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Wrong decisions and moments of frailty will haunt us, reverberating from our past towards our future. And in a world where we are beset by daily worries, financial concerns remain as perennial as inflation and taxes.

Rude awakening: Money steers the course of your ship.

Money is honey, attracting both the flies and bees of opportunistic circumstances. From your groceries to your hobbies, the wad of cash in your pocket dictates the choices you will make.

Consequently, the lifestyle you can afford molds your outlook. If the bank account cannot satisfy the desires, then the feeling of inadequacy intensifies. Here is where the financial engagement happens, which is essentially an art of balancing your assets and liabilities. You are now in a battleground – either you will be swept away by the tension, or you lay down the rules to diffuse such conflict.

Not-so-rude awakening: You can always take the helm of your financial vessel.

It is true that all is fair in love and war, and this includes the treasure chest in which your personal battles are waged. Priorities will always clash with unnecessary purchases, like two titans fighting over the same territory. Is there a way for financial serenity to rule over your land.

1. Lay down your plans.

Write it down. Make a blog entry. Put it in black and white, like a contract. When it comes to financial viability, you are entering a long-term partnership with your own self.

2. Survey the terrain.

Know your location in today’s financial landscape. Are you buried in debt? Are you able to save? Do you need to augment your income? Or do you find yourself burning the bank account until the next paycheck?

3. Unleash the energy.

Growing your money is similar to learning a musical instrument or maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It has to grow in you. It is never a one-shot deal.

4. Diversify your tactics.

Put up a savings account. Learn how to invest. Never put your resources in one single battle. After all, you are preparing for war.

· Know the rabbit hole

Peek before you jump. Imagine Mutual Fund as a rabbit hole, dark and brooding, an adventure to the unknown. Fortunately, the unknown holds the promise of a secured future – provided you are able to shed some light about this financial instrument.

· Needs over bravado

Gone should be the days when social status dictates the monthly budget. This also applies to choosing your Mutual Fund, where your needs must take precedent over the bragging rights of being a so-called “investor”.

· Money you can forget

It’s time to stop running around in circles and face the nitty-gritty: how much money would you be willing to put in? Rule of thumb: invest on money you are willing to lose, which means that you can forget about it for the meantime, until your fund is ripe for the picking.

· Understand the lingo

In short: stop pretending you understand the brochure or prospectus, because more often than not you really don’t. A wealth of information is available on the Net, like this enlightening article written by a seasoned investor (link to Morillo’s Decoding the Investment Lingo). Remember that the beauty and devil are always in the details.

· Past performance matters

Before you say ‘I invest,’ dig through the past performances of your chosen one. Is the mutual fund company a trusted partner, with a reputation and integrity forged stronger through the years? If yes, then congratulations, we now declare you a mutual fund investor.

In fact, money is one of the most useful motivations in a movie plot. Given the powerful vision that this art form can create, why not use it as a springboard for financial discussion? If movies imitate life, then heed the financial triumphs that these films portray.

1. Notting Hill: a wise investment

Source: wikipedia.org

Even at the start, the romance between a small bookstore owner and a global superstar is cursed to oblivion. Imagine looking at their bank accounts, and you can easily see the great social divide. But in a reverse Cinderella twist, love conquered the cash flow through compromise and genuine affection. Also heartfelt is the big investment they made as a couple: the park where their relationship first blossomed.

Lesson: Money may be where the heart is, after all.

2. Anak: the danger of being unprepared

Source: wikipedia.org

Essentially a commentary about the OFW phenomenon, this film actually mirrors the endless tribulations of a returning hero. Striking is the scene where the former OFW stares at her depleting savings – a possibility made real by unsustainable business decisions. She may have prepared for it, but she never expected the extent of loss she has to

Lesson: An ounce of financial planning always beats a pound of cure.

3. The Godfather: build valuable networks

Source: wikipedia

The most endearing quality of Don Vito Corleone and company is their undying commitment to family, even if it involves violence and prosecution. But beyond the bloodbath, there is wisdom in knowing who your priorities are. And even our very own culture values close-knit ties, where the bad effects are often overshadowed by its positive consequences.

