Personal Updates

The Balikbayan Special, or Hindi Ganyan sa South Korea!

PinShareTweetShare0 SharesAs some of you know, I’m back in good old, lovely Metro Manila since the beginning of this year. No, Korea didn’t kick me out. I left semi voluntarily. And since this is my first post since coming back, I will indulge in one of the favorite past times of Balikbayans – comparing the Philippines with the country they just left behind. So in the grand tradition of generations of Balikbayans who are horrified to realize how backward *everything* is in here, despite having lived in this country for decades before moving to a new country, I present you

May 31, 2022 No Comments

Personal Updates

Hello, I hope to stick around this time

PinShareTweetShare0 SharesIt’s been a minute since I last updated this blog and I feel I have so much to share that I don’t know where to begin. I spent the last few months taking a long sabbatical from many things to concentrate on work, motherhood, mental health, and of course, wealth-building. But before I get into that story, I wish to apologize to my readers who were waiting for any updates on this blog and thank everyone who sent me messages asking about my whereabouts and general well-being. I am alive and doing well so far, although I

November 13, 2021 3 Comments

Products Services and Reviews

Things I Don’t Regret Spending Money On

PinShare12TweetShare12 SharesOne aspect of personal finance that I want to highlight is knowing how and when to spend our hard-earned money. Although cutting our spending is one way to help us accumulate wealth, there will be times when spending our money will help us achieve our goals, financial or otherwise. In this post, I will share with you the things I don’t regret spending money on and how these expenses impact my life. 1. Laser Eye Surgery I started wearing eyeglasses at 11 due to bad eyesight and astigmatism. I was the kid that everyone called weird. Not just because

November 18, 2020 3 Comments

Personal Updates

5 Things That Will Financially Tide Me Over The Epidemic

PinShare20TweetShare20 SharesNow that the entire world is being ravaged by the novel coronavirus, I feel paralyzed. Although we felt the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic here in South Korea ahead of the rest of the world (with the exception of China), I wasn’t as scared then as I am now. Now that the epidemic have reached almost all parts of the world including the Philippines, I’m like a deer caught in the headlights. I don’t know what to do, I can’t focus on tasks, I’m scared for humanity. I’m scared for my loved ones back home. I’m scared for my

March 28, 2020 No Comments

Travel

The Ultimate Guide to Gyeongju, South Korea

PinShare6TweetShare6 SharesWhen you ask Koreans which place you should visit if you’re interested in their country’s history, they would unanimously tell you to go to Gyeongju, located in North Gyeongsang Province. Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Dynasty which ruled the Korean Peninsula more than 2,000 years ago. Then called Seorabeol, it was the center of political and cultural life in the peninsula and home of beautiful Korean Buddhist art originating from Korea’s earliest history. Because of this, the ancient history, art, and artifacts of Gyeongju are distinct from the Joseon heritage that we usually see and experience

February 8, 2020 2 Comments

Psychology of Money

A Decade in Review

PinShare16TweetShare16 SharesSince it’s the start of a new decade, I can’t help but reminisce and look back to the last 10 years, both to see how far I’ve come and to remind myself of how far I need to go. I’ve always been open about sharing with you guys how I grew up in poverty and the reasons why want to achieve financial independence. If you haven’t read that post yet and you’re curious, go to Why I Want to FIRE – A Personal Tale of Early Woes and Awesome Wins. Despite my disadvantaged background, I worked hard to get out

January 11, 2020 22 Comments

Products Services and Reviews

Gift Ideas for the Financially Savvy Person in Your Life

Pin2Share16TweetShare18 SharesMost of us find it hard to find gifts to celebrate special times. So I compiled a list of gift ideas for the financially savvy person in your life to help you plan for the holidays. Of course, you can also just give people gifts as a way to make them feel special, even when there’s no occasion. YOUNG CHILDREN The best time to start a person’s financial education is when they’re still young. For young children, it’s best to keep it simple. Start by teaching them the value of saving their money. For this, you basically have two

November 15, 2019 No Comments

FIRE

Why I Want to FIRE – A Personal Tale of Early Woes and Awesome Wins

PinShare32TweetShare32 SharesI was in yoga class one night when I realized that I’ve been speaking to you guys about money and ways to achieve financial goals but you barely know anything about me, Katie Scarlett. After bringing this fact up to my son, I decided to be more open with you guys. I want to share with you why I want to achieve financial independence and early retirement (FIRE). I feel privileged that so many of you have shared your stories and goals with me privately via email or Facebook messenger. And to balance that out, I think it’s now

October 31, 2019 12 Comments

Travel

Crossing the Turkmenistan-Uzbekistan Border

PinShare6TweetShare6 SharesI was given a four-day transit visa by Turkmenistan immigration so I had to leave on time or risk deportation (probably, maybe).After my overnight stay in the Darvaza Gas Crater, fittingly dubbed the Door to Hell by people for its creepy but romantic (a combination that doesn’t work for people) ambience at night then a mid-morning stroll looking at the ruins of Konye-Urgench, I opted to cross the border to Uzbekistan from Konye-Urgench instead of from Dashoguz. I was worried that I won’t have enough time to get out of Turkmenistan if I travel from Konye-Urgench to Dashoguz, which

October 3, 2019 No Comments

Travel

The Beautiful Ruins of Konye-Urgench

PinShare4TweetShare4 SharesAfter saying goodbye to the Darvaza Gas Crater, we took off for a short tour of Konye-Urgench before I cross the border to Uzbekistan. We left at 9 a.m. since Konye-Urgench is 270 kilometers away, or around 3 and a half hours of driving. I really debated with myself whether or not I will visit Konye-Urgench. My next destination after exiting Turkmenistan was the former slave trading town of Khiva, now in Uzbekistan. The nearest border exit going to Khiva is through Dashoguz, around 2 hours away from Konye-Urgench, and it was reportedly easier to get a cab to

September 24, 2019 No Comments