By the end of 2011, it will mark a full 3 years since I left my corporate job to go full time on what I love to do, that is to teach  financial literacy to those yearning to learn. Amidst the uncertainties of becoming truly independent, bereft of a stable flow of income and benefits, I took the path of the less travelled unfazed by the risks that are inherent with the new endeavor. Many well-meaning friends and family were concerned at my new direction and for a good reason—I got 4 hungry mouths to feed, 1 of whom was entering the university. I held on to my belief that the Lord wanted me on this path, one that is unclear. Faith and obedience has not been my strongest traits in the past but when I let Christ rule my life, it has been the driving force of my life ever since. Well, all these are now in retrospect.

2009 saw a year of many struggles, ambivalence and yet I had a glimpse of what was to come. It was a year of faith and trusting completely on my creator. As my eldest child enters the University in 2009, my wife and I truly experienced the faithfulness of the Lord and the generosity of many friends and family. 2009 reaffirmed that I was on a path that was the right one for me.

By 2010, many changes transpired; the most eventful was a decision for my wife to home school our 2 young boys which also means that she must stop working – something not easy for her after being used to earning a living for 20 years. With my wife not working due to home school, the burden of providing for the financial needs of my family now solely belongs to me. Since the time we got married, my wife has been a tremendous help in keeping the family finances afloat but it was a decision we had to make. More opportunities opened up for me — more talks, more seminars, and more travels which equated to reaching out to more people. My career was in full swing, my family life was stable and my walk with Jesus was getting better. 2010 was truly a satisfying year and while there were a lot more things to improve on, I felt contented with what was going on. By the year’s end, I had a taste of my first quasi-endorsement as one being featured in UCC’s Beacon of Change 2011 Planner. This was also the year that we started to move in generosity because we knew that such acts pleased the Lord.

But the Lord is a God of plenty and a God of amazement. While I was contented He had bigger plans for me, beyond what I could have imagined. 2011 was truly an eventful year for me and my family. While it was not one without any challenges, the year brought in many pleasant surprises. My career was even productive and many more doors of opportunities are being opened. I found myself speaking all over the country, Hong Kong, Singapore and even in Macao. I’ve collaborated with many great friends whom I share a passion to teach… Cito Beltran, Francis Kong, Chinkee Tan, Paulo Tibig, Jayson Lo, Miriam Quiambao and more. I also found myself writing the stories of Richard Poon, Christian Bautista and others. It was also this year that I had the opportunity to reach out to more youth by being invited to speak in campuses and through our youth finance program, Blue Chip. My former staff and now business partner Jen and his ever supportive husband Luis and I established White Board, a formal entity for all our endeavors. My TV appearances were also on a high, as well as radio. My blogs have been read much more than before and I find myself being asked to write left and right.

2011 was turning out to be an unbelievable year but the Lord was not about to stop the surprises. After all, His gloriousness allows Him to bless those who are undeserving, of which I was one of the worse. After writing a column for the Business Mirror (an awesome newspaper) for about 3 and half years, my good friend and RFP big boss Henry Ong called me to ask me if I would be willing to start a column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer – it took me about half a second to say yes.  Money Matters is a weekly column which I alternate with my good friend Efren Cruz and has taken quite an interesting format, a Q&A one. My new column got me even more attention and opened even more doors. A short while after, I was surprised to see my name listed as one of the top 12 Most Influential People in Personal Finance by Moneysense Magazine. To be included amongst a roster of people I look up to is so surreal and overwhelming. Just when all the buzz of being part of the 12 people was about to die down, I got a call from a former professor of mine (Rose Dinio) and she seems so happy to let me know that I am included as one of the Most Outstanding Alumni of my school, the University of Santo Tomas.

2011 also so the actualization of a dream of mine, to run a full day seminar that will teach people on the process of financial security… not a 1 hour talk, not even a half day training but rather a full day program that will bring those attending into the a process that will answer many of their questions in achieving the much coveted goal of financial freedom. Since my program is a step by step instructional one, we decided to call it Steps to Financial Peace. It’s launching was a successful one and I am so privileged that many corporate sponsors lead by BDO and Cole Haan supported it. The same program was also brought to Davao through the industriousness of a dear friend, Joseph Doce and the generosity of our presenters, Sun Life and AirPhil Express.

