Money Lesson from Hugging Mickey Mouse

Yep, Weekly Volts has arrived at its new home, BeeHiiv! At dahil d’yan, allow me to tell you a story about my first trip abroad.

12 years ago, I took my first flight to Hong Kong.

I am forever grateful to the Paredes family (met them in the parish) that allowed me to join them in their trip. Their only daughter was only turning 7 then. (Last year, the daughter turned 18, and I was like wwwhhhaaaatttttt in a Minion sound).

I took everything as a learning experience - from the right-hand driving (grabe, ang tagal talaga bago naintindihan ng brain ko ito), getting the right deals with the hotels, to enjoying sights while walking until you drop (puro lakaran!)

But did you know I learned a lot from my Hong Kong trip money wise?

Here’s the truth: I got to Hong Kong because I took a loan from my insurance.

During that time, I was still paying my first insurance. But since pwede namang mag-loan, I took the chance. And since I am a good payor, my loan was approved.

Ang saya ko noong ma-approve ang loan ko! As soon as I received the money, I paid for my plane ticket and hotel accommodation. I budgeted for daily expenses including food and souvenirs, and purchased discounted tickets to HK Disneyland and Ocean Park at the hotel.

So what everyone didn’t know was that while I was learning from my first travel experience through filling out all my senses, at the back of my mind, I was thinking, “I need to pay for all of this when I come back.”

Ouch. What a thought.

The thought reverberated on the last day of the trip! Hahaha!

In the end:

1. May natira naman sa loaned money. Sabi kasi ng Mama ko huwag nang bumili ng pasalubong.

2. Nabayaran ko naman agad ang insurance loan. All is well. :)

My first international trip made me learn this lessons:

1. Wala namang masamang mag-loan, basta good payor ka.

2. Pero walang sasapat sa peace of mind na pinag-ipunan mo ang gusto mong gawin.

Kaya noong nakabalik ako sa Hong Kong noong 2017 (or 2018?), I did better.

I continued with my usual routine of staying at an affordable hotel, buying tickets at discounted rates through the lodging, flying with a low-cost airline, and managing my daily expenses.

Best thing: I saved for that trip.

I’m telling you, peace of mind accompanied me throughout my travel.

It never left me.

Here’s to hoping that peace of mind will be with you as you make financial - and life - decisions.

You’re exceptional,

Ann Kristine
Nuclear Power Plant of Happiness

P.S.: Where’s your first flight ever? Share mo naman.