It's My Birthday Today!

I'm 28 years old today (April 25, 2014) ! Happy birthday to me! It's true that age is  just a number. I feel like  21 years old rather than 28! I still wear sneakers rather than high heels. I still make sick,gross jokes every now and then. I feel like I didn't grow up but, I am richer now (haha!) compared to my 21-year-old self and I am independent compared to my 21-year-old self who needs and fantasizes about Prince Charming.  

1986. 28 years ago. Cheers! 

PSE EDGE: AN APP FOR NEWBIE, SEASONED AS WELL AS FUTURE INVESTORS

EDGE: Electronic Disclosure Generation Technology

I have been using this app for a while now and I think it's time to tell you my views about it.



Note: I am not, in any way, claiming to be a seasoned investor or a trader. Though I've been investing in the local stock market for 3 years now, I still consider myself a "forever student investor".

So, what do I really think of the app?

I have been using Bloomberg since I started investing and PSE Edge was a welcomed news to me. An app that focuses on the Philippine stocks, what's not to like? I love the app and I thought that this would be a great tool for Filipinos, here's why:

• You don't have to open COL account, BPI Trader's account etc., to be able to get this. As long as you have a smartphone, or in my case an IPod Touch, you can install it for FREE! Filipinos love free stuffs, what's not to like? 

• The app has a list of publicly listed stocks in the country for easier access. 

• You can save stocks to your My Page section to closely monitor the movements as well as  recieved alarms and significant news.

My Page encircled 

I cannot contain myself for discovering PSE Edge. I love it! Browsing on it on my free time gives me information. Now that I have this, I feel like my zeal on learning about finance, which I stated on one of my blogs, is slowly coming back.

Check it for yourself, let me know if you did and how you like it.

Rode My Bike ALONE Today

If you are a long time reader of my blogs, you would know that I am fond of walking. During my spare time, I walk everywhere. Now that I have Red, my initial thoughts were how awkward would it be to bike anywhere other than the bike trail. The thought of sharing streets with people scares me but today, I did it! I biked alone! Yehey!

If you read my previous blog, you would know I went biking with my friends yesterday in a bike trail. Today, I had a lot of hesitations about biking alone, but I did it anyway and OMG, it was the best feeling ever! I feel so free! Really! It's like discovering myself all over again.

I went to the library and the mall with "him".People have been looking, admiring and commenting on Red coz I folded "him" then drag it whenever I'm not riding. They were amazed! Somebody said it's cool! I'm a proud owner! 

My final destination was a park where I could sit and read the second series of a Song of Ice and Fire- A Game of Thrones. Below is a picture of me and Red. Thanks, timer! 

I GOT A BRAMPTON AND "HIS" NAME IS RED!

Brampton Folding Bike H Type
EN 14764
City and Trekking Bicycles

 

I am excited as heck! After two months for contemplating, I finally bought a folding bike and I am happy! A priciest item I bought for myself to date! The cost? $ 1,721.00 plus 6 % tax, I paid $1,824.26 or more less PHP 80,000! Now that I converted in pesos, I felt an ouchie, haha! Just slight.. really! I've justified the spending by saying how good I am when it comes to saving money. It has been a while since buying a "want".  Besides, I can afford it. I don't have to borrow money to buy it so go!


Why did I buy a folding bike?

• I want to explore places. I am taking advantage of an awesome trail that could take you downtown. It is safe and you don't share road with cars. 
• It is so compact and whenever I feel so tired, I can just fold it up, take a bus or a train to take me home. I can basically carry it whenever,wherever. It also has four tiny wheels that enables you to just roll it if you don't feel like carrying it. ( See second picture above)
• It's unique! I've never even heard of one until my friend introduced me to it.
• When I finally go home for good, I can just put it in a box so voila, kasama na sa 'pinas!
• I can take it backpacking. I can take it to NZ, ha!

My first ride:

With an Ethiopian friend
 We happen to pass by a parade so we took a picture with that big man behind

Two of my friends and I went all the way to the airport, 14 miles going there, 14 miles going back. So far, so good! The only complain I  have is the saddle. My tosh hurts, I need to get use to it. It has been a while since I've ridden a bike, that's why.

Resting in a grassy area featuring my friends' bikes
They have a Tern and a  Dahon

This is what the bike looks like when parked
All smiles. I am a happy bee!

For Good Update: My Plans When I Finally Come Home

There are quite a few who emailed me about my for good decision, asking me questions on my plans, am I retiring and the like. I feel like those question has a hidden question,"Why are you going home? Wala kang mapapala sa Pilipinas. Mahirap doon."

Am I retiring?

My friends, I am not retiring. I am  still young and I am just (turning)  28-years-old. I can still work! The idea is working not because I have to, but because I want to.

I could work there, spend the salary for bills and such without touching my investments and/or  savings. 

I would continue to live simply. I am use to simple living and I don't worry about lifestyle inflation.

Simple living and my bahay kubo

I will be living in a bahay kubo in the province. I am not a city girl. Province-living suits me much better than the hustle and bustle of a city life, plus the cost of living in the province is way cheaper.

Business Ideas: 

• Buying a Farm

This, I thought, would be my ultimate dream. I want to own a land maybe 5 hectares or less where I could build my bahay kubo and where I could grow my own food. I am also interested in learning about agriculture so I can grow crops. Magbubukid lang ang drama! 

* I have been looking for land somewhere in Zamboanga del Sur (I grew up there) . A quick Google search shows that 5 hectares of farm land in that province would range from 800,000 to 2 million depending on the location. I want to see the land personally first before buying so this goal could wait till I go home.

• Real State

• • Since moving in the province is a top priority, I would rent out my townhouse in Cebu. Extra income. Chaching!

•• I also have a small land ( 80 sq.) near newly-built SM in Cebu. I am planning to build rooms there so I could rent it out to the workers. I also heard that they are planning on building  a second I.T. Park nearby so renting a room will be a profitable business, if the proposed I.T Park project would push through 

• Stock Market

• Getting my feet wet in stock trading would also give me extra income. Happy to report the gains I've made since investing  3 years ago when the market was at its lowest due to a world crisis. As I mentioned in this post, I am kind of stuck in an analysis paralysis mode when selling stocks. I need to toughen my gut and quit overanalyzing.

There is no place like home. No matter how hard life back home, masarap pa 'din sa 'pinas!