of the majority of luxury handbags depreciates as soon as you leave the store.

IF you want to purchase one as an investment piece, like any investment vehicle, you need to do due diligence first before buying your first investment bag. Follow the investment rules. Do your research first.

If you want to own a designer handbag for personal use, it is best to buy a classic and timeless design, something that will never go out of style. A bright blue bag may be popular now but do you think that color will still be fashionable a few years from now? If you take care of your timeless piece properly, who knows, its value might appreciate later on.

Feature Photo by Anne R from Pexels

Updated Version. First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 10.17.2016

Nov

2021

The Allure of Limited Edition Items

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In 1985, one of the most iconic Nike shoes ever, Air Jordan 1 was released. The basketball shoes were designed for famous athlete Micheal Jordan. Today, more than 35 years later, the shoes are still as popular as ever. In fact, it is now a multi-billion dollar worldwide sensation. The shoes are no longer just basketball shoes but a fashion and marketing phenomenon. With various design innovations, Air Jordan has now become hype. Hype means an extravagant item that only a limited number of people in the world can own. It is a sort of marketing strategy for luxury goods. In other words, exclusivity becomes the main selling point. Yet, people still buy it. In fact, some Air Jordans models are now being sold at a hefty price of over $100,000 per pair. That is the allure of limited edition items.

Exclusivity

This phenomenon is not just happening in rubber shoes. It is also true to luxury watches, designer bags, cars and many more items out there. In economics, you call them veblen goods. Investopedia defines a veblen product as a good in which demand increases as the price increases. This means as the items become more expensive so is the demand for these products.

How are these products different? Limited edition items are actually just renditions of the original product but with a little alteration in the design detail. Typically. brands collaborate with other brands to have access to new markets. For example, athletic brand Nike collaborated with luxury brand Dior to release the Air Jordan 1 High OG Dior limited-edition sneaker that they sold for $2000 dollars but is now available in the after market at a hefty price of more than $10,000 each pair.

So, why do people buy expensive limited edition items? Although these items are high quality goods, their selling price and even the after market values do not make sense anymore. The answer is simple: people buy them for their exclusivity. Imagine owning something that only a handful of people in the world have. This is their biggest selling point. What it offers is actually a status symbol. So people are willing to buy second hand goods for a hefty amount just to be part of that exclusive group of people around the world who own that specific product.

Is it Worth it?

The answer is it depends. Buying an expensive limited edition item is all right if you can afford it. The money jar budgeting system allocates 10% of income for play account. So, if it falls within your 10%, why not? You deserve to reward yourself every now and then for all the hard work that you have been doing. It is definitely not worth it if your main purpose is just to keep up with the Joneses. And worse, if you are going to use your credit card and be buried in debt just for a status symbol.

But of course it is different if you are buying it to earn money. However, just like any business it comes with risks. Just because it is a limited edition item does not necessarily mean it will appreciate in price in the after market. You still need to do your due diligence. One of the investment rules from the Richest Man in Babylon is that never enter an investment or a business that you are not familiar with. So, make sure you know what you are getting yourself into.

In short, there is nothing wrong with wanting to own limited edition items as long as you can afford it. But if you can’t, it does not make you a lesser human being if you don’t have what your friends have. If you have a problem fitting in, then you are in the wrong crowd. At the end of the day, it all goes down to loving yourself. If you do, you will be confident about who you are. You will understand that your material possessions do not define who you are.

Feature Image by Pexels from Pixabay

Aug

2021

How to Spot Investment Scams

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The only way to grow your money is through investment. Leaving your money in a regular savings account is never enough because of the low interest rate. More often, inflation will take the value of your hard earned savings. But where do you invest your money? There are many types of investments available out there depending on your age, goal, time horizon and risk appetite. While there are legitimate ones, there are also some which are fraudulent in nature. As an investor, it is important that you know how to spot investment scams.

1. Low or No Risk, High Return

If someone offers you an investment that is low risk yet offers high returns, you are most probably getting scammed. Investing is all about risk. Whether you are buying bonds, funds, stocks, stock option, real estate, antique or any other kind of investment; there is always risk involved. The same is true when you are opening a business.

