#1Take the First Step

To Becoming Wealthy

September 2010
Welcome Message
Being wealthy is not about how much money you have or
how high your salary is.

You are wealthy when you can afford to stop working

and maintain your chosen lifestyle. This means you are
managing your money well - you are spending wisely, saving
regularly, planning prudently and investing effectively.

The Colayco Foundation for Education (CFE) continually strives to spread these
lessons of financial literacy. This E-book is just one of our many endeavors aimed
at increasing the financial awareness of the average Filipino. Each of our
publications will give you further knowledge to your financial independence in
the simplest terms.

Read ahead, and keep in mind that your wealth is in no one else’s hands but
yours. I am sharing with you my 10 Pera Palaguin (Wealth Generation)
Commandments. These have guided me in my own journey. I am sure it will help
you in improving your financial life! Use it well!

Remember that in your journey to being wealthy YOU are the driver. Your personal
SUCCESS is sure is you practice the 3Ds Principle:
 DETERMINATION – Have the will and persistence to do what you must do
to have what you want in life.
 DECISIVE – Learn the tools to help you decide to build your wealth
NOW!
 DISCIPLINE – Regularly practice what you learn about saving and
investing and it will become a habit just like winning is a habit.

You can do it! Kaya mo ’to!

Francisco J. Colayco

© September 2010
Colayco Foundation for
Education, Inc.
Founded in 2001 by Francisco J. Colayco, the Colayco Foundation for Education
(CFE) (Non-stock/non-profit) aims to help close the widening poverty gap,
stimulate passive entrepreneurship and wealth creation through financial
education. Its mission is to give even the ordinary income-earning Filipinos access
to financial education and information that has long been perceived as only for
the “privileged.” Focus is on teaching the management of personal finances
effectively through practical planning to save and growing savings through wise
spending, and prudent investing.

CFE publishes all of Francisco J. Colayco’s best-selling and award-winning books

as well as other educational materials on personal finance intended for special
audiences such as OFWs.

CFE also conducts various seminars and workshops on personal finance and
investing for companies, organizations and the general public.

CFE is a recognized resource when it comes to all things about money. In addition
to Francisco J. Colayco, Mary Anne B. Colayco, CFE President and Armand Q.
Bengco, CFE Executive Director are often invited as resource speakers in various
TV and Radio programs and as contributing authors for various newspapers,
magazines and websites. CFE also works with various government bodies,
corporate entities and non-profits in promoting financial wellness for Filipinos.

© September 2010
Wealth Within Your Reach

We all owe it to ourselves to prepare for our future. It is

common to see people who, after long years of hard work,
end up retiring with a financial standing no different and
possibly even worse than what they had started with years
before.

You probably know some personally. Their stories are

something that we must learn from. It is never too early nor
too late to start saving for our future financial security.

No amount is considered small when these are put in the

right places. Every single peso saved always holds the
potential to go a long way and grow.

The Colayco Foundation for Education (CFE) continually

strives to spread these lessons of financial literacy. This E-
book is just one of our many endeavors aimed at increasing
the financial awareness of the regular Filipino.

Keep in mind that your wealth is in no one else’s hands but

yours.

© September 2010
#1 – Pay Yourself First
The savings that you build up through time will buy your future security
and financial independence.

It’s important to begin with the mindset that you are your first source of
capital. Your income will be your primary tool for investment.

However, putting expenses first before income would not leave you with
much savings. You would have already spent most of your funds on
expenses by the time you decide to set aside what’s left for savings.

Instead, it’s better to treat savings as a priority expense. After all, you
should pay yourself first with the savings that buy your future.

Minimizing your expenses would significantly leave you with more savings.
Remember that most of our expenses are optional; ask yourself first
whether it is a need or a want.

© September 2010
10 Pera Palaguin
Commandments
#1 Pay Yourself First
#2 Define Your Financial Target at Each
Phase
#3 Stop Spending on Things that Decline in
Value
#4 Protect Your Greatest Income
Generating Asset: Yourself
#5 Grow with the Economy and Beat
Inflation
#6 Trust the Power of Compound Interest
#7 Assess Risks and Options: The Higher the
Return, the Higher the Risk
#8 Make Money Work for You: The Power
of
Leverage
#9 Invest and Diversify
#10 Use the Power of One: Strength in
Numbers

The 10 Pera Palaguin Commandments can

be found in Francisco J. Colayco’s best-
selling and award winning book, Wealth
Within Your Reach: Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo!
(2004)

© September 2010
Pera Mo, Palaguin Mo!
Our mission is to share the good news that Wealth is Within Your Reach. It is all up
to you and what's wonderful is that it is not difficult to achieve your financial
independence and wealth.

The difference in being wealthy and not being wealthy is INFORMATION! In

growing your Wealth, remember to keep yourself updated. Many factors can
affect your wealth generation.

The 1st Commandment: Pay Your self First is just the start. My other books and the
seminars of Colayco Foundation can guide you in your journey to becoming
wealthy. The Colayco Foundation is here to help you.

While you are on your journey, never forget the things that money can never
buy…
 Ethics and Integrity
 Responsibility
 Respect for the laws and rules
 Respect for the rights of other citizens
 Love of work
 Punctuality
 Fast action
 Will to save and invest

These are part and parcel of holistic wealth not only for ourselves but for our
children, our community and our country.

Good luck on your journey to be wealthy!

Francisco J. Colayco

© September 2010
Address Unit 805 Citystate Bldg. 709 Shaw Blvd. Pasig City

Telephone +632 637 3731 / +632 637 3741

SMS Hotline +63 917 853 7333

Email info@colaycofoundation.com

Website www.colaycofoundation.com

Blog www.franciscocolayco.com

Find us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/franciscocolayco

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www.twitter.com/handlingmoney

© September 2010
#1 Take the First Step to Becoming Wealthy

© Copyright Colayco Foundation October 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this e-book may be reproduced in any form or by any means
without the written permission of the publisher.

Published Electronically by Colayco Foundation for Education, Inc.

Telephone nos.: +632 6373731, +632 6373741, +63917 8537333
Email address: info@colaycofoundation.com
Website: www.colaycofoundation.com

Editor: Mari Gutierrez

Layout Design: Guita T. Gopalan

Illustration by: Eric Cachero

The information in this book was obtained from the Francisco J. Colayco’s personal
experiences and various sources as provided in research and reference sources from
Wealth Within Your Reach © 2010. Specific economic information such as interest rates,
inflation rates and foreign exchange rates are based on information available at the time
this e-book was being written.

While every effort has been made to provide complete and updated information herein,
the author and publisher cannot and does not guarantee its accuracy and completeness.
 Colayco Foundation for Education, Inc.
Tel. +632 6373731, +632 6373741, +632 5779698, +632 5774590
Email: info@colaycofoundation.com
Website: www.colaycofoundation.com
Francisco Colayco Blog: www.franciscocolayco.com