Why I Chose to Become a Personal Finance Writer, Journalist, and Blogger

SHEENA RICARTE
6 min readMay 16, 2024

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~ Thursday, May 16, 2024 Blog Post

*Updated on Saturday, June 29, 2024 — The article, “Pursuing My Passion for Personal Finance Writing and Journalism” was added at the bottom of this article.

Nonetheless, since I was younger and after I graduated from college in 2004, I have always wanted to write and have been fascinated with money’s indubitable power and importance in people’s lives. (Sheena Ricarte, May 2024)

I graduated AB Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, Magna Cum Laude on October 16, 2004. I earned my undergraduate degree from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila, Philippines, and I proudly finished on top of the batch with the highest grade point average of 3.767. After that educational phase, I finished the coursework for MA Political Science at the adjacent De La Salle University in 2009.

I was absolutely an outstanding and diligent college and graduate school student. My parents wanted me to follow in my Dad’s footsteps. My Dad served as a government official. He is a Brigadier General in the Philippine Air Force who retired in 2003. My parents always told me that I should be working in the government as a foreign service officer or a diplomat or at a foreign embassy. They always pointed out that I should not waste my intelligence and college degree, which is their investment worth millions of Philippine pesos from a reputable university.

My parents are correct in their insights and following them would have led me to a different path. Nonetheless, since I was younger and after I graduated from college in 2004, I have always wanted to write and have been fascinated with money’s indubitable power and importance in people’s lives. I always wanted to become a writer working quietly in front of my laptop. Moreover, I have always loved journaling. In fact, in my house, I have tons of fresh and recycled journals I myself designed.

I’m glad to have moved past “the tyranny of the should.” (Sheena Ricarte, May 2024)

Additionally, I love the feelings delivered by the advantages of financial security and wealth, both of which involve disproportionate amounts of money. I have always lived a very comfortable lifestyle, and I want my life this way until my greying years.

I’m glad to have moved past “the tyranny of the should.” Psychologist Karen Horney coined this expression in 1950 in her book, “Neurosis and Human Growth: The Struggle Toward Self-Realization.” The “tyranny of the should” involves people generally doing things they think they should do, or because others think they should, when the important thing in life is to figure out what one actually WANTS to do ! ! ! !

Hence, I have decided to do what I WANT. I have decided to do WHAT MAKES ME HAPPY, that is, writing news and blog posts about personal finance, finance, and other things related to money. The degrees I earned at university helped me polish my cognitive and writing skills.

With the career I chose for myself, I get to discover more about money’s undeniable power and significance in people’s lives and I surely enjoy this activity. Furthermore, I get to find out more about how I can achieve my lifelong objective of financial security and cement my personal status of a financially secure and financially savvy millennial, living quietly, and relishing my love for saving, investing, reinvesting, learning about, and enjoying my hard-earned money for the rest of my life.

Reference:

https://merton.bellarmine.edu/files/original/f8327de5adb7b4804bbe41b3fbdeadb0e4f27670.pdf

Article #2: Pursuing My Passion for Personal Finance Writing and Journalism [From Linnk AI]

Core Concepts

I have chosen to become a personal finance writer, journalist, and blogger to pursue my lifelong passion for writing and my fascination with the power and importance of money in people’s lives, despite my parents’ expectations for me to work in government.

Abstract

The author, Sheena Ricarte, shares her journey of becoming a personal finance writer, journalist, and blogger. Despite her parents’ expectations for her to pursue a career in government, the author has always been passionate about writing and fascinated by the power and significance of money in people’s lives. The author graduated with a magna cum laude degree in AB Consular and Diplomatic Affairs from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in the Philippines in 2004. She then completed the coursework for an MA in Political Science at De La Salle University in 2009. Her parents wanted her to follow in her father’s footsteps and work as a foreign service officer, diplomat, or at a foreign embassy, as they believed she should not waste her intelligence and college degree. However, the author has always wanted to become a writer and has been passionate about personal finance and money-related topics. She has always loved journaling and has a collection of journals she designed herself. The author has decided to pursue her true passion and become a personal finance writer, journalist, and blogger, moving past the “tyranny of the should” as described by psychologist Karen Horney. The author believes that the degrees she earned have helped her polish her cognitive and writing skills, which she now applies to her chosen career path. She is excited to discover more about the power and significance of money in people’s lives and to achieve her lifelong goal of financial security and being a financially savvy millennial.

Stats

The author graduated AB Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, Magna Cum Laude on October 16, 2004 from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde in Manila, Philippines, with the highest grade point average of 3.767. The author completed the coursework for MA Political Science at De La Salle University in 2009.

Quotes

“Nonetheless, since I was younger and after I graduated from college in 2004, I have always wanted to write and have been fascinated with money’s indubitable power and importance in people’s lives.” “I’m glad to have moved past ‘the tyranny of the should.’”

Key Insights Distilled From

Deeper Inquiries

How can the author’s personal finance writing and journalism help empower others to achieve financial security and literacy?

The author’s personal finance writing and journalism can empower others by providing valuable insights, tips, and information on various financial topics. Through her articles and blog posts, she can educate readers on budgeting, saving, investing, and other essential financial skills. By sharing her knowledge and experiences, she can help readers make informed decisions about their finances, ultimately leading them towards financial security and literacy. Additionally, the author can use real-life examples and practical advice to make complex financial concepts more accessible and understandable to a wider audience.

What challenges might the author face in establishing herself as a credible and influential personal finance writer and journalist, and how can she overcome them?

One challenge the author may face is gaining credibility and building a reputation in the competitive field of personal finance writing. To overcome this, she can focus on producing high-quality content that is well-researched, accurate, and engaging. Collaborating with established financial experts or influencers can also help enhance her credibility. Another challenge could be reaching a wider audience and building a loyal readership. The author can overcome this by leveraging social media, networking with other professionals in the industry, and actively engaging with her audience through comments and feedback.

What insights or lessons from the author’s own financial journey could she share to inspire and guide her readers?

The author can share insights from her own financial journey, such as the importance of setting financial goals, creating a budget, and consistently saving and investing for the future. She can also share personal anecdotes about overcoming financial challenges or making smart financial decisions that have helped her achieve financial security. By being transparent about her own experiences, the author can inspire and motivate her readers to take control of their finances and work towards their own financial goals. Additionally, she can emphasize the value of financial education and continuous learning in building a strong financial foundation.

Source:

https://linnk.ai/insight/software-development/pursuing-my-passion-for-personal-finance-writing-and-journalism-IzduEdhX/

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SHEENA RICARTE

Freelance finance writer Sheena Ricarte's interests comprise international finance, economics, personal finance, asset protection law, & investment management.