The Purposeful Bookkeeper

26/10/2025

Sunday Reflections 🕊️

Today’s message at CCF really spoke to me.
We went through 2 Timothy 1:1–14, and one truth stood out:

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”

There are times when we feel unqualified or not enough for what God is asking us to do whether in work, family, or life.

But today reminded me that God doesn’t call people who already have it all together.

He calls the unqualified, then gives them strength and wisdom.

Our part is to keep showing up and to “fan into flame” the gift He placed in us.

It’s when we feel the weakest that God shows His power works best. 💙

Grateful for this reminder today. 🙏

25/10/2025

Di ko alam bat parang pare-pareho kayo ng comment. Pero tenchuuu hihihi

24/10/2025

(Below is a picture of me when I was still in the corporate world)

When I was still in corporate, earning ₱40K–₱45K/month already meant you were doing really well. That’s already a senior-level salary for many bookkeepers/accountants.

But in the remote space, entry-level positions can already earn around ₱50K/month. Sometimes more, depending on skills and clients.

And here’s the thing! In corporate, you still spend for:
🚗 Daily commute (and gas, if you drive)
🍱 Food outside
🕒 Time stuck in traffic

In remote work, you earn in dollars while spending in pesos, and you do it all from home!

Some say freelancing isn’t stable.
True, I wouldn’t deny it.
But for me, stability is the ability to bounce back from any setback.

But here’s an interesting trade-off, when the USD rate rises, the earning power of remote workers often increases too.

Meanwhile, in corporate, salaries usually stay the same for years even when the prices of goods rise because of inflation driven by a stronger dollar, among many factors of course.

Both paths have pros and cons.
Corporate offers structure and predictability.
Remote work offers flexibility and higher earning potential.

At the end of the day, it’s not about which one is better. It is about which one aligns with the kind of life and purpose you want to build. 💙

23/10/2025

When I started freelancing, I used to think charging less would help me get more clients.

But it didn’t.

It only attracted the ones who weren’t sure about what they really needed.

Later on, I realized that clients don’t back off because your rate is high. They back off when they feel you’re still doubting yourself.

Your price isn’t just a number. Your price is also a message. It tells clients how much trust they can place in you.

✅ A $500 rate says, “I’m still finding my footing.”
✅ A $1,500 rate says, “I know my craft and the value I bring.”
✅ A $2,500 rate says, “You can trust me to deliver with excellence.”

And while it’s true that many foreign companies hire offshore accountants and bookkeepers to save on costs, that’s perfectly fair.

Businesses naturally look for efficiency.

But I’ve realized after working remotely for a few years that the best partnerships aren’t built on cheap labor. They’re built on mutual value.

Clients save on overhead.
We, on the other hand, gain the chance to work from home, earn in dollars, and build better lives for our families.

That’s fair exchange. 🙌

I’m sharing this as a reminder to my fellow OFWs (Online Filipino Workers) that you don’t have to undervalue your skills to be competitive.

Stand firm in your worth. The right clients will always recognize it. 💙

23/10/2025

There are times when I’m pressured and too focused at work, and my son just wants to play with me.

Sometimes I lose my rhythm. Sometimes it slows me down, but maybe that’s the point 😊

I’ll never regret slowing down for moments like this ✨

23/10/2025

A friend of mine, who is also a fellow remote bookkeeper, just bought his brand-new car.

And here’s the amazing part, he only started his remote journey last year.

No office.
No fancy setup.
Just skills, a laptop, and the courage to begin.

His success reminds me that you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin.

You just need to start, and then keep going.

If you’re considering this path and wondering whether it actually works, I can tell you: IT DOES. And there’s no reason you can’t make it work for you too.

23/10/2025

23/10/2025

Habang nakikinig ng podcast sa Spotify ✨

22/10/2025

How would you like a 65–70 USD rate?

For USD earners, that could mean more value for every hour we work.

It might sound good for us, but let’s not forget that higher rates can also push up prices. Groceries, gas, and other basic commodities could follow.

So while we earn more, let’s also save wiser. 💙

The charts don’t lie. We are at a critical level. 📊

22/10/2025

I’ve been seeing a lot of talk lately about how AI will “revolutionize accounting.”

Less manual work
Higher margins
More clients

But from what I’ve been hearing and seeing, AI tools just sound amazing in demos. But when it comes to real bookkeeping work, things get messy.

It still needs human judgment, context, and experience.

So while AI can be a great helper, it’s not a replacement for a skilled and seasoned bookkeeper.

The future isn’t AI vs. accountants. The future is accountants with AI.

How about you? Have you tried using AI tools in your work yet?

22/10/2025

Another job opportunity :)

22/10/2025

(Who you know vs. who knows you)

We often hear that “it’s all about who you know.” But over time, I’ve realized that it’s not just who you know, but it’s who knows you.

And more importantly, what they know you for.

You can have a long contact list, but if those people don’t truly understand your value, your integrity, or your capabilities, the connection may not lead anywhere.

Build relationships but also focus on showing up consistently with your work, your character, and your impact.

That’s how you turn connections into opportunities.