Being a knowledge worker, technological gadgets and devices are required for me to get work done. Yet researching brands and prices, not to mention finding suppliers (calling each store before visiting, just to make sure they have it on stock or have the best price, writing order letters)… takes time away from billable work! Bigger companies would have a purchasing department to focus on that – I can’t afford that overhead just yet.

So I wanted to share with you the gadgets that made the cut from my Wishlist to my To Buy list to my What I have now list.

Wishlist
Includes DSLR, Dual WAN Wireless Router (2 internet providers + 3G USB modem for backup), Apple iPad, Apple iPhone 4, iMac or Apple Display (yes, I have become a Mac fangirl — more cash outlay but so worth it!), wifi-enabled all-in-one printer, BB or Android phone, Magic Mouse

Within the past 100 days, I’ve added to my arsenal:

• Apple MacbookPro 13″
• an external hard drive (Western Digital My Book Studio 1 TB USB 2.0/FireWire 400/800, Desktop External Hard Drive (Mac/PC compatible) – must-have if you work on your computer!
• my first (!) very own digital camera Canon PowerShot A3100IS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver)
• new business hosting from HostGator (ok, so technically not a gadget)
• numerous iPhone apps (I’d rather get free apps, of course, but if I have to buy – I prioritize apps that I use for work, for productivity, or for
• unlocked HSDPA/3G USB modem (Globe Tattoo came free with HP Compaq notebook, free how to unlock Huawei modem)

Mainstay tools: iPhone 3GS, 4-port USB hub from CDR-King with optional power supply, Logitech notebook stand, external keyboard and mouse, desk lamp.

Other items To Buy in the next 200 days:

• micro SD card (transferring files
• Western Digital My Passport Essential 500 GB USB 2.0 portable external hard drive
• mini WiFi router – Edimax 3G router 6200N or AirPort Express Base Station
• Apple Care – extended warranty
• HD camcorder – Kodak Zi8 or Flip MinoHD

Items on my wishlist can only reach my shopping list if I can justify that I’ve either earned it or I can earn it back. Right now, I can’t justify adding on my wishlist those fabulous looking huge-screen LED TVs on display at Anson’s or Avant or a serious home entertainment system. Unless maybe I make a full-time living from video production.

Just like how you would decide a capital expenditure in a company! You may have had your phone for 3 years now and all your friends have new phones and you feel you deserve a new one… but unless upgrading could actually help you earn more and be more… it’s a luxury. It’s an unnecessary expense.

If you want to treat yourself… treat your future self too. If you can afford a 15k or 25k phone, then I suppose you could afford starting a life insurance plan (insurance premiums costs much cheaper if you’re younger). It doesn’t sound easy but it can be done — which I’m also telling myself now. Since I just got that 1TB hard drive and I have an insurance premium coming up too.

Note: Some (not all) links will lead you to product pages that tell you more about the product and usually have helpful customer reviews. Should you decide to get one for yourself from them, I get a small commission as a thanks from them for pointing you to the right direction (best value for money).

Aside from the usual FREE stock market orientation everyday given by the Philippine Stock Exchange, you can also go th the ff events. The free schedule at PSE is Mondays-Fridays, 9:30-11:30 am at PSE Tektite Training Room, PSE, Ortigas Center. RSVP Ms. Agnes Ignacio at 688-7534.

The Stock Market Simplified

This event organized by the UST College of Commerce Alumni and Young Alumni Achievers Council could be a good introduction for those of you who are just starting to get interested in trading the stock market. Its covers the basics of stock market investing, personal investment strategy, and introduction to technical analysis (which is a way of studying the market and helps you decide when to buy/sell).

• When: September 18, 2008, 6-9pm
• Where: PSE Tektite Trading Floor, 2F PSE Centre, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
• Registration of P500 (inc. food and materials). Fax the form to 634-6695 or email to mavalino@pse.com.ph

National Government’s Mid-Year Economic Briefing: The Philippines: Addressing Challenges. Staying the Course.

