A Life in a Day by Sun Life

Sharing another beautiful film by Sun Life.

In less than 9 minutes, "A Life in a Day" captures the cycle of life - from childhood to old age. It also captures the precious moments of life through the eyes of a young boy.

Even though the film is short, the story hits directly to the heart. And in less than 9 minutes, it made me reminisce on my childhood days, my school days, my wedding day, the day I gave birth to my son and on trying to be the best mom and wife in the world.  It also made me think back how my parents had worked so hard to care for us and how I am now working hard and caring for my own family's financial security.

The short video is greatly executed through shadow play. It is simple; yet so sweet and so touching that I have to have some tissue papers beside me.

Thank you, Sun Life, for sharing such a meaningful video. It definitely made me reflect on life and especially on the future of my family.

Reference: Experience the Sun

After viewing this film, did you have a flashback and reflect like I did?

Life is short. Enjoy life. Say "I love you" to your loved ones. And don't forget to plan for yours and your family's financial security as we do not know what the future will be.

And if you haven't seen it yet, check out "1945", Sun Life's 1st SunShorts film. Don't forget to have tissue papers around as well because you'll need them when you watch this great real life story film. :)

How do you take care of your family's future?

"1945" is an amazing short documentary by Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc.

I was touched with the short film's ending message. "In 1945, Sun Life personnel traced and searched for the beneficiaries of those who perished in the war. A time of chaos became a time of honoring commitments and making lives brighter under the Sun."

This is truly customer satisfaction and relationship service!

From past to present, life insurance has only one objective -- that is, to provide protection to the family left behind or protection to oneself especially in times of need.

Financial Pyramid: In which level are you today?

Maslow's Pyramid of Needs. Credits: Wkipedia

 
Maslow's hierarchy of needs interprets human's basic needs as the foundation of the pyramid and gradually elevates to the levels that human motivations generally move through -- safety, love/belonging, esteem and self actualization.

"For the most part, physiological needs are obvious – they are the literal requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body simply cannot continue to function."



In the same way, Financial Planning also has a Financial Pyramid. It is a strategic approach in managing investment portfolio where the base of the pyramid is made up of low-risk investments, the mid-portion is composed of growth investments and the top is speculative investments.

For the most part, the base of the pyramid forms the requirements and foundation of a solid financial plan as well as for a long term financial freedom goal. Similar to meeting the physiological needs, if the basic financial requirements are not met, the plan for financial freedom simply cannot continue be achieved.


The 4 levels of Financial Pyramid:

1. Protection
   This stage provides you with a cushion in case of unexpected events, such as job loss or health issues. Items you need to have in this stage:
      -- Savings, Emergency Fund (6 months of salary)
      -- Insurance (Life, Health, Critical Illness, etc)
2. Savings
   This stage helps you to start building your wealth and investments. This is the baby steps in creating your passive income sources. Items you need to have in this stage:
      -- Mutual Funds, Bonds
      -- Real Estate / Your Home
3. Wealth Building
   This stage helps your wealth and investments achieve maximum growth and income. This may be your long term passive income sources. Items you need to have in this stage:
      -- Equity, Stocks
      -- Business
4. Speculation
   At this stage, you should have excess funds with zero or low debt, enough retirement and investment fund before investing in a much higher risk portfolio. Some items in speculation would be:
      -- Gold

   

   Success. One step at a time. Credits: deZengo

   
      -- Art, Collectibles

The financial pyramid enables us to understand the importance of each stage in order for us to visualize our road to financial freedom. It is also important to note that it is ideal to go one step at a time for each level in your financial plan to achieve success.











Understanding financial pyramid:

Financial Pyramid from Mel Co.

2011 Top Life Insurance Companies in the Philippines

The Philippine Insurance Commission has released the results of 2011 Top Life Insurance Companies based on total premium income. Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. ranked number one in life insurance company in the Philippines.

“We are very happy with the record-breaking results of our Philippine operations. We have full confidence that Sun Life Philippines will continue to achieve further growth. Our Philippines operation has led the way in many initiatives that focused on financial literacy, branding, operational efficiency and technology. These initiatives have been recognized globally and continue to be best practices in the organization,” Sun Life Asia president Dikran Ohannesian said.

The Top 15 Life Insurance Companies as of December 31, 2011:

Top life insurance companies in the Philippines according to premium income

How to choose the right life insurance

Below are 5 suggestions that can help you make the right decision for you and your family.

