Top 3 Online Resources for Financial Education

According to a Standard & Poor’s (S&P) Ratings Services, only 25% of Filipino adults are financially literate. This is actually considered very low and alarming. The good news is there are a lot of efforts in the country to promote financial literacy and thus, we no longer have any excuse not to improve our skills in personal finance and financial management. 

Aside from seminars, books and workshops, online resources have been launched and made available especially for Filipinos. Here are the top online resources to start-off your financial education. 

1. Brighter Life Institute - Open for enrollment since 2014, the award-winning Brighter Life Institute or BLI is an organized learning program inspired by MOOCs (massive online open courses). For this year, BLI rolls out the Moving Up module – a set of lessons which aim to teach families basic financial planning practices and the value of honest conversations about money, even to one’s children.

The Moving Up module takes its cue from Sun Life’s ‘Money For Life’ philosophy, which shows a holistic journey through four different life stages. With lessons spanning from creating a household budget to preparing for future milestones such as a college education, BLI’s latest offering can now be accessed via http://brighterlife.com.ph/bli-moving-up/.

2. My Future Fund Calculator - For a glimpse of how an insurance-with-savings product can help in reaching one’s dreams on time, the My Future Fund Calculator is available via bit.ly/myfuturecalculator. Just set a target date, choose a My Future Fund nearest the target date, and pair it with a suitable Sun Life variable life insurance product.

My Future Fund is perfect for families who are preparing for a specific purpose, like a college education or owning their own home.

What’s more, users of the My Future Calculator can get a chance to win P25,000 cash when they share it on Facebook and subscribe to Brighter Life Institute through the Plan 4 Your Fam, Win a Future Fund promo. Full mechanics here.

3. Websites or Blogs

Now on its fourth year, #SINAG invites Filipino bloggers and online journalists to be part of Sun Life’s financial literacy advocacy by sharing and posting about their insights and experiences on money management.

From securing their future to learning about financial instruments, #SINAG is a valuable compilation of life stories and advice from writers who also believe in the benefit of being financially prepared.

Interested writers can send a link of their entry to editor@brighterlife.com.ph. Full contest mechanics can be found here. 

Now, we can say goodbye to financial illiteracy and start having a #BrighterLife.

For updates on Brighter Life Institute, My Future Fund Calculator, and #SINAG, follow us on social media via @sunlifeph.

Passion Series No. 1: Helping People #LiveBrighter

If you have been following my other page, The Purple Secretary, you might have noticed my favorite hashtag #makepassionyourprofession. It is actually one of my favorite personal advocacies which I got from the movie, 3 Idiots, and Sha Nacino's MISSION HAPPINESS book. It is the same idea that was presented in Yeng Remulla's book -- START SOMETHING. 

It is all about finding the 3P's in life -- Passion, Purpose, and Profit. Find all these three things together at the same time and this is what we call - The Sweet and Perfect Spot. So, I am launching these series on my blog to share stories and inspiration about how to make passion your profession. We will discuss different career options that you can consider with high hopes that you can also find your own sweet and perfect spot. 

First Stop: Helping Other People #LiveBrighter

Whether we admit it or not, financial illiteracy is one of the major concerns nowadays. You might be able to hear stories about people who used to be really rich but now is left with nothing due to bad luck or bad decisions. Regardless of the reason, we can say that proper financial planning could have made things different. 

Thus, one of the careers that you can consider is to become a Sun Life Advisor, you can help people (passion) plan for their future while enjoying limitless earning potential (profit.) In this way, you can make a positive difference in the lives of others by helping them fulfill their financial goals (purpose.) 

A big portion of the population is still without any form of life insurance and investment. By providing relevant financial advice and guiding them along the way, you can help ensure their security and growth, and help them build a solid future for themselves and their loved ones. 

Here are other reasons why you should consider being a Financial Advisor: 

1. Flexible Time

This job does not require you to be in the office 8-5 instead you get to enjoy flexible working hours allowing you to fulfill your other roles in life. By being able to manage your own schedule, you can allocate your time according to your priorities. 

2. Rewarding Career

Aside from a competitive incentives package, a job well done is rewarded with a trip to local and international destinations, cash bonuses, gift certificates and other exciting prizes. 

3. Work with a Reputable Company

Sun Life is the number one and longest-standing life insurance company in the Philippines. They provide solutions to various financial needs, such as income continuation, education, retirement and wealth accumulation. 

4. Free Training

Whether you are a fresh graduate or an experienced worker, Sun Life makes sure that you are fully equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfill your role in helping other people. Personal and professional advancement is highly valued in Sun Life. With its continuous learning and training programs, you can reach your full potential. 

Interested to start a #LiveBrighter Career? Here's how you can get started:

1. Join a #LiveBrighter Forum 

2. Attend the interviews/ take the Personality Orientation Profile Screen Test

3. Take the Licensing Exam at the Insurance Commission

4. Finish the Sun Life Training Course

5. Complete the Contracting and Coding Process

For more details, visit www.sunlife.com.ph

Also, feel free to share in the comments below if you are found your sweet spot or if you are still searching for one. Make sure to follow us on Facebook to be updated with the next Passion Series post.