The Beginning

Cliché as it may seems, I want to document my so-called “road to financial fitness.” I'm not so sure when did this realization began, but one day I just wake up and realize that I am not getting any younger (another cliché) and that I need to take control of my finances. I mean, who will manage it except for me? (Though, yeah, I could hire a financial planner, but it’s a shame since I’m an accountant and I really am capable of handling this on my own, thank-you-very-much.)

I was not born rich, but my parents worked hard (and still working) to give us a good life. I’m not saying that we are now rich. No. But this is way better than twenty years ago.

Now, I’m almost on my thirties. Sure, I have some investments of my own. I also know about emergency funds and that you should not spend more than you earn, but I guess I want more. The best things in life might be free, but I still believe that money is important (if not, then I won't think of it a lot.)

So here I am.

But what are my reasons for saving? Well, I want to accomplish some things, 5 years from now:

1. To have my own car by next year.

I have to admit that riding a bus is the cheapest way to go home from the office. But I hate riding buses. I hate it with every fiber of my being. It’s so crammed with commuters and I don’t like standing while my life depends on the driver in front. Plus, I sometimes feel violated. I rode a bus one time and it’s packed with people, as usual. The guy behind me was so close. So close that I felt something “hard”. I don’t want to elaborate on that, but it’s enough to make me squirm. I feel so dirty (not in a good way) afterwards. Hence, I want my own car. Not necessarily an expensive one (a Vios will do). I just want a safe ride home.

2. To get married in two years (that is, if my bf proposes)

Again, I’m close to 30. I want to get married and have a family. Gone were the days when the guy (and his family) is the only one who spends for the wedding. And who says getting married is cheap? Ok, I know some will say you can make it cheap, but you still got to have some monetary outlays at some point. And besides, I want to make it a memorable one. After all, you get married only once (well, ok, many will refute that, but I want to marry once. End of story.)

3. To have my (our, if I get married) own house in five years.

I don’t want to rent forever (we used to rent before, but thank goodness, we had our own house when I was in third grade). I also don’t want to live in a condominium either. I want my own garden. I want something that I can call my home which is not inside a tall building.

I guess those really are my target (at least for now). And in doing that, I really need to handle my finances well. I mean REALLY, REALLY WELL. So this means lesser spending and more saving and investing. 

So help me God. Please.