Here is a brief story on how I accidentally learn about investments when I was 22 (just started working):
I did not work until I was 22. I remember my work-batchmates are like 19 and 20. Advantage for them that they work early. But I am not aware of it, I just want to work and have a salary.
My first choice for my career path is not what I am currently in. It was Network Engineering. I passed my CCNA certification (Cisco Certified Network Associate), and my target is to be CCNP and CCIE eventually. But life as we know it, is not always going according to our plan. I applied with some companies related to that field, but failed. But accidentally (err no, I believe that there are no accidents), I found this company where I am right now, on PinoyExchange forum. I applied, reviewed (the entrance test is about programming where the level is never taught at school, I self-studied), then by the grace of God, I passed and became an employee (as an R&D Software Engineer).
Now, I know the subject is about investments but why did I start this way. I just want you to know that I didn’t plan to be like this at all. Just like the discovery about the investments.
One day, I’m just listening to the conversations of other co-workers (teammates). I am a natural observer and always curious. They are talking about this called “stocks”, “COL”, “PSE”, and “index”. My reflex is always googling unfamiliar terms. That’s the beginning. I was just 3 months working, and not even a regular employee. That was 2013.
I searched and read about it. Incidentally, my dad is doing this things. He started investing with COL. He even sent me a PDF copy of “How my MAID became a Millionaire” by Bo Sanchez. I read it and even became more interested. I said to myself, this looks feasible huh.
I didn’t start until 6mos after I’ve heard about it. I started around April 2014, I opened my COL account with an initial deposit of 25k from my savings. Why I didn’t start right away? Because I was still learning about it. I learned that I must have an emergency fund first. I build my first ever emergency fund worth 30k. 13th month pay really helps to build that fund. Why did I start on April? Because that was the Bonus month. Our bonus is also a great help (but my bonus is just like a fraction of my salary). Then the rest is history.
My father also gave me a link to a video series about basics of stocks investing. That video is life changing. I also shared that to my close friends (and yes until now, year 2018 I still do!). All of my friends who watched that video eventually started investing.
A side note: I also learn FOREX (Foreign Exchange) trading at my work. One day, my then manager is having a conversation with other teammate. It’s about forex. Again, I became interested and searched about it. Eventually, I entered and traded. I initially deposited $100 (that was the minimum). That was year 2014. Maybe I will have a separate article about forex. 🙂
I remember the conversation wherein my manager ask me if it is possible to have a python program wherein it can parse the price and alert if the target value was hit.
So there you go. The rest was history. I hope you learn something about my story. Always be curious. God’s plan is better than what we think. Like right now, I didn’t plan to be a financial advisor, but here I am.
If you want to know more, and you like this style of blog, hit like and comment! If you have any suggestions, topics, or anything, comment down below!
To a brighter life! 🙂
