leveling up my financial IQ

if there is one thing where discipline is so hard to apply, it would be on the aspect of our finances.

i have learned a lot in life. but it's only two years ago when i started minding seriously about my money. had i not had a terrible mistake of lending someone in the past, i wouldn't have learned how important money is . probably, i would still be living a big-spender life, giving away every cent of my hard-earned income on whatever goods and services my eyes laid upon. some mistakes can really be so expensive and at the same time so mind-blowing.

after enough drama, i gathered myself again, analyzed my finances and read books on how i can manage my savings well. i couldn't believe that after excelling in the university, i would be this idiot when it comes to my own money. but the lesson seriously started when i finally accepted my real face value and that was, if i were to be suddenly out of job, i wouldn't have any penny to bring back home to my family. i was hurting at the thought of it. i don't know if it's pride that made me realize more my fault or the fear that i wouldn't have anything after all the blood, sweat and tears of working overseas.

fortunately, i'm still young and have more years ahead of me to correct my mistakes. i began saving up for my emergency funds and invested in real estate. i also capitalized on mutual funds and tried going into stocks, which both did pretty well. i ventured into rice business with my mom and hopefully, we can expand it more in the coming year or put up another one. i came to know government and corporate bonds, forex, ETFs, options and other derivatives. i became obsessed with macro finance and how the market reacts to a certain stimulus in the economy.

i may still be a little farther from my dream of financial freedom. but i know i am already on my way there. and yes, there may be times, it's just tempting to splurge my money on perhaps, a Kindle for christmas or a fine dining eat-out with friends, but i am in no way compromising my future need to any instant gratification i could give myself at the moment.

i am much wiser now.