MONEY MATTERS : CREATE YOUR OWN FINANCIAL BUCKET LIST

However we call it, we all have a bucket list in life. We have that pile of the things we want to achieve someday. But do you know that "someday" is a dangerous word? Because it can be any day, and that's the challenge. I like the idea of a bucket list. And I usually break it down into different aspects of my life. Personal, Career, Financial and Spiritual.

Since 2014 only got some few weeks left (!) and another new year is for us to behold - I think this is the best time to create our own bucket list. Mind you that this post will obviously revolve around the personal finance aspect. If you're in your late 20's - I encourage you not to delay and think about these things even if you find it boring or for whatever reason. Why? Because we all need this! Or maybe not if you're an heiress or something. But you get my point :D

1. Invest in UITF (Unit Investment Trust Fund)

Can I just reiterate that the minimum generally ranges from Php 5,000? An amount which most young professionals can afford. Be honest guys! :) If you need to save for it in a year - that would be Php 13.88 a day.

So, how does it work? Take a gander at our picture below. Investors are you and I. Fund Manager is your favorite bank (like BDO or PNB). Securities are stocks in Philippine Stocks Exchange (PSE). Returns are tubo or profits.

Related Reads:

• HOW TO OPEN A PNB (HIGH DIVIDEND FUND) UITF ACCOUNT?
•  WHY WE SHOULD INVEST IN UNIT INVESTMENT TRUST FUNDS (UITFs)? 
• HOW TO INVEST IN BANCO DE ORO (BDO) UITF ACCOUNT?

2. Invest in Mutual Fund (MF)

This has the same logic as that of UITF's - only difference is fund managers for mutual funds is not a bank but an investment house. I'd understand if you won't feel comfortable to invest in mutual fund if you're a first timer but I'd like to call out that there are safe investment houses out there. Some of them are affiliated with longest-running banks (i.e. First Asset Metro, Inc. is an investment arm of Metrobank).

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Related Reads:

• HOW TO OPEN A FIRST ASSET METRO, INC. (FAMI) MUTUAL FUND?
• HOW TO OPEN A MUTUAL FUND ACCOUNT AT ATR KIMENG?  
• 5 FACTORS THAT CAN MAKE YOU RICH

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Last bit is for someone who wants to know more about the market...
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FASHION ALERT 2015: WHAT'S THE COLOR OF THE YEAR?

So I was browsing one of my favourite blogs and found out that MARSALA is 2015's colour of the year. Say whut?! I literally have to access trusty Wikipedia to find out that Marsala is a place, yes! It's a place in Italy where Marsala wine is produced. So we should be seeing more of red wine colour this 2015. Heads up that the pictures throughout this post came from Mr. Google's database.

Now on to my thoughts. Whew. Sporting anything of wine shade is a bit of a challenge for me. I just think it's not as radiant as red or pink in terms of makeups, or as neutral as brown and whites to be considered a classic, fashion-wise. Whatevs. As much as I'd like to say 'the heck with fashion forecast', I know that deep inside, I still want to ride the trend somehow.

This colour couldn't be more timely for me. It's all over London! I think maroon shade is one of the most mainstay in London fashion. It captures the city's heartbeat. Edgy but sophisticated. For now, incorporating Red Wine (or, yeah, Marsala) colour into my accessories can be a good start. This Zara's scarf is exhibit one. What about makeups?

CMK LONDON DIARY : QUICK CATCH UP

It dawned on me that this is only my second post for December. Ha! To be honest, the minute I got in my flat, I only want to do 2 things: a) eat and b) relax. I find blogging as a form of release however, my eyes get dry staring at my laptop for too long so, there. Anyways, so many things has happened. It's all good fun. I'd like to keep things light and list down a quick catch up:

New Stuff

I got a pink gloves and pink finger toy from Peru given by a friend (Thanks, S!). Gloves fit perfectly and what a joy to know I have pink shawl to match them. Woot! Remember my Winter Wish List (HERE)? I kind of granted my own wish by buying a pink biker jacket and gloves. Bought a couple of accessories to spruce up my outfit as well.

On Mindfulness

I'm trying my best not to go online the past days, we all need to embrace the here and the now. I keep telling that to myself but honestly, I always find myself falling in between cracks. I'm loving Ed Sheeran songs, at the mo. It's not 100% on repeat as most of them are dark but yeah, the beat is fresh to my ears. He's from England, by the way :)

Shopping

I finally got the Zara (super massive) scarf. It's my first time to buy something from the brand. And I'm indifferent. I just find them too pricey but since I love the wool feel of it, I went on and bought it. My signature scent Clinique Happy Heart was running out so I purchased a refill. 50 ml for less than Php 3,000 is quite a good price.

MONEY MATTERS : XURPAS SURGES BY 50% ON ITS INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING (IPO)

If you think this post is about some latest game sensation, scratch that. This is about a company that has its initial public offering on Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) just today. As in 2nd of December, 2014. 

Can I be honest? This is the first time I've heard of the company. I have to check the spelling twice because I'm not that sure. I've heard of the IPO from Rappler. Thanks to the power of social media that we can be in-the-know of good information such as these. Okay, when I visited their website, I saw this: "Xurpas is a technology company that creates digital products for the Mobile Consumer." Can I be brutally honest again, I don't understand a thing. >:)

I reckon watching this clip from their website will shed some light:

I've done a bit of research about the management and its market. After which, I decided to invest. BUT... don't take my word for it. I highly recommend that you do your own 'surf' and make an informed decision after. As for me, here are the reasons I invested:

1. Their products are sustainable. I've heard somebody joked about that WIFI should be included in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. And why not? If we pay close attention to what do  each morning, chances are it involves looking at your mobile phones for news, FB news feed, that is. Heheh. Seriously, the market for anything technology is promising. Worthwhile to know that Xurpas clients include the 3 leading mobile providers in the PH.

2. Share price is minimal. They've debuted at Php 3.97 per share and as of publish time, it's Php 5.95. Even so, you'll definitely agree that the price of a Starbucks / CBTL coffee worth so much more than that. Point is, you can afford to buy some shares.  

3. LIFE is all about taking risks. Calculated or not, pretty much everything involves an element of risk. Crossing the street {specially in EDSA}, taking an exam, applying for a visa - they all have a risk factor. Same goes for investing in new publicly listed companies. If you're not entirely sure, buying little shares won't hurt. After getting a feel on what the market looks like, slowly invest {or divest} based on your conviction.

You know what? Sometimes I think that our enemy is not lack of information. It's us thinking we have all the time in the world! This quote is a bit exagge, but I think we need this at some point: