Category: Financial News

Print Books Aren’t Dead – I Have Convincing Proof

Anyone who predicted the death of printed books years back in lieu of e-books are probably scratching their heads in disbelief. Ebooks and their various formats (Kindle, iBook, etc) have not killed traditional print. In fact, print has made a resurgence in recent years.

Last week, the 36th Manila International Book Fair (Facebook page here) was held at the SMX Convention Center in the Mall of Asia (MOA) complex in Pasay City, Philippines.

36th Manila International Book Fair at SMX signage
36th Manila International Book Fair at SMX Convention Center (Sep 16-20). Image Credit: thefinancemd.com

 

Print books were the main attractions of this book fair. How did the fair do? Did it succeed or flop?

 

Continue reading Print Books Aren’t Dead – I Have Convincing Proof

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Investing in A Car for Uber / Grab Car? Is It Worth It? – Part 1

For over a week now, I have been exclusively using Uber to get to work. I have a car – but traffic congestion, bad weather, parking costs and space unavailability, corrupt traffic policemen, road rage drivers, accident prone roads – have discouraged me from driving. Since I’m a doctor who take frequent car trips daily, Uber makes a lot of money from me.

This had me thinking – How can I turn the tables and make money from Uber or Grab Car?

Uber pickup point at SM Megamall
Uber cars ready to pick me up at the mall.

 

Is it wise to invest in a car for Uber or Grab Car use?

Continue reading Investing in A Car for Uber / Grab Car? Is It Worth It? – Part 1

#ParaSaEkonomiya : Philippine Finance Social Media Roundup

Social media is in everything this days, even in finance and investments. Unfortunately, finance related stuff doesn’t really trend in social media; at least here in the Philippines. The hashtag #ParaSaEkonomiya (For the Economy) is often used these days, but most of the posts don’t really relate to the economy. Sadly that hashatag has become a punchline.

Beginning with this post, Finance MD will regularly feature social media posts related to Philippine finance and investments. #ParaSaEkonomiya indeed.

 

Balikbayan boxes Change.org petition - Confirmed Victory
Confirmed Victory! – Change.org petition to stop new Customs rules on Balikbayan boxes. Screengrab from change.org.

First up is the petition against the new Bureau of Customs rules on “Balikbayan” boxes. Why are a lot of people opposed to these new rules?

Continue reading #ParaSaEkonomiya : Philippine Finance Social Media Roundup

Are We “Bear” Yet?: The Assets That Have Entered the Bear Market in 2015

The markets are not doing good right now. The Philippine Stock Exchanged (PSE) just experienced “Bloody Monday” on August 24 (news here). A down market doesn’t necessarily mean that it is already in a bear phase. Unfortunately, there are investments that have already entered bear territory in 2015,

 

Bull and Bear Statues near Frankfurt Stock Exchange
The bear seems to be winning in 2015. Bull and Bear Statues near Frankfurt Sock Exchange. Image by EvaK from wikipedia.org

 

What does “Bear Market” mean anyway?

Continue reading Are We “Bear” Yet?: The Assets That Have Entered the Bear Market in 2015

Book Review: You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market Until You Change the Way You Think About It – by Andrew Stotz

For new investors, I suggest reading investment related books. Unfortunately, many of the books available are either thick, difficult to understand textbooks or self-help, motivational, “get rich now” books that offer no real-world value.

That’s why it is a joy to come across a book that reaches out to new investors, that uses simple terms, and that doesn’t promise the reader that he will be on the expressway towards riches or financial freedom.

You won't get rich in the stock market until you change the way you think about it by Andrew Stotz
You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market Until You Change the Way You Think About It by Andrew Stotz. Image from Andrew Stotz

 

Here’s what’s good about the book:

Continue reading Book Review: You Won’t Get Rich in the Stock Market Until You Change the Way You Think About It – by Andrew Stotz

How Much Do You Really Save from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Bucket Meals? KFC’s Math is Out of Whack

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Philippines always have great meal deals going on. Why are people drawn to combo meals? There are savings when you buy a combo meal than buying all the components ala carte. Savings from a promo is a very important factor in purchase decisions.

However, the computations that KFC uses for what you save with its meal deals are confusing and inconsistent. 

Here is one of the deals being heavily promoted recently by KFC:

KFC Spaghetti Party Bucket

KFC Spaghetti Party Bucket Promo
I love spaghetti and I love KFC chicken… What I don’t like is the measly PHP 70 savings with this deal. KFC Spaghetti Party Bucket Promo. Image from kfcdelivery.com.ph

 

Do you only really save PHP 70 with this combo instead of buying everything separately?  KFC messed up the computation on this one. Here’s why:

Continue reading How Much Do You Really Save from Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) Bucket Meals? KFC’s Math is Out of Whack

Celebrities Promote MLM Suspected of Being A Pyramid Scam

Celebrities Dennis Trillo, Tom Rodriguez and Daniel Matsunaga promote GoldXtreme, an Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) company, that is a subject of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) advisory against illegal investments.

In your opinion, why do you think these celebrities are promoting GoldXtreme? Type your answer in the comments section

 

 A. They think this is legit, and they are probably investors themselves

B. They may not be that smart

C. They don’t read or watch the news

D. They’ll do any gig that pays a lot of money

E. All of the above

 

See the photo proofs, courtesy of Instagram

Continue reading Celebrities Promote MLM Suspected of Being A Pyramid Scam