The Economic Team (the heads of BSP, NEDA, DA, DTI, Dep’t of Energy, Dep’t of Finance, and Dep’t of Budget and Management will personally discuss what’s going on with our economy.

• When: September 17, 2008, 10am
• Where: Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Makati City (near 6750 Ayala and Landmark along Ayala
• Registration starts at 9am – First come, first serve. RSVP: Gigi Araneta 303-1580, Ivy Cabanlig 303-1582, John Alonzo 303-1510. Or email the registration form to info-iro@bsp.gov.ph or fax to 524-6695 or 303-1565

More advanced…

Technical Analysis Seminar

• When: September 13, 2008, 8am-12pm
• Where: PSE Tektite Training Room, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
• Registration of P5,000. RSVP Miko Sayo 0917-846-6242

Absolute Traders Chart Analysis Forum: Introduction to Technical Analysis Charting Workshop and Review of the Stock Markets

• When: September 19, 2008, 7-9:30pm
• Where: PSE, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Pasig City
• RSVP Gwen Nava 732-8191

Even better Regional Events outside Metro Manila!

Benguet: Regina Capital Stock Market Seminar

• When: September 13, 2008, 9am-12pm
• Where: 2F DLL Bldg, Km. 5, La Trinidad, Benguet
• FREE
• RSVP Violy Hernandez (632) 848-5428

St. Louis Univeristy Baguio Stock Market Seminar

• When: September 14, 2008,9am-12pm
• Where: St. Louis Univeristy Bonifacio St, Baguio City
• FREE
• RSVP Prof. Trinidad (063) 4423046

When you go, do tell the organizers where you heard about the event, okay?

I’ve long been awaited a retirement fund akin to the IRA or 401(k) in the United States. Even Malaysia has the Finally, the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) Law has been approved by GMA and now awaiting IRR.

Championed by Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, he brings up the startling fact that 8 million Filipinos have no pension or retirement savings. Even scarier is that the reserves of SSS will run out by 2011; GSIS will run out by 2040 (World Bank study) — I haven’t found which paper this is; SSS will run out 3 years from now? Dire.

Next Step: Information Campaign for Entrepreneurs

SMEs/Entrepreneurs like myself can really maximize the PERA account once DOF finalizes the IRR. I can’t wait. Especially when I encourage tech-entrepreneurship, I’m troubled when I feel they should first get their personal finance in order. Especially now, with the onset of so many work-from-home virtual assistants and freelancers, Multiply/Sulit/eBay businesses, they don’t have the benefit of usual HRD programs. This way, the government helps them save — and maybe make them report their income too.

Sen. Edgardo J. Angara, a principal author of the bill said the country’s savings rate would go up to about 30 percent of gross domestic product, from 19-23 percent, with the signing of the law by the President. He said the scheme is expected to attract eight million individuals, specifically OFWs, and self-employed individuals or entrepreneurs who are not required to contribute to the SSS and the GSIS. Office of the President

How will PERA work?

I, as an “Individual” can contribute up to P100,000 a year to my PERA account. I can invest it in a UITF, mutual fund, bank deposit, etc. Supposedly, I can only choose one administrator (bank or financial company). Most likely Sun Life or BPI for me. What about diversification? I contribute regularly and can withdraw at age 55, proceeds will be tax exempt.

I’ve been on YNAB budgeting system for 3 weeks now. Before that, I was on and off with my envelope budgeting, but since having reformatted computers and moving files, I didn’t have my old spreadsheets anymore so I had to start from scratch.

Why did I buy YNAB?

1. Jesse knows budget matters. Jesse Mecham, who created the YNAB on Excel and as a desktop application is also an accountant, so I trust he knows his spreadsheets.
2. Strong YNAB community. It’s encouraging to see that there are a lot of newbies and YNAB veterans who are still willing to help out. That’s how I got to use…
3. Easy tracking anywhere using YNAB Pocket Mod (how to fold) by fellow YNAB user Mudie. This teeny tiny booklet is where I track all cash expenses. Nifty!
   
