# FQMom > Rose Fres Fausto - Writer, Speaker, Behavioral Economist, Certified Strengths Coach ## Posts - [Before They Enter College: Equip Them With High FQ](https://fqmom.com/before-they-enter-college-equip-them-with-high-fq/): This weekend, I will give a talk to parents of Grade 12 students to help them prepare their children how to handle money matters as they enter college. College days. As I recall my own back in the ’80s, I can’t help but smile as I remember the fun, challenges, and growing independence I experienced. I do remember my mom still accompanying me to enroll during my first semester, then I was on my own in the next seven semesters. In fact, I even joined the Registration Committee later on so I could pick my subject teachers and timeslots. This […] - [300 Billion Clicks: The High Price of Female Shame (Women’s Month Reflection on the Architecture of Power)](https://fqmom.com/300-billion-clicks-the-high-price-of-female-shame-womens-month-reflection-on-the-architecture-of-power/): I recently watched the podcast of Oprah interviewing the woman in the “Kiss Cam,” a video that went so viral, it was watched 300 billion times by a total world population of 8 billion! How is that possible? Through the recursive and relentless loop of the internet, where a single private mistake is magnified until it becomes a global commodity. For the first time, I heard the side of Kristin Cabot, the “Kiss Cam Girl.” While she admitted that she committed a mistake, she shared that she was already separated from her husband and the boss also told her that […] - [Why you’re always TIRED and UNMOTIVATED with Burnout & Sleep Specialist Dinah Salonga](https://fqmom.com/why-youre-always-tired-and-unmotivated-with-burnout-sleep-specialist-dinah-salonga/): This is a very important discussion on what a lot of high achievers are dealing with today—burnout and lack of good sleep. We are lucky to learn from Burnout and Sleep Specialist, Dinah Salonga, who was once in that situation. - [Are you Pagod to the Bones and Puyat to the Max? (When the pursuit of success starts to cost us our health)](https://fqmom.com/are-you-pagod-to-the-bones-and-puyat-to-the-max-when-the-pursuit-of-success-starts-to-cost-us-our-health/): Many people work hard to build wealth—but in the process, they unknowingly spend something even more valuable: their health. In our pursuit of financial success, we sometimes focus so intensely on the grind that we forget that our bodies and minds are not unlimited resources. What’s the point of building wealth if we are already running on empty? One of my constant reminders in the FQ philosophy is this: If what you do with or for money does not align with your core values, no amount of money in the world will make you happy. For most of us, these […] - [The Next Chapter: Why Your Investment Benchmarks Must Go Global](https://fqmom.com/the-next-chapter-why-your-investment-benchmarks-must-go-global/): Last Saturday, I felt a mix of nostalgia and forward-looking energy at the Discovery Primea. It was our annual IFE Investment Briefing—a special face-to-face treat for our clients and friends. As I stood before everyone to give the welcome remarks, I found myself thinking back to my growing-up years. I shared with them that back then, I only compared myself with those who were around me physically— my siblings, classmates, neighbors, and other people I occasionally mingled with. “Online” (the way it is used now) wasn’t even a word! Life was simpler, easier, and at the same time, it was […] - [EDSA at 40: The Pyramid We Never Dismantled](https://fqmom.com/edsa-at-40-the-pyramid-we-never-dismantled/): During my Valentine getaway with my husband, we visited the ancestral home of Jose Rizal in Calamba, Laguna. I found myself staring at the Social Hierarchy shaped like a pyramid. During the time of Rizal, birth and race determined one’s place in society. From top to bottom, these were the classes: *Inquilino – a status that could be held by either an Indio or a mestizo who had enough capital to rent land from the friars. If your family name and skin tone were “right,” your life path was charted before you even learned how to walk. If not, the […] - [Forty Years After People Power: Why is Prosperity Still Elusive?](https://fqmom.com/forty-years-after-people-power-why-is-prosperity-still-elusive/): Forty years ago, the world watched something extraordinary unfold on EDSA. Unarmed civilians faced tanks. Nuns prayed. Soldiers defected. Ordinary Filipinos showed the world that courage, restraint, and unity could bring down a dictatorship—without a single shot fired. It wasn’t just a Filipino victory. EDSA became a global reference point, a model cited by democratic movements in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia. People Power proved that change did not always have to come through violence. It could come through conscience. It was a proud moment for the country. And yet, forty years later, many Filipinos are frustrated. […] - [How Poetry Heals: A Conversation with Bestselling Author Michelle Ayon Navajas](https://fqmom.com/how-poetry-heals-a-conversation-with-bestselling-author-michelle-ayon-navajas/): Can a few lines of verse actually change how you navigate your hardest days? In this episode, we sit down with Amazon bestselling author Michelle Ayon Navajas to peel back the layers of poetry and life. We often think of poetry as something found in dusty textbooks, but Michelle reminds us that poetry is the language of the human heart—it’s how we process grief, celebrate love, and find a rhythm in the chaos of modern living. Whether you’re a lifelong reader of verse or someone who hasn’t picked up a poem since high school, this conversation will change the way […] - [What Poetry Can Teach Us About Love, Money, and the Things That Last](https://fqmom.com/what-poetry-can-teach-us-about-love-money-and-the-things-that-last/): While many are still recovering from their Christmas expenses, here comes February inviting everyone to talk about love in commercially familiar ways—flowers, chocolates, grand gestures, all worthy of Instagram posts. Indeed, this month of Feb-ibig has convinced many of us that affection is measured by how loudly it is expressed. Recently, I spent a morning of conversation with Amazon bestselling poet and author Michelle Ayon Navajas on my podcast. It was so engaging that it continued over to lunch! We talked about poetry—why it endures, why it still matters in a world obsessed with speed, productivity, and instant results. What […] - [Let’s Talk About the Demographic Sweet Spot (again?) Will our country “get old before it gets rich?”](https://fqmom.com/lets-talk-about-the-demographic-sweet-spot-again-will-our-country-get-old-before-it-gets-rich/): Last week I read an article that said, “PH enters ‘demographic sweet spot’ amid population growth projections by the Commission on Population and Development (CPD).” https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1267150 If you feel a sense of déjà vu hearing this, you’re not alone. We’ve been hearing this term for over a decade ago. Back then, economists heralded the “opening of the window”—the moment a country’s working-age population starts to outpace its dependents. This usually brings economic growth, as seen in developed countries that were able to take advantage of this demographic window. The demographic sweet spot is not a surefire signal of robust economic […] - [One Money Habit That Beats A Dozen New Year’s Financial Resolutions](https://fqmom.com/one-money-habit-that-beats-a-dozen-new-years-financial-resolutions/): Happy New Year! By this time, many have already made New Year’s resolutions that include money matters: Save more. Spend less. Invest better. Stick to a budget—this time for real! And so many more. The first few weeks will be good. They feel motivated, attentive, and hopeful. Then life happens. A school expense comes up. Work gets busier. A family emergency happens. An important celebration, an unexpected repair, and so many more. The neat financial plan begins to fray. By February or March, many may just quietly conclude that, “Ahh…ganon talaga e.” Then they slowly lose hope that things will […] - [Greetings from FQ Mom & her family](https://fqmom.com/greetings-from-fq-mom-her-family/): Warmest greetings to you and your loved ones! May we celebrate not just with food, gifts, and photos, but with presence, purpose, and love for family, friends, and our country. And as we gather in our homes with our loved ones, may we remember that the Philippines we wish for—one with justice, shared prosperity, and dignity for all—is built by the choices we make every day. With hope and love, - [The Opportunity Cost of Skipping Christmas Parties and Reunions Because of Traffic](https://fqmom.com/the-opportunity-cost-of-skipping-christmas-parties-and-reunions-because-of-traffic/): Every Christmas season, Filipinos make the same calculation. “The party is all the way in Alabang (if you’re a northern) or in Fairview (if you’re from the south), etc. (depending on where you’re coming from).” “Traffic will be horrible.” “I’ll just skip this one.” It sounds practical. Sensible, even. After all, traffic in the Philippines is not a minor inconvenience but has morphed into a monstrosity. Research shows that long and unpredictable commutes are linked to persistent stress, lower life satisfaction, and reduced enjoyment of leisure time. Unlike many life events that we emotionally adapt to, traffic is a chronic, […] - [Rekindling What Matters: Reflections on the 2025 SAGE