There is life after OFW.
Yes, the country’s major cashcow–the gritty Overseas Filipino Workers(OFW)– can’s be just the family’s earner sending hard-earned money abroad to families at home andd in the process, get the economy of the country chugging.
According to tycoon.ph, Pinoy OFWs should think of investing their money to something else while they work across the globe, and when the time comes when the body just had enough beating, pack the bags and head home.
The heading home part can be savvy though, if only OFWs know how to manage their cash and turn it into thheir own booming business. So heading home can be from a blue collar worker to CEO.
Consider this: According to tycoon.ph, an OFW earns ten times as much as his fellow workers back home. But would he take the bait and quit his job to start a business of his own?
By investments, the article says not just the usual like buying an aprtment unit or a condo to be rented, or open a sari sari store. There are heaps of investment ideas out there that could multiply earnings. Here are six:
- Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF)
UITFs are ready-made investment schemes put up on the market by banks from different investors to achieve similar investment objectives. Professional fund managers are the ones who manage UITFs, making them good investment choices for people with no expertise in bond trading. Each UITF is regulated and monitored by a trust entity agreement, and approved by the BangkoSentral ng Pilipinas and by its Board of Directors, ensuring investor protection.
- Stocks and shares
Putting your money in stocks is a great way to decrease your tax legally. Unless you sell your shares, you won’t need to file returns on your earnings. This gives your money double multiplying power. By factoring in compound interest, stocks also provide the highest ROI. The larger amount you invest, the longer time you put your money to work, the more you will earn. With patience, the stocks you buy will gain you cash dividends, which you can also reinvest.
- Retail Treasury Bonds
RTBs are debt obligations issued by the Philippine government to raise funds. Being fixed-income instruments with predetermined maturity dates, the investor will be repaid the full amount plus accrued interest on the date of maturity. Considered the safest investment option (unless the Philippines defaults on its loans, which is unlikely), it is a great way to diversify your investment portfolio. With as low as P5000, you can enjoy high return rates with minimum accompanying risk.
- Peso Treasury Bills
While considered a low-yield investment option, buying treasury bills beats keeping your money under your bed any time of the day. You buy them at discounted prices, yet get their face value at the date of maturity. The interest, which you can redeem in advance, is higher than in savings accounts or time deposits. What’s more, they’re practically risk-free, since the Philippine government is unlikely to default its currency debt.
- Exchange Traded Fund
ETFs are open-end investments that track baskets of assets and trades on stock exchanges. Unlike close-end investments, an ETF investment company can release and regain shares to and from the public intraday. This characteristic means that ETFs can be bought and sold anytime of the day, making it easier for speculative investors to convert them to cash when and if they want to. ETFs are also low expense. They offer the advantages of index funds at a significantly less cost.
- The Dollar-denominated Republic of the Philippines Bonds
Another Philippine government-issued debt security selling like pancakes these days are the ROP bonds. Giving higher returns than short-term investments, ROPs come with minimal risk. This is a great way for OFWs working in the United States of America to further diversify their fixed income portfolio. Your US dollars will be used in developing our country while you get paid regular interest.
The plunge may be risky and unfamiliar. OFWs turning ito business wannabes are a rare breed but it can be a worthy try. (NJB)
