Is ‘Networking’ Inherently Evil or a Scam?

For sure, you are familiar with the line: ‘Open-minded ka ba?’ 

And I am so much willing to bet my life one thousand peso bill that you know. 

Trending kaya ‘yan… So imposible namang hindi mo pa narinig. 

Yup, I am talking about network marketing which Pinoys fondly call simply as networking.

And our knee-jerk reaction when we hear this word is disgust. Why? Maybe because of the fear of us becoming new victims where we will be made to purchase overpriced products or to be lured and become recruits. 

This is saddening. How ‘selling’ has acquired this tainted meaning in the marketing arena —as we have already pointed out in this previous blog post. 

But is networking inherently evil or scam? 

Is network marketing a scam?

You might nod in affirmation. And we can’t blame you. Nowadays, offline and online, we can see how pyramid schemes have been popping out wildly like mushrooms. 

All are very aggressive at pursuing pathetic people with little to no financial education. But the answer is no; networking is not inherently evil. And I am about to teach you how to spot the good ones. 

Let’s go.

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ABC's to Financial Independence

It’s funny how a lot of people will excitingly raise their hands to the question of.. 

“Who wants to be a millionaire?” 

..but only a few (and some will even hesitate) wants to pursue the necessary work to achieve financial independence. 

What then is financial independence? 

A lot wants it but only a few clearly defines what financial independence is for them. That is why, most people end up quite unfulfilled in their (specifically) financial goals. 

Now, let’s define financial independence in this simplest form. Let’s imagine that we are shopping in a department store. Look here, look there...and voila! There it is, the item that you really want. Pick it up! Disregard looking at the price tag. Hurry! Go to the counter! Pay! 

How do you feel? 

For some, it will be horror. Why? What if they don’t have enough cash on hand or it’s another expense on top of the piled up loans and debts they have?

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Practical Money Tips for #Adulting 101

So this morning, as I was preparing for work and having my breakfast, I grabbed my mug of steaming hot coffee and brushed through the newspaper for some interesting news articles (not all articles catch my attention, especially the nasty ones like political bouts and dramas). 

One write-up caught my choosy eyes though. The title goes: "City Scholar sends a Thank You Letter to the Mayor". And I skimmed thru that and after reading it, I closed the newspaper, sipped the remaining coffee in my mug and thought about the scholar subject in the news bit *and the many graduates like her*. 

After graduation, for sure, companies will be waiting for her--if not proactively get her. So she will have a nice paying job to fill her pockets. 

But for how long? So I thought about writing this blog post.

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NSO Certificates Online Application

Request for NSO birth certificate, marriage certificate, CENOMAR (Certificate of No Marriage Record) or death certificate can be done from the comfort of your home. No more long lines and long waiting time, processing is now fast and hassle free. Just follow the simple steps below.

1. Go to e-Census website https://www.ecensus.com.ph. Go to "Request" select "Online Application".

2. Read the information carefully, click the "Click here to request now" button.


3. Read and accept the terms and conditions.

4. Fill out the Contact and Delivery Information.

5. Confirm the details.

6. Add your request(s) for Birth, Marriage, Death or CENOMAR, then click Submit.

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Work from home ideas: 10 ways to make money online in the Philippines

Not enough savings? Buried in debt? Living paycheck to paycheck? 

Sometimes, managing (especially reducing) our expenses isn't enough. You don't want to get sick because you cut eating meals into twice a day instead of thrice. That's going to be an additional financial burden.

Do you want to work from home?

The solution therefore is to earn additional sources of income. And now because of technology, people can actually make (additional) money online now in the comforts of their homes. 

Here are 10 ideas how to work from home for Filipinos and start making money online:

1. Freelance work or online jobs

Because of technology, a lot of jobs are now being outsourced all over the world. Thus, online jobs are now available. 

Luckily, Filipinos are known to be skillful, full of talent and hardworking. Earning few dollars is already a big thing here in the Philippines.  

Thus, a lot of Filipinos today are doing virtual assistant jobs. A lot are doing it as a part-time income online but some already made it a full-time job. 

Just imaging working at the comforts of your home. No more heavy traffic and you own your time. 

However, freelance work and online jobs may not be easy. It requires skills, dedication and constant learning but is truly doable. 

Here are some skills and services that are perfect if you want to get a freelance work online: 

- Graphic Design

- Android/IOS Application developer

- Content Writing

- Virtual Assistant

- Technical support/Customer Service

- Social Media Marketing

- Email Marketing 

- Online Video editor

- Logo Design

- Data Entry and Online Typing Jobs

- Search Engine Optimization Services (SEO)

- Internet Research

- and many more..