The general rule of investment is that the higher the risk, the higher the potential return. If the investment being offered to you defies this rule, then it is a scam. These kinds of investments are what you call phantom riches. It simply means that they are dangling the prospect of wealth, knowing full wealth that it is something that you want but can’t have.

Always remember, “If it is too good to be true, it is too good to be true.”

2. High Pressure Sales Tactics

Avoid being rushed. Example high pressure sales tactics include:

Limited Time Offers
Available Only to First Few investors
Invest Today and Get Credits

Although high pressure sales tactics are considered legitimate marketing strategies, scammers used this primarily as their persuasion technique. Their goal is to have you commit to the investment right away so that you will have no time to do your research or change your mind. Never entertain those that give you pressures or force you to make a quick decision.

If you are going to invest your hard earned money, you need to have ample time to think about it and do your research. It is one of the investing rules from The Richest Man in Babylon. Know what you are getting yourself into. Yes, do your research even if the one offering you is a close friend or family.

3. Unsolicited Approaches

If they just contacted you out of the blue; chances are it is a scam. How did you learn about the investment? If you learned about it through a phone call, email or text message from someone you don’t know; Some of them will even ring your doorbell. This is what you call cold calling. Their intention is to sell something or make you invest in something. Although it is not illegal, it is best to be wary of them.

If ever you receive an offer, get the following details:

Full name of the person
Company name and address
Telephone number preferably landline not a cellular number

Do not deal with them if they seem hesitant to give their information. Once you get all these details, hang up. Tell them that you think about it and that you will be the one to call them back. Then do your research. Make sure that the company is duly-registered. It is best also to check if the type of investment is regulated by the government.

4. Requirement of Getting New Participants

Multilevel marketing is a sales strategy wherein distributors are encouraged to recruit new distributors. Many big companies use this as their marketing strategy. Although it is legitimate, it is also very controversial. Many people have been scammed with pyramid schemes. How to spot the legitimate ones from not? Simple, the legitimate ones focus on product sales while the scammers focus on recruitment of new members. If the earnings are dependent on how many people you can recruit, then stay away from it. It is a pyramid scam.

Do not invest in something that you are not familiar with. Do your research first. Take your time. And soon, you will find a legitimate investment vehicle that fits your financial goals.

Feauture Photo by Anna Tarazevich from Pexels

Jul

2021

Investing Rules from The Richest Man in Babylon

Reading Time: 4 minutes

All your life you have been working for money. But did you know that it can be the other way around? Yes, you can make money work for you instead. In order to do this, you need to learn to invest your money. However, investing your money is not as easy as it sounds. There are certain rules that govern investing. In ancient times, the residents of the city of Babylon understood this. They appreciated the value of money and applied some wealth rules. Thus, the city of Babylon was the wealthiest city in the world during that time. So, how to build personal wealth? What are the investing rules from The Richest Man in Babylon?

Best-selling author George Clason narrated the teachings of Arkad, the richest man in ancient Babylon in his book The Richest Man in Babylon. The story is filled with ancient yet timeless wisdom and knowledge. The book contains practical lessons and advice that can still be applicable even in this modern world.

Here are the the investing rules from the Richest Man in Babylon coined as the Five Laws of Gold:

1. Save 10% of Income.

Gold cometh gladly and in increasing quantity to any man who will put by not less than one-tenth of his earnings to create an estate for his future and that of his family.

This is the first step in the road towards financial freedom. That is to save 10% of income. This money will serve as the seed of your money tree. Consistency is the key. By consistently setting aside 10% of your income, you are slowly building your wealth.

Those who do not save will forever find themselves in the rat race, living from paycheck to paycheck. The key is to spend less than you earn. Many people save what is left after expenses. That should not be the case. Rather, as soon as you receive your income, you should automatically set aside 10% for savings first.

2. Invest Your Money

Gold laboreth diligently and contentedly for the wise owner who finds for it profitable employment, multiplying even as the flocks of the field.

The second step is to invest your money. Putting your money under your bed or depositing it on a regular savings account is never a good idea because of inflation. Your money will soon lose its value over time. It is only through investing will you be able to take advantage of the power of compound interest and make money for you instead of you working for money.

