OFW+Seafarer's Life

My Nokia 5800 Xpress Music

2010-05-21T11:02:00.000-07:00

Island of Gibraltar photo taken using my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. This is not a new model actually, I used already more than a year and my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is still in good working condition and it has a wide feature compare to other brand of mobile phone. Why buy a new one, Right? It is only a waste of money. I love my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. Luckily, if my connecting flight in Heathrow, guess what? How about to buy a headphone made by BOSE to connect in my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic. Wow! Going home is fast approaching and I will see my family again.

How to fight fire on ship

2010-05-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

Fire drill at Gibraltar Bay

SOLAS regulation regular emergency drill on board must be carried out.

Flag administration require every 15 days to conduct emergency drill on board the ship depends on which flag your ship is flying in order for officer's and crew familiarized their firefighting equipments. Fire hoses, fire extinguishers and fire pumps are some of the fire fighting equipments on board.
In order to avoid damage to property, life and especially the environment many regulation and code were created.
Being a Seafarer is not only for earning dollar or euro but we must take care also for our safety. We must be motivated and willing to learn in every aspect it maybe a video training or safety seminar. I observed, there are times when we conduct drill the rest hours is also affected and resulted for fatigue. But we must follow regulations what the governing body imposed. To my brother in profession let us take care also our health because there's a saying "Health is Wealth". We cannot deny nowadays pre-employment medical check-up is getting more stiff. And let us find another source of income not only working abroad but to earn while staying with our loved ones. If there is a will, there is a way. Have a smooth voyage to all Seafarers.

Seafarer / OFW on board Storage Tanker

2010-05-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is the ship I'm working on board as Seafarer / OFW. M/T Vemabaltic is a storage tanker of 107,544.2 metric tons dead weight anchored here in the Gibraltar bay supplying fuel oil to vessels of various kind.
Gibraltar is one of historical and most visited island here in the Southwestern tip of Europe. For shipping company specialized in fuel oil supply, Gibraltar bay is a good location because shipping from east to west passing Gibraltar strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean. The safest and economical location for transferring various products worldwide.
What a good opportunity to work on board the storage tanker. Working with mixed national is quite challenging but we work as team. Bunkering operation is a risky work but if you are equipped with proper training and experience the bunkering operation run smoothly and all safety aspect must be imposed.
Six months is passed and I'm waiting for my reliever to come to replace me. Well, going home is the most happiest moments for every Seafarer / OFW. Thanking God I finished my contract with good health to see once again my family.

How To Make Money in Real Estate

2010-05-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

Photo by:http://www.flickr.com/photos/36613169@N00/

Is it really possible to make money in Real Estate? The answer is a big "YES"! In Philippines alone it is very clear mostly agricultural land before are converted to a residential area. Example, in Negros Occidental Province from Barangay Bata, Bacolod City heading north you can see the previous sugarcane plantation are now converted to a huge subdivision. There are real estate properties foreclosed by banks. There are Home owners who are motivated to sell their house in many reasons. The big question for us as OFW is how to make this opportunity to turn into profit in order for us to earn passive income and to maintain positive cash flow.
Let me remind you our life as OFW. The moment we left our family can you imagine the feeling seeing them in tears to be left behind having a one year or two year contract? Whew! You are lucky if you are in a harmonious working environment and with constant communication with your loved ones. Communication is vital to our relationship, right? The moment we received our hard earned money we are very pleased to send extra allotments to our family to provide them good living, education, appliances, balikbayan box, etc. etc.
What if all OFW have a mindset of a businessman and an investor instead, of buying new model i-phone, new model Nokia cellphones, Mac apple computers and many more you name it summing up can be a down payment for a house and lot to be rented or to be sell. Sure! there will be no more OFW to work far from home and love ones. You see friends it is just a matter of Desire, Faith, Imagination, Planning and Action.
One thing more, how many OFW have the initiative to give their children while young their savings account? There are banks in Philippines example is Banco De Oro they have Junior saver as low as Php500.00 you can open account to your child. So that when they become matured or shall I say when they turned 18 years old they have amount to be used as start for their adult life whether to use start a business or for their education.
I'm sharing this because for me it is beneficial. There are seminars about financial management but it cost too much for us. But here, let us share and help one another. Although, I am not financial expert but I read it in a book and I observed it from the successful people. Well friends, so much for now. Until next post. I'm happy if you leave your comments. Friends, let's make money in Real Estate.

Why Get Real Estate Investment Seminar

2010-05-12T12:13:00.000-07:00

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/

The answer is"Why not". Being well trained in Real Estate is a must because we are dealing here with a huge amount of money. If we are not well trained. Well, you are like a soldier not ready to go in a battle.
The main reason why we should undergo this kind of seminar in Real Estate is to open our mind to the opportunities in every corner of our country. We can find cheap houses that we can use as investment properties. These houses are selling at bargain prices because their owners are motivated to sell them. These owners are often under some sort of financial problem and the only way out they see is the sale of their home. If you had the right real estate investment training, you will be able to covert these opportunities into profit.
There are lots of real Estate Investor who are now turn as a Mentor and willing to share their experience.
Especially, today we can find information regarding Real estate investment on books in every bookstore and also in Internet. To my fellow OFW this is our turning point. Only to put into action and soon we can achieve our goal for financial freedom. I will share to you my favorite quote: "Whatever your mind can conceive and believe it can achieve." -Napoleon Hill

My Inspiration

2010-05-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

Project of my 7 year old daughter on her Uncle Notnot Mac Apple computer.

