"Investing 3 Years Ago Was The Best Decision I Have Made" - Daisy, Investment Advocate

One of the reasons why I created this blog is not only for me to share my knowledge and experiences when it comes to financial planning and investing but also for my clients' experiences as well.  If you are my client or will be someday, I encourage you to tell the world your financial journey. Not to brag, but to inspire others. To become a full-pledged Investment Advocate. Don't you worry, we're in this together. We will journey together.  

Just this afternoon, I received a message from my bestest bud and Investment Advocate Daisy telling me that she already emailed her article. And when I read it, I can't help but to cry for a while. Oh yes, it was tears of joy! Imagine this: you have been friends for more than a decade now, you consider her as your best friend and every time I wanted to share or at least encouraged her to invest, she would say "no". But that didn't stop me and after 3-4 times of presentation, she finally said, "yes!" Hooray! 

This happened three years ago.

 

photo: source

And now, Daisy wants to share her financial story and journey with you. Here's her exact words:

 

What my 20s has taught me…

This is supposed to be an article about financial planning and stuff. So let’s start with that. I have to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of financial planning. Let’s face it, when we’re young and just starting to earn our own money, our priority is not really our tomorrow but our now. I mean, who actually thinks of saving up for the future or investing when you can just buy the latest gadget or branded clothes and accessories when payday comes. I used to convince myself that I deserve to reward myself with things that I did not get to buy when I was younger and wasn’t earning my own money yet. Though I have heard many times then that it’s better to start investing and saving while still young and very much able, I didn’t listen. I often tell myself then that I was too young to actually take life seriously. I guess we always use our youth as an excuse not to be responsible for our own lives.

I have always considered myself a responsible person. I never had my parents apologize for my behavior, either to our neighbors or to the guidance counselor. I don’t stay up late when I know I have an early class the next day. I study my lessons thoroughly before exams. As much as possible, I don’t ask my parents to buy me things that aren’t necessary. In college, I seldom drink, and it wasn’t even a significant amount. That’s how responsible I was as a kid. So when I graduated, had a job, and eventually earned my own money, I had to admit, I felt powerful and more importantly, free. I remember splurging on clothes one time upon receiving my second salary (I had to pay off some people with my first one). I celebrated the day when I don’t have to think much whether to buy something or not. I have more than enough to spend anyway, so why bother. Sure, I was able to start up my savings. The thing was, I did it after all the spending. That was the last priority. Sure, I was helping a bit in household expenses. After all, I was and still am living in my parents’ house.

Daisy and yours truly. Left photo: during our college graduation in PLM (circa 2005). The right photo was taken in 2012.

That went on and on for years. I guess being single totally has its perks. Lesser obligations, lesser commitment. Every penny spent was up to my choosing. Sure, I was able to buy some things of value for my family and invest in myself through further education. Not bad for a self-proclaimed financial idiot. But I guess somehow, at the back of my mind, I knew something needs to be done. Until the day my best friend talked sense into me. When she told me the first time about financial planning, honestly, I was the least ecstatic, hesitant even. It’s not that I wasn’t interested, it’s just that, well, its jargon to me. The idea of investing was novel to me. For me, the thought of expanding your financial horizon was unheard of. I actually thought investing was something only the older ones do. Yet she was able to explain things to me in a way that even a feeble mind would understand. She was patient enough to answer all my questions, even those I asked before but forgot what the reply was. She not only made me realize things that I didn’t take into consideration before but taught me how to value life and everything else that goes with it. Yes, financial planning was the matter but life was the core, the very reason we try to plan and prepare. Plan for the future and prepare for the unknown.

I guess what I’m trying to say is this, enjoy your youth, have fun while you’re young. But keep in mind that what’s more fun than simply having fun is having fun while prepping for your future. Investing is not just for the older ones. It definitely is for everyone and hey, it’s always better to start young. I started investing just three years ago. And in my 29 years of existence, so far, that was the best decision I have made. So I guess it’s never too late. At least now I know that whatever happens, I won’t falter. I’m fully equipped and ready as ever to combat the blows. Life is uncertain. And I now believe that the best way to beat ambiguity is to plan and prepare. 

So what did my 20s taught me? Simple, seize your now and groom your future.