Some people choose to invest in the bank. Some people choose to invest in real estate. Some people choose to invest in life insurance. Some people choose not to invest in anything. Last Monday, I chose to invest in the stock market. It took me a year before doing so but now that I finally did, I only have high hopes and aspirations.
I decided to invest in the stock market directly through COL Financial (www.colfinancial.com), an online broker. This way, I get to have more control over my money and less fees to pay as compared to when I invest in the stock market indirectly through mutual funds. Just to be clear, I have nothing against people who invest in mutual funds. I even think they have an edge because their money is managed by financial experts. I just prefer an online broker over a traditional broker, that’s all. Plus, I like the accessibility and convenience it gives me.
Opening an account with COL Financial is easy and doesn’t require a big fortune. There are three types of account on offer: COL Starter, COL Plus and COL Premium. Each account type has different features; I suggest you visit the site to know more about them.
Anyway, I signed up for a COL Starter account whose minimum investment is just P5,000. The hubby and I went to their business center in Ortigas and filed my application. It was approved in minutes! I was issued an account number (which would also serve as my username) by the kind service associate and was told that my password will be emailed to me within the day. I received my password via email in the evening and I immediately logged into my account to have a look and change my password for security purposes. I also transferred more money to my COL Financial account through BDO online banking. (Yes, you don’t have to go to their business center to fund your account as you can do this through banks.)
I am proud to say that I now have a stocks portfolio after buying some shares from “good companies”. I plan to invest regularly and apply strategic averaging method (SAM) as advised by stock market experts. Right now, I’m researching more on how the stock market works because there are tons of things that I still need to learn. I also plan to write more about my experience and share new learnings on this blog in the coming days. Stay tuned for that!
I’ve always believed that we should never put all our eggs in one basket. And that we should invest while we’re young and able. After investing in RTBs last year, I think I’m now ready to invest in the stock market. I also want to invest in variable life insurance, but that can wait, for now. Maybe next year, I’ll give it some serious thought already. 🙂
Wish me lots of luck, friends! 🙂
goodluck edel! maganda yung may investment. medyo malawak yung usaping stock pero curious din ako how it works.
Thank you Joy! Yes, there’s so much to learn and I’m learning one article at a time. 🙂
Good luck to your investing.We are planning to do the same,I’m still learning the world of investment.
Good job for having a start,keep it up!
Thank you sis! Yes, we should continue learning about it. 🙂
Nice! Another achievement Edel!! I have been reading about stock market too kaya lang parang ang complicated pa nya for me. I can’t wait for your journey with this so I can take it as a learning curve din. Hihi! Let me know yung mga “good companies” once I started my own ha? Goodluck!! =)
Thank you, Jen! Sure, sure. 🙂
Wow this is really great! I wish you all the best! I hope more Filipinos will learn about investing; I believe it’s the best way to uplift our nation. 😀
Yes, I believe so. Thank you Maan! 🙂
I also use ColFin, and so far, okay naman sila. Best of luck to us!
Thank you! I’m happy to know a lot of bloggers I follow are also into stock market investing. 🙂
Hi. Mangangamusta lang ako about you COL investment experience. Musta na? I just want to learn from your experiences.Naka pag apply na ako but im not yet funding it kase nag iipon pa.Hope to hear from u..
Best Regards,
Elaine
Hi Elaine! So far, so good. May lock-in gains na rin ako at nakareceive ng ilang dividends! Like you, nag-iipon din para magkaroon ng funds to buy stocks when the prices are low. At patuloy din ang pagbabasa ko para madami pa matutunan about stock market investing. 🙂
Reading this article makes me happy (kahit kakaopen ko pa lang ng account with COL Financial). It gives me the feeling that I made the right choice. I am hoping for the best.
thank you! down ang market ngayon kaya okay mamili ng stocks. good luck to us! 🙂