Managing Spare Time : Virtual Assistant + Serving GOD + Financial Education

I had a tremendous week.

My spare time is well spent. I can’t believe that I actually did those stuffs.

Anyway, let me share what happened to me this week.

I started my week with a bang. Just came from a blessed Easter Sunday. Edel and I celebrated the Easter Sunday attending the Grand Feast at SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia. I’m so blessed to have almost all of my mentors in one place. I talked to our financial mentor Dr. Dada Rosanes of International Marketing Group with her kids. I discussed virtual assistant stuffs with my Internet Marketing mentor Jomar Hilario while waiting patiently for the food queuing area. I listened to Bo Sanchez’ awesome preach, the first part of the Overcome Series. There are various published articles online that discusses the things that happened during the Grand Easter Feast. 

Feel free to check them out.

Edel’s Choose to be Wealthy Article

Bo Sanchez’ blog post : Be a Sponge and Absorb God's Blessings

Later that afternoon, Edel and I had a great full body massage at Rafraf together with Marvin located in Halang Calamba Laguna. After that Marvin, Edel and I discussed our future plans regarding our business. We’re on the path in making this a reality. Soon you’ll find out. In case you’re interested to join feel free to email me at projects@elvinperia.com.

This fuels me to start my week right. I’m so fired up!

I went to the office. I had mountains of things to do to start my week. I need to prepare the Post Campaign Analysis for Malaysia, prepare the March Month End Excess Inventory Report, submit the daily inventory report and the weekly service reports, give an orientation about the service and inventory reporting plus other stuff and attend a lot of meetings.

Anyway, these tasks are the things I need to accomplish within the week. Sounds like an easy task but most of these reports require half to one day to finish.  Imagine that. 

This is the exciting part. Every after I finished my day job, I look forward to finishing my assignments as a virtual assistant. Having two jobs at the same time requires proper time management (which I'm currently learning). My tasks as a virtual assistant are just simple. It only requires me to answer emails, to save the inquiries in a template in Microsoft Excel and provide a daily update regarding the status of the project to my client. In fact, this week, as far as I know, I answered on an average, 50 emails in less than 1 hour. Cool right?

Also, this week, I re-started my passion. I joined Laguna Feast’s Music Ministry. In fact, I just got home from the band practice. Of course, I played the guitar. I learned 4 new songs. I met new people (people who are very passionate in serving God’s people thru their talents). Just in case you want to be part of Laguna Feast you may email them at LagunaFeast@gmail.com.

One more thing, of course, I attended Wealth Academy’s Series 10 entitled Distinctions in the mind of Poor, Middle class and Rich discussed by Wealth Academy’s proponent and CEO Noel Arandilla. On my next post I will be sharing the things I learned from this series.

Until my next post.

Ooops. Before I forgot. I'm posting this article using my email. I'm using a Blogger feature called Mail2Blogger. Mail2Blogger allows you to create blog posts using your email.

eLviN

PS. Rex Mendoza will be discussing the Entrepreneur’s Mindset this April 14 at the IMG Makati office. This talk is exclusively for IMG members. In case you want to attend seminars like this, please contact me at ask@elvinperia.com.

PS1. Do you want to serve? Laguna Feast will be conducting a Basic Communication Skills Training on April 11 and April 18. This will be for those who wants to be part of the Feast’s Servants.

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Money Working For You

What a week!

I guess last week is the most tiring and rewarding week of my life.

It is tiring because for the first time in my life I’m doing two jobs at the same time. I’m an employee at day and a virtual assistant at night. It is rewarding because I’ve learned a valuable lesson.

I learned the difference between money working for me and me working for money. Obviously I’m currently working for money and I’m happy that money is coming to me but there’s a challenge. My body is screaming! I could not have a good night sleep.

This just shows that human beings have our own sets of limitations. We can only work at the maximum of 16 hours a day to have good enough sleep. We need those 8 hours of sleep to have a healthy body and a refreshed mind. (Additional note : Drinking of energy drinks is not a permanent solution for this. Take note, NOT THE PERMANENT SOLUTION because I know that there are very hardworking people out there who drinks a lot of energy drinks just to stay awake. This is very, very unhealthy.)

Money on the other hand can work 24 hours a day for us. No limit. No rest day. No holidays. No weekends. No summer breaks. Money works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

You might ask? How can I do that?

First, you must understand how money works. Second, you must know how to handle your money by having the courage to discipline yourself and lastly, find a way to increase your sources of income.

Fortunately, I am part of a group that can help you have your money working for you. The group is called International Marketing Group (IMG). It has a program called WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM consisting of twenty series that can transform you by teaching you these three things (1) Financial Literacy, (2) Discipline and (3) Entrepreneurship. We believe that the greatest asset is financial intelligence.