OFW on Internet Marketing + Real Estate Investing

2010-05-08T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hello to all my fellow OFW! Hope everything is going well with God's grace and blessings. Before, I only mention my fellow Seafarers and I think it is better to mention everyone. It came to my mind what if Internet Marketing and Real Estate Investing will be put together? Buying foreclosed property as core business and market it through the Internet. What will be the result?

I'm sharing this to all OFW because I don't want to go on top alone, I want everybody to be on top. Successful, happy, healthy and wealthy together living with our family especially if you have small children to be hug, kiss and play with. You may ask me what it takes to be rich? For me being rich is not only having lots of money. You may be rich in love to your fellow men, your children, your elders, your friends and most of all rich in God's blessing. If you are living comfortable you are already rich. It must be financially and spiritually. There is a saying "If others can do, why cant we?"

Financially free OFW, free of bad debt and positive cashflow is my goal now and to earn passively while on vacation. But how? My answer is FINANCIAL LITERACY. By joining seminars like Internet ( 14 hrs hands on ) Marketing Workshop to be conducted by Mr. Jomar Hilario on June 25-26 at Cubao.
This coming May 15, 2010 have Think Rich Pinoy Wealth Seminar. The speaker is the author of Think Rich Pinoy Book Mr. Larry Gamboa. To all OFW like to be financially free. I suggest to attend these coming events.

Let us share one another our little knowledge regarding this topic. I am also a newbie in this field. Please feel free to leave a comments . Let us help one another towards financial freedom.

Rich Dad a Seafarer

2010-04-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

To my fellow Seafarers may you all in God's protection and care. Do you know the author of the bestseller book "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is also our brother in profession? Yes, Mr. Robert Kiyosaki is a graduate in United States Merchant Marine Academy. If you read his book entitled "Rich Dad's Prophecy" he explained how he invest in Realty Investment just he is loading a cargo in a cargo hold of the vessel. Wow! he is the man.
But he don't spend much time working onboard the vessel and far from home. He is a realty investor, a successful one and ohhh! a multi-millionaire. I knew also successful Seafarers in our good country Philippines who are in their peak of their profession, but they are not successful working onboard. Maybe not all but most I knew they are successful in their investment and business ashore. Their secret......? FINANCIAL LITERACY.

Also, I encourage you to play in "Cashflow 101" it's a good game and same time you can gain knowledge financially. How to invest in realty not using your real money. You can experience how to be bankrupt, how to be downsized, how to increase your cashflow, your cash on hand and it depends how you handle the situation when you have a child, education, expenses, doodads, and how you handle using your credit card. How to have a small deal and big deal when good oppurtunity arise. How to increased your asset and liability. I tell you from the rat race it will show you how to go in a fast track. Let us dream not to stay in a left quadrant as Employee or Self employed. Let us dream to be in right quadrant as Businessman or Investor. Let us all dream BIG. Ready, Fire, Aim. Until next time let us all live abundantly with God's grace.

The Steps To True Wealth

2010-04-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

This time I want to share the 12 steps to build your personal wealth and turn your dream of financial independence to reality.

1. Understand and overcome the obstacles to building wealth.

2. Know what you want and dream big.

3. Find out where you are and what you have.

4. Make a saving a lifelong habit.

5. Spend your money wisely.

6. Get out and stay out of debt.

7. Find ways to earn more, to save more.

8. Prepare for life's financial challenges.

9. Plan for a hassle-free and comfortable retirement.

10. Grow your money through smart investing.

11. Take care of your health to enjoy your wealth.

12. Share your blessings and receive more riches.

Starting today, memorize these steps. Always keep them in mind so you will stay focused in your quest for financial independence.

Source: 12 Steps to Build Wealth on any income
Author: Alvin T. Tabanag, RFP

Ca$hflow Game

2010-04-16T10:59:00.000-07:00

Hello to my fellow Seafarers! After a long day of research about where to invest our hard earned money, still I have a big question. What is the best vehicle or investment would be best for us?
I read a lot of comments from various forum and made me confused. Lastly, I found a good game . The game that Robert and Kim Kiyosaki (of Rich Dad Poor Dad) developed – Cashflow 101 and 202 can now be played online for free. Wow! what a challenging game, I been through to this game, it's amazing and I'm glad to share to you. Why not try it will show, open and lead you towards financial freedom. From rat race to the fast track if applied in a real life. You too can register and it's free.
Just log on at http://www.richdad.com/

Percentage

2010-04-10T10:49:00.000-07:00

The topic I want to share today is how many percent do I need to spend for my needs, for tithing and for my savings? This formula taken from the book I'm reading and I'm happy to tell you these.