1. Research and compare. Use the web to shop. Ask for insurance quotes that include all options or riders so you know exactly what is available.
2. Ask questions so that you know what you are getting. Agents or insurance organizations should be able to fully explain exactly what you are buying and why.
3. Choose the type of insurance that fits you. Rates will depend on your age and health status.
4. Consider life insurance for the whole family. Expenses that follow a death or serious illness or accident will add more stress to an already devastated family.
5. Consider your life insurance as a fixed and non-negotiable expense in the same way you would your mortgage or car payment. It’s easy to consider life insurance as an 'investment' rather than a need.

Life insurance (term, whole life or variable universal life) can let you get on with the business of living while knowing that should the worst happen, your family is protected.

Choosing the right key. Credits: Tamahaji

Life insurance: In simple English

I found this article from the internet and I thought it best described life insurance.


I AM A LIFE INSURANCE POLICY

I am a piece of paper, a drop of ink, and a few pennies of premium.
I am a promise to pay.
I help people see visions, dream dreams, and achieve economic immortality.
I am education for the children.
I am savings.
I am property that increases in value from year to year.
I lend money when you need it most, with no questions asked.
I pay off mortgages so that the family can remain together in their own homes.
I allow people to dare to live and to die responsibly.
I create money where none existed before.
I am the great emancipator from want.
I guarantee the continuity of a business.
I conserve the employer’s investment.
I am tangible evidence that a man is a good husband and father, and that a woman is a good wife and mother.
I am a declaration of financial independence and economic freedom.
I am the difference between an old man or woman and an elderly gentlemen or lady.
I provide cash if illness, injury, old age, or death cuts off the breadwinner’s income.
I am the only thing that can be bought on the installment plan that a family doesn’t have to finish paying for.
I am protected by laws that prevent creditors from assessing the money I give to loved ones.
I bring dignity, peace of mind, and security to the family.
I supply investment capital that makes the wheels turn and the motors hum.
I guarantee the financial ability to have happy holidays and the laughter of children—even though father or mother is not there.
I am the guardian angel of the home.
I am life insurance.

*Courtesy from the Life Foundation site.

Insurance. Credits: lifeinsurance89441

What people think about life insurance

Last year, I attended a Financial Literacy Workshop at the Philippine Supreme Court hosted by Mr. Rolly Robles, my RFP teacher, along with his team.  It was a great workshop because it made the Philippine Supreme Court staff learns how to save, spend as well as understand the importance of investing their money wisely.

One of the activities in the workshop caught my attention. It is about a person’s perception.

Check the the image (fig 1) below. What do you see? Make a wild guess.

 

                                      fig 1

Yes, I also see a frog. What comes into your mind when you think of a frog?

• It is ugly.
• It is slimy and gross.
• It eats mosquitoes and flies; so, it is in a way helpful to us.

Aside from the frog, what else do you see? At that time, I thought I saw a fried chicken. I guess hunger could be a factor why one can see a chicken with the image of the frog. :)

When you angle the image above, below (fig 2) is the image of what will appear. What do you see now?

                                  fig 2


Yes! It is a horse. What comes into your mind when you see a horse?

• It is elegant.
• It is powerful.
• It helps human in travel and labor work; so, it is helpful.

To perceive is “to become aware of through the senses.” The above sample is just a preview on how human minds perceive or conclude an understanding of any objects based on what is seen by their naked eyes.

The dual view also presents how some people perceive financial planning and insurance. Often times, we thought saving for retirement or buying an insurance policy is an added expense to the already piling expenses we have at home.

Like the Frog or Horse illusion above, there are a lot of misconceptions or negative thoughts attached to "insurance".

• Life insurance will bring misfortune to ones’ lives since it talks about death, disability and sickness.
• Life insurance is just another expense on the list.
• Life insurance is only good for the beneficiaries since money will be claimed upon death of the insured.

Unfortunately, many people don’t realize the importance of life insurance until it’s too late.

Concept of life insurance:

• To protect those who depend on your paycheck, such as your wife, children and quite possibly, your parents.
• To provide ongoing income to your dependents, until they are able to live comfortably without it in case you die prematurely.
• To provide emergency support (in some cases) for legal, medical and funeral costs, should family savings not be sufficient to cover them.

Imagine yourself gone tomorrow; what would the immediate impact on your family be – financially speaking? Could they afford the immediate / current expenses? Who would pay the home mortgage? Who would pay for the educational expenses?

At this stage in your life, if you still don’t have life insurance, maybe it’s time to consider getting one.

 

Images from Mo Illusions