Self-reliance makes the heart grow fonder and the money sweeter

I've attended a fireside about self-reliance last month {sorry if it's kinda late, you know, time is not enough. hihi}. I didn't really plan to attend it but I end up being there since I would not lose a thing if I go--I even gained something: a lesson of self-reliance. There are two speakers who are one of the best entrepreneurs here in the Philippines they are Mr. Briones and Mr. James Fantone.They taught us how to be self-reliance. "God, of course, should be our top priority" as what Mr. Briones said "He works with elements".

[caption id="attachment_49" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="with Mr. Briones"][/caption]

Mr. Fantone did most of the discussion. He has a really good sense of humor. Almost every story is related to the topic and all of them made me laugh my heart out. Gosh. The "2012" story was one of the bests although some knew it already, they still laughed like there's no tomorrow. Now, let me quote the keys to achieve self-reliance from Mr. Fantone {he prepared a presentation which is consist only of ONE SLIDE} he rather talk than read. {a real entrepreneur. }

1. LIVE WITHIN YOUR MEANS

The very first key struck me. Many people are really living beyond their means. Credit Cards? O how I love them but it's a BIG NO! We should learn love how to live life with what we have and not get something more that we can't afford. That's the first thing.{the one and only slide shown above is a picture of a family sharing a pack of noodles for lunch and guess what the father is holding? a stick of cigarette. tsk}

 

2. LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS

This is difficult but imagine how many people in the world live a day with only $2? Isn't that way too deep from "below"? We should not spend a lot of money to things that are not important and not needed. How about WANTS? You know, it can wait.

Mr. Fantone told us a story about a Chinese guy whom he had a conversation before.

"We Chinese, when we earn $5 we only spend 3 sometimes $2 but Filipinos, when they earn $5 they spend $6 sometimes $7. When Filipinos earn $10 they spend $12 sometimes $13 but we Chinese, when we earn $10, we still spend $3 or $4."

read between the lines and you will know.

 

3. LEARN TO INCREASE YOUR MEANS

Since the world is revolving with business around it, {Take note, I did not say the world revolves around businesses} it's never impossible to be wealthy. I'm not yet done studying so I'll talk about allowance. No, it's not about asking mom to increase my allowance but more about helping mom to earn more to have more allowance.

and last but not the least...

 

4. Go ahead and SHARE YOUR MEANS

Donate to charity works. Help someone in need. Share what you have and it will be given back to you a hundred fold.

[caption id="attachment_50" align="aligncenter" width="490" caption="with Mr. James Fantone"][/caption]

 

It's just so good to know about these things. I hope this will help you achieve self-reliance.