I’ve often shared that it was my dad who taught me what I know about being a good steward of finances. Money is money, and let’s face it: We all need more of it. That’s just fact. Those of us who are work at home moms will understand that money takes time to grow, if it is going to benefit our families in the long run. But how do we start growing our personal finances in the first place? When is saving simply not effective?

Getting a grip on personal finances isn’t about saving tactics alone. It’s about getting an attitude adjustment regarding personal finances.

Get a new attitude — towards wealth.

I am not money-savvy. At all. Even if I have an investment banker-financial literacy advocate for a father. As a teenager, I got used to living a privileged life, one wherein I didn’t have to worry about money, clothes, allowances or travel. My dad provided for everything, because he really is a good provider. (Yes, even now!) However, I was never able to save anything — not my allowance, not my apprenticeship honorarium at the publishing house I was interning at during my homeschooled-high school years. I’d spend it all on shopping.

When I started to work and actually experience getting a paycheck (yeah, an actual check every 15th and 30th — old school!), I carried on the same habits. I was living with my folks after all: What would I have to spend for anyway if I had free food, free board and lodging, right?

It wasn’t until 2008 recession hit — and my dad temporarily was without work — that I felt the crunch. It happened to be the year I was getting married, too!

It was then that I experienced — for the first time — what it felt like to hold on to every peso I earned from my low-paying job as a tutorial school teacher. While planning my wedding, I had to scratch out any plans of having my wedding in a fancy venue, or hiring an event stylist to create my bower of a wedding reception.

I was going to plan my big day the frugal way. And you know what? It was one of the best learning experiences of my life. Why? Because it defined my outlook towards spending and personal finances in a way that no other milestone in my life could: Hello, this was my wedding! 

In the end, it was a most beautiful day.

Friends pitched in to provide the flowers.

We hired a small-time caterer, and had home-cooked, family-style food. Local roses in vases as centerpieces; vanilla-scented votives.

My ring and arrhae box, which I made myself. (Today, it holds the veil, cord, and candles from our wedding vows.)

Simple and sweet; DIY and dainty. It was an unforgettable day, in all its non-conformity to the big, flashy weddings of the day. The best part? We never got into any debt from our wedding. It was quaint, handmade, a little bit offbeat. But it was every bit as sweet and memorable, too.

(You can read about my frugal, D.I.Y wedding preparations on this blog that I began, shortly after I got married.)

Why did I talk about my wedding? What does any of it have to do with one’s financial health?

Well, because for me, it was an eye-opener. It was the beginning of a journey for me; not just as a wife, but as a woman who would really have to stand on her own two feet (with my husband by my side, of course). But it was during my wedding preparations that I really took a good long look at my would-be life as a wife and mom — and when I shaped up for the better.

Be proactive about your financial health

If you’re like me today and you’re keen on knowing everything there is to know about making your finances work for you, then listen up. I’d like to introduce you to some people who can help you do just that.

Note: If you’re looking for tactics and quick-fix schemes, this is not about that.

Rather, this new workshop by Manila Workshops, “Clean Bill of Wealth”, is all about making an attitude adjustment towards your personal finances.

I think we could all use a bit of fine tuning when it comes to m-o-n-e-y matters, don’t you think?

(And hey, my dad’s going to be guest speaker here, too.)

From ManilaWorkshops.com

Every year, we make financial goals. We create them to better the lives of our family. But every end of the year, when we look back, we see that we haven’t attained much. We never get to the point that we are satisfied with the outcome of our financial plans. We never get to see results.

Stop moaning and groaning about your financial situation. Change your life radically! Sign up now for the Clean Bill of Wealth Personal Finance Management Seminar.

Manila Workshops and Sonny Santiago of SonnySantiago.com bring you a workshop that will help you fulfill these dreams of financial stability and freedom. The Clean Bill of Wealth includes topics on the 8 roadmaps to keep you track, the 8 step ladder to get you out of the black hole, discussion on Savings, Compounding and different venues available, and so much more!

Instructors:
Sonny Santiago, Personal Effectivity Coach
Mr. Vicente “Sonny” R. Santiago. Vicente “Sonny” R. Santiago has been practicing in the field of Attitudinal Training for more than a decade, working with various private and public corporations like San Miguel Corp., Philippine Airlines and First Manila Corp.

Gus Cosio, President of First Asset Management, Inc. / Author of Financial Advice Blog GusCosio.com
Gus manages the mutual funds business of the Philippines’ leading investment house. Having worked with global investment firms in Asia since the 1980s, he has extensive experience in the region’s financial markets. Now based in Manila, Gus focuses on Philippine investment markets – stocks, bonds and foreign exchange. Understanding that all markets are interconnected, Gus constantly follows the regional and international markets, hoping to bring to his readers a clearer picture of the Philippine markets in relation to the larger, global scheme of things.

Date: March 2, 2013
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Venue: Studio Snr, 3rd Floor, Millenium Place, 17 Meralco Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines 1605

Rates are as follows:
Regular Rate: Php 2,800 per participant
Early Bird Rate (register & pay before Feb. 15, 2013): Php 2,200 per participant
Group Rate (3 people per group): Php 2,000 per participant

To register go to Manila Workshops for the sign-up procedure:  Sign Up for the Clean Bill of Wealth Workshop!