   
4. Goodbye envelope plastic case. It can be a hassle going around with a bunch of envelopes. JP would always look at me all weird when I pulled out my envelope case at the cashier. It helps that I’m on my iMac everyday so I update my YNAB at least every other day, while I’m still getting the hang of it.
5. Easy to use. The software is well-documented. True enough, I got started in about 20 minutes using the cheat sheet

4 rules of YNAB

Rule #1 got me hooked. Being an entrepreneur, with variable income (timing andamount), it hasn’t been easy curbing the occasional splurge (like getting 4 pairs of sandals on sale at VNC Glorietta last June *sigh*) when I’ve given up a lot of other luxuries I’d gotten used to (weekly movies, meals out everyday, salon day, etc). So I’m building my buffer, which will help me truly NOT live from paycheck to paycheck.

1. Stop living paycheck to paycheck
2. Give every dollar a job
3. Save for rainy days
4. Roll with the punches

Can’t wait for YNAB Pro on Mac – due 2008. YNAB has two versions, YNAB and YNAB Pro. There’s YNAB Pro ($39.95) for Windows and already compatible with Vista. I got to try it on our HP laptop for initial setup and I really liked the interface. I can’t wait for the Mac version! Thankfully, there’s a toned-down version of YNAB ($19.95 – less than PHP1,000) that works on Excel/NeoOffice/OpenOffice so I went ahead and got my own copy and set it up on the iMac. 3 weeks in and I’m really happy with it. It’s addicting actually, scanning my 3 sheets (Register, Budget, Overview). $39.95 or $19.95 isn’t so bad at all considering you’re going to use it for years.

You can know more about YNAB and order your copy online over at YouNeedaBudget. Pay by credit card (via Paypal or Google Checkout, just make sure there’s “https://” in the address bar) and you’ll get a personalized download link so you can download and install the YNAB Program.

In case you haven’t noticed, I’ve set up a page for the Calendar of Personal Finance Events. Quickly head on over there now to get details about upcoming seminars including the Want Money? 4-week series by Dennis Sy and Chinkee Tan starting June 29.

If you use Google Calendar, on top of your Calendar, you can also input “Personal Finance Philippines” and click on “Search Public Calendars”. My calendar will show up and just click “Add to calendar.”

If you’ll notice my sidebar, I just put up two savings trackers. Being an entrepreneur, cash flows aren’t as predictable as the salaried. There are days when inflows are so delayed, I literally don’t have cash to spend so I have to use my credit card for groceries just to get by. My emergency fund has since been depleted since I started this “entrepreneurial life” but, like Uncle Felix says, I will not give in.

Savings Trackers for Motivation

Like I said, I have 2 trackers for my goals. Hope showing them off will keep me motivated and out of the movie houses.

1) P45,000 (~USD 1,000) for a deposit on a lease on a condo. I know I’m not ready to buy just yet. Rent vs. buy is a whole other debate. I really think moving out and living by yourself is necessary for you to grow and truly be independent. I always thought of myself as independent, being the eldest of 3 girls, but I don’t think I was as ready for my first job as I would’ve liked.

2) P20,000 (~USD 450) for 1 month living expenses. 1/3 of the emergency fund I have to rebuild. Will deposit into a 30-day time deposit when I accomplish this and roll over. After this, save another P20,000 for a 60-day TD, then another P20,000 for a 90-day TD.

How to Set Up Your Automatic Savings Account

Just deposited my “salary” today before the 1:30 PM local check clearing time. When I logged into BPI Express Online, I only just discovered their BPI Direct – Save-Up Account. Similar to HSBC’s AutoSaver Account. I used to have a monthly recurring funds transfer from my main BPI savings account to my BPI Family savings account as automatic savings– didn’t really work out. I’d pull out my 2nd ATM anyway for “emergencies”.

Employees have the option of setting up automatic savings with their cooperatives (coop), just like Ella and Dexter. In her case, there’s a minimum contribution of P200 (~USD 5) every payday. Some caveats though, like no withdrawal while your funds are below P100,000.