Homecoming](https://fqmom.com/rekindling-what-matters-reflections-on-the-2025-sage-homecoming/): Last Saturday, the Singson Auditorium at the Ateneo campus was filled with energy and cheer, thanks to the people who showed up for friendship, community, and purpose. As the current president of SAGE (Samahan ng mga Atenistang Graduate ng Economics at Management Economics), it gave me great joy to welcome alumni across generations, professors, staff, students, and friends who made time to come home. I shared in my welcome remarks a truth I deeply believe in: your presence reveals your priorities. You came because you value relationships. And as the landmark Harvard Study on Adult Development which has been running […] - [December Triggers (Why We Overspend, Overeat, Overcommit, Get Emo, and How to Re-center)](https://fqmom.com/december-triggers-why-we-overspend-overeat-overcommit-get-emo-and-how-to-re-center/): December is almost here. Amid the sparkling lights, reunions, and Jose Mari Chan playlists, something else quietly creeps into our lives this season: the December Triggers—those emotional, social, and environmental cues that push us to overspend, overeat, and overcommit. Every year, we tell ourselves, “This Christmas will be different. I’ll be more intentional.” But the season’s fast pace and emotional charge make it easy to fall into the same old patterns. The good news? With a little awareness and a dash of FQ, we can transform these triggers into opportunities to live more aligned with our values. Let’s break down […] - [The Invisible Currency: Trust](https://fqmom.com/the-invisible-currency-trust/): Last Friday, I had the privilege of moderating a panel during the 63rd Annual Meeting and Conference of the Philippine Economic Society (PES) held at the Makati Shangri-la Hotel. It was the third of the three plenary sessions and 27 breakout sessions. Our original timeslot was 4:05 to 5:00 pm—that challenging part of the day when people start feeling information overload and itch to start the weekend. But wait, there’s more! The conference started late, pushing all sessions later in the day. I even had to move my Friday dinner venue from Ortigas to Makati just so I could make […] - [Asador Alfonso, Escala, CaSoBē, Sinta, atbp. sa aming TANAN!](https://fqmom.com/asador-alfonso-escala-casobe-sinta-atbp-sa-aming-tanan/): Let me share with you our “tanan” a couple of months ago. We visited a number of places. You may check them out for your next family outing…or tanan?!☺️💙❤️ Asador Alfonso – now a Michelin Star restaurant Escala – a 4-star hotel with a spectacular view of Taal Lake and great art pieces Sinta – formerly the Observatory of Tagaytay, offers great cuisine and art pieces from Tagaytay artists Casa Manolo – Balinese-inspired Airbnb rental home that’s new and tidy CaSoBē (Calatagan South Beach) – a large integrated resort community with different kinds of accommodation and a huge water park. […] - [When Everything Feels Down — Market, News, Energy](https://fqmom.com/when-everything-feels-down-market-news-energy/): How are you today? As for me, my answer is, “I could be a lot better.” Yup, as I write this piece, the PSEi is again below 6,000, my news feed shows me the sad news of Emman Atienza’s death (which affects me as a parent), more corruption cases yet still no one behind prison bars, plus my own energy level is still low having gotten sick during the last leg of our US trip. I know I’m not alone. Many of you may also be feeling off. There’s a certain heaviness in the air and many are getting sick—not […] - [Tony Talks Cancer, Courage, Country](https://fqmom.com/tony-talks-cancer-courage-country/): Last month I had the privilege to interview Atty. Tony La Viña. I’ve known him for a number of years now. You see him being interviewed during elections and other political upheavals. But what really interested me to guest him on my podcast is his zest for life. Diagnosed with prostate cancer, he continues to live his life just as engaged, if not even more, as he used to. His short description goes something like this: Man from Mindanao who’s a thinker, lawyer, social entrepreneur, and teacher. But wait! Here are the rest: – Advocate for human rights, indigenous peoples […] - [How to Avoid Being Sucked Into the Confusing KurakotSerye](https://fqmom.com/how-to-avoid-being-sucked-into-the-confusing-kurakotserye/): The ongoing spectacle in Senate and congressional hearings feels less like a pursuit of justice and more like a reality tv show that could well be titled Desperate Kawatans, or the Pinoy version of K-Drama, i.e., Kurakot Drama. Politicians, contractors, and agencies like the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways) and of hurl accusations at one another, each trying to appear cleaner than the rest while exposing the rot in the system. For the public, it’s infuriating, sickening, sometimes entertaining, and worse of all, numbing. We watch as billions of pesos of public money are discussed as casually as […] - [Nepo Babies, Philippine Culture, and Money Values](https://fqmom.com/nepo-babies-philippine-culture-and-money-values/): The term “nepo babies” has been all over social media lately. Short for “nepotism babies,” it describes children who rise to positions of power or influence largely because of their family name. The current rage against them in the country is not just because of their undue access to opportunities and luxuries but because the source of all these is blatant corruption that ransacks public coffers, hijacking the delivery of basic services to the Filipino people, majority of whom wallow in poverty, drowning in floods despite the billions of public funds regularly spent on flood control projects!   Unpacking the […] - [Sweet Sixty the Life story of Joanne Zapanta-Andrada](https://fqmom.com/sweet-sixty-the-life-story-of-joanne-zapanta-andrada/): Joanne Zapanta-Andrada was among the country’s top models in the 1980s-1990s. She was magazine cover girl a good number of times, runway and commercial model, even paired with the Adonis of Philippine movies, Richard Gomez. Surprisingly, her childhood dream was not to be a model but “to be a Mother Teresa!” Join me in this wonderful Tita Talk where she shares her origin story, modeling days, family, and her real passion—serving the less fortunate. - [Still the Sick Man of Asia? A Probe into the Philippine Economic Puzzle](https://fqmom.com/still-the-sick-man-of-asia-a-probe-into-the-philippine-economic-puzzle/): Years ago, the Philippines was considered second only to Japan in economic standing in Asia. We were ahead of our ASEAN neighbors in literacy, infrastructure, and promise. As a young investment banker in the ‘90s attending regional forums, I was talking to a delegate from Thailand and was surprised to find out that his country had just incorporated its Securities and Exchange Commission in 1992 while ours had been there since the kopong-kopong year of 1936! In fact, the same is true for the other neighboring countries as shown in the table below. Fast forward: Decades later, the narrative has […] - [From Begging in the Streets to Graduating With Honors: The Remarkable Journey of Eugene Dela Cruz](https://fqmom.com/from-begging-in-the-streets-to-graduating-with-honors-the-remarkable-journey-of-eugene-dela-cruz/): What happens when a young boy is thrown out of the house for taking the courage to come out as gay to his family, and ends up begging on the streets of Manila with nothing but grit and a dream? That was the experience of Eugene Dela Cruz when he was 12 years old. His recent Facebook post tugged the nation’s heart and became viral. It was a powerful testimony of survival, resilience, and grit. Here it is: I wasn’t supposed to make it here. Not to Ateneo. Not to any graduation. Not even to this very day. At twelve, […] - [The Disposition Effect: Why we sell our winners and keep our losers](https://fqmom.com/the-disposition-effect-why-we-sell-our-winners-and-keep-our-losers/): Have you ever experienced selling your winning stocks too soon but holding on to your losing stocks for too long? If you have, you are not alone as this is a common pitfall in investing. Understanding why this happens will help you improve your FQ. What is the Disposition Effect? It is our tendency to sell assets that have increased in value too early and hold on to assets that have dropped in value for too long. We are quick to take a small win but hesitant to accept a loss, even when logic tells us we should do the […] - [When Paychecks Aren’t Enough: How low FQ fuels work demotivation](https://fqmom.com/when-paychecks-arent-enough-how-low-fq-fuels-work-demotivation/): It’s the start of the week. You drag yourself out of bed, sip your coffee, and ask the same question you did last week, “Why am I doing this again?” For many, the answer used to be simple: the paycheck. But these days, that doesn’t spark motivation. Why? Now more than ever before, there has been a growing sense of burnout, disconnection, or apathy toward work. It could be a product of a simplistic understanding of the advice to follow your passion, or the bombardment of social media that elicits envy of what other people are doing, making your current […] - [The 3 Major Barriers to High FQ (3rd of 3: LOSS AVERSION)](https://fqmom.com/the-3-major-barriers-to-high-fq-3rd-of-3-loss-aversion/): Finally, the last of the 3 MAJOR BARRIERS TO RETIREMENT SAVING. This is the fundamental behavioral bias that gave birth to BEHAVIORAL ECONOMICS. Are you affected by this? What is your ME (Mak Emong) Score when it comes to this bias? - [The 3 Major Barriers to High FQ (2nd of 3: INERTIA)](https://fqmom.com/the-3-major-barriers-to-high-fq-2nd-of-3-inertia/): Here’s the 2nd of the 3 MAJOR BARRIERS TO RETIREMENT SAVING. It may sound passive but is actually a powerful force! To watch the 1st Major Barriers to High FQ (MYOPIA), click here https://youtu.be/HDRgKyeQarY - [The 3 Major Barriers to High FQ (1st of 3: MYOPIA)](https://fqmom.com/the-3-major-barriers-to-high-fq-1st-of-3-myopia/): Why is it that despite knowing the importance of preparing financially for old age, we still fail to do so? In this 3-part video series, we discuss the MAJOR BARRIERS TO RETIREMENT SAVING. This is Episode 1 for the first barrier. - [“Always Invert” “Baliktarin Mo Baby!” (Applying this mental model for a high FQ)](https://fqmom.com/always-invert-baliktarin-mo-baby-applying-this-mental-model-for-a-high-fq/): Last weekend, I shared on my social media a mental model used by the late Charlie Munger, the long-time business partner of Warren Buffet. The phrase comes from the 19th century German mathematician Carl Gustav Jacob Jacobi:             “Man muss immer umkheren.”             (“You must always invert.”) He believed many mathematical problems can be solved by inverting them. The same goes for other life problems. Many problems are best solved by looking at them backward rather than just forward. Instead of only asking, “How can I succeed?” you should also ask, “What would guarantee failure? What mistakes must I avoid?” […] - [Ang Boto Mo ay Salamin ng Paniniwala Mo sa Pera at sa Buhay](https://fqmom.com/ang-boto-mo-ay-salamin-ng-paniniwala-mo-sa-pera-at-sa-buhay/): On the day my article titled The Way You Vote Reflects Your Money and Other Beliefs came out, I received a few requests to have a Tagalog version of it in order to reach more readers. One of the requests is from our dear Fr. Bert Ampil, S.J., of the Ateneo de Manila: Dear Rose, God’s Peace and Blessings. (3 rose icons added). What a gem of a voter profiling job you’ve done! Sana maisalin ito sa vernacular at mabasa at mapag-isipan ng media at botante! Who knows? There might also be some worthy candidates who could use it as […] - [The Way You Vote Reflects Your Money and Other Beliefs](https://fqmom.com/the-way-you-vote-reflects-your-money-and-other-beliefs/): On May 12, 2025, Filipinos will troop to their voting precincts again to elect their senators, congressmen, governors, board members, mayors, vice-mayors, and councilors. The midterm campaign period is not as heated (and toxic) as it is during presidential elections, and it might be a good opportunity for us to reflect on how we have been voting (or not voting) because the way we vote mirrors not just our political views but also our money mindset and life beliefs. While we look at elections as our civic right and duty, they also reveal our deeper personal life philosophy: how we […] - [Your Network is Your Net Worth](https://fqmom.com/your-network-is-your-net-worth/): There’s a popular saying, “Your network is your net worth.” It’s a simple truth that reminds us how relationships often shape our success as much as skills and credentials do. And this goes beyond career advancement and financial gain. Strong, trusted relationships—both personal and professional—open doors to new opportunities, contribute to financial security, give us a wider perspective that inspire better decision-making, and provide support during life transitions. After we graduate from college, we start our journey in the “real world” and become focused on our personal goals—building careers, raising families, managing finances, etc. All these demand time, energy, and […] - [A Practical Guide to Reflecting on Your Financial Life This Holy Week](https://fqmom.com/a-practical-guide-to-reflecting-on-your-financial-life-this-holy-week/): Holy Week is a time for reflection, sacrifice, and renewal—principles that also apply to our financial lives. Just as we use this season to pause and reconnect with our faith, we can also take this opportunity to assess our financial well-being and align it with our values. Here’s a practical guide to applying Holy Week lessons to your Financial Quotient (FQ): 1. Palm Sunday: Recognizing What Truly Matters Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, where people laid down palms to honor Him. It reminds us to celebrate what is truly important in life. FQ Application: Reflect on your […] - [Financial Valor: Lessons from the heroes of Bataan applied on money](https://fqmom.com/financial-valor-lessons-from-the-heroes-of-bataan-applied-on-money/): Years ago, I heard someone ask why Filipinos celebrate the Fall of Bataan, “Why celebrate a failure?” On April 9, 1942, Filipino and American forces surrendered to the Japanese during World War II. This led to the infamous Bataan Death March, where around 76,000 Filipino and American soldiers were forced to march under brutal conditions—a distance of about 100 kilometers under the scorching heat of the summer sun with little or no food. Those who fell behind, collapsed, or tried to rest were beaten, bayoneted, or shot by Japanese soldiers. Some were run over by trucks, while others continued marching […] - [Catch Up with I am Super Bianca Gonzalez](https://fqmom.com/catch-up-with-i-am-super-bianca-2/): It’s the last day of the International Women’s Month. I wish to share with you a video of my catch up with Bianca Gonzales. If you recall, Bianca and I have had several collaborations in the form of F2F and online discussions, meet-up with her followers, FQ Book 2 launch, etc. It was great to catch up with her and talk about women matters. My fellow board member of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs, Stella Cabalatungan, joins our conversation. This is the one that shows the excerpts of our hour-long interview. Join us. Click here. - [The Financial Superpowers Women Have That Make Them Great Wealth Builders](https://fqmom.com/the-financial-superpowers-women-have-that-make-them-great-wealth-builders/): In our last article, we discussed the disadvantages women face when building a retirement fund. Despite these obstacles, we laid out clear, actionable steps to take control of your financial future. (Click here to read.) Here’s good news. We actually have “natural superpowers” that can set us up for long-term financial success. While society often describes the financial sector as a “man’s world,” studies show that women tend to make smarter, steadier financial decisions. Let’s dive into these financial superpowers and use them to our advantage in order to build wealth. 1. The Power to Save More On average, women […] - [Mom to Mom Talk with Modern Parenting Editor-in-Chief Marga Tupaz](https://fqmom.com/mom-to-mom-talk-with-modern-parenting-editor-in-chief-marga-tupaz/): A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful time interviewing the editor-in-chief of Modern Parenting, Marga Tupaz. After so many collaborations online, we finally sat down to talk and it’s really different when conversations are done face-to-face. It was also novel for her because she always plays the part of asking the questions, but this time around, she was on the other side. This 6-time mom (yes, she has 6 children!) was a delight to interview. Join our conversation. - [How Can Women Build a Strong Retirement Fund Despite Gender Pay Gap, Career Interruptions, and other Challenges?](https://fqmom.com/how-can-women-build-a-strong-retirement-fund-despite-gender-pay-gap-career-interruptions-and-other-challenges/): Women face unique challenges when it comes to building their retirement fund. In fact, in FQ Book 3, High FQ By Design, I devote a whole section on this to discuss 10 money challenges women face. For this article, we will focus on three of them. In other words, women have to prepare a larger retirement nest egg from their lower salaries during their shorter work periods! What a challenge! But you know women, they always manage. And I’d like to help every woman reading this article build that well-deserved strong retirement fund now. Let’s get to it. 1. Maximize […] - [How a Beauty Queen Manages Money & Family](https://fqmom.com/how-a-beauty-queen-manages-money-family/): I had a wonderful chat with beauty queen turned mom influencer Katarina Rodriguez. Join our conversation and see how she deals with money, parenting, her save the children advocacy and how we could have ended up in the same industry!