70% of our salary - For our needs, foods, monthly bills, education, clothing., etc. etc.
20% - For our savings, Investments
10% - Tithing

You may ask me about tithing. You see from our salary we give only 10% in return for our God who gave us everything. He gave us life, nice job, good health, happy family, friends, the air we breath but the 10% is only a minimum if you like to received more blessing then give more to our God. Because, they said when we do this, just like we open the flood gates of universal blessings. Remember! it is better to give than to receive. I am right brothers and sisters?

For our savings 20% of our salary, this is what they call "pay your self". The author of this book advise if you have knowledge about investing in Mutual funds, Stock market, or any vehicle to give high yield of your savings/income it is better to start early, regularly and in long term or any vehicle that suit your tolerability on what they call "risk".

And we live to our remaining 70% of our salary. Let us remember "Education is never ending process". Hope we all learn about financial freedom to live our life not in a rat race but in a fast track. Let's all live abundantly with God's grace.

Tips For Effective Saving

2010-04-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hello to my fellow Seafarer outhere! Good morning, good afternoon, good evening. Hope everyday start with very good morning. Here, I want to share to you hope all of us can benefit to save effectively our hard earned money. As the writer of this book said. In every income group there will always be savers and spenders. It's up to you to choose whether you want to spend first and save last (if there's anything left) or follow the right formula for saving your money effectively.

INCOME - SAVINGS = EXPENSE

Meaning that you pay "yourself first". Once you get your salary set aside the portion as your savings and use whatever is left to cover your needs.

Seafarers emergency drills

2010-04-06T10:09:00.001-07:00

As requirement by the SOLAS Convention and by the Administration. Officers and crew must conduct regular emergency drills. In order to response immediately in a real emergency situation, eg. fighting fire on board and in any worst case scenario to abandon the ship to avoid loss of life. Prior going aboard the ship the crew must have safety training certificates, without these you are not be hired by the employer or the Principal.

Working aboard the ship is same as investing, your capital is your diploma and those training certificate which you cannot pay in small amount but in a four digit price. There are lots of shipping/manning agencies hiring qualified seafarers. But, how can a seafarer earn money while on vacation is my concerned now? I mentioned on my previous blog about active and passive income.

As a seafarer for a long time just now I realized that we must have passive income and to prepare for our retirement. That if God willing to stop working abroad at the early age and to enjoy living with our family. In what way? That is what I'm doing researched to be financially literate by reading books, watching motivated videos about money, where to invest our hard earned income.

2010-04-06T10:06:00.000-07:00

2010-04-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

2010-04-05T04:18:00.000-07:00

Easter Sunday in Ship

2010-04-05T03:42:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we are celebrating the Easter Sunday here in Gibraltar anchorage. Thanks God he is risen to save our sins. There are multi-national working on board with different religion but we work as one. We, believe there is only one God and saviour who crucified because of our sins.

We celebrate the feast with lots of foods, sweets and many more. Luckily, we don't have much cargo operations so the Officers and crew enjoy.

Today, here comes the bad weather, gusty winds with the force of 25 knots/hr. Whew, what a great day. As one of the crew here on this good vessel and according to my research about How to be a financially literate I'm sharing to my crew mates my little knowledged about investing Stock market and various Mutual funds. We cannot deny, mostly Seafarers are financially illeterate how to save and how to invest. Good thing here, we have internet connection so I can research and reading about "How to be a millionaire". Because, as they say we are living in abundant universe.

My contract soon to finish and my mind is set to invest, invest, invest to earn pasive income while earning my active income. Thank's for the people who created topics about money without roobing my soul.

Seafarer's life

2010-04-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

Active and Passive income

2010-03-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

Active income - Income from salary, wages, tips, commissions, and activities in which the taxpayer materially participates.

Passive income - Income from rental activity, limited business interests, or other activities in which the investor does not materially participate.

Seafarers life

2010-03-21T10:08:00.000-07:00

What people say when they hear the word Seaman or Seafarer? A person or individual working onboard ship to earn money to support family. Is it a profession? Well, I say yes a profession indeed. To leave family is quite hard specially having small children and to stay and work to ship that last usually nine months depending on the contract signed. For a long time working onboard the ship and to stay away from family is quite difficult but, in a positive side is best because it helps a lot to help the economy of our country as they say, by sending monthly allotment which is requirement by the POEA.

Thinking, I'm earning now an "active income" while working onboard, what if my contract is complete and the Company manned this vessel will sent me home since as per Maritime Labor Convention the ship's crew can extend only until 1 year maximum more than that depends to the Agency the crew can sign another contract. Wow! another contract? What way can a Seafarer do to earn what they call "passive income"? Anyone can help? Please suggest.

2009-10-25T04:52:00.001-07:00

2009-10-18T20:35:00.000-07:00

Gwapo ko ya!

2009-02-02T19:56:00.000-08:00

Missing u always!

2009-01-31T05:58:00.001-08:00

Happy together

2009-01-12T10:51:00.000-08:00