Break Free by Don Soriano : A Review

I am an aspiring entrepreneur and financial freedom is my long term goal. I know I mentioned here in the blog about me reading a book or two about finances and how to improve them. I even wrote down my short term and yearly goals. However, most of the books that I have read so far mainly focus on how to manage finances and only mentioned about starting a business is a good idea too but didn't dwell on the How’s. When I found out about Break Free by Don Soriano, I got interested and sign up for it.

One thing that caught my attention in the cover was "Principle # 1 Don’t quit your job". If I didn't love the new department I am on, it's one of the choices I have in mind - to quit and focus on my small time business. Just like the book says, I want to become an employer in the future.

So how did I find the book helpful? I have read some of the things written to the previous' financial books I came upon with. However, I also found new information that is helpful to those who are aspiring to establish a business in the long run. I guess all books have their own strengths right?

To begin with, this book is really short. It can be read in an hour or two depending on how fast you read a book. I for example tend to read books longer because I kept on reading a part that wasn't clear before going on to the next page. I make sure that I have my full understanding and saw what the writers are pointing out.

Two, the book mentioned about the "Power of Leverage" that I think I haven't encountered before. The book discussed about how to smartly use other people's money, time, experience and knowledge and lastly, other people's risk to get to your goal of financial freedom faster. I tried to internalize what Don meant with all these and if I am unconsciously using them. I realized that OPM or other people's money isn't a new concept to me. I have been borrowing money from my sister and using it as a capital on my small business. I think as of this point, I am not into using other people's time, knowledge and experience most especially other people risk so I have to look into that too. I like the concept anyway.

Three, Don wrote about choosing the right people. I personally have friends whom I would say have a negative impact on my small business as they weren't as open minded on ideas as I am. He was right in saying that when you discuss a business idea in a pool of businessman, they would most likely to encourage you as they have the same mindset - which is business. Try to discuss it to someone who is scared to start up a business because of the thought of being bankrupt, they would definitely see the negative side of the idea and would drag you down. Looking back, I have ideas that was turned down because the people who surrounds me doesn't have the experience and mindset the same as I am.  Although they remained as friends, I am trying to limit the communication of business ideas to them and talk to those whom I know can give me a thing or two beneficial advises and feedback.

Four, and my favorite part was when he shared his strategy on how he managed to raise from debt to having a self-sustaining businesses. I guess it's for you to find out when you buy the book and this is what made me fall in love to it. Besides, if you really want to establish a business and become an entrepreneur, you have to invest in yourself by reading books etc.

Fifth and the last strong point of the book was the proper mindset. I for example has not realized I can bake until I had the proper mindset of learning how to. Now it has been my small time business and brings extra money to the family. Aside from that, since it's a hobby that I enjoyed the most, I don't feel like trying hard to make for a living. When we have the proper mindset, we can achieve whatever we have in mind.

Now I suggest if you think you are into business and want to achieve financial freedom, this book is a steal. I just hope that Don Soriano elaborated more on the part where he shared about a secret. I would love to read how he managed to come up with business plans and ideas along with the ups and downs of it. I know I could learn a lot from that just like I did on this book. At this time, you can order this book thru Don Soriano's Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/iamdonsoriano.

Let's spread the word and make more people achieve their financial freedom. :)

Grey - Fifty Shades of Grey as Told by Christian

Disclaimer: I have never read any love story book. FSOG was the first one (well, aside from the Precious Hearts and Romance Pocketbook that I have read before). 

E.L James released another book entitled Grey, which was basically the same as the book 1 of Fifty Shades of Grey. The catch was the story was told by Christian Grey.

Honestly, I don't care what people think about FSOG. I have read the trilogy and I would like to say that I loved it. What caught my attention was mainly their love story and not the sex parts. I am not a bookworm to say that this book was great or badly written as they say so I would skip that and would just want to say that I enjoyed reading their love story. I felt kilig on some parts and felt bored on some too. Mainly, I was after the "how" they fell in love with each other and the sex parts were just part of it. Although, I have to admit that there were too many sex scenarios there. Hehe! Parang too much lang.

I know a lot of people talked about it and even disagreed on it being shown. Since last year when I read the book, I have been wanting to see how they would put it into a movie given that it has a lot of sex scenes on the book. There have been a lot of discussion over the internet and it seemed that I can't understand people as to why they are so mad. For me, it's just another unique story.

Early this year, as the movie has been released. I didn't watch it in the movie house. I bought a CD hahahaha! Sorry I was really agitated because Daryl doesn't want to go with me. He doesn't like it as well. I ended up not liking the movie. I got a little bored and bitin. At the same time, I expected a lot that the movie will be great and up to the challenge. I just thought they would compile the trilogy into one movie which could have made it a lot better.