😊 - [How much is enough?](https://fqmom.com/how-much-is-enough/): On March 1, 2025, IFE Management Advisers, Inc. held its annual economic briefing at the Discovery Primea with this year’s theme as How Much Is Enough? The Path to Financial Freedom. Attendees were clients of IFE Wealth and their family and friends. They’re mostly high achievers starting their families. I delivered the welcome remarks by sharing a personal story when I had to face this very question of “How much is enough?” back when I was working as an investment banker raising our young sons. If you have read my books, attended my talks and workshops, you may already know […] - [FQwentuhan with Bianca Guidotti (Bb. Pilipinas International 2014)](https://fqmom.com/fqwentuhan-with-bianca-guidotti-bb-pilipinas-international-2014/): I met former beauty queen Bianca Guidotti-Santos and now a mom recently and had this interesting chat with her about FQ challenges of her trade. Join us. - [What are Heuristics?](https://fqmom.com/what-are-heuristics/): If you’re an 80s person like me, heuristics might make you think of that British band that sang Sweet Dreams are made of This. That’s Eurythmics, not heuristics! Heuristics are our usual answers to our human limitations. Remember our last article on the three human boundedness? They are simple rules of thumb, which we use to form judgment and make decisions. These are our guesstimates that we use when we satisfice, as we discussed in our last article. Unfortunately, these mental shortcuts that usually involve focusing on just a single aspect in solving a complex problem lead to systematic errors […] - [When #Forever Is Taking Forever](https://fqmom.com/when-forever-is-taking-forever/): It’s Valentine week? What are your plans? Whatever it is, I hope you will remember to give a gift to the love of your life—that’s you! For this season of love, we are giving you this fun interview with Marianne Mencias, a motivational speaker, Gallup Strengths Coach, real estate broker, and author of the book, Why Is My Forever Taking Forever? Here it is. Join our “heart-y” conversation. Happy Valentine Week! Click the image or link below: When #Forever is Taking Forever - [The Three Human Limitations That Get in The Way of our Rational Decision-Making](https://fqmom.com/the-three-human-limitations-that-get-in-the-way-of-our-rational-decision-making/): Be it about money matters or other important decision-making, our Emotional Emong usually gets in the way such that we are not always able to make the best choices in life. Jolls, Sunstein, and Thaler discuss these limitations and human complications in their study titled A Behavioral Approach to Law and Economics. Let me outline them for you in light of the Pinoy context. 1. Bounded Rationality – Although we would like to believe that we are rational beings who are always minimizing cost and maximizing utility the way standard economic theories portray consumers, the reality is that we cannot […] - [Let’s talk about D.I.N.K.s and S.I.N.K.s](https://fqmom.com/lets-talk-about-d-i-n-k-s-and-s-i-n-k-s/): D.I.N.K. stands for Dual Income No Kids. S.I.N.K. means Single Income No Kids. This is a growing phenomenon among the younger generation. To understand this more about this, we discussed this in LegaZ, the podcast of ZCME (Zonta Club of Makati and Environs). The president of ZCME, Joanne Zapanta-Andrada, and I (I’m currently the club’s Corporate Secretary) interviewed Myrza Sison who was a SINK and now a DINK. Myrza is a well-known media personality, writer, and speaker in the Philippines, recognized for her work in the fashion and lifestyle industries. She started her career as a model but gained prominence […] - [A Fireside Chat with My Sons on the Power of Design](https://fqmom.com/a-fireside-chat-with-my-sons-on-the-power-of-design/): How are you these days? Harassed with Christmas activities? Have you been overspending? And I mean not just your money but also your time and energy in trying to fulfill all the holiday things to do. Sometimes we wonder, “Why am I doing this again? Why am I rushing again when I already said last year, and the many years before that, that I’ll plan and prepare early to avoid getting caught in this crazy holiday frenzy?” Well, if it will make you feel any better, you are not alone in this predicament. In the many aspects of life, especially […] - [Do you treat your bonus as “house money?”](https://fqmom.com/do-you-treat-your-bonus-as-house-money/): Have you received your Christmas bonus? Where is it now? How did you make use of it? Are you treating it as “house money?” What is house money effect? House money refers to money gained unexpectedly, often from winnings, profits, or windfalls, and not from regular income. The term originates from gambling—a gambler’s winnings are perceived to be received from the casino (the house). Imagine winning Php 10,000 in a casino. Most likely, you migh say, “Yey! I won Php10,000, I’m going all in for the next round. It’s not my money anyway!” In Behavioral Finance, the house money effect […] - [Well Wishes for FQ Mom for #CHICxty + #FQBook3](https://fqmom.com/well-wishes-for-fq-mom-for-chicxty-fqbook3/) - [The FQ Trilogy (Book Trailers)](https://fqmom.com/the-fq-trilogy-book-trailers/): The FQ Trilogy is now complete! It’s a project that’s dear to me and happened in a span of many years of writing, research, experiments, teaching. I hope the trio will help you have a financially happy life. Here are the trailers of each book put together in one short video. FQ BOOK 1 of the FQ TRILOGY. Watch the book trailer of FQ: The nth Intelligence published in 2018. The Foreword was written by Bo Sanchez, founder of Truly Rich Club. FQ BOOK 2 of the FQ TRILOGY. Watch the book trailer of Why Financial Education Alone Does Not […] - [Do you want to design your financial life for the better? (FQ Book 3 Is Here!)](https://fqmom.com/do-you-want-to-design-your-financial-life-for-the-better-fq-book-3-is-here/): Hello hello! I was out for a number of months and I am excited to be back writing about money, family, and everything in between. I was out because I had a semi-hibernation in order to devote all my writing efforts in completing the last installment of the FQ Trilogy. During our family goal-setting on New Year’s Eve of 2024, I realized that completing FQ Book 3 was already in my 2023 goals but it did not happen. Then I remembered an old adage that goes doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is […] - [An Intimate Dinner with Former VP Leni Robredo](https://fqmom.com/an-intimate-dinner-with-former-vp-leni-robredo/): I first met Leni Robredo in November 2014 at the 40th birthday party of my friend and news anchor, Salve Duplito. She was then the congresswoman of the third district of Camarines Sur. First impression: Down-to-earth and sincere person. And she also looked beautiful in her bright fuchsia blouse and orange outfit. (Side note: I have always liked that daring combination but never got to wearing it.) Salve said something like this, “You will like her, pareho kayong tutok sa parenting.” I would later find out that she was a “tiger mom” and a proud one at that. For those […] - [The Behavioral Biases with Victor Anastacio](https://fqmom.com/the-behavioral-biases-with-victor-anastacio/): Congratulations to Victor Anastacio on his very successful sold-out comedy show at the Areté! Is Araneta or Netflix next? A few days ago, he reached out to me to say, “Hi Rose, just read Why Financial Education Alone Does Not Work. Grab! Mindblowing and mind-opening haha ganda! Game ka bumalik sa podcast para idiscuss naman yun specifically?” Watch out for that episode of IntellectWalwal. For the meantime, sharing with you this short funny chat with him. Ano sa tingin nyo ang mga biases ni Victor? Watch this. - [Ano ang Pinansyal Na Responsibilidad Ng Mag-asawa? With Migs Bustos & Roxxane Luz](https://fqmom.com/ano-ang-pinansyal-na-responsibilidad-ng-mag-asawa-with-migs-bustos-roxxane-luz/): Nagbabalak ka bang magpakasal? Sabi ng matatanda, ang pag-aasawa raw ay hindi parang mainit na kanin na isusubo at iluluwa mo kapag ang bibig mo ay napaso. Kailangan ay harapin ang hamon ng buhay para matupad nyo ang pangarap sa buhay na magkasama at nagtutulungan. Isa sa pinakamahalagang tungkulin ng mag-asawa ay ang tamang paghawak ng pera, suweldo, kita sa negosyo (kung mayroon), investments, at ipon sa bangko. Alamin kung anu-ano ang pinansyal na responisbilidad ng mag-asawa lalong-lalo na ang mga bagay-bagay na dapat mong pag-isipan bago ka magpakasal, panooring ang video na ito. (This is an excerpt from TeleRadyo […] - [Marriage is a HUGE Commitment Device](https://fqmom.com/marriage-is-a-huge-commitment-device/): . Last week, we discussed the laws governing the properties of married couples in the Philippines. If you missed that, click Of Pre-nups and Balance Sheets. As I write the final installment of the FQ Trilogy, I am reading and re-reading a lot of materials about commitment devices. I have also discussed this subject in my past articles, podcasts, and videos. (Here are some of them – https://fqmom.com/understanding-our-three-selves-for-better-saving-and-investing/, https://fqmom.com/money-and-other-life-lessons-from-the-legendary-ulysses/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KnPgHmizyQ) A commitment device is a choice that our present-self makes, restricting the set of choices which may include some form of punishment or reward to our medium-term self, in order […] - [Of Pre-nups and Balance Sheets](https://fqmom.com/of-pre-nups-and-balance-sheets/): Today is Valentine’s Day and love should be in the air. However, lately, prominent showbiz couples have experienced break-ups, the most recent one is that of engaged couple Bea Alonzo and Dominique Roque. The “Maritess culture” of our society has put forward different versions of why this relationship fell apart. A recurring theme of these versions is about the pre-nuptial agreement. What’s this got to do with FQ? Well, it is right smack in the realm of family money matters. For all the heartache that this break-up has caused the couple and the people around them, the brighter side of […] - [Living Room Tour + Loss Aversion with Rhoda Castro-Caliwara](https://fqmom.com/living-room-tour-loss-aversion-with-rhoda-castro-caliwara/): In this video series, we pair off the central behavioral bias LOSS AVERSION with the central part of our house, our living room. I hope you enjoy our quick tour of our sala and some short stories about the few art pieces that we’ve collected. You will see the arrangements of this part of the house with and without the Christmas tree. And of course, you will learn a lot from our very admirable guest, negoSHEnte herself, Rhoda Castro-Caliwara, the founder and president of Executive