There are many investment vehicles available out there. Choose one that will best suit your interest and risk tolerance. You can choose from bonds, funds, stocks, stock options, cryptocurrencies. Fixed properties such as real estate or movable properties such as jewelries, antique and vintage items, artworks and luxury watches are also good options. You can even start your own business.

3. Seek Expert Advice / Have a Mentor

Gold Clingeth to the protection of the cautious owner who invests it under the advise of men wise in its handling.

Who do you ask for advice? This is one area where most people fail, especially when it comes to money. People have the tendency to ask for money advice from people they are familiar and comfortable with. However, that should not be the case. Instead of asking someone that you are comfortable with, learn to seek the advice of financial experts.

Have a mentor. A mentor is someone who has already achieved your goals. For example, you want to learn how to play tennis. Will you get a coach who does not know how to play the sports? Of course not! Another example is if you are failing math in class, will you hire an English tutor to teach you math? It is the same way in life, seek the advice of experts. Be choosy when finding a mentor. Do not ask a friend who is broke for money advice.

4. Only Invest on Something That You Are Familiar With

Gold slippery away from the man who invests it in businesses or purposes with which he is not familiar or which are not approved by those skilled in its keep.

Have you heard of stories of people losing all their investments? Yes, it happens. It is possible to lose all your hard-earned money if you are going to invest on something that you are not familiar with.

This fourth rule of the laws of gold takes investing to the next level. It implies that it is not enough to simply ask advice from other people. It also entails the investors to know, learn and understand what they are getting into. Don’t just blindly trust others. Do your homework too. Study the market. Do research. Enroll in classes. In short, learn, learn, learn.

5. Do Due Diligence

Gold flees the man who would force it to impossible earnings or who followeth the alluring advice of tricksters and schemers or who trusts it to his own inexperience and romantic desires in investment.

Due diligence means investigating, reviewing and checking the facts. Many people lost a lot of money because they did not bother doing a background check on the seller and the investment. For example, in real estate investing, research first before buying a property. Verify the deed on the land registration bureau. Bring an engineer or architect to inspect the property for any unseen damage. Check the surrounding community if it is a safe environment. Ensure that it is not a flood zone. Talk to the neighbors for a brief history or stories of the house. This is what due diligence is all about.

And always remember before you invest in anything, if something is too good to be true, chances are it is. Don’t let others fool you.

Apply the investing rules from the Richest Man in Babylon and soon you will be on your way to building your personal wealth.

Click poster to watch video of livestream event

Feature Image from Pexels

Jun

2021

Use The Power of Compound Interest to Get Rich

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Have you ever been to any of the seven wonders of the world? They are so-called the wonders of the world because of their beauty and perfection. They were created by mankind in the past that are now revered in the modern world. In the world of investing, there is a principle that is dubbed as the 8th Wonder of the World. Albert Einstein called it “the most powerful force in the universe”, and that is compound interest. Anyone can use the power of compound interest to get rich.

Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it.
– Albert Einstein

What is so nice about it is that anyone can use it to their advantage, regardless of age, gender, social status and educational background. It can create millionaires even for ordinary people.

What is Compound Interest?

Compound interest is the interest on loan or deposit. The interest is then added to the principal amount and accumulated through a period of time. Simply put, it is interest on interest.

To illustrate, for example you start saving $100 a month from the time you are 20 years old until you become 65 years old for your retirement fund. Let us say the fund gives 6% interest per annum compounded annually. By the time you retire at 65, you will have $475,471.46 in your account.

Compare the $475,471.46 with $66,000 which is the total amount you would have saved after 55 years of saving if you have decided to put your money under the mattress. That is the power of compound interest. Use it to your advantage, and it will work wonders for you. It is the key to wealth.

To take advantage of this principle, you need two things.

1. Investment

The first one is investment. For your money to earn interest, you need to invest first. Your piggy bank or your mattress will not give you compound interest.

There are many kinds of investment vehicles available out there from stocks, bonds, options, real estate, mutual funds, insurance, jewelries, antiques and many others. You just need to find one that best suits your personality and risk tolerance.

2.Time

The second thing that you need is time. As a general rule, the longer you have been saving, the more money you can expect to make. In short, more time means more opportunity for compounding.