The Fine Print

BPI Direct Save-Up is an interest-earning Peso savings account… linked to a Peso SA/CA with ATM card. Interest is at 1% for P1,000 to P400,000 and 2% above P400k! 1% is higher than their stingy 0.625% for the Express Teller Savings or 0.875% on the Platinum 2-in-1 Savings. I’ll take whatever interest I can get, but it’s just cents, right?

Reference: Terms of BPI Direct Save-Up

What’s good is that there’s no initial deposit. You set up a recurring funds transfer from your main account/payroll account/source account. Minimum recurring transfer of P250, whereas HSBC Autosaver requires P1,000. But there’s a required ADB of P1,000 in Month 4.

But remember: No deposits to or withdrawals from the Direct Save-Up account over-the-counter. So when I hit my goals, I have to transfer it online back into my ATM account. It’s really just a “HOLDING” or temporary account until I transfer the money to a TD or mutual fund.

Oh, Yay, Life Insurance

Opening the account entitles me to free Life Insurance from Ayala Life. I doubt that’s going to be much. I won’t keep much in the account anyway, I’m just appointing it as a way to keep some of the money away from my reach via my ATM card. If my ADB is P10,000, the maximum benefit is P50,000. Um, sure, thanks.

Weekly Transfers – Could this possibly work?

The auto-savings account doesn’t have an ATM. I have to be logged on to transfer money from the auto-savings to my “source/ATM account”, so there’s at least some deterrence from my withdrawing it prematurely.

Here’s a video I created to guide you through the sign-up process. You might want to turn down the volume — I’m indoors but the mic manages to capture street sounds.

I used to do it monthly, now let’s try weekly, to go along with the “tingi” mindset. Some accomplishment without feeling as if I “deprived” myself of so much in one fell swoop. This is worth another try. Unlike Paid Twice, I don’t have an aversion to automation. I have automatic calendar reminders for everything, thanks to GTD. But auto-debit arrangements from my credit card, I’m not too keen on that, except for donations to UNICEF and phone bill payments where amounts don’t change.

Update: BPI finally stopped timing out on my 4th attempt to sign up for the BPI Direct Save-Up account. They’re supposed to mail an “Info Card” with the new account numberGot my Info Card!. I really pray I manage to maintain this auto-savings plan.

The HSBC hotline 85-800 is practically on the quick-dial of my phone (sure, if it had that function!) I can be pretty OC about my outstanding balance and available balance.

How do I keep track of my credit card spending?

I have a dedicated sheet in my white Project Paper pad (I have 2, yellow and white if you’d like to know. P24.50 each from National Bookstore and they’re ever-present in my always-bulky pink shoulder bag. The bag is unlabeled and was a birthday present on my 21st birthday — roughly 2 years old. Now that I look at it, it does look a bit battered so I guess I should go easier on it since I don’t plan to buy a new bag just yet.

So back to the page on my pad paper. Like today, I’m at Coffee Bean, once again breaking my diet oath. So I make my entry right away:

5,937.28 – 6/15 – P354 – Coffee Bean
Running balance – Date – Transaction amount – Store

Easy enough, right? Since my cutoff date was June 14, I entered this on a new sheet. So this sheet is the one I’ll be comparing to my next next credit card statement. The running balance is just the sum of all previous entries.

Running balance on your cutoff date = full amount due on your next due date. Check any discrepancies with your records then confirm with your credit card’s hotline. Possible causes might be a forex difference, hidden charges, or fraudulent transactions.

Effect on your running balance:

• Every time you sign on that charge slip (+)
• Every time you buy online (+)
• Pledges/donations to UNICEF (+)
• Annual fee (+)
• Waived annual fee (-)
• Payments (-)
• Refund (-)

Other Monitoring Tools

Is the pad a little impractical for you? You can also use an index card that you just fold up in your wallet. The BDJ planner also has a credit card sheet in its monthly view. I guess you can use a spreadsheet, I tried that for ah while but it’s hard to be consistent when, of course, you spend while you’re away from the spreadsheet software.

Pay the Full Amount Due

I know a lot of people don’t even bother to monitor their credit card expenses and/or only pay the minimum amount due.