Genesis Services, Inc. who is also the president of the Philippine Association of Legitimate Service […] - [It’s time to place our bets on women entrepreneurs!](https://fqmom.com/its-time-to-place-our-bets-on-women-entrepreneurs/): I’ve written about the gender-pay gap in the past where the 2022 data revealed that for every dollar men were paid, women were paid only 82 cents for the same job. Comparing it with the disparity in 2002 when women were paid 80 cents to a dollar, it will take us not a couple of years but a couple of hundred years to close the gap! (Click Gender Pay Gap to read more about it.) Now, let’s check the gender disparity when it comes to start-up funding, or the Gender Investment Gap. This is a less-known disadvantage women suffer from […] - [Make Everyday Things as Teachable FQ Moments](https://fqmom.com/make-everyday-things-as-teachable-fq-moments/): I am now a grandmother! If you follow me on my socials, you must have seen my posts of my precious granddaughter Amelia Isabel, the daughter of my second son Enrique and daughter-in law, Samantha. She is the first grandchild on both sides and so, both families are very excited. This made me go through the baby albums of my sons and consequently, it brought me wonderful memories of the 1990s when I was a young mother raising three boys together with my husband, Marvin. For this week’s article, I wish to share with you how we brought them up, […] - [The Knowledge-Behavior Gap](https://fqmom.com/the-knowledge-behavior-gap/): Once we learn about a vital information, we get excited. Sometimes we even feel privileged and inspired to do something about that information. One important advantage we humans have over all the other natural creatures in the world is our ability to gather, record and make use of information. Books and recording of history are great human inventions. Through them, we can learn something even without going through the actual experience. We can avoid mistakes by learning from others. Through recorded history and studies, we know what causes most diseases. We know what it takes to be healthy: Eat well, […] - [Bakit Gets Ko Na Pero 'Di Ko Magawa?](https://fqmom.com/bakit-gets-ko-na-pero-di-ko-magawa/): This is an excerpt from a guesting on the teleradyo show of Salve Duplito and May Valle Ceniza. Alamin kung bakit kahit alam mo na ang tama tungkol sa pera at ibang bagay, ay hindi mo pa rin magawa! If you want to watch my interview with Future Self Expert and Behavioral Scientist Hal Hershfield, click https://youtu.be/3KnPgHmizyQ Para malaman ang ibang dahilan kung bakit gets mo na pero di mo magawa, basahin ang FQ Book 2: Why Financial Education Alone Does Not Work back-to-back with the Psychology of Money. https://fqmom.com/bookstore/. - [Read this to avoid giving up on your resolutions so easily](https://fqmom.com/read-this-to-avoid-giving-up-on-your-resolutions-so-easily/): The year is young and our hopes for a great year are still high. According to the Forbes Health/One Poll survey, these are the most popular 2024 resolutions: Improve fitness – 48% Improve finances – 38% Improve mental health – 36% Lose weight – 34% Improve diet – 32% Here’s the graph for the top 14 resolutions. Unfortunately, our Emotional Emongs and other factors get in the way of our hopeful Makatwirang Maks such that we end up giving up on our resolutions easily. Let us check the same Forbes Health study to see the fall-out rates. So, the question […] - [Ninang Advice For Robi and Maiqui Domingo and Other Young Couples](https://fqmom.com/ninang-advice-for-robi-and-maiqui-domingo-and-other-young-couples-2/): On January 6, 2024, I stood as godmother in the beautiful wedding of Robi Domingo and Maiqui Pineda held at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of San Isidro Labrador and the North Polo Club in Pulilan Bulacan. Robi and Maiqui are college batchmates of my oldest son Martin. Maiqui is part of what they call the Thursday Group, six Management students who would hang out on Thursdays, some of them happened right in our home. Later on, Maiqui also produced some of my Youtube videos in 2021 (Click links to see videos 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8). […] - [Ano Sa Palagay N'yo?](https://fqmom.com/ano-sa-palagay-nyo/): It’s December 25! If you’re free to watch this fun discussion for the Dec 25 episode of A.S.P.N. (Ano Sa Palagay N’yo), catch us today at 8AM on Net25. - [Merry Christmas!](https://fqmom.com/merry-christmas-2/) - [Christmas Cramming and Deadlines](https://fqmom.com/christmas-cramming-and-deadlines/): It’s five days before Christmas and here we are (that includes me), cramming once again for Christmas! We know Christmas happens every year, and we even remind ourselves as early as September, “Uy, ber na, malapit na ang Pasko!” (Hey, it’s the ber month, Christmas is just around the corner!) And yet, most of us find ourselves in this situation every year. Why? It’s the big P: Procrastination. We postpone doing things for a number of reasons. Sometimes, having more options when we can do things make us take for granted the ticking of time and we end up postponing […] - [SAGE and the importance of understanding Economics](https://fqmom.com/sage-and-the-importance-of-understanding-economics/): No matter how important it is to understand the subject of Economics (the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services), it doesn’t seem to get the attention and interest it deserves. The result: majority of Filipinos are unable to make optimal financial decisions. The more staggering effect is felt when our elected leaders who make economic decisions for the entire country are clueless of the basics of economics. You may recall a DOF undersecretary who was removed from office after she posted on her social media a graph of the law of supply and demand. If […] - [That Elusive Progress](https://fqmom.com/that-elusive-progress/): As I end the year 2023, I look back at the countries I visited after the lockdown and travel bans. Generally, I do not entertain envy and I genuinely feel good if someone succeeds, especially if that someone is a good person. However, I must admit that during and after each visit I made to another country this year, I really felt envious. I still felt happy for them but I also felt sad for our own country. Why is progress so elusive to us? I am not going to say that nothing has improved in our country but I […] - [Empowering Future Generation by Raising Financially Savvy Children](https://fqmom.com/empowering-future-generation-by-raising-financially-savvy-children/): My son Enrique Fres Fausto and I take part in the BSP Financial Education Stakeholders Congress 2023 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City last 14 November 2023, where we talk about how to empower your children to have a High FQ. - [Are you fond of funds?](https://fqmom.com/are-you-fond-of-funds/): There are two ways to invest in paper assets. To the regular Juan, direct purchase is more salient. He can say, “I am a part owner of Company A.” after he buys shares of Company A, or “Company A owes me.” after he buys bonds of Company A. So why settle for funds and not just go straight? Why pay management fees if you can directly buy the instruments? What is a fund? A fund is a pool of money that is allocated for a specific purpose. It is invested and professionally managed in order to generate returns for its […] - [The Way Out Is In (Solving Your Money And Other Problems By Being Mindful)](https://fqmom.com/the-way-out-is-in-solving-your-money-and-other-problems-by-being-mindful/): Last weekend I attended the triple celebration event of our National Social Scientist, Honey Carandang, PhD at the Pinto Museum. It was her 80th birthday, the 13th anniversary of her MLAC Foundation, and the launch of her nth book titled The Way Out Is In (Living and Loving, Pandemics and Beyond). Ifirst encountered Dr. Honey in the parenting talks I attended while my sons studied at Xavier School. Whenever she had a talk at school, I always attended it, no matter what the topic was, because I always came home with new lessons and insights. Fast forward to when I […] - [What is the Ostrich Effect?](https://fqmom.com/what-is-the-ostrich-effect/): Years ago, I had this conversation with a friend of mine. Friend: Kaya ako, ayoko ng nagpapa- check-up. Me: Bakit? Friend: E, baka malaman ko pa kung may sakit ako.” This is an example of the Ostrich Effect, also known as Ostrich Problem. It is a cognitive bias where people tend to “bury their head in the sand” and avoid potentially negative but useful information to avoid psychological discomfort. Before I proceed with the discussion of this cognitive bias, let me just correct this false legend. Ostriches are the largest living birds and despite their small heads, they have managed […] - [My guesting on NegoSHEnte hosted by Rhoda Caliwara](https://fqmom.com/my-guesting-on-negoshente-hosted-by-rhoda-caliwara/): Here’s a clip from my guesting on NegoSHEnte, aired October 22, 2023. To watch the full episode, https://youtu.be/nIiFHNehVDk?si=B4QX-1QWdxwWVMl5 - [Are you ready for an All-Weather Fund?](https://fqmom.com/are-you-ready-for-an-all-weather-fund/): If you started investing in the stock market 10 years ago, chances are, you are very disappointed with the returns that you are getting right now. If I just started 10 years ago, I would be. Fortunately, I’m old enough and started early on doing my regular investing such that I’ve seen several scenarios over the decades that allows me to be patient with this currently ho-hum market. If the