Famous sites you can go to:

International freelance websites:

- Upwork (www.upwork.com)

- Fiverr (www.fiverr.com)

- Freelancer (www.freelancer.com)

Filipino Freelance websites:

- VirtualStaffFinder (www.virtualstafffinder.com)

- MyOutDesk (www.myoutdesk.com.ph)

- OnlineJobs.ph

2. Sell stuffs online and/or build eCommerce website

You can sell physical items online like clothes, gadgets, even cars or basically anything. By using media like Facebook or Instagram, you can create your own business page where people can inquire, ask quotations and schedule for meet up. 

Transactions are usually done by meeting up or through delivery. However, a word of caution as scams are also evident online, so its best to be careful especially when payments are done online. 

Another way is through building an eCommerce website. Where you can set up an online store, have a secure payment process (usually through PayPal) and have an effective delivery system. 

3. Blogging

Blogging was once done as a hobby, but now can be a lucrative source of income online. A blog is basically a website where you can write anything you want. Usually informative, educational, entertaining or inspiring. 

You can be a food blogger, travel blogger or even a financial blogger. Then by building significant number of readers, visitors and traffic to your blog, you can then monetize it by adding relevant advertisements. 

Online advertising works the same with physical advertising. Have you seen those big banners with "Ads space for rent?" A company can rent a space in your building and place an ad banner. Same thing with online advertising, an advertiser will rent a "digital space" in your blog. 

Make money online as a blogger

However, just like physical advertisements where a good location is a big factor (where a lot of people can see the ad), your number of online visitors called traffic, determines how well you will earn as a blogger.

That's why choosing the right niche (specific blog topic) is also very important if you want to be a blogger and earn through advertisements. 

Good niches that can potentially receive good traffic are:

- news

- showbiz

- technology (especially gadgets)

- food and lifestyle

- travel

- relationships, family and marriage

- and even finance 

Turn your passion into profit, create a blog that you love to write about, work from home and make a decent money online! 

4. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is basically promoting other people's products online. Unlike an e-commerce website where you need to sell your own physical products online, by being an affiliate you just promote somebody else's products and receive a commission when someone buys from your promotion. 

An example would be by being an affiliate of Amazon or an affiliate of Lazada here in the Philippines. You just apply as an affiliate, fill-up some forms and upon approval, you will receive a unique code called an affiliate link. 

This affiliate link will be coded specifically to you. Meaning, when one clicks your affiliate link leading to a certain product and that person buys you will receive commission in return. It works like a referral system. 

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Understanding Deposit Insurance of Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC)

Here's a basic information on the scope of deposit insurance and the application of the maximum deposit insurance coverage.

Source: Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation

Disclaimer: We are not connected in any way with PDIC and this article is for informational purposes only. 

Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage (MDIC)

PDIC pays deposit insurance on all valid deposits up to the Maximum Deposit Insurance Coverage (MDIC) of P500,000 per depositor of a closed bank. For purposes of computing deposit insurance, accounts maintained in the same right and capacity for a depositor's benefit, whether in his own name or in the name of others, are added together and in no case shall exceed the MDIC.

Deposits are considered valid if, upon determination of PDIC, these deposits are recorded in the bank's records, and are evidenced by inflow of cash.

What  are covered by PDIC deposit insurance?

PDIC insures valid deposits in domestic offices of its member-banks, as follows:

By Deposit Type:

- savings

- special savings

- demand/checking

- negotiable order of withdrawal (NOW)

- time deposits

By Deposit Account:

- single account

- joint account

- account "By", "In Trust For" (ITF) or "For the Account of" (FAO) another person

By Currency:

- philippine peso

- foreign currencies considered as part of BSP's international reserves

PDIC member-banks

Consist of institutions authorized by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to perform banking functions in the Philippines:

- banks incorporated under Philippine laws, such as commercial banks, savings banks, mortgage banks, development banks, rural banks and cooperative banks and stock savings and loan associations

- domestic branches of foreign banks

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Change is coming in the financial industry

We are now in the information age and people are now very hungry to learn.

People want to get the best deals and benefits, people want to learn, and a lot want to do it themselves without the need of a pushy sales agent. 

Change is coming in the financial industry

Because of the booming information age and with the development of technology, companies have changed and disrupted the old industries. 

Here are the game changers in the global industries:

IMG the new financial industry (source: IMG official)

Uber the biggest transportation network but does not own a single vehicle. 

Facebook the most famous social media website but does not create is own content.

Youtube the most dominant online video streaming website but does not produce their own videos.

Google the largest online information hub but does not write its own content.

And in the financial industry, it is high time that change should be implemented. The financial industry in the Philippines existed for more than a hundred years already however, not even half of the Filipinos are insured, a lot are under-insured, minimal to no savings and investments, and most if not all are in debt. 