Anyway, my stand was a little late which sinadya ko naman dahil ayaw kong makisabay sa rage ng mga tao over FSOG. All I can say is that I love their love story. Honestly, whenever I read the part of Christian Grey's past (as a child), I felt touched and really helpless for him. I felt for him because I have a son too. Of course I don't want Jami to undergo that kind of childhood at all. Maybe that's one of the reason why I have seen FSOG in a way that other people didn't. I am not trying to say that whatever the book had shown to the world is right but somehow, I found the sense of it. I would say that 80% of the time, I was up to how their love for each other goes and the petty things that they both do to conquer each others feelings while 20% of the time, I felt bored with the sex scenes.I also would like to add that, I, believe that whatever we have undergone in the past and during our childhood will be the person that we are today. If we had a colorful and meaningful childhood, we'll be a better and a happy person. That's why, I wanted Jami to have a wonderful childhood too, just like what I had. I got to play outdoor, I have a lot of friends, I have supportive cousins on times that I need them and enjoyed being a child as a whole.

Anyhow, Grey was mainly the same story as I said but somehow, I enjoyed reading the book. It's good to know Christian's stand on every scene. I just felt kilig whenever he tries to break his own rule for Ana.

So, will I be waiting if there's a book two of Grey? Yes. I want to finish the trilogy if there will be.

I understand that a lot of parent doesn't agree to this book since it might be something na tutularan ng mga bata in the future and I am not saying that I agree to this book either. Hindi naman maiiwasan that our kids will be exposed to these things. It's just how we would explain to them and instill good values diba? =)

Till Debt Do Us Part by Chinkee Tan

Last month, I have been drawn in reading books - Financial and practical books to be exact.

Tungkol sa kaperahan, in short.

Well, I can't seem to remember why I have decided to invest in books because I am the type of person na boring na boring sa books. Yes, I love to write but not read. I remember when I was younger, I am so lazy to open up a book. There were times na I feel obliged to read, I am pretending na binabasa ko where in fact, hindi ko naman naiintindihan. Hahah. :p

Well, I was thinking that one of the factors of not loving books is because of not being exposed to it early in life. That's why, I wanted to see if James would love books by having an early intervention, like giving him books more than toys and having a bedtime stories.

Anyhow, I saw this book from National Bookstore in Metropoint Pasay while waiting for Daryl.

I was so intrigued with the title of the book and I want to get it right there and then however, it wasn't on the budget so I've waited for about 2 weeks or more before I got the book. =)

It took me a while to finish the book since I can only read it on during some free time in the office and in the house. I wasn't really that impressed with the book since I think I wanted to learn more techniques and other stuff about money. Although the book used a very mababaw na English to better understand, there were some part that I think was a little bitin. There were parts of the book that I enjoyed since for me, it's malaman and some parts were a bit boring.

One of the things that I really loved in the book was the 6 Fundamentals of Financial Freedom:

1. Get Debt - Free
2. Build 1 to 2 month Emergency Fund
3. Build a 3-6 months long term savings
4. Make major purchases ( house and car)
5. Make long term investments (Educational, Pension, Retirement Fund)
6. Investment in Stocks and High Risk Investments. 

Well, those steps given really make sense diba? How could you be financially free without having the first or second done first?

There were more things and explanation on the book that pointed out as to why those steps where really important. Also, from the title of the book, there were chapters that explains "What is Debt" and why people get into debt. Of course there were sections too that teaches you how to get out of debt slowly but surely. It also discuss about budgeting. That was actually the part that I felt a little bitin because it discussed the budgeting ng slight lang. I think that part deserves a little more exposure since most Filipino (including myself) doesn't stick to the budget or doesn't know how to make one.

Anyhow, I am still going to buy one of Chinkee Tan's book that I am eyeing for the longest time. Once I have a budget on that then I'll be posting another book review.

I bought another book din pala which I'll be blogging about kapag natapos ko. =)

Any money tips you can give?

The Long Busy Last Week

I felt last week was kinda busy for me. I was aiming for so many things at a short period of time. I was happy naman kasi i had a positive result for some of them.

I was so disturbed about James. He doesn’t have a shoes kasi na he can wear kapag nasa walker sya. Ang panget naman kung nakapaa lang sya diba? I have mentioned sometime ago na he had a fake crocs given to him. He used it for a while pero sabi ni Mama na dapat daw hindi ganun ang gamit nya kasi nga his skin is so sensitive at madaling masugatan. I should have buy him a different kind of shoes daw. My Mom suggested na meron daw na mura lang sa Baclaran. I tried searching for a nice sandals there for him but it’s either mabigat pa para sa kanya or masyadong malaki pa sa paa nya.

I asked Daryl to buy that nice shoes I saw sa Sunshine Mall sa FTI but it was too small for him naman. One time, I saw his foot na parang may paltos. So ayun, naguilty naman ang lola nyo. I was so disturb knowing na wala syang shoes.

I tried looking sa SM infant section. Of course nandyan ang Pitter Pat na ubod ng ganda pero para sakin eh mejo out of the budget. Naiisip ko kasi kalalakihan lang naman nya eh. Besides, he will only be using it kapag nasa walker pa sya. I will buy him a nicer shoes kapag naglalakad na sya or say everytime na aalis kami ng house for malling or kung san man. I checked other brands, price ranges from P149 – P 359.

