It's Time!

by: Maricar Gonzalez

When will I finally have the time and energy to do that?

That was one of my statements during a coffee break with a girlfriend — a rare event in my life that constitutes of a hurried gulp, snippets of chika and recounts of what I have to do for the day.

Let me tell you about myself. I work in one of the multinational firms at the heart (heat is more like it) of Makati. I wake up at 5 AM, prepare my kids’ meals, check if they’ve gotten their assignments done correctly Read the rest of this entry »

by: Kendrick Chua, the Wealth Warrior

Single moms are definitely of different breed. The strength and resilience in being both a father and mother to their children is something that has continued to amaze others, myself included. Read the rest of this entry »

I’m clueless. Alicia Silverstone-type-of-clueless, that is.

Way past fresh grad phase, one would think that I have made my way into finding out about studying finances, poring over Excel sheets and maintaining books. But I’m nowhere near anything that requires computations. Read the rest of this entry »

Disaster response should be quick, resolute, and almost instinctive in its precision. Aside from emergency kits, there is another important yet often overlooked provision that is best secured and accessible at all times.

Below is a handy model upon which to pattern your own personal list:

SAVINGS

• Is your ATM card, credit card, and bankbook tucked in your wallet or placed somewhere easily accessible?
• Is your account number jotted down or saved in your mobile phone or handheld gadget?
• Are you aware of how much disposable income (cash you can withdraw) you have stashed away?
• More importantly, do your accounts always have available and withdrawable balances? Are you able to keep your credit cards within limits and not always maxed out?
• Do you have the hot line (almost always toll free) number of your bank?

INSURANCE

• Are important insurance papers such as your policy contract properly stored, where it is safe from fire, flood, and earthquake?
• Is your insurance coverage up to date? Are your premiums updated?
• Do you have the contact information of your financial advisor and the company where you purchased your plan?

INVESTMENT

• Are proofs of your investment tucked away in a safe place, like a safety deposit box?
• Can you immediately liquidate your portfolio in case of extreme need? Try to strike a balance between assets that are easy to liquidate and those that take time to convert to cash.
• Are you familiar with your portfolio so that you can minimize, if not avoid losses when you need to redeem?
• Do you have the contact information of your financial advisor and the companies where you bought your shares?

Make sure you have these information at hand. Make your list. Post it in your wall. Keep it in your pocket. Place it on your refrigerator. After all, prevention is crucial, but preparation is essential.

Preparing for a financially secured future can be quite overwhelming. But for starters, there is an easier way to go about it.

This is a Product Solutions Chart designed by Sun Life Financial to guide you in identifying your financial needs and priorities. It also suggests solutions to address each need and gives you advise on how to turn your plans into action.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL SIZE OF THE PRODUCT SOLUTIONS CHART