Why do you have to pay the full amount due?

To illustrate:

Total Amount Due P6,825.34
Minimum Amount Due P500 — P500 or 5% of the total amount due, whichever is higher

A lot of newbie credit cardholders pay only either the minimum P500 or say only P3,000 as partial payment by the deadline. If you pay any amount less than the total amount due, which is your principal, you start incurring interest. That’s the 2.5-3.8% every month! That’s called revolving or borrowing; you’ll incur interest.

Check your monthly interest rate. BPI Classic has 2.75%, BPI credit cards have 3.4%, HSBC credit cards have 3.5% finance charge/interest per month.

Let’s say you have a credit card with:
Monthly interest rate: 3.5% (usually the only number highlighted on flyers)
Annual percentage rate (APR): 3.5×12 mos = 42% per annum

On Month 1 you charged P10,000, that’s your principal.
The due date flies by and you only paid P5k. Next bill, you’ll likely owe:

P350 interest charge (P10,000×3.5%)
P5,350 balance from your principal
= P5700 total amount due (Month 2)

Then you paid P2k. Next bill, you’ll likely owe:
P187.25 interest charge (P5,350×3.5%)
P3,537.25 balance from your principal (5350-(2000-187.25))
= P3,724.50 total amount due (Month 3)

So far, you’ve paid P7,000 and paid about P500 in interest. It doesn’t seem so bad when the amounts are smaller but if that were P100,000 instead of P10,000. Move everything up a decimal place and the picture won’t be so pretty.

Read thoroughly your credit card terms and conditions. Bank websites will usually have the application form online; you’ll find the terms there.

From a guy who works with a petroleum company

Tips on pumping gas.

I don’t know what you guys are paying for gasoline… but here in California we are also paying higher, up to $4.23 per gallon. But my line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money’s worth for every gallon..

Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose,CA we deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline, regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.

Pump in the early AM

Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening….your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.
A 1-degree rise in temperature is a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have temperature compensation at the pumps.

Ask the Attendant to Pump Slow

When you’re filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while you are pumping. All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the fast rate, some other liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.
Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground storage tank so you’re getting less worth for your money.

Fill up when HALF-FULL (HALF-EMPTY)

One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY . The reason for this is, the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof. This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations, here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.

Gas Truck? Don’t gas up just yet

Another reminder, if there is a gasoline truck pumping into the storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up –most likely the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the bottom. Hope this will help you get the most value for your money.

DO SHARE THESE TIPS WITH OTHERS!

Thanks to Sheila of ButterNToast Toastmasters for letting us in on these tips.

Tags: tipson how to save gas, savings tips

BDO is so consistent with their terrible customer service. They make my life f*&king miserable.

I have to vent. If you’re having a great day so far, don’t read lest you absorb the negative vibes I have now after another horrifying blood-pressure-raising episode at the BDO Bagtikan branch.

What branch???

When I make a deposit, like when I pay my rent, so I fill out the deposit slip right? Then I have to know the branch too? Who keeps track of the ‘branch’ these days?

Don’t open your TREASURER IN TRUST FOR TITF account at BDO

We opened our TITF (treasurer-in-trust-for) account there (BDO Bagtikan) when we were still processing our incorporation in 2007. I had to go back 5 times just to open the account, and another 5 times to close the TITF (which you do when you’re already incorporated). They kept asking for photocopies of this and that, and a new format of the secretary’s certificate of this and that, have to see the originals, they even rub the notarial seal — what are they gonna make me notarize again if it doesn’t pass their subjective muster? They wouldn’t accept JP’s ID cards, they talked in a condescending manner the whole time every time not at all service-y or polite.

Other than over-the-counter transactions at the teller, every BDO experience of mine has been horrible. HORRIBLE. It makes me cry now just thinking about it.

Secured credit card — BDO Say What???

I ask about secured credit cards at different branches — ah, no officer even begins to understand what I’m talking about. I have to explain that you open a deposit and then hold-out on it, have a deed of assignment, and use that as security for a credit card. Oooh, they don’t have that anymore. But BDO Customer Service Hotlines say they do.