Here are the topics covered in the WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM

Series 1 : Finacial Solutions Today

• Six Steps to Financial Freedom
• How Money Works
• The Wealth Formula
• Building a Solid Financial Foundation
  

Series 2 : Finance and Investment 101

• Different investment vehicles and strategies
• Bypass the middleman and become your own financial adviser/broker
• Mutual Funds / Diversification and Money Cost Averaging etc
  

Series 3 : Creating Multiple Income Streams

• Different sources of passive income
• Creating passive income streams
• New concepts in making good money
  

Series 4 to 20 : A comprehensive approach to personal and financial success

Sounds interesting right?

The knowledge I got from attending these series motivates me to act and take control of myself and my finances. That's the primary reason why I'm adding more sources of income for me to invest more for my future. Soon, I'll have my money working for me instead of me working for money. Soon, this will come true (I'm looking at 5 to 10 years time frame). How about you? When do you want to have your money work for you?

Until my next post.

PS. In case you want to know more about the WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM you may contact me by sending me an email at elvinperia@yahoo.com. I'm willing to send you the schedules of the WEALTH ACADEMY PROGRAM. Again, email me at elvinperia@yahoo.com.

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Money Problems Solution

As I was browsing my facebook page I noticed my financial mentor posting a status message that is something worth sharing.

He said on his status message that there are two reasons why most of us have problems with our hard earned money.

1. Money Management.
2. Not Enough Income.

There are a lot of people earning lots of bucks in a month. Towards the end of the month they started to worry how they will survive for the remaining days before paycheck. They mismanage their hard earned money. They never budget. They never save.

Okay let us assume that they save. They save in banks. Most of banks give 1% interest rates for their savings and 4% on their time deposit account. Is it enough? Nope. If you place your hard money on these kinds of investments, you’ll lose. Why? Average inflation is around 7% per year. I was not surprised when I heard that the price of petroleum, rice, and sugar increased. Thanks to inflation. A good money management tip I can give is to place hard earned money on at least 8% interest rate. This way your money will earn.

For those who never save. I suggest that you save first then live on the remaining percentage. The ideal saving is around 20% of your income. So let’s say you’re earning 20K a month, after you receive your 20K set aside 4K and live with 16K.

I developed a formula for this. This works for those people who have a budget plan for their expenses. Divide expenses for the month by 0.8 or 80% to get the ideal net income. For example, if a person has an average expense of 20K per month, then he should be earning 25K at least in order to save 20% of his income.

If he earns less than that amount, then we move on to the next money problem. Not enough income.

The only solution for money problem # 2 is to increase your cash flow. Increasing cash flow can be done by (1) reducing expenses and (2) getting more sources of passive income. Passive income is a long topic to discuss. I’ll reserve that topic in the future.

Hope this post can help you manage your finances better.

PS. If you want to know more about handling finances you may contact me through my email. Email me @ elvinperia@yahoo.com

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Farewell 2009 Hello 2010 Part 2

Here’s my 2010 fearless forecast.

2009 will be ending right. I have accomplished so many things like planning my finances, getting a financial mentor, acquiring the right financial mindset and having the right focus on obtaining my dreams.

They said that humans are created in the same likeness and image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). If God uses his words to create everything in the world, I will also be using my words to create the things I want to happen for 2010.

Here it goes!

Part 1: Building Great Relationships - Harnessing What’s There
My 2009 ended with a lot of hanging opportunities. We ended up at finding our financial mentors, finding the right vehicles to wealth (mutual bonds, real estate, blogging etc) and having the right mindset, the mindset of a goal getter. So what do we do with these arsenals at hand? Of course we need to utilize them. We need to maximize them to the fullest.

With this, I’m focused to build a great relationship with my family, my mentors and my colleagues. First, with my family, I’m focused in solving our financial problems. This will happen with the use of proper financial planning. We will be setting up our own goals as a family. We will be reducing our expenses and we will be looking at ways to increase our cash flow. To start this, either I will bring them to Makati to attend the Wealth Academy Series or I will bring the Wealth Academy series here in Calamba. The latter idea sounds more interesting.

With regards to my mentors, I will get in touch with them in every situation I need guidance. As they continue to inspire me with their knowledge and wisdom, I will motivate them more through the results I’m accomplishing, through the friendship I’m offering and through my life experiences.

To my financial mentors, Doctor Dada Rosanes, Ms Ann Salvador, and the whole IMG team led by Engr. Noel Arandilla this year will be our year. We will continue to spread the financial wisdom to all Filipinos out there to regain their hope towards attaining their financial freedom (I’m thinking of putting the series online, what do you think?). Surely, we will have a good time doing this.

In addition, Edel and I will be celebrating our birthday’s this year differently. We will be treating both of our families in a decent eat all you can buffet. Isn’t that exciting?

Part 2: Increasing my Cash Flow – Planting More Seeds
I will continue to plant seeds for our financial freedom. This includes investing for my future and for my future family.