I continue to help the Registered Financial Planner Philippines in its aim to professionalize the country’s financial planners. Go Negosyo was also an organization that I am proud to be a part of and we aim to teach as many Pinoys as we can. The Blas F. Ople Policy Center was also one of the groups that I co-labor with, reaching to our heroes – the OFWs. And of course, I am steadfast in my commitment to my church, Victory Green Hills – my spiritual family where we fellowship in honoring God and making disciples.

Many other events escaped me right now, trying to recall made me feel overwhelmed. I am overwhelmed because by my own, none of these would have even been remotely possible; and yet such blessings are bestowed upon me and my family. Why do I get such unmerited favors? Is it because of my faith, my obedience? Not really. We get all these blessings for one reason only, God is a faithful God, glorious and magnificent in all His splendor. The reason why all these are happening is because of Him. When I surrendered my life to Jesus 4 years ago, I did not only become a better me, I became a new me. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV

What does 2012 hold for me? I don’t know but I am steadfast because I know Jesus is the captain of my life. I need only to be faithful in my purpose in life, that is to worship Him.

Happy New Year to all and God bless all of you!

Catch me, Francis Kong and Jayson Lo this November 11, 2011.

For inquiries, send email to jddoce@yahoo.com or visit www.stepstofinancialpeace.com

It felt surreal to be part of such an illustrious list but I am nonetheless honored. Clearly, the hand of the Lord is at work for this accolade.

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The list includes:

1.   The Lawmaker: EDGARDO J. ANGARA (Philippine Senator)

2.   The Regulator: AMANDO TETANGCO (Central Bank Governor)

3.   The Treasurer: ROBERTO B. TAN (Treasurer of the Philippines)

4.   The Adviser: EFREN LL. CRUZ (Pwede Na! Author & Investments Guru)

5.   The Coach: RANDELL TIONGSON

6.   The Director: HENRY ONG (Head of the Registered Financial Planner & others)

7.   The Moderator: JAMES RYAN JONAS (Pinoy Money Talk)

8.   The Blogger: FITZ VILLAFUERTE (Ready to be Rich Blog)

9.   The Banker: AURELIO R. MONTINOLA (BPI)

10. The Enabler: JESUS P. TAMBUNTING (Planters Development Bank)

11. The Stock Broker: CONRADO F. BATE (Citiseconline)

12. The Insurer: RIZALINA G. MANTARING (Sun Life Financial)

Grab a copy of the July-August issue of Moneysense to read about why they think the 12 deserves to be part of the list.

Just follow the simple steps:

1) Post a comment stating how this event can be of help to you

2) Put a link to your Facebook and/or Twitter about the event (use this link http://www.randelltiongson.com/steps-to-financial-peace/)

That’s it! I am giving away 5 slots worth P 2,500.00 each!

http://business.inquirer.net/10159/know-your-investment-objective-first

Question: I have some extra money that I can invest. What’s the first thing I should consider before I invest?—Raymond Sison, businessman

Answer: It is admirable that you are considering investing your money. The majority of Filipinos do not invest their money and just keep their money locked in savings, which is better than those who do not even save at all.

Before you do anything with your hard-earned moohla, I would recommend that you first consider what your investment objective is. In my seminars, I always tell people that our objectives will determine nearly every action we make with regard to finance. It is paramount that you determine the reason for the investment first and foremost. What is the investment intended for? What do you wish to achieve in making such an investment? Is it for retirement, future education needs of your children, purchase of an asset, or a general fund? Knowing what your objectives are will help you choose appropriate investment instruments and asset classes.

To simplify objectives, one can categorize general purposes of investments as those that will result in capital growth, provide income or both. Certain investments will yield according to your desired purpose. For instance, people buy real-estate properties because of capital appreciation while some people buy them for income purposes. Investment objectives can also change according to one’s situation. Let me use real estate again as an example. When you were younger, you bought a piece of real-estate property because you want to have capital growth. Many years after, say during your retirement years, capital growth is now overshadowed by your need for income and the rent you can get from said property becomes your objective.

Investments in the stock market are generally done for capital appreciation and although it can also provide income through dividends, the general purpose of investing in the stock market is for growth.

