How to Earn More When You Live Less?

"Filipinos in SG are living just like 

an average employee in PH."

I arrived in Singapore (SG) 19 April 2010 when I decided to stop my Master in Guidance and Counseling degree (one year)...when I thought of earning money than spending into education in Philippines (PH).  For me, I realized to study further means delaying the things what I can do as a young professional and help my own family in our financial status.  (Not in many, that when they continue to study, opportunities are much greater ahead of them).  I promised and prayed that "never go back to PH without job here".  Ironically, people knew I was on vacation. 

God is good.  I remember when I told my office seatmate's that I will be an OFW at aged 23, God forget not.  I turned 23 on 2010 and I was here in SG to test my faith.  After few days of my job hunting and searching on the internet, I was flooded by the interview and got hired by the companies.  The challenging is if Ministry of Manpower (MoM) in SG will approved my pass to stay?  God is really good as I can work for two years after I received SMS that I passed! 

It was not an easy road, not for me and for many who started to work 5 years ago.  They have various stories to tell and undiscovered sacrifices they have made.  Likewise, I slept at the sofa of my family friend to survive in the next 3 to 6mos.  When I got the regular status in the company, I decided to move to a much nearer where 3 persons in one room.  It is somewhere like living a bedspacer in Metro Manila.  It still lingers in my mind to do my career and personal goals, so I took all these challenges.

In Singapore, you can taste the foods from all walks of culture.  However, during those times I have to buy a two dollar hotdog or nasi lemak or chicken rice that's equivalent to a student meal or a somai with rice in PH.  I remember when I was on college, we used to buy those very cheap street foods.  In SG, yes I also do that to survive, together with my dear filled water bottle. 

Transportation is a "need" here.  Only when your Ez-link has "top-up" or load, then you can travel.  Walking is also best option only if you are within 1km.  Unlike in, PH some can do "1-2-3 Takbo" or riding a jeepney without paying.

How did I plan?

My earnings are traditionally done with 80/20 portion.  The 20% will  be given to my Charity Account where it is subdivided into my tithes and offering as 10%; people who ask for unexpected circumstances and personal accounts.

The 80% will definitely my all other expenses.  Aside from paying Public Utility Bills (PUB), Phone Bills, House Rental, to top-up my Ez-Link Card for whole month transportation and allowance for my Cheat Day/ Medical Expenses, I do prioritize my family.  Within my priorities are parents who are undergoing medical treatment and taking supplement, my scholar who's our youngest.  The rest I put on my saving to faithfully to realized my dreams.

I remember to finance my dream of putting up preschool is a year.  Every month was S$350 to S$500 (or Php10,200 to Php17,000).  This will also deprived me from going party every Friday night though I was not really into it.  What I mean to making an opportunity for you to spend on temporal happiness.  So then, the second year was a continuous sacrifices even until the school is initiating there.

IF I DIDN'T REALIZED THESE THINGS EARLIER ON, I WILL BE THE SAME OTHER EMPLOYEES LIVING OVERSEAS, WITHOUT NOTHING BACK HOME.  I WILL REMAIN AS HUMAN MECHANICAL THAT WORKS FOR DUE BILLS OR DEBTS EVERY MONTH.  I HOPE TO SEMI-RETIRED WHEN I REACHED 35 YEARS OLD.  MORE TIME WITH MY OWN FAMILY AND MANAGING ESTABLISHED BUSINESSES.

To Late or To Resign

Anyone will always hoped for permanent job.  Meanwhile, do called a career that they can prolonged their stay or shall lived for life.  A place where they will help to hone their knowledge and commit back in their society.

But most of us we're taught to be rich than to be happy in an environment where we belong to - school, home and office.  Therefore, we chase money not fulfillment.  We run after material things not investing to emotional transformation.  We look ahead on achievements not on spiritual peace.  Lastly, we try to copy others life we seemed successful than leaving our own legacy of faith, love and patience.

I have experienced to work in global industries and small business enterprise.  For which, I saw various cases from different culture but one thing in common: late or resign!

Being frequently late, thrice a week can lead to resign very soon.  And as an employer, we must set a business continuity plan (aside from looking an immediate replacement):

1.  TALK: Communication is often neglected which seemingly like the hardest (which is otherwise).  Talk to your staff and ask the reason for being late. If s/he lie by saying, "I'm ok, I'm good or I'm fine". For the last time, show empathetic concern and dig deep down.  Touch the emotion not the logical reasons.

2.  TELL: While if she/he being honest to speak up about work problems such as colleague issues, pay increase, pending workload, professional growth or anything. Ask "how" to do it not "why".  Tell what you really feel than to burst out some time.  Tell professionally and don't attack personally. 

3.  TUNE: By asking "how", you are indirectly letting him/her to give the plans without damaging the company and work within its philosophy.  From here, you will be able to see what's really the intention behind his/her at hearts and minds.  Listen to every pieces and bits, read between the line and respect.

4.  TRUTH. Settle it by laying down the "factual information" only. Like if the demand is salary increase.  Show the company or personal performance or projected revenues. There is nothing wrong about being honest.  In fact they will feel being "in" the company because you trust them with confidential data.

5.  TIME: Finally, after spending ample of time and you both realized that this will take forever but to separate ways is best options, let it be.  There is always better place and person for the each position. Accept that, time heals if not now.

This is a real experience from my boss, my current standing as now that I lead small businesses and to my future staff to make these point.  I believed that through this same mindset, we can understand the dynamics of humanity.  Words can really break and make a person.  Than to jeopardize both parties, one must be humble enough to comprehend what is right and good. 

Don't look for an employer that will help you grow as a person. No employer would seek either people who's opportunistic but rather a proper minds that can benefit the company and give part of yours --- talent and time.  Like marrying a person, no one wants to know that you marry him/her to just complete you.  It should be a mutual and wholesome benefit!

I thank my boss for entrusting me --- to support my vision personally and professionally.  I am so grateful for them and likewise will do to anyone who will share theirs and like-minded person.

Happy Labor Day 2014! 

(Written at City Hall, Singapore last 1 May 2014 at 9:15 PM), posted during Bible Study 28 July 2014.