Two-Edged Sword

However, compound interest is a two-edged sword. True, it can help you get richer but it can also help you get poorer; or worse it can even lead to bankruptcy. How? Through bad debts most especially credit card debts.

Most credit card companies use the power of compound interest to their advantage. This means that the interest incurred is applied to your principal amount each time you decide not to pay your total credit card amount due in time. What is more alarming is that compound interest is not added annually but rather to the balance amount to the end of each day.

Thus, compound interest is very beneficial but at the same time very damaging for you. In order to avoid this, make sure to pay the total amount due of your credit card on time. If you don’t have enough budget for it, practice delayed gratification.

Make compound interest your best friend not your worst enemy!

Feature Image by Pexels

Jun

2021

Why Buy Antique and Vintage Items

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Why buy antique and vintage items?

My interest with anything antique and vintage started more than a decade ago. We just moved into our new house then. We needed to buy all the necessary appliances and furniture to make it livable. Unfortunately, we had to do this on a limited budget. Thankfully, a friend of ours was moving house and her family were trying to dispose of some of their old furniture, one of which was a 1920’s Art Deco dining table made of narra. For those who are unfamiliar with narra; it is a type of hard and heavy wood endemic to Southeast Asia, North Australasia and islands in the west of the Pacific Ocean.

They sold the table to us for about $200 US dollars. Anyway, to cut the long story short, we used that table for 5 years. Imagine my surprise when after 5 years of using it, we were able to resell that table at US$500, which was more than twice the original amount. In a world where furniture is considered a depreciable property, obviously, this is not always the case. There are furniture out there that can actually appreciate in value over time.

You might probably argue that we got the table for a bargain because we bought it from a friend. That may be true, however, during the course of time, we were able to duplicate this scenario not only with furniture but also with other antique or vintage items such art works, jewelries, luxury watches and even classic designer items that we have purchased since then.

Antique vs Vintage vs Retro

What is the difference between antique, vintage and retro? While all three items are considered old, the main difference among them lies in the age of the items. To be considered an antique, that item needs to be at least 100 years old.

Vintage items are generally much younger. Any item more than 30 years old is already considered vintage. Since different decades have different characteristics; normally, the year always has to follow when describing something as vintage. For example, my car is a vintage 1953.

Retro on the other hand are those out-of-date items or something just from the recent past.

Generally, the older the item, the more expensive it is. That is why collecting antiques is a luxurious hobby that only the affluent can afford. The wealthy almost always include antique and vintage items as part of their investment portfolio. For those who are just starting to invest, vintage items are a good starting point.

And this leads us to the first reason why you should buy antique or vintage items.

1. Investment

If you can afford to buy antique items, then do so. For those who are just starting to invest, vintage items are a good alternative. A carefully chosen item can turn into a treasured heirloom. If you own it long enough, there is a big probability that you will receive big money for it in the future. Thus, a great number of people buy it as a form of long-term investment.

As opposed to buying new items or furniture that will depreciate in value over time, why not opt for something that you can not only use but also appreciates in value ? The value of a piece depends not just on quality but also its exclusiveness and rarity. New items can always be produced by demand but that is not the case for antique and vintage items. There is always an unmet demand.

Aside from the investment component, there are other reasons why you should buy antique or vintage items.

2. Authenticity

We now live in an era where counterfeit goods are everywhere. Almost all products such as food, watches, medicines, cosmetics, and leather goods have counterfeit versions. In fact, according to the latest report of the International Chamber of Commerce, counterfeit goods are now a US $2.3 trillion industry.

Just to keep up with the Joneses, more and more people are now buying fake goods. Although tempting because they cost less than the original, these goods are inferior in quality and sometimes harmful. With antique and vintage items, you are sure that what you are buying are authentics. So, why settle for a reproduction when you can have the real thing?

3. Craftsmanship

In the old days, there were still no cellphones, no TV, no ipad, no internet, etc…so people had a lot of time on their hands. So, they take extra care in creating something beautiful. Attention to detail is highly valued. Most of these items are carved, cut and polished by hand and not made by machines. Thus, they are considered works of art. Focus on items then is on quality rather than quantity.

4. Uniqueness

All antiques and some vintage items were created during the time when mass production was still unheard of. So, each piece is unique, original and one-of-a-kind. Imagine owning or wearing something that no one else in the world owns?

