It's Time!

Expect the unexpected.
-  Anonymous

Storms happen every once in a while in life. It may come in the form of unfortunate, man-induced events such as robberies, job loss, significant medical expenses, or literally, a storm that can leave one without any possessions at all. The saying “Save for the rainy days,” is proving to be a gospel truth now, more than ever. Read the rest of this entry »

What is Inflation?

The technical ring to the word “inflation” shouldn’t make it fearsome, especially since its meaning is pretty straightforward. Inflation, simply put, is the decrease in the value of money, brought about by the rise in price of everyday goods. 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

A cool mom and a supportive wife. This pretty much summed up what Pia Arroyo-Magalona was to the public. But this was before her husband, rap icon Francis Magalona passed away early this year. All throughout the entire ordeal, from the time Francis was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in August last year until he succumbed to the illness in March 2009, people discovered more about Pia. She was a picture of calm and quiet grief. A pillar of strength for her eight kids and the hundreds of friends and supporters who came to grieve with them.
Read the rest of this entry »