One of the seeds that I will be planting is the investment in mutual funds. I will use the mid-year bonus as a start-up capital for this one. With the help of my financial mentors, I know that this will be a low risk move that will bring us to a high return investment in the future.

Also, I will be planting more seeds of financial knowledge this year. I will be exposed to a lot of great books written by best-selling authors like Robert Kiyosaki, Robert Allen, Mark Victor Hansen, Seth Godin, Bo Sanchez, and many, many more. Like them, I’ll inspire others to gain financial wisdom. Like them I’ll inspire everyone to be a champion in all aspects of their lives. I'll use my blog as a tool to spread the word of encouragement, word of hope, word of wisdom and some good advice.

One more thing, I’ll be creating at least 3 best-selling books that I will be giving away for free (I hope I will not change my mind this year. Laughs!). These books will contain my experiences and challenges towards becoming a champion. I know this would really inspire everyone who reads it. By the way, my girlfriend Edel is giving away her first ebook online. A lot of people who read it are inspired by her stories. Click here to download your copy.

Part 3 : Creating a New Set of Habits - Path to Greatness
For most people, this is their new year’s resolution. I do have one too. Starting tomorrow, I’ll wake up early. Do some early breathing exercise while lifting my daily intentions to God. All my concerns, all my worries, all my goals, all my daily tasks will be lifted up to Him. I admit, this year I lack prayer. I’m too much focused on getting things done (this is not bad but often times I did not include God on those tasks). So this part, I’ll be more focused on getting things done and involving God in those tasks.

Another set of habit I’ll be doing are the following. I’ll sleep at around 10pm and wake up at 5:30 in the morning (this includes Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). I’ll be eating a lot of healthy foods. I will be limiting myself in drinking soft drinks and coffee (doctors say that caffeine masks out calcium).

I will be more optimistic this year. I will smile all the time. I will share everything I have. I will be more of a goal getter in 2010. Definitely, I will be one of the best in 2010 in our company, in my businesses, in my career and in all aspects of my life. In short, I will be a champion!

By the way, you might ask, why am I writing all of these stuff? Well, I do this so that I will be forced to change my habit. I will be obliged to work in fulfilling these tasks. My name is on the line. My credibility is on the line. If the stakes are high, for sure, these things will be accomplished. These things will be done.

I know there are a lot of great things that will come in 2010. Gee. I am excited to face them and run towards our goals.

PS. You can also plant seeds to your financial success by attending IMG’s Wealth Academy Series. Don’t worry, the first three series is free for everyone. If you’re interested kindly email me at elvinperia@yahoo.com for schedule or visit our office at 3rd Floor King’s Court 1 Building Dela Rosa corner Pasong Tamo, Makati City Philippines.

PS2. If you wish to grow in total abundance in 2010, Bo Sanchez and I are inviting you to join Truly Rich Club. He can guide you to grow your financial life as well as your spiritual life. Log on to www.TrulyRichClub.com now.

PS3. Edel is giving away her free eBook entitled STOP Jobhopping Now! Click here to get your copy online. This eBook would definitely help you a lot.

Farewell 2009 Hello 2010 Part 1

I believe that 2009 is such a successful year for me. Here are some highlights of my 2009.

Attended Jomar Hilario's Internet Marketing Workshop
Last March 28-29, I attended Jomar Hilario's Internet Marketing Workshop. This workshop opened my mind to the vast money making opportunities in the world wide web like blogging, creating sales letter, creating sales blog etc. It unlocked my skills as a HTML programmer (quite) and as a writer. This workshop really harnessed my computer skills to the next level.

Went to Puerto Princesa Palawan with Edel
Actually, a lot of firsts happened on this trip. Booked flights. Booked a hotel. Transfered reservation fees. Renewed my driver's license. Rode an airplane. Spilled a mocha frappe in an airplane (I'll never forget this experience). Met a cool tour guide (Ma'am Gloria, she definitely talks a lot!). Saw a lot of nature's wonders (Puerto Princesa Palawan is such a wonder). Saw a fighting monitor lizards. Met a couple who wants to travel a lot (imagine their flight cost them at around 1.5K each round trip!). After the trip we're invited by a Singapore-Philippines Association President to dine on his own restaurant in Malate.

Went on a business trip in Malaysia
Melisa, Tonie and I went to Avon Malaysia for a training. Just like in the Puerto Princesa Trip there are a lot of firsts happened on this event. Flew an international flight. Stamped my passport. Rode a train in an airport. Rode a right hand taxi. Rode a 110km/hour taxi while the taxi driver is opening his door (scary huh?). Got a Malaysian Ringgit. Slept in a hotel room alone. Saw a country with three different nationalities (Malaysian, Chinese, and Indian). Saw the Petronas Tower (amazing lights). Drank a sweetened milo in a plastic with straw (believe me, this is something new). Shared a book that changed the way I think of things (Michael Losier's Law of Attraction) with my boss and automatically it worked instantly without her opening/reading it. Went to Aquaria and Aquazone in Kuala Lumpur. Enjoyed a fish spa where my dead skin cells were eaten by fishes. And the best thing that happened in this trip? I got promoted!