last 10 years (2013 – 2023) gave us a Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) index that’s virtually unchanged, the earlier 10 years (2003 – 2013) gave us a six-fold return. But […] - [Are you caught in the Sandwich Generation? (or are you among the lucky ones?)](https://fqmom.com/are-you-caught-in-the-sandwich-generation-or-are-you-among-the-lucky-ones/): What is the Sandwich Generation? In 1981, University of Kentucky professor and social worker Dorothy A. Miller coined the term Sandwich Generation. You belong to this generation if you are an adult taking care of your children and your aging parents. It is called sandwich because you are caught between two generations. That means that you are taking care of three generations – your children’s, your parents’, and your own. Different Varieties of the Sandwich Generation Even before the term was coined in the US, Filipinos have been living the phenomenon of sandwich generation. We value close family ties and […] - [FQwentuhan with Victor Anastacio](https://fqmom.com/fqwentuhan-with-victor-anastacio/): In this video, we discussed: 1. What Victor has in common with one of my sons 2. Ano ang FQ (Financial Quotient) tips ni Victor 3. Totoo bang magaling sa chicks ang comedian - [What “Money Scripts” do you consciously or unconsciously subscribe to?](https://fqmom.com/what-money-scripts-do-you-consciously-or-unconsciously-subscribe-to/): I have talked about Childhood Money Memories (CMM) and their importance to our current relationship with money. This is why understanding your money behavior starts with this exercise. (To know more about this, go to Chapter 4  FQ Book 1 FQ: the nth Intelligence or read and watch articles in FQMom.com and FQMom YT Channel.) Recently, I came across Klontz Money Script Inventory and I think it’s worth sharing with you the four basic scripts that people adhere to. Looking at them in tandem with your CMM exercise may help you identify your money beliefs that are affecting your relationship […] - [FQ Mom Talks About INVESTMENTS with Mike Raz of BDO Securities](https://fqmom.com/fq-mom-talks-about-investments-with-mike-raz-of-bdo-securities/): Are you investing in the stock market? Why or why not? Nalugi ka ba? Naiinip ka na ba? O baka sa tingin mo kulang ang pera mo para mag-invest? Halika, samahan nyo kami sa FQwentuhan tungol sa STOCK INVESTMENTS, kasama ko si Mike Raz of BDO Securities. The lessons and insights you will get from spending a few minutes with us might make a big difference in the way you will live your retirement years. - [A Way To Avoid Christmas Cramming For Your Special Gifts](https://fqmom.com/a-way-to-avoid-christmas-cramming-for-your-special-gifts-2/): It’s 75 days to go before Christmas! We all know that it’s stressful to cram our Christmas shopping, and yet, we still find ourselves doing it year after year. If you want help in finding special gifts for loved ones and yourself, I invite you to come to FilipinaZ: Living Art at The Fifth of Rockwell Power Plant Mall from October 21 – 22, 2023. You will not only find well-curated items, but also help fund the projects of Zonta Club of Makati & Environs (ZCME). These are the Psychological Center for Sexually Abused Girls in Marilac Hills and the […] - [Insights from the Curriculum Review of Cha-ching](https://fqmom.com/insights-from-the-curriculum-review-of-cha-ching/): Last week was my first time to ever have a speaking engagement not wearing shoes! Why? Because it was held at Cheeky Monkeys, a soft-play area for kids that is also used for various children’s events such as birthday parties, school activities, and financial learning events like the one I took part in. The event was “One Student to a Million: Cha-ching Shaping a Financial Literate Generation,” a collaboration of Junior Achievement Philippines, Inc. (JA Philippines) and Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm in Asia and Africa of Prudential plc, Pru Life UK’s parent company. In 2016, Prudence Foundation and […] - [Money and Happiness (Lessons from Build the Life You Want by Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey)](https://fqmom.com/money-and-happiness-lessons-from-build-the-life-you-want-by-arthur-brooks-and-oprah-winfrey/): If you believe that money and fame will make you happy such that the more you have of them, the happier you are, think again. Studies show that too much of them can make us miserable. But the difference between these two is that while you can achieve happiness without fame, there is a certain level of wealth that you need in order to be happy. It is because money is like oxygen. We can manage not to think too much and stress about it if we have an adequate supply of it. However, once the supply is cut, we […] - [Are you investing in the stock market? (Why or why not?)](https://fqmom.com/are-you-investing-in-the-stock-market-why-or-why-not/): If all the citizens of our country will answer these two questions, over 90% will answer the first one with a negative. And for the second one, they will most likely reply with any of the following: “Wala akong perang pang invest!” (I don’t have money to invest.) “Hindi ko yan naiintindihan.” (I don’t’ understand that.) “Nalugi na ako sa stock market!” (I lost money in the stock market.) “Yamot na yamot na ako, sampung taon na 6,000 plus pa rin ang index!” (I’m so impatient, it’s been 10 years and we’re still in the 6,000 plus index!) Unfortunately, all […] - [Health is indeed Wealth! (Lessons from my recent hospital confinement)](https://fqmom.com/health-is-indeed-wealth-lessons-from-my-recent-hospital-confinement/): I wasn’t able to write my weekly articles for two weeks because I had to pause. I was confined in a hospital for two days due to tummy ache and some tests had to be done. The tests came out “clean” (that’s the doctor’s term) but we are still awaiting the results of my biopsy of an inflammation in a small part of my colon. The tummy ache was not really severe but more of a nagging discomfort. It’s just that, at my age, I am more vigilant of what my body is telling me. So, after two days of […] - [A Millennial Asks How to Avoid Being Envious](https://fqmom.com/a-millennial-asks-how-to-avoid-being-envious/): Dear FQ Mom, I have been following you for years now. I graduated in 2018 and started working a few months after graduation. My starting salary was probably within the average for fresh graduates at that time and I have received modest increases over the years. I try to observe the basic laws of money, but honestly, sometimes I envy my officemates and friends who seem to be enjoying life more than I am with their travels and other activities. What can I do to remain focused on observing high FQ behavior? – Avoiding Envy Millennial via email Dear Avoiding […] - [Kitchen Tour + Ego Depletion (House Tour + Behavioral Biases Series Ep. 2)](https://fqmom.com/kitchen-tour-ego-depletion-house-tour-behavioral-biases-series-ep-2/): Sharing with you the second installment of our House Tour + Behavioral Biases! Welcome to our kitchen + the bonus is my interview with food and wellness entrepreneur, Kath Buendia. Enjoy! - [Ego Depletion and Your Life Choices](https://fqmom.com/ego-depletion-and-your-life-choices/): Are you a disciplined person who can save and invest regularly? Do you have the willpower to eat well, exercise regularly, and sleep for eight hours at night? Do you have that self-control to put in the necessary work to advance in your studies, career, and even sustain meaningful relationships? In other words, do you have that constant ability to resist short-term gratification in pursuit of your long-term goals? We usually call the people who are able to do the above as disciplined, determined, self-controlled, rational, etc. And we oftentimes think that it’s a matter of either you are a […] - [Romance and Finance](https://fqmom.com/romance-and-finance/): I don’t treat August as ghost month. My husband, whom I call my favorite person in the world, was born in this month and we also sealed the most important contract of our life in this month. August is more like a love month to me. Many famous and respected people like Warren Buffett and John Gokongwei, Jr., have been quoted giving this nugget of wisdom, “The most important decision you make in your life is who you will marry.” Well, at least, for those who intend to get married. History of Marriage Marriage is a very old institution, about […] - [Closet Tour + Availability Heuristic (House Tour + Behavioral Biases Series Ep. 1)](https://fqmom.com/closet-tour-availability-heuristic-house-tour-behavioral-biases-series-ep-1/): This was not part of our original renovation plan. But when we realized that the boys will no longer be staying with us, we decided to turn their room into my closet! Yey! It was a toss between a guest room or my closet room and I’m so happy we chose the latter. Ang saya magbihis sa umaga, tanghali o gabi!😃 #FeelingDiva and dressing up is so much easier because I can easily see where my things are, not falling victim to #AvailabilityHeuristic or #OutOfSightOutOfMind! In this video, you will add to your #BehavioralScience #BehavioralEconomics knowledge and learn neat folding […] - [Availability Heuristic, Closet, and Retirement](https://fqmom.com/availability-heuristic-closet-and-retirement/): “Wala akong masuot!” That’s a common thought that usually enters our mind when we’re trying to figure out what to wear for an occasion or just trying to get dressed in the morning. Ironically, we say this as we stare at a closet that is so full of clothing items stacked on each other. Then, we buy new items and just figure out later on how to store them in this already tight closet. After buying new stuff, we discover that we already had something similar deep in our closet that we forgot about. It was not available in our […] - [FQ Mom House Tour + Behavioral Biases](https://fqmom.com/fq-mom-house-tour-behavioral-biases/): To answer your requests for house tour, here’s a sneak peek of the Fres Fausto Sanctuary Version 4.0!