7 Valentine's Day gifts that last

MANILA - Valentine’s Day is just a heartbeat away. Are you planning on giving chocolates and flowers again to your special one?

Although romantic tokens are always popular, why not consider gifts that will last beyond Valentine’s Day and make a lasting impact on your significant other’s life? These gifts reflect long-term thinking and express your deep concern.

Unlike presents that you can just pick up from a store, these gifts entail a bit of research or “digging” on your part, which show that you are willing to give the gift of time and security to your loved one.

 Here are seven gifts that will clearly show you are "investing" in your relationship.

1. Art.

Artwork by the masters is always valuable, but if you can’t afford one, there are plenty of other equally promising pieces. An art piece, especially by an up and coming artist, is a gift whose value can grow over time. This is not limited to paintings, but also to sculpture and other art forms.

The best part? Works of art come in different price points, so you can acquire one within your budget, Spend time in galleries and check out art exhibits to get a feel of what’s out there. Make sure to do your research before you buy anything. Make sure that you get a piece according to your partner’s taste.

2. Jewelry.

The best thing about jewelry is that they are not only very romantic when given as a gift, they also appreciate in value. Gold prices, for instance, have been rising over the past few years, so you can pick up a ring, necklace, or earrings that your loved one will like. Diamonds and precious stones can likewise appreciate over time. Before buying jewelry, check out an appraiser so you know you’re getting something of value that will appreciate over time.

3. Expensive time pieces.

If your loved one likes time pieces, get a top-end watch. Usually, these are mechanical, handcrafted pieces that are laden with precious stones. Unlike new models, these pieces can last through generations while keeping their value. Do some research to know what these pieces and brands are.

4. Mutual funds.

Mutual funds may not exactly sound romantic, but when you give this to a loved one, you are showing long-term concern. The nice thing about mutual funds is that you can put in an amount that you are comfortable with. Later on, you can continue to top up this amount or you can leave it to your loved one to continue doing so.

Mutual funds can be invested in a variety of instruments with different risks that suit the recipient’s profile. You can get these at any financial institution, whose experts can readily answer your questions.

5. Home improvement.

Show your love by investing in a home improvement program, which will not only help improve the atmosphere that contributes to your loved one’s well-being, but can also improve the value of your home. Don’t just focus on beautification. You can also find ways to make full use of your land and invest in disaster-proofing your home, which are steps that can definitely add to its value.

6. Skills enhancement.

Enroll your loved one in a program that can enhance or upgrade his or her skills, possibly in new fields. Learning is a lifelong process, and the benefits of joining this program is sure to last for a long time. There are many options available to suit different inclinations and learning priorities. You can check out online courses, as well as face-to-face workshops offered by universities and other skills training providers.

7. Wellness programs.

Your loved one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being is important to his/her happiness. It also ensures good health and freedom from costly medications. For Valentine’s, why not enroll your loved one in a gym or a fitness program? Alternatively, yoga classes or a visit to the spa for alternative treatments are also good for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

For this coming Valentine’s Day, give a gift whose positive effect will last for more than a day. This is a sign of true love and a real gesture of a lifetime.

---

Grow Your Money is an editorial partnership between news.abs-cbn.com and Citi Philippines to promote financial education and provide helpful information to Filipinos on how to better manage their personal finances.

Visit www.citibank.com.ph for more information.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Are you ready to be a global investor?

MANILA, Philippines - After reading about equities and mutual funds in our recent reports, it’s time for you to explore the world.

That’s right - given the various opportunities that exist for investors in the global capital markets, you may want to take part in the action. After all, the global markets offer a great deal more options for any investor – but don’t forget they also have attendant risks.

Investing directly in global markets is a more difficult process for a retail investor than investing in domestic markets. This is because there are different government restrictions (such as those governing the outflow of money from the Philippines), as well as the difficulty in getting foreign currencies for purposes other than business and travel.

Moreover, not all investment funds are open to all nationalities; there may be administrative requirements that a Filipino national may not be able to meet. Also, the required investment amount may be large. Add to this the challenges that may come with transacting with someone in a different continent and a different time zone.

These, however, should not keep you from looking at investing in global markets. In fact, there are ways that you can do so using local channels and brokerages, by tapping into those funds that are invested in global markets. Of late, larger banks and financial institutions have been offering unit investment trust funds (UITFs) and other funds invested in these vehicles, providing the Philippine-based investor with a convenient way to tap into the much larger global capital markets.


Here’s a guide to help you get started on investing in global markets:
 
Assess your diversification needs. 

Before you choose to invest in the global markets, it is important to have a thorough understanding of your financial goals, investment needs, and financial status. Also know how much risk you want to take on. Investing using a different currency, which is usually required when investing in global funds, may or may not be appropriate for your needs. Therefore, you would have to assess if investing in global funds is the right step to take at this stage in your life, in view of your financial objectives and related considerations. If you don’t know how to proceed, this may be a good time to consult a professional financial advisor.

Do your research. 

Know what is being offered out there for retail investors. If you are thinking of global funds, there are plenty of options to choose from to suit various preferences—bonds, equities, and many others. These may be denominated in dollars or in euros. You will also have to think of what your investment strategy is, and what type of investments is best for your needs. In the Philippines, financial institutions can give you access to exchange traded funds (ETF) and UITF, invested in different vehicles to meet various investor profiles. You can also open an individual brokerage account. Check out what the brokers have to offer and if these products dovetail with your financial goals.

Obtain the needed currency for your fund. 

Most global investment funds require that the invested funds be in a foreign currency, most often the US dollar. If you have a dollar account, then withdraw this now. If you do not have the needed currency and plan to purchase these, be mindful of rules pertaining to this. Note that banks have restrictions on dollar purchases, especially for those related to investments.

Open your investment account with the financial institution of your choice. 

You will be asked to sign documents to signify your understanding of and compliance with government rules (especially pertaining to anti-money laundering) and fill up an investor profile assessment. The latter will help the brokers know your needs and will enable them to recommend appropriate funds. Make sure you check out the required holding period and transaction fees.

Monitor the performance of your fund. 

Most funds report their performance daily on their company websites. Also monitor the currency exchange rate from time to time. When you invest in global funds, you should be looking at both the performance of the fund and the currency it is invested in. By monitoring your funds, you will know if you should top up or diversify into another investment vehicle. If you have questions or concerns regarding how to move forward, seek professional advice.

Investing in global funds requires doing your homework and research, to ensure that you meet your financial objectives and that your investment decisions support these. By investing in global funds, you can diversify your investments and spread your risks beyond one country, hopefully to get the best returns for your money and help you meet your financial objectives.

Diversification is one of the most important pillars of effective investing and should be well thought of. Next week, we will discuss why it is never a good thing to put all your eggs in one basket.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com