I looked around some more, yung mga nasa P150 naman kasi eh di ko type masyado yung designs. I think it wasn’t that colorful enough. =(

I am beginning to loose hope until I dropped by sa isang part ng infant section na may mga shoes din. I checked kasi I saw it with a yellow tag. Oh alam na? Sale yun so mega tingin naman ako!

I saw so many designs, ang gaganda pero they looked like mejo madumi ng slight. Siguro those are from their stock room na hindi masyadong nabili. I checked the brand and the price at mukha naming good steal na ito.

I had a hard time kung anong size ba ang kukunin.

  - teka short chika,

While checking, I over heard (chismosa lang ako) a lady customer asking the saleslady behind me kung anong swimsuit daw ba ang maganda. She was holding 2 one piece swimsuits for a girl toddler. I looked at them and voluntarily suggested the one on her right. Yung saleslady kasi nagdalawang isip kung ano ba ang maganda. She was kind enough to welcome my suggestion naman. =) Hayy.. Ang sarap din kung baby girl no? Ang dami kasing choices ng clothes, shoes, undies and almost everything. 

Continue:

I asked the saleslady kung anong size ba ang for 6 months old. She gave me a size 24 daw dapat. The only design for size 24 is a sandals with a denim strap tapos si Pooh ang design. Di ko type. I showed her the design I liked pero size 23 na lang daw. Looking at it, it seemed big na for James so I bought it. Half inch lang naman difference nila ng size 24. 

Brand: Disney; Price: from P349 to P100

Oh diba? Good deal na.

When I came home, sinuot ko agad kay James.

Shet.

Sakto lang, that’s when I found out na size 24 pala talaga ang baby ko. Dear! Ang hirap bumili ng gamit ng baby lalo na pag lalaki ang bibilhan! Hay.. I have to get used to it.

I was told by the saleslady na pwede naman daw papalitan ng size incase hindi talaga kasya pero sinira ko na ang tag so I supposed hindi na pwede ibalik.

Anyway, pang bahay lang naman diba? =)

And considering the price, hindi na masyadong nakakapanghinayang kung madaling kaliitan. Mejo nagtanda na kasi ako dahil dun sa mga damit na binili ko sa kanya na once or twice lang nya nasuot dahil ang bilis nya lumaki.

He seemed to be enjoying it naman. When I had him wear it, iba pala ang gusto ng bagets. Hulaan nyo kung ano.

Oo.

Gusto nyang kainin ang sandals nya!

Kaloka.

Friday last week naman, I was so happy I was able to buy this.

Mouth watering!!! Lagi ko ‘tong tinatanaw sa labas ng isang store sa ground floor ng office. If you didn’t know, when I was about 6 months pregnant, I was dreaming of making my No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake. However, ang mahal ng Philadelphia Cream Cheese so I wasn’t successful.

When I tasted it, mejo hindi ko nga lang type. Ang tabang nya saka parang di masarap yung feeling. I have tested that in Starbucks and I liked it. Unfortunately, parang sinayang ko ang P98 for this dessert na di naman ako masyadong nag enjoy. =(

Also, last week, I had these!!

I so love the Cheddar Cheese. I gave the Jalapeno flavor to Daryl. My officemate sells them for P95 now turned P100 each. I find it a liitle expensive na ha. Though di ka naman na lugi kasi they have the courtesy to get it paid when payday comes na lang. I have been trying to find these flavors sa grocery pero once pa lang ako nakakita ng cheddar cheese flavor. Do know where to buy these? 

Maisingit ko lang ang OOTD ko one time. 10,000 years kasi bago ko nai upload kaya ngayon lang. OOTD ko ata yan last week. Hehehe. =)

Top: Mags from Ate; Skirt: Fover21; Shoes: Mama’s

Last Thursday naman, Bebe (Daryl) and I ate at Tokyo Tokyo Mall of Asia. Wala lang, strolling lang sa mall. =) I missed eating here din kasi I so love their Pork Tonkatsu eh. =)

Nag feelingera ako ng konti. I tried their chopsticks pero hindi na pala ako marunong. Hayy.. 

Lastly, I wanted to tell you I am done with the Book 1 of 50 Shades of Grey and now reading 50 Shades Darker Book 2. Soon, I'll have the Book 3: 50 Shades Freed. Yess! Excited na ako. =)

I downloaded the ebook na lang. I borrowed the book lang kasi from my officemate, Jo-anne =)

I will try my best to have a book review. Try lang ha? kasi nung highschool ako hate ko yang mga book review/film review na yan eh. Heheheh. =)

Last week din, we slept at James' Tita Fraulene's house. Ayan, happy sya kasi airconditioned room ang tutulugan nya. Silly him! Love na talaga nya ang aircon. Prolly because sobrang init lang nowadays no?!

This photo was taken last weekend din. He can sit fully pero mejo natutumba pa rin ng konti. We're getting there one baby step at a time. =)

About to go home in couple of minutes. Next week afternoon shift na naman ako! Waaah. =(

Laters baby! =)