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?

Book Review | 7 Things Every Wife Should Know

Marriage is a very complex topic. I have seen it thru my parents which gave me an impression that it was a great gift from God. I have been very blessed to have a parents that worked hard for their relationship to last until my Dad died. I have never seen them fight nor throw things at each other. I can’t remember hearing them curse each other too so that gave me an idea that marriage was one beautiful thing.

As I was growing up, I have witnessed marriage that has been broken apart. I have seen this with my brother and I felt sad that they weren’t able to keep it. Well anyway, that was their choice.

When I had a boyfriend and thought of having my own family, I have imagined my life would be as wonderful, stress – free and happy as can be. Now that I am living with Daryl and James, I have realized that a marriage doesn’t come with just love, there should be other components too.

Viviene, the author of this book of 7 Things Every Wife Should Know covered everything that every women should practice every now and then. I would say ‘practice’ because it wasn’t automatic that you would be, for once, a submissive to your husband. Especially to newlyweds, you would often think that your choice and your opinion as a woman is much more important, as you think that it was the greatest choice ever. This book made me realize how to become a wife to Daryl as I have the tendency to be nagmamarunong. I felt I know everything and I make the best decisions for our family not realizing that it was no longer just me. He should be the King and I am the Queen. What does queens do ba? They would follow King’s order too although it doesn’t mean that the Queen doesn’t have the capability to voice out. Diba nga, Every Great Woman is behind every great Man?

This book talked about TRIUMPH which was honestly, very new to me. Upon reading this, tinamaan ako here and there as I admit that I have flaws every now and then but putting God in the center of our relationship, everything goes well.

One thing that I liked about this book was, it has an activity part where you can reflect on the topic that was discussed. I have tried to follow these and believe me, everything went better from our everyday life to how we communicate etc. I recommend this book not just for wives but for every woman, as this book did a great job in tackling every aspects of a happy marriage.

This book is a perfect gift this Valentine’s Day to every woman you care about, A birthday gift, bridal shower gift, and husband’s gift to their wives too.

You can order by sending an email to teacher_viviene@yahoo.com or by clicking here and here.

Oh wait! Since it’s the love month, Viviene was very generous to give 15% off!! So from P395 to P335 only! Take note that it will be FREE SHIPPING nationwide (Philippine Residents Only)!!! If you’ll order thru email, just put 15%OFF on the subject line and this discount will be applied. Oh diba? Sya na talaga ang generous!!

What are you waiting for mga muthers!! Buy buy buy na! =)