Lesson: Family trumps even the most profitable business interest.

4. Slumdog Millionaire: as the universe conspires

Source: wikipedia.org

It may be the typical rags-to-riches story, the equivalent of serendipity when it comes to financial destiny. Still, this film harps on a gospel truth: seek and you shall find. Sure, the stars may have aligned for that fateful moment of answering the million-dollar question. Yet no one can deny how much he worked hard to finally land such an opportunity.

Lesson: Heed it, and it shall be found.

5. The Pursuit of Happyness: take a leap of faith

Source: wikipedia.org

Admittedly, it is hard to imagine the depths of deprivation until one gets trapped in the rabbit hole of lost chances. But the difference in every tribulation lies in the attitude, and this is exactly what the movie celebrates. Can you imagine if he did not run the last few miles in order to attend his job interview? And at the end, it is such a relief to know that money is only a fraction of the equation.

Lesson: When hope springs eternal, so shall the river of financial opportunities.

Knowing where to invest your savings is another matter. The thing to remember is that the various financial products are all designed with different types of saver in mind. To help which one suits best – read on financial materials, harness the power of web or better yet, consult a financial advisor. Listen to your counsel before you begin to spread your resources.

Let’s be reminded that we save for stewardship and this will lead to delayed gratification. In that way, a provident fund will be readily available when emergency arises, when a future time when we won’t be as prosperous as now and when someone is in dire need.

It’s Time!-made me realized that even for myself, i have not secured anything for a comfortable retirement. All that i have been doing is going out of town, enjoying the scenery, going to the malls with my family and not making any plans for my own future and worst no plans for a secured future for my family.

It’s Time!- for me now to take action. Initially i have secured a memorial plan for me so that my family will not worry anymore in case i suddenly depart from this world. But i would like to have more..i want something to leave behind for my children, i want to live comfortably when i retire and not rely on my children.

It’s Time! -for me and my spouse to sit down and seriously talked about this.

Chief Strategic Marketing Officer Greg Martin hands over the travel certificate to the winner, Kath Madula

All it took was her dreams, five referrals, and a pledge. Now, Kathleen Madula gets to experience the rewards of financial security as the grand winner of Sun Life Financial Philippines’ (SLFP) It’s Time to Tell a Friend promo. The island paradise of Boracay awaits her for a 3-days and 2-nights stay at the Boracay Regency Lagoon.

However, the trip is mere frosting on top of her financial cake. This advocate believes in the value of insurance, investment, and choosing the right partner for a brighter tomorrow. And her journey begins by basking under the warmth of the Sun.

A commitment

Even before learning of the contest, Madula was already thinking of ways on how to grow her money. Then she remembered the It’s Time billboard along C-5 and quickly visited the website, where she learned more about investment opportunities available in the country.

“Money is inevitable in this life we live in. We have the right to enjoy our life and money helps you achieve your dreams,” said Madula. She plans to avail of a health insurance plan, considering it a priority. Moreover, she wants to provide financial security for her family through an insurance policy.

Plan of action

According to her pledge, her dreams include setting up her own business and investing in real estate. Of course, she does not want her dreams to remain as mere wishful thinking. So Madula is now practicing the art of managing her finances. In fact, she has her own breakdown of funds, which she follows as much as possible

Towards financial freedom

With her plan already put into place, Madula recognizes how discipline and a dependable partner can pave the way to financial freedom. For her insurance and investment needs, she would entrust her future with SLFP. “Sun Life is running the business for more than a hundred years already. I’ve heard thru friends as well as read in papers and online positive feedback about this company. That’s why I’m very much interested with Sun Life,” she explained.

Madula also encourages fellow young professionals to take the first step in fulfilling and protecting their dreams. There are financial products that could suit everyone’s needs, including references that can be freely accessed online, such as the It’s Time advocacy.

“One only needs to stand up and make an effort to learn about it. It’s not as hard as it seems to be. You’ll be thankful once you learn how to manage your money well. It’s time to take action and make your dreams into reality,” she advised.