Attended Kerygma Conference 2009 in Araneta Coliseum
The date is November 28-29. This is my first time to attend an event in Araneta Coliseum (second time in Kerygma Conference). All I can say is, amazing! This event is such a huge inspiration for us to dream big and win big in all areas in our lives. My mind was blown to the highest level. Bo Sanchez is such a talented man who wants everyone of us to be a champion. He's a great instrument of God's Love. I really experienced God's miracle in this two-day event. By the way, I'm with Edel, Marvin, Liz, Faye and Gerald.

More firsts (uncategorized)
Ordered a book in Amazon online. Created a social networking site in ning. Replaced my 5 year old CPU. Became part of company's First Friday Mass Choir (I'm the guitarist). Learned how to invest in stocks, mutual funds etc. Learned how to plan for the future finances. Been able to setup mid term goals. Won in a Christmas Party raffle (consolation prize but I still won, thanks to Law of Attraction!).

Got a mentor in real estate in the name of Ann Salvador (Crown Asia Condos) and Trace Trajano (more of online mentorship : buyfirstdeal.com), in our finances Rachelle Paunlagui (more of investing in stocks, mutual funds etc) and Dra. Dada Rosanes and Engr. Noel Arandilla of IMG (almost anything about investing), in internet marketing, Jomar Hilario and my spiritual mentor Bo Sanchez who taught us how to be a champion.

I believe that there are a lot more things and accomplishments that happened this year. I'm glad to say that 2009 is really our mentor year. Just like we planned last year, we will be looking for our mentors that will guide us in all aspect of our lives and it really happen. Now we have a couple of mentors guiding us in every step that we take. We ask them questions if we're uncertain. We seek for their advice. Believe me, they're priceless. I know these handful mentors of us will bring us to the top. These mentors will help us to conquer our fears and push us forward to achieving our dreams.

On my next post, I'll be sharing my fearless forecast for 2010.

P.S.1.You can have your own sets of mentor as well to start the year right. You can start by joining different online clubs if you don't like travelling often to different places. If you're looking for your online spiritual mentor, you can try listening to Bo Sanchez' talks and preachings for free in preacherinbluejeans.com. Or you can subscribe to KerygmaFamily where you can receive a lot of Bible reflections in your email daily, again this is for free. You can check the highly recommended site portion of this blog to know other online mentoring programs.

P.S.2. In case you're somewhere near in Makati area and have a spare time every Monday and Wednesday night or whole day Saturday, you can attend International Marketing Group's Wealth Academy Series. In this series, you'll learn about handling your finances that would definitely help you BIG TIME in the future. Did I mention that the first 3 series are free? I forgot to mention that IMG is located in 3/F King's Court I Building, 2129 Don Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City.

Parable of the Fisherman and the Bank Investor

A bank investor was taking a much-needed vacation in a small coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. The boat had several large, fresh fish in it.

The investment banker was impressed by the quality of the fish and asked the fisherman how long it took to catch them. The fisherman said, "Only a little while." The banker then asked why he didn't stay out longer and catch more fish?

The fisherman replied he had enough to support his family's immediate needs.

The investor then asked "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

The fisherman replied, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta with my wife, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my friends: I have a full and busy life."

The investment banker scoffed, "I am an Ivy League MBA, and I could help you. You could spend more time fishing and with the proceeds buy a bigger boat, and with the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats until eventually you would have a whole fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to the middleman you could sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You could control the product, processing and distribution."

Then he added, "Of course, you would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to another city where you would run your growing enterprise."

The fisherman asked, "But, how long will this all take?"

To which the investor replied, "15-20 years."

"But what then?" asked the fisherman.

The laughed and said, "That's the best part. When the time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You could make millions."

"Really? Millions? Then what?"

The investment banker replied, "Then you would retire. You could move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your friends."

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My note on this parable. It does not take a lot of money just to have wealthy life.

I got this story from one of my financial mentors Todd Tresidder. He is good is giving out a lot of advice from financial literacy up to personality development just like Bo Sanchez. By the way, he has this financial coaching program that would help you to plan your finances. Feel free to check it out by clicking on this link.

Speaking of financial literacy, we will be attending IMG 1st and 2nd sessions this Saturday at King's Court in Makati. IMG or International Marketing Group is one of the few companies of its kind in the industry today. It is a marketing company dedicated in serving the financial needs of individuals and families in all walks of life. They are devoted in helping us to move from dreaming to doing. For more details about IMG please check out this link.