🏡😊 - [Is home ownership overrated?](https://fqmom.com/is-home-ownership-overrated/): What is your take on this? Times are changing. During our generation of mostly employed individuals, we aspired to buy a car, then a house, usually timed when starting one’s own family. In my husband and my case, we were assisted by the benefits offered by our bank employers. We had car plans and subsidized housing loans. These days, ownership of cars and houses are no longer in the list of every young worker. Some would rather just rent and forego the headaches of ownership such as parking, maintenance, taxes, etc. The cost and other expenses that go with ownership […] - [Understanding Evolution for a Physically and Financially Healthy You](https://fqmom.com/understanding-evolution-for-a-physically-and-financially-healthy-you/): Evolution is the gradual process of change and development. Our pre-historic ancestors sourced their food from the wild, were on the go, moving from one place to another, putting in more than 10,000 steps regularly, subjected to feast and famine so their bodies would store energy in order to survive. Fast forward to today. Food is readily available, mostly in their processed form, consumed anytime we want to, usually while sitting. In fact, we’re sitting down not just while eating but practically while doing anything such that doing 10,000 steps a day has become an effortful endeavor. Our lifestyle has […] - [Beware of the Diderot Effect (Note: We have all been afflicted with this.)](https://fqmom.com/beware-of-the-diderot-effect-note-we-have-all-been-afflicted-with-this/): What is Diderot Effect? The Diderot Effect is a phenomenon that occurs when acquiring a new possession leads to a spiral of consumption that results in the acquisition of even more possessions. In other words, it means buying something new can cause a chain reaction of buying more and more things because the new item makes one feel the need to buy more things that will go with it. History Denis Diderot was a French philosopher, art critic, and writer who co-founded the Encyclopédie in the 1700s. He struggled financially throughout most of his career and received very little recognition […] - [Your Future Self with Hal Hershfield](https://fqmom.com/your-future-self-with-hal-hershfield/): Do you think about your FUTURE SELF a lot? Or are you always caught up with your PRESENT SELF, or worse, deceived by your FILTERED SELF that you use in your social media posts? Hahaha! Anyway, I invite you to watch this interview if you want to LEARN SOMETHING NEW ABOUT YOURSELF and HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY RETIREMENT – or maybe we should call it the “Third Act” because you don’t need to retire if you don’t want to, hopefully, by choice. In this video, HAL HERSHFIELD talks about his research, which sits at the intersection of psychology and […] - [Understanding Our Three Selves for Better Saving and Investing](https://fqmom.com/understanding-our-three-selves-for-better-saving-and-investing/): It was Holy Week when I wrote the draft of this article and it got me thinking about how Catholics, like myself, believe that there is one God in three persons – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Today, I will discuss the three persons in each one of us: Why do we need to be aware of these three persons, and do they even exist? Each one of us is essentially one person with one set of thumbprints, one body, one soul, but experiments show that we actually tend to perceive ourselves differently when […] - [Help, I want my husband to earn more!](https://fqmom.com/help-i-want-my-husband-to-earn-more/): Dear FQ Mom, I have been following you for a few years now. Thank you for the inspiration through your books articles, videos, and podcast. I am a mother of four children and my husband and I are both working. We have dreams of accumulating wealth as fast as we can while raising our children. However, these past few years, it has been tiring for me. Sometimes, I find myself exhausted and a bit frustrated, secretly wishing that my husband would exert more effort in pursuing our dream. Recently, it has become irritating and I find it hard to talk […] - [Are you ready for an empty nest? (Steps to prepare for it)](https://fqmom.com/are-you-ready-for-an-empty-nest-steps-to-prepare-for-it/): Like some of our friends, my husband and I are already empty nesters. Some of you may be headed there. In a recent viber exchange I had with a co-parent, I was asked to write about empty nesting. I have written about it years ago, but it’s worth discussing it again. Empty Nest Syndrome is the feeling of loneliness that parents may feel when their children leave home to either start college away from home or start living on their own. It is not a clinical condition and is sometimes loosely used as an expression to say that the kids […] - [Is it true that you will never become rich as an employee?](https://fqmom.com/is-it-true-that-you-will-never-become-rich-as-an-employee/): “You will never become rich working for others!” “Jobs are for losers!” “Be your own boss!” These are the buzz words that are fed to us making it look like a 9-5 job is the most boring and dreadful thing to do. If you search online to find out who said this, you’re likely to see Robert Kiyosaki of the Rich Dad Poor Dad fame. Admittedly, I read a few of his books. Needless to say, I enjoyed the first one that made me buy the next and the next. How I bought the first book was actually accidental. Back […] - [What is the Cost of YOLO-ing?](https://fqmom.com/what-is-the-cost-of-yolo-ing/): YOLO! You Only Live Once is a favorite excuse for our impulsive and reckless behavior. It is allowing our Emotional Emong to rule over our Makatwirang Mak in our choices today, making our present self happy at the expense of our future self. The problem in the way we use “You only live once” is that it negates the ending of that one life we live. Let’s bear in mind that our one and only life has a beginning, middle part, and ending. And we are responsible for the outcome of that ending. The younger generation has a more difficult […] - [FausTour of the Happiest Countries in the World (DENMARK, ICELAND, SWEDEN, NETHERLANDS)](https://fqmom.com/faustour-of-the-happiest-countries-in-the-world-denmark-iceland-sweden-netherlands/): Sharing with you our last family trip – FausTour of the Happiest Countries in the World. We visited Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, and Netherlands. This was the trip that was cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19. This video has a partner article, click this link – https://fqmom.com/lessons-from-the-happiest-countries-in-the-world/ I also included some lessons learned from each country. ## Pages - [Thank you!](https://fqmom.com/thank-you/) - [ftesting](https://fqmom.com/ftesting/) - [Chapter 11: Final Thoughts](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-11-final-thoughts/): This is the conclusion of the book. It’s the author’s invitation to the reader to enjoy their parenting. She ends her book with a poem she wrote about child rearing entitled Be There IN A NUTSHELL:Parenting can be the most challenging and fulfilling journey. Raising our sons well is the best thing we can do to for our country and the best service we can offer to God for giving us this great privilege of procreation. LET US SHARE:Thank you for being a part of this journey. I wish you a fulfilling adventure in raising great Pinoy boys. I want to […] - [Chapter 10 - Lessons From The Winner](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-10-lessons-from-the-winner/): This is a compilation of parenting stories gathered by the author when she interviewed the parents of successful men she admires. She also interviewed the parents of successful boys admired by her three sons. Read the book and find out what lessons you can learn from the winners! A. FROM MY LIST: B. FROM MY SONS’ LISTS C. FAMILY & FRIENDS The author also values the lessons she learned from her family and friends, whose parenting styles enriched her own. IN A NUTSHELL:We can learn from the parenting experiences of our family, friends and people around us. Although there are […] - [Chapter 9 - A Mother's Dillema: To Work or Not to Work](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-9-a-mothers-dillema-to-work-or-not-to-work/): This is a special chapter for the author as she narrates her journey to her decision to say goodbye to a promising investment banking career to become a full-time homemaker. She also shares tips on how to remain an exciting homemaker. IN A NUTSHELL:We all want the best for our children and we would do everything to give them the best upbringing. Listen to yourself and honestly assess what’s the best arrangement during their growing up years because you can not turn back the hands of time to go back to their childhood anymore. LET US SHARE:You may want to […] - [Chapter 8 - Family Traditions](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-8-family-traditions/): This chapter is an interesting collection of the traditions the author practices with her family. Read on