Investing in fixed income securities (treasuries, bonds) are made for income purposes as it provides steady flow of interest payments. Even if fixed income is sometimes traded for capital growth, the main purpose for it is still income. An asset class or investment instrument can also provide both capital growth and income at the same time. However, and as a general principle, capital growth and income provision would be relatively diminished for instruments that provide both growth and income. Don’t you just wish you can invest in something that will give you both substantially? Don’t we all?

If you are looking at pooled funds like mutual funds, UITF or unit-linked (variable) insurance, it is very important to first know your purpose or your objective before investing in them. Just like any other investment instrument or asset class, pooled funds can give you capital growth (those invested primarily in equities), income (those invested primarily in bonds) or both (balanced funds).

It is good to first check what your intended purpose for making an investment and then look at instruments or asset classes that is a best fit. Also, investment objectives should not be your only criteria whenever you are choosing where to invest. Other factors are just as important such as time frame and risk tolerance, but let’s leave those for future discussions. To learn more about better investing and learning more on personal finance, let me invite you to my seminar “Steps to Financial Peace” on Aug. 12, 2011, at the Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills. I will be joined by my friends, Francis Kong, Paulo Tibig and Jayson Lo. You can find out about the event through http://www.randelltiongson.com/steps-to-financial-peace/.

(The author is an advocate of life and personal finance and a director of the Registered Financial Planner Institute (Phils.) and has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry. To know more about becoming a registered financial planner (RFP), visit www.rfp.ph or e-mail info@rfp.ph.)

I saw a tweet from my good friend Susan Ople of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center where she stated statistics on OFW remittances that blew my mind away. She stated that in 1975, the remittances amounted to US$ 103 Million. Today, remittances are now up to US$ 2 Billion a month!

Unfortunately, I need to state some facts that continues to disturb me and should disturb every other Filipino. A recent study conducted to determine the financial quotient of Filipinos revealed that only 1 out of 10 Filipinos prepare for retirement. NEDA numbers placed the average savings rate of the Philippines at 16% as compared to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and our other neighbors well above 30%. Less than 50% of Filipinos actually own their home, and that includes those whose homes are mortgaged. Less than 0.5% of Filipinos invest in the Stock Market. Less than 15% of Filipinos (family heads) own Life Insurance. Investments in pooled funds (Mutual Funds, UITFs, Variable Life) remains to be amazingly low.

With the huge amount of remittances being sent to the country in the last 30 years, one would assume that Filipinos today would have more money and a vast majority of our population would have a secured financial future. With the facts I wrote, it seems that money being sent home plus the money being generated at the home front does not end up being put to good work by saving and investing it. Our capital markets continues to be underdeveloped despite the nation having excess liquidity. If money is not being invested for the future, then one can logically assumed that almost all the money now is being used for consumption. The level of consumption of the country has reached an alarming rate juxtaposed with dismal savings rates being experienced.

Why is this so? I dare say that despite an increase in income, us Filipinos have yet to fully develop our zest for financial education. Financial literacy is a political, cultural and social issue — one that must be given preferential attention by every Filipino. If not, all the growth in remittances coupled by improvement in local income will be for naught if one will not have a secured future.

Despite the daunting task, I and a number of passionate people will continue to advocate financial education despite the odds even if it take one Filipino at a time. I pray that more and more will heed the call to do our part in bringing about a big change in our attitudes about money and heed the path towards Financial Peace.

Details here…

Answer: This is a question that ‘hits the spot,’ as the saying goes.

I just read an article stating that Singapore has the highest concentration of millionaires in the world with 16 percent of its households having at least $1 million in assets, as determined by a study released by the Boston Consulting Group.

Switzerland comes next on the list with 9.9 percent of its households having $1 million in assets. Hong Kong comes in at fourth with 8.7 percent and the United States is at 7th with 4.5 percent.

Don’t even ask where the Philippines ranks as I can’t seem to find it in the news feeds… ouch!

I was in Singapore last weekend on a business trip and whenever I am there, I marvel at how progressive a tiny country with hardly any natural resource can be. I enjoy going to Singapore because it gives me an image of how the Philippines can be when we put our acts together.

We don’t need to limit our sights to Singapore; we can also look at …

Read full column at http://business.inquirer.net/3554/why-our-neighbors-are-richer-than-us

For all inquiries, please send an sms or call 0927-3565544 or 0939-1177856.