Self-Improvement

Beware: Investment Advisor Scams

September 4, 2015 by Ray L. Leave a Comment

Tagalog Version (Click Here)

One Friday afternoon a friend of mine sent me a video link to an investment strategy.

During the first few minutes I thought it was about money cost averaging, a proven technique for minimizing risk by investing a set amount of money over time, but it wasn’t. It was an advertisement. Like how fast-food hamburgers always look better on TV ads, the investment “system” they featured showed VERY high past performance returns (around 20-30% returns). Those returns are possible… if you’re VERY lucky. Those who expect to ALWAYS get those high returns will be disappointed.

As the video continued to how the system works, my eyes grew wide with shock, and I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing for a few moments. It was like watching an advertisement telling people to drink a bottle of pesticide as a “health” drink.

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From Books to Riches: How You can Learn to Earn Prosperity

August 21, 2015 by Ray L. 3 Comments

TAGALOG Version (Click Here)

“Many times the reading of a book has made the fortune of a man.”

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you were given the choice:

A few books which cost P3,000,

or P5,000 worth of groceries/cigarettes/beer/gadgets which would you choose?

Most people would choose the P5,000 worth of stuff.
…but what if those books can teach you how to invest and BE A MILLIONAIRE in less than 20 years? Will you still choose the groceries and gadgets that probably won’t last a few months?

That’s the choice I once made, and I’ll tell you how it started. Who knows…

Maybe you can do it too…

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One Great Goal: Enrich the World, End Poverty

August 2, 2015 by Ray L. Leave a Comment

TAGALOG Version (Click Here)

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

– Nelson Mandela

It’s around 6 to 7pm every day when I commute from work. While walking home, I pass by an overpass frequented by many commuters.

There on the sidewalks, I see him a few times a week. Sitting on the ground, his knees are tucked in his oversized shirt, grayed with grime. His skin is covered in filth, his hair curly, long, and unkempt, and his face sullen and expressionless. On his hand is a dirty plastic cup, obviously used and discarded by someone else, and he always held it outstretched in front of him. A silent beg for alms.

I drop a five-peso coin and continue my walk home.

At least once every week or two, I see him on the same spot, wearing the same clothes, and doing the same things. And I drop a five peso coin in his cup or outstretched hand.

Week after week, he gets a few coins from pedestrians. Week after week, he’s still there. How much should we give for him to afford better clothes? How much should we give for him to afford a home? How much should we give for him to earn a living?
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