Lousiest Xoom / Remittance Partner ever

BDO is the Philippine partner of Xoom, which we sometimes use for remittances from the US. One time, Xoom suddenly deleted our bank from their affiliate banks so our remittance went nowhere. That’s probably Xoom’s fault. But they assigned it by default to Equitable PCI — where we don’t even have an account. Stupid? Mindless? Ah yes.
We had a Xoom remittance for pickup today. Like I did a couple of weeks ago, for which they gave me hard time because my IDs say Lourdes Marie C. Casas… but the remittance indicates Marie C. Casas. But they gave it to me anyway because I had the right ‘secret word’. So the same thing happened today, and they wouldn’t give it to me. Yeah, as if there’s some other Marie C. Casas with the correct password with the correct amount with the correct reference number. I’m usually empathetic, that they’re just doing their jobs, but they just stood there — not giving me any feasible solution that would make the stakeholders happy (me and my sender).

I swear. I had to put my head down and command myself to breathe in, breathe out. My eyes were fluttering, my heart was pounding, my blood was boiling.

I HATE BDO.
I know I am not alone.
You’re growing too fast for your own good.
But yes, it’s nice of you to keep open longer hours and on weekends.
Maybe you should think about investing in showing your people what CUSTOMER DELIGHT means instead of gobbling up all other banks.

Tags: bdocustomer service, bdo feedback, banco de oro

Written by Beth Kobliner; Published by Simon & Schuster New York

The title just reached out to me, you know? Even if it was a bit more expensive than my usual books, I got it for the simple hope that maybe, just maybe this book would be just right for me. And, yes, Get a Financial Life has been pretty handy, along with Your Money and Your Man by Michelle Singletary.

What I love about this book

• There’s a Cheat Sheet! Chapter 1 Crib Notes breezes through the must-do’s which are thoroughly covered in the eight following chapters.
• Beth touches on all important personal finance topics, making it a handy reference in my other readings.
• Beth has in one place, Chapter 2 Taking Stock of Your Financial Life, three financial rules of thumb:
  1. The Debt Rule: Total debt (excluding mortgage) < 20% of your annual take-home pay
  2. The Housing Rule: Spend <= 30% of your monthly take-home pay on rent or mortgage payments
  3. The Savings Rule: Save >= 10% of your take-home pay each month.
• Beth writes in a straightforward instructive way that’s not condescending. She establishes rapport straight from her words and not just by sharing anecdotes.
  I look forward to her sporadic “I know of a couple who had to agree to water their landlord’s plants…” and similar anecdotes. I wish personal finance writers could compile their odd anecdotes in one place – that should be entertaining!

• I like how small grey boxes scattered throughout the book help to drive the point. Some tell a story (like the horror story of Kathy and Michael who charge a Hawaii honeymoon on their credit card), summarize important points (like pros and cons of online bank accounts), or list resources (like state housing agencies). Q&A sections also break the monotony of long texts.
• My favorite chapter? All!! Okay, okay, if I really had to choose… Chapter 5 All You Really Need to Know About Investing and Chapter 8 Insurance: What You Need and What You Don’t were easy to go through. Index funds are a good way to go. I’d disagree with her view that being single with no dependents means you don’t need life insurance though because you really always have dependents – whether it’s your aging parents or your brothers or sisters. Someone will always need your help. Still, she explains the typical options in health care, auto, life, and disability so easily – you’d wonder why you were ever scared of trying to understand them.

My rants — but not due to the author

This book was written with yuppies in mind, and it did feel oh-so-right… yet… Once again, I couldn’t relate with the US-specific advice, like the IRA or Fannie Mae, so I tend to just skip them. I need to convert the $ amounts to Philippine Pesos but that’s to be expected.

Overall, Get a Financial Life was a good read for me—and it’s one of my top 3 picks for books to carry with me just because I always have to have a book with me.

You can visit Beth Kobliner’s companion site for helpful calculators and book previews. .