This is just one of the reasons why many celebrities are such big fans of vintage clothing. Remember the black and white vintage Valentino dress that Julio Roberts wore at the 73rd Academy Awards way back in 2001 when she won the best actress for Erin Brockovich? Up until today, that vintage Valentino is still considered one of the most iconic Oscar dresses of all time.

With vintage clothing, you don’t need to worry about walking into a room and seeing another person wearing the same thing as you. When people walk up to you to compliment your clothes or accessories for example and ask you where you bought it, you can say, “It’s vintage.” How cool is that?

This is just one of the reasons why many celebrities are such big fans of vintage clothing. Remember the black and white vintage Valentino dress that Julio Roberts worn at the 73rd Academy Awards way back in 2001 when she won the best actress for Erin Brockovich? Up until today, that vintage Valentino is still considered one of the most iconic Oscar dresses of all time.

With vintage clothing, you don’t need to worry about walking into a room and seeing another person wearing the same thing as you. When people walked to you to compliment your clothes or accessories for example and asked you where you bought it, you can say, “It’s vintage.” How cool is that?

5. History

Every piece of antique and vintage item has its own place in history. It served as witness of an era wherein we can only imagine. Each piece served as a wonderful opportunity to interact with the past. It gives a deeper appreciation of history and a priceless knowledge of the people who lived then. By owning one, you actually become a part of that history.

6. Eco-friendly

Patronizing antique and vintage items is actually one way to help the environment. These items do not cut down new trees nor do they contribute to industrial pollution. By buying and restoring them, you are actually recycling and reusing old items and thus contributing to sustainable development.

7. Value for Money

Although antique and vintage items are generally more expensive than their modern counterparts, you will definitely get your money’s worth. Aside from its quality, the fact that it is still being sold up to this day is already proof of its durability and quality. Its value more often than not appreciates over time. So, you always have the option of reselling it later on. The same cannot be said with modern items for their values depreciate over time.

And besides, not all antiques and vintage items are expensive. You can always find bargains at yard sales and flea markets as long as you enjoy the thrill of hunting for good finds.

8. Accent and Conversation Piece

Because of their uniqueness, antique and vintage items can serve as accent pieces both in fashion and interior design. You can actually mix antique and vintage with modern furniture. By mixing the old and the new, you will achieve that modern look but with a touch of old-world charm.

Take a look at the photo below. The contemporary interior design was accentuated by mid-century vintage items like the lounge chair, chandelier, coffee tables and stand light.

Moreover, since every item has a story, it can also be an interesting topic of conversation. Whether it has been passed down from generations or it is part of your collections, whatever it is, it tells something about you.

9. Heirloom

Because of its intrinsic and personal value, antique and vintage pieces can be passed down to your family from generation to generation.

10. Heritage Conservation

And lastly, by patronizing antique and vintage items, you are actually partaking in the preservation of heritage items for the future generations to appreciate.

Photo by NEOSiAM 2021 from Pexels

Updated version. First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 22.04.2019

Jan

2021

Why I Stopped Investing in Stocks

Reading Time: 3 minutes

When I first got into the stock market I was always looking for the blue chip stock or the undervalued stock with the dream of thinking one day it will make me rich. After 2 years of getting 10%-15% returns; I realized it would take me many years to achieve my dreams. When I found Stock Options and a system that works with it, that’s when all my dreams of being financially free finally came true. In fact, if you asked me to buy shares on the stock market, it would feel like watching grass grow. That’s why I stopped investing in stocks.

Here’s 5 Reasons Why I Never Touch Stocks Anymore:

1. The Multiplier Effect

Options are a leveraged tool…when a stock goes up 5% it might make you happy but NOT wealthy unless you have a lot of money invested in that stock. For new investors with only a few thousand dollars, this is not going to make much of a positive impact on their financial situation.

But with Stock Options, a mere 5% increase in the share price can result in a 30%-50% increase in your investment. And if you can do that once or twice a month, the compounding effect over a year can be life-changing.

2. I Can Bet On Any Horse

Imagine going to the races and trying to pick the winning horse. Changes of you betting on the winning horse is very low. But what if you can bet on any horse and still, win?

