3 POSITIVE FILIPINO TRAITS THAT DESTROY YOUR FINANCES

I am very proud that we, as Filipinos, value these amazing traits which make us unique.

The thing is, it will actually destroy you kung wala na ito sa lugar.

Kelan natin masasabi na wala na ito sa lugar?

And what do we have to do to avoid destroying our finances?

Don't get me wrong, these positive traits are great and I believe these traits should be in the hearts of every one not only for Filipinos yet it's a different story when it comes to your finances.

Let me explain.

1. Hospitality - Whenever we have visitors coming in to our home, we make a feast out of it. Best food, best drinks, best plates and the biggest smile to make them feel comfortable.

Wala na sa lugar kung:

If every chow time in your home is a feast; breakfast, lunch and dinner but that's fine. It means you have money for it and it's maybe a normal thing. If not, then money is wasted at bahala na naman si Batman.

What to do: 

Have a Monthly Spending Plan and include Hospitality Fund in it.

2. Strong Family Ties - It's not a surprise why many of Young Professionals are in the "Sandwich Generation". This generation of people are the ones who have elderly parents and they also have children of their own. The best part is, they are very much willing to take responsibility for both.

There are two sides to this:

a.   A young parent

and a

b.  Young Adult.

a.  As a young parents you are responsible for your child for they depend on you 100%. Dependent on your time, money and attention until they grow and be independent and be responsible for themselves.

Wala na sa lugar kung: 

May sarili nang trabaho ay ikaw pa din ang nagpapakain at nakatira pa din sila bahay mo.

What to do:

Teach them to be independent and responsible by leading by example.

Alisin natin sa ating isipan na ang mga anak natin and makaka ahon sa atin sa kahirapan.

Your child/children are not your retirement fund, stop the cycle.

b.  As a Young Adult, a single employed Pinoy's ENTIRE first salary is traditionally given to the parents. All because of Strong Family Ties.

Gusto mo ipunin ang sweldo mo pambili ng mga luho. Sa bahay ni Mama at Papa walang rent, walang budget for food, walang utility bills.  More spending money para sa iyong sarili.  Walang problema kung ipon for investment in personal growth, or a business or whatever.

Wala na sa lugar kung:

You tend to stay at your parents house until they kick you out, or kapag may GF/BF ka na. At madalas aalis ka lang sa puder nila kasi mangingibang bansa at magiging OFW ka.

What to do: 

 Learn early to be independent.

It's a good idea to stay at your parent's house in the meantime but offer to chip in for rent, food and utility bills. You’ll not only help them but you will also learn the value of money early.

Tapos kusa ka nang umalis. Huwag mo nang antayin palayasin ka pa.

3. Humility/Being Humble

("Hum-bog"

Humble/Hambog wordplay)

Likas sa mga Pinoy ang maging mapagpakumbaba at ito ay nakatanim na sa ating kultura. Ngunit minsan sobra na. At napakahirap bunutin kasi inuugat na.

Kumustahan scene:

Relative: Pumapayat ka ah! You look good.

Ikaw: Hindi naman!

Dating sa relative:Hambog

Friend sa FB: Pa-travel travel na lang ah!

Kainggit mga photos mo.

Ikaw: Minsan lang!

Dating sa FB friend: Hambog

Best friend mo: Umaasenso ka na ah!

Ikaw: Sinwerte lang!

Dating sa Best Friend: Hambog

Wala na sa lugar kung:

You are not holding yourself accountable sa mga actions mo. Good or bad.

Hindi mo inaangkin ang mabuti at ayaw mo lalo angkinin ang mali.

What to do:

Say "thank you". Magpasalamat sa mga nag ko-comment sa'yo.

Be thankful.

Magpasalamat sa mga natatamasa mo. Good or bad.

Sapagkat ikaw ang may kasalanan sa lahat ng mabubuting nangyayari sa buhay mo. Pati rin sa mga masasamang pangyayari.

For OFWs, we see the differences in other cultures. We only realize late that we appear to foreigners as boastful and oftentimes arrogant. Then we get their 'appreciation bug'.

Ha? Ano yun?

Natutunan ko sa kanila na magsabi nang

"Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

Sige nga tagalog-in mo at ginagamit mo ba ang pangungusap na ito nuong nasa Pilipinas ka?

Answer: Salamat sa iyo.

Pinapahalagahan ko ito.

Huwag Hambog.

This list is meant to inspire and not to belittle Filipino values.

Find the truth in them.

And if you're ready to receive the message, you are half way there.