Better Philippines

Poor Or Rich?

There’s no doubt about it: One of the biggest problems in this country is poverty. Our upcoming leaders should find a way to address this once and for all. Hopefully they would do so with long term solutions not just with stop gap measures such as emergency employment programs and dole-outs.

It is said that there there is nothing blessed about being poor. Filipinos especially those in the lower income brackets should rid themselves of the notion that there is virtue in being poor. Being poor is just not a good state to be in.

Now there are those who say that “poor” is a state of mind. If you see yourself as being poor you will feel like one regardless of how much money you have. To a certain extent that could be true. But, when financial demands come to bear at a time when money is simply elusive you will know that no amount of mindsetting will help you pay the bills. At the end of the day being poor simply sucks.

Bestselling author Robert Kiyosaki wrote something about how current educational systems produce not entrepreneurs but employees. To drive home his point Kiyosaki even came out with the provocative statement that also became the title of one of his books — “If You Want to be Rich and Happy: Don’t Go to School.”

The author of the “Rich Dad Poor Dad” book series may just be oversimplifying. I don’t think he really meant to recommend that people do away with formal education. Having an education after all still works as an access pass to many financial opportunities.

Kiyosaki merely wants to point out that being an entrepreneur (specifically an investor) is the best option. He belabors the point that employment is not the path to true financial freedom.

In any case, Kiyosaki’s observation about the non-entrepreneurial thrust of current educational systems or currricula is worth examining. The government should seriously look into this and consider implementing major reforms that would ensure that the next generation of Filipinos would be more entrepreneurial.

Those of us who are already sufficiently educated tobe employees should also explore other means of wealth creation. Again, entrepreneurship is the key. Having one’s own business enterprise is highly recommended.

Of course, this is not to say that setting up a bricks-and-mortar business is easy. With all the details such as salaries, supplies, space rentals etcetera, going into business is obviously one big challenge in itself. Fortunately, there is another option, an easier one at that.

If you’re reading this blog then you already have the most basic skills needed to get into an online business. Yes, you read it right. This is a pitch for online businesses, of which there are quite a number of models to choose from. One need only learn how to make them work.

You might want to read Willie Crawford’s  “20 Ways To Make $100 Per Day Online” if you want to know more about possible online businesses. I’ve just started reading it and I can honestly say that I’m now beginning to see a number of real online opportunities to make some extra cash.

Going back to the real topic of this post. There’s just no justification for people to remain poor. It is in our personal and national interest to be as rich as possible.