Because of IMG's global campaign for financial literacy, change is coming in the financial industry. Are you ready for the change?  

Here are five powerful changes that is expected to happen with IMG's campaign:

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Lessons from Rich Dad Poor Dad

Robert Kiyosaki is the best known author of the #1 personal finance book of all time: "Rich Dad Poor Dad." This book has challenged the way people think about money and he stresses out the importance of Financial Education. 

While Robert Kiyosaki is not in any way related with International Marketing Group (IMG), his advocacy towards financial education is totally remarkable! 

Today, let's look at the lessons in his famous book: "Rich Dad Poor Dad."  

Robert Kiyosaki the author of the #1 personal finance book: "Rich Dad Poor Dad" (source: Rich Dad Quotes)

Watch the summarized 10-minute video below and learn more about becoming rich than taking a 4-year finance degree. (credits to OnePercentBetter)

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Are you financially compatible with your partner?

The number one reason most couples fight is because of money. Whether we like it or not, money plays a very important role in our relationships. 

I personally don't believe in the saying, "bahala'g saging, basta loving!" (It's okay to eat banana, as long as you love each other.) Try feeding your family with banana for a year and you might have a brand new family: monkeys. 

Are you financially compatible with your partner?

Let's take a break with all the financial lessons in this blog and let's enjoy a little quiz and see how financially compatible are we with our partner. 

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Dominating the financial industry through financial literacy

International Marketing Group just concluded an awesome event last weekend: IMG's Convention of Champions 2016 - DOMINATE. It was held in SMX - Mall of Asia last Sept. 10 - 11, 2016. 

The theme of the event was "Dominate." Dominating the financial industry in the Philippines through Financial Literacy. We want to achieve a humble 1 million financially educated Filipino families by the year 2020. It was the biggest event so far with almost 8,000 financial advocates gathering with one common goal. 

International Marketing Group Convention of Champions 2016: Dominate (photo credits: Jon Siu)

As in every annual convention, we celebrated it first with a Gala Night. A night filled with food (eat-all-you-can buffet), entertainment and awarding. 

Artists were present to celebrate with us: Mr. Ariel Rivera, Ms. Morisette Amon and Mr. Dennis Trillo. Mrs. Korina Sanchez-Roxas was also there as part in the awarding ceremony. 

It was a fun night but the real juice was in the Sunday event - the convention proper. It was a whole day training event featuring IMG's millionaire mentors. 

Let's take a peek at IMG's mentors and the wisdom they shared during the IMG convention of champions - DOMINATE. 

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Powerful messages from Bro Bo Sanchez last IMG Convention 2014

Bro Bo Sanchez is a part of International Marketing Group with his team of financial advocates called "Truly Rich Makers."  As we all miss him last IMG Convention 2015. Now, everybody is pumped to see Bro Bo Sanchez this coming IMG Annual Convention on Sept. 2016. 

However, he never fail to send us his best inspirational messages and recorded a video for his IMG family. (See video below this article)

Today let us take a look back at IMG convention 2014 and his powerful message that has inspired and changed a lot of people's lives. 

Bro Bo Sanchez last IMG Convention 2014

Here are four power messages from Bro Bo Sanchez: 

He started his talk with a verse from the Bible, in Deuteronomy 30:19:

"I put blessing and curse in front of you. Choose."

He reminded everyone that we all have the power to choose our destiny. We have the power to make our dreams come true. 

One powerful way is to write down our goals and dreams in paper. He shared his experience of writing down his dreams. He wrote down about his dream family (wife and kids) even if he was still single, his dream of creating a community for the poorest of the poor, his dream house and becoming a best-selling author. 

Power Message no.1: Write down all the blessings you want. Add a bit of imagination to excite yourself. 

And indeed, all his dreams came true! We just got to acknowledge that we have the power. God has given us the power to make our dreams come true! 

However, there is a block that is preventing us from achieving our dreams. This block is: "Education without Execution."

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Why is financial education vital to beat the rising student loan debt?

Financial education is not just a need for Filipinos. It is a global need! Our articles have not just inspired our fellow Filipinos but also our foreign friends from all over the world. It is not just a national need but a global need. Below is an article submitted by Amy Nickson, a financial writer and professional content marketer of workingmomsword.com, sharing the need for financial education for students in America.

Why financial education is a need especially for students

Gaining financial knowledge has suddenly become a major topic across the country. Why so? Because most of the American students are not up to the mark in understanding financial knowledge and racking up more debts during their educational life.

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Why is Financial Education a Need

"You can't hire someone else to do your push-ups for you" - Jim Rohn

And so should personal finance. 

