Manulife GradMaker App - Momma 'N Manila

I have a dream for each of my children to go onto college after graduating high school. I’m hoping that the Manulife GradMaker Application will help me on my way to providing for this dream most especially for Gellibean.

I am sure that many of you who are reading this blog post have the same kind of educational dreams for your children as well.

The best gift we can give all of our children is the gift of their education.

It’s not an unusual dream, nor a dream that seems lofty in its ideals.

In fact, many of us already know and understand the importance of education as the most lasting gift we can give our children, after the base we give them in their faith and values.

One thing I know, is it’s not an easy task to save the money needed in order to send a (not so) lil off to university.

In fact, sending a (not so) lil off to college can be daunting in more ways than one.

April 2017 had all of my kids graduating some level of education Gelli went on to Kindergarten. Diego graduated grade school. Miguel moved on to high school, and Gia graduated high school and is now enjoying her first year of college.

I know this because Gia is now in her first year of college already. This entire process was made a little easier for me, because Gia has proven herself to be so independent.

I did not have to help her with her applications.
Nor her exams.
Or her registration, or even her car pool.

She did most everything on her own and would only ask for help when it came time to paying for different fees or when a credit card was needed to enter for a reservation.

As a mom, I know that each of my kids have their own interests and God given gifts. AND just as I know and understand this, I also know that each of their application processes, choice of colleges, and all that is involved will be just as different as each of them are.

This much I am sure of.

But as I write this, again, I am reminded how much I take for granted with each of these big kids. I want them to go to college, and God willing, I know they will have a plethora of colleges to choose from if that is their desire.

We missed #Gellibean ‘s #graduation and moving up ceremony this year because she was under the weather. But man, this photo speaks volumes for her and her experience @thelittleapprenticepreschool. I look at this photo and I laugh out loud. I laugh at the naysayers who told me she wouldn’t walk until she was four years old or talk clearly until she was eight. Here she is allowed to be her silly self, embraced for all her talents, and nurtured by the teachers, teaching assistants, and administration of our favorite preschool. #downsyndromeawareness #preschool #manila #downsyndromelove

A post shared by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Mar 28, 2017 at 9:00pm PDT

What happens when Gelli wants to go to college?
Where will she go?
What happens when my child with Down Syndrome, chooses to study education to become the teacher that she tells me she wants to be?

Today we had our #yearbook #pictorial for #Gellibean @thelearningchildschool. For those of you who know her, you know that this girl is a baby boss. She likes to lead, and she also likes to teach. Hence, when we asked her what she wants to be when she grows up, she answered that she wants to be a #Teacher. Here she is, totally in character, pointing to where she wants to go for her 7th birthday. @manila.gent take note. She said she wants to celebrate with Mickey. • • • • #inclusiveeducation #education #kindergarten #kidsofinstagram #kids #downsyndromeawareness #downsyndromelove #teacher #cutie #changingthefaceofbeauty

A post shared by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Feb 14, 2018 at 12:44am PST

Will she have more than her choice of two colleges? Because if Gelli was to choose to go to university right now, she can choose from De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, or Centro Escolar University. (I bet you didn’t know this.) If more colleges follow their examples, then I know that in about 12 years when Gelli is ready to go on for her higher education, she will more than two choices to pursue her higher education.

And we need to be ready.

Recently, I attended a launch and learned more about the Manulife GradMaker app, and their new ambassador Bianca Gonzalez-Intal. • • • • I don’t think they could have made it any easier to start investing in the future for Gellibean’s education. Plus, the added benefit of contributing to the education of another child in provinces where education is not as accessible is a win win for me. • • • • Watch Bianca’s video to see how easy it is to start saving for their kids college tuition right now https://www.facebook.com/iamsuperbianca/videos/10155552448829613/ and visit www.mommanmanila.com to learn more about how you can get started on investing in your child’s future, with your own app! • • • • #ManulifeGradMaker #Manulife #GradMaker #Mobile #DIY #Investing #Insurance #InsuranceWithInvestment #CollegeFund #Education #Digital #Innovation @manulifeph @manulifegradmaker

A post shared by Michelle Aventajado (@mommanmanila) on Mar 13, 2018 at 11:22pm PDT

With the Manulife Grad Maker App, our lives were just made easier.

Photo Credit: Manulife Philippines Youtube

Confession: I know nothing about investing our money. Stocks. Funds. Annuities or the like. I DO know that we need to save money for all of our kids’ education, though.

So how did Manulife make it easier on me and Nino?

With this first of it’s kind, app, saving for college just became monumentally easier. In fact, you can see that Bianca Gonzalez Intal was able to set up her account for Lucia in a matter of minutes with a minimum investment of P10,000.00.

So, how does it work?

Download the app from the Apple App Store or from the Google Play Store
Set Up your account
Upload a photo of your ID
Select payment method/enter bank account information
BAM! Your kiddo has an account

Want to know an added plus?

This “industry first, has an added feature allowing parents to save for their child’s college education, using a mobile phone, AND gifts parents an insurance policy that is automatically included in the app,” shares Ryan Charland, CEO of Manulife Philippines.

Here are some of the things that I love about this app:

It’s so easy to use.
You can invest anywhere, as long as you have your phone.
It’s eco-friendly. No printouts necessary to keep track of your investment.
You don’t have to research