Stock options investing is similar. if you know how to, you can bet on any ‘horse’ and make money. Whether the market goes up, down or sideways; you can still make money.

Whereas when buying shares, you generally can only make money if the stock goes one way…UP.

3. Protecting My Downside

The #1 greatest fear for every stock investor is that if the market has a big correction or crashes. I, on the other hand, have no such worries.

If the market crashes, my investments are well protected. Many times, I’ve made the most money when there’s a sudden huge market dip. That’s the beauty of using stock options rather than buying the actual stock.

4. Time Can be My Friend

For stock investors, if a stock goes sideways for a long period of time; they end up making no money or lose out on other investment opportunities. But for me, sideway stocks can be great. Every month I can make a good sum of money as the stock goes sideways.

That’s another benefit of using Options.

5. A Great Tool to Compliment Your Investment in Shares

Ok, so maybe you want to stick to investing in regular shares.

Options are actually a fantastic tool to compliment your investments in shares and help you get better returns.

Here’s just a few examples:

You can buy shares at a ‘discount’ to the current market price, usually at a 2% to 5% discount.
You can get ‘rent’ from your shares every single month of around 2%-5% of the value of your shares.
Protect your stock’s value. Imagine that for a small price, you can ‘lock-in’ the profits of your stock and not worry about waking up to a market crash…and still profit if the stock goes up further

But a word of caution…Options, like any leveraged tool, is like a double-edged sword. It can help you cut things but you can also cut yourself.

While Investing in Options can help you get incredible gains. There are many dangers:

Many people end up losing all their investment capital
Many people take risks that professionals would never make
You need a good system to invest otherwise you will be constantly stressed.
Time can be your enemy…the value of your Option can erode very quickly and be worthless.

That’s why you need proper education and a system that works…

PS. Warning! Once you discover the power of Options investing, you may not ever want to invest in anything else ever again.

Interested in knowing more about stock options trading? Register for a free webinar now.

Mirriam MacWilliams is a recipient of the “World’s Leading Trading Couch and Trainer” by Brand Laureate. She is the former National Director of Education of the largest investment club in the US.

A corporate high-flyer at the peak of her career, Miriam gave up a jet-setting job as the former Vice-President of Investor Relations of a large bottling company outside of the US, and a six-figure annual salary for a little known and predominantly male-dominated world of stock options trading.

Feature Image by Burak K from Pexels

Dec

2020

Can Stock Options Trading Make You Rich?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

If you know what you are doing, yes, stock options trading can make you rich.

But if you are thinking that it is some form of a get rich quick scheme, then you are wrong. Sorry to disappoint you but there is no such thing.

Don’t fall for get rich quick schemes. It takes time and effort to build wealth properly.
– Dave Ramsey

Like any other investment vehicles, stock options trading carries its own degree of risk. When you invest in something, you are always exposing yourself to the uncertainty of the situation. There is always a chance that the result will not turn out to be the way you expect them to be. In fact, if you are not careful, you might end up losing a lot of money trading options.

The good news is that there is actually a way to minimize risk. But first, you must get rid of the get rich quick mindset. Success and wealth does not happen overnight. It takes a lot of time and effort. Once you realized this, then you are now ready to make your investment.

However, going into trading without knowledge is akin to gambling. It is no longer investing.

Without wisdom, gold is quickly lost by those who have it, but with wisdom, gold can be secured by those who have it not.
– George S. Clason

Financial literacy is always the first step in achieving your financial goals. Since stock options trading requires technical knowledge, it helps to have mentors that can teach you about stock options, especially for beginners.

Mentors are people who are experts in that particular field. Stock option trading mentors are seasoned traders. They have deep understanding, knowledge, skills and expertise on the trade. They don’t just make predictions. because they have used proven and tested strategies for years. Moreover, they read company profiles and financial statements, analyze data and study chart patterns. They use algorithmic trading programs and fundamental analysis. Then, they come up with sound and efficient strategies using the knowledge and information that they have.

Yes, you can read and study about stock options trading on your own. But having the guidance of mentors can make your journey towards wealth easier and faster.

Good luck!

Interested in knowing more about stock options trading? Register for a free webinar now.

Feature Image from Pixabay Images.