While personal finance is common sense, a lot of Filipinos are still struggling financially. Thus, it is something that we should also learn. But unfortunately, financial education is not taught in schools. It is not also evident in the financial industry like the banks, insurance and investment companies. 

Let's take a look at the current situation why Financial Education is a major need especially to Filipinos: 

Financial Education is a need

1. Schools

If financial education should also be taught in school, then who are qualified to teach this course? No offense, but even teachers (most of them) are living in debt. It is just like taking an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) and having a professor who doesn't even own a business. Talk about, "If you can't apply it, teach it."

For accounting and economic subjects, the educational system is teaching students to be prepared how to count or manage other people's finances as in the case of preparing students to work as accountants in the corporate world. Though these subjects can be applied in a personal level, not everyone applies it to themselves.

"Kapoy ihap ug kwartang d ako." (It is tiring to count money that isn't mine.) - a bank teller friend of mine often says. 

Thus, the most qualified industry to teach about personal finance should be the financial industry. The financial industry composes of the following: the banks, insurance companies and investment companies. 

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How Life Insurances are Designed

Understanding life insurance is a vital part in total financial planning. As in the article, What Type Of Life Insurance Do You Need?, there are two types of life insurances: Term insurance and Cash Value Insurance. 

To understand how life insurances are designed, we need to base it on the three rules of insurance:

1. All insurance is term insurance

2. The cost of term insurance always goes up.

3. There is no free insurance. 

How life insurances are designed

In other words, all insurance is either term or term plus cash. The cost of term insurance always goes up as you get older (the probability of death is increasing). And, you must pay for the term insurance directly or you must have enough cash value to pay for the cost of insurance. 

Basing on these rules, here is how life insurances are designed:

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IMG Membership Benefit: Financial Check-up

When one is sick, he goes to a medical doctor to have a medical check-up. But most people are sick in the pockets rather than sick in the health. So, where do you go? 

In IMG, part of the benefits of its membership platform is to have a financial check-up. 

How does it work?

IMG's Financial Check-up Benefit

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Why people are funny when it comes to personal finance

Being in IMG, is like being in a financial school. You learn amazing concepts about saving and investing. Because of that, you want to share it to your friends and families and hopefully encourage them to do the same thing too - learn the discipline of saving and to actually start doing it. However, people don't want to change. From old habits of spending to new habits of saving.

It makes you realize how funny people can be when it comes to personal finance. 

People are funny when it comes to personal finance

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A Peek to IMG's Financial Education Workshop

IMG launched it's new platform last convention held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - focusing more now in financial literacy through the global campaign of having "1 Million Financially Educated Families by 2020". In line with this, we offer new benefits to all members, that's YOU, including the Financial Foundation Educational Program.

IMG Benefit: Financial Education Workshop

This is a program composed of five (5) workshops which is held every Saturday at IMG Cebu and Makati Financial Center (as of now) at two o'clock in the afternoon (2:00 PM). Open to all members and non-members as long as they have a workbook.

IMG Financial Foundation Educational Program Workbook

For members, workbook cost P100.00 only, for non-members it costs P400.00.

The topics that will be discussed are the following:

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IMG Membership Benefit: Financial Education Workshop

One of the major benefits of being an IMG member is our Financial Education Workshop. As financial education classes are never taught in school, IMG is one the companies that has been consistently filling that gap. And finally, IMG has officially adapted a program from the IMG's counterpart in the US and Canada: World System Builder of World Financial Group. 

The program is based on the book "Saving your Future" and workbook "Financial Foundation Educational Program Workbook" by World System Builder. (2015). X press WSB, Inc. 2099 Gold Street, PO Box 2028, Alviso, CA 95002. And we proudly say, that IMG is the only company given exclusive access to these materials. 

Here is a sneak peek of IMG's Financial Education Workshop benefit:

Classroom Training and Workshop

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IMG's New Membership Platform

Being in IMG, sometimes we can't help but mention the following words: recruit, sales, upline, downline, insurance, investment, healthcare, business meeting or seminar. And a lot of times, our friends and even our family members are allergic to those words.

Worry not! Because right now, after IMG's Malaysia Convention, held last April 17, 2016, IMG has officially launched its new platform: IMG's Membership Platform!

Here is how it works:

IMG has a new platform: IMG's Membership Platform

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Why we need to save early: time is money

One of the challenges of Filipinos is our habit of procrastination especially when it comes to saving and investing. Our priorities rarely includes saving. Thus for how many years, a lot of Filipinos still haven’t started saving and investing yet. However, let me show you today that the longer we delay saving, the more we are throwing away potential millions later on. Time is truly money. 

Time is money

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