and try to identify your own family traditions. IN A NUTSHELL:Traditions bind our families and foster intimacy. They give character to our families and help our sons know themselves better. Let’s celebrate our traditions and forge unity among our family members. LET US SHARE:What are your family traditions? I would love to hear them. Please post your comments and stories below. - [Chapter 7 - Boys are "EMO" Too: The Emotional Life of Our Boys](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-7-boys-are-emo-too-the-emotional-life-of-our-boys/): This chapter covers a very important but usually neglected part of our sons’ rearing. Studies on troubled boys made by child psychology experts, Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson, show that even if each troubled boy has a different story to tell, all their stories share a common denominator: emotional ignorance and isolation. Read this to avoid the pitfalls of raising boys with underdeveloped emotional intelligence. IN A NUTSHELL:Raising healthy sons involves teaching them emotional literacy. Open communication lines help build a stronger family whose members are able to help each other in times of crisis. Parenting becomes more enjoyable despite […] - [Chapter 6 - Money Matters (Our Son's FQ)](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-6-money-matters-our-sons-fq/): The author shares how she and her husband raised their three sons to have high FQ (Financial Intelligence Quotient) at a young age. Marty, Enrique and Anton have been speakers in a Financial Literacy Workshop for the Youth. They now have their own financial goals and keep tab of them with their individual Balance Sheets. Read the chapter and learn a thing or two from the stories so you too can raise your children to have high FQ. Should you wish to show your son the magic of compounding, click this link. For related stories visit the following:12 Year Old Investment […] - [Chapter 5 - Sports](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-5-sports/): Sports is an important factor in the life of growing boys. This chapter discusses how parents should make sure that their sons do not neglect this aspect as they are lured by the lethargic world of computer games. IN A NUTSHELL:The importance of sports in a boy’s life goes well beyond his physical development. It also provides him good social and emotional well being and a good training ground for a successful adult life. LET US SHARE:Please share with us your experiences in the field of sports and the lessons you learned along the way. Please post your comments and […] - [Chapter 4 - Study Habits and Other School Matters](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-4-study-habits-and-other-school-matters/): This chapter narrates the many experiences the boys went through to develop good study habits. It also discusses other things that affect school life like tutors, exams, grades, honors, television, computers, social networking, and many more. IN A NUTSHELL:Developing good study habits in our sons is not only for purpose of performing well in school. It is setting their habits for life. It is for this reason that we should take an active role in this aspect. Because come to think of it, all the good study habits they will develop now will likely be the foundation of how they […] - [Chapter 3 - Finding The Right School](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-3-finding-the-right-school/): CHAPTER 3-A – FINDING THE RIGHT SCHOOL (PRE-SCHOOL) This chapter brings us the journeys of the author and her sons finding their schools, from preschool, to “big school” to college. IN A NUTSHELL:Choosing our son’s preschool is very important as this will be his first taste of schooling, an endeavor he will take for the next 14 to 17 years (or more if he will take up post graduate studies). It is crucial that we find one where he will enjoy and which will nurture him. LET US SHARE:If you wish to contribute your thoughts on preschool, please post your […] - [Chapter 2 - Celebrate Their Differences](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-2-celebrate-their-differences/): Personality Types This chapter gives the readers descriptions of the four basic personality types. It is an interesting read that will save the parents and the sons a lot of trouble due to unmet expectations. It will also enable the parents and children to appreciate each other’s individuality. IN A NUTSHELL:Because we are all born with unique personalities, it is very important to acknowledge and in fact celebrate these differences. Let all family members acknowledge that there is no superior or inferior personality type. Being aware of how each family member is wired not only fosters harmonious family relations but […] - [Chapter 1 - Meet My Boys](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/chapter-1-meet-my-boys/): This chapter is a narration of the author’s experiences giving birth to her three sons. She also gives the readers a description of each of her boys. At the end of the chapter is an invitation for the readers to share their own experiences. LET US SHARE:Do you notice how mothers when in a conversation with other mothers always end up talking about their children? I notice how moms can still vividly recall their labor experience no matter how old their child is. If you wish to share your mommy/daddy/guardian experiences, please post your stories below. I would love to […] - [Foreword](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/foreword/) - [Introduction](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/introduction/) - [Table of Contents](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/table-of-contents/) - [Raising Pinoy Boys](https://fqmom.com/raising-pinoy-boys/) - [Welcome E-Book](https://fqmom.com/welcome-e-book/): Your welcome E-Book is ready. Please click the link below to download your free welcome e-book. - [FQ-urriculum](https://fqmom.com/fq-urriculum/): FQ-urriculum - [Redirect Prime Subscription](https://fqmom.com/redirect-prime-subscription/): This content is for FQ Prime members only. Please sign-up to FQ Prime subscription to view this content. 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High FQ by Design is the third and final installment of the FQ Trilogy. Backed by evidence-based studies, the book goes beyond traditional financial advice by focusing on actual financial behaviors that last. - [FQ Book 2: Why Financial Education Alone Does Not Work](https://fqmom.com/product/fq-why-financial-education-alone-does-not-work/): This is the second installment of the FQ Trilogy. The first part (front cover) discusses why Financial Education alone does not work. It includes a crash course in Behavioral Economics explained in easy-to-understand language. The flipside discusses the Psychology of Money. It explains 16 Behavioral Economics principles that affect the way you deal with money in a fun way, with the help of Rational (Makatwirang) Mak and Emotional Emong. - [FQ Book 1: The nth Intelligence](https://fqmom.com/product/fq-nth-intelligence/): FQ: The nth Intelligence talks about this essential 21st century skill of handling our personal finances. Despite its importance, there is lack of proper training for it. The result: We see smart, industrious middle-aged and senior citizens not prepared for their retirement, despite having been gainfully employed during their younger years. - [The Emotional Cycle of Investing (a mini ebook to calm my nerves)](https://fqmom.com/product/the-emotional-cycle-of-investing-a-mini-ebook-to-calm-my-nerves/): This is a fun light read for everyone who invests, or plans to invest in the stock market. The book helps you zoom out and have a better perspective of the different emotional stages in stock investing. It discusses the 14 different stages in easy to understand language using emojis – from reluctance to excitement to panic to capitulation to hope and back to reluctance with many other stages in between. - [Ang Muling Pagsasalaysay ng Ang Pinakamayamang Tao sa Babilonya](https://fqmom.com/product/ang-muling-pagsasalysay-ng-ang-pinakamayamang-tao-sa-babilonya/): Ito ay isang aklat ng kuwento at mga gawain para sa mga bata at mga di-kumukupas as kabataan! Hango ito sa original na The Richest Man in Babylon ni George Samuel Clason, at ng aking sariling The Retelling of The Richest Man in Babylon.   - [The Retelling of the Richest Man in Babylon](https://fqmom.com/product/the-retelling-of-the-richest-man-in-babylon/): This is a story and activity book for kids from 1 to 92. It is my take on the George Samuel Clason classic The Richest Man in Babylon narrated in easy to understand language. It also encourages conversation between parent and child on that important, yet oftentimes neglected, life lesson of healthy money management. I remember my own kids asking me to read and re-read their favorite books back in the day until they could memorize the entire book. Can you imagine if your kids end up memorizing the laws of money? - [Raising Pinoy Boys](https://fqmom.com/product/raising-pinoy-boys/): The book is a candid narration of the author’s two decades of experiences in raising her sons. She shares the joys and challenges she encountered giving birth, getting to know their individual personalities, finding their schools, forming their study habits, engaging them in sports, developing their emotional and financial intelligence, and more. She also narrates the growing up years of the men and boys she and her sons admire, as told by their parents. [comment]: # (Generated by Hostinger Tools Plugin)