I love you Money... Ay mali... Mommy pala... I love you Mommy...

I'm sure the past few weeks have been very tough for all the parents out there. Its tuition time! and we have spent the last few weeks emptying our bank accounts (and borrowing money!!!) to pay not just for the actual cost of tuition but all the other expensive stuff that go with the first day of school - new books, new stationery and bags, new uniforms and shoes, school bus, tutors, and, of course allowance.

It's a yearly event and for those who year after year have the same problem of trying to find money to fund their kids education, those people who borrow money year after year... May bagong invention... Ang tawag, saving!!! If your kids tuition is 20k this year then you have to save 75 pesos a day, 5 days a week. If its 40k then you have to save 150 pesos a day. Its that simple. Start now. Not later. Wag mo sabihin tsaka na. Now na!

And no one can touch this money!

Let's say your mom calls you up 6 months from now and says she needs money. You see that you have already saved up 10k for your child's education next year. What are you going to do? You don't give it to her!!! You don't say bahala na si God. Remember this is not your money. This is your child's money!!! This is her future. You have no right to give this money away. Give your mom money if you have spare but don't throw away your kid's future. You are a parent now and once you become a parent your kids become your number one priority!

Now what if you tell me... I can't make ends meet on a monthly basis to afford the tuition at this time of the year!!! That's fine. Then you have to change a few things:

• Look at lowering the quality of the school. As parents one of the most important things in our life is that our kids get the best education but if you are going to dig yourself into a financial grave then forget it. If you can't afford it. Forget it!!! Go with a school you can afford. Remember a child's best teacher is the parent. And if you are busting your ass trying to pay for the tuition of your kids only for you not to see them then there is no point because your child will grow up without their best teacher! You!
• Look for a nearby school. So your kids can walk to school. If the school is not good enough. See my first point.
• You are not a bank. Your kids don't need new stuff all the time.

I'm going to end my blog with a story of a friend who left her teenage kids to work abroad so that she could send her kids to good schools. She feels like she is not their 'mommy' but more like their 'money'. Because everytime they talk to her they are asking for things - load, allowance, new clothes, etc. They really don't understand the amount of sacrifice and hard work their mom has to do to give them a good education. All they know is that they have this ATM machine that sends them money when they want it. They have taken their mom for granted.

For more information on how I can help you email me on hoover@barongroup.com.ph.

Deadbeat Guys! An increasing phenomenon.

What is wrong with these scenarios?

A woman is finding it difficult to get married and start a family because she is supporting her sick mother while her brother who works odd jobs doesn't do anything to help out.

A woman's husband works hard as an OFW. The woman however is finding it hard to cover her expenses because she gives money to her brother who is a 40 yr old accountant but doesn't have any work. The brother has a family but has not had any work in a year.

A brother and sister both have jobs and live with their parents. The problem is the sister is the only one contributing to the monthly expenses! While the brother spends his money on himself and his friends.

The women that I talk to above are all telling me - bakit ako lang! Bakit ayaw niya tumulong! Or bakit ayaw niya kumuha ng trabaho!

Here's the ultimate one. Women leaves her 3 kids and husband to work in another country while spoiled husband stays home and doesn't even work! Do you know how hard it is for a mother to be away from her kids?

I'm increasingly hearing more and more stories about deadbeat guys! and you know what these are all true stories!

Look I'm all for women's rights and gender equality but this is ridiculous. I'm still in the belief that a man's position in the family is as a provider. What use are you to your family and society in general if you can't provide for your own family.

If I was in a position that I had no job I would do anything in my power to earn money for my family. Does it matter if the job is 'beneath' you? Beggars can't be choosers! One of my mentors always told me that one of the first things a man should do is learn to drive because if nothing else you can be a driver! Swallow your pride and take any job available.

Ladies... if you have a deadbeat guy in your family - son, husband, brother, father? Don't let them get away with it! Stop spoiling them. In the end it is your family that will suffer.

For more information on how I can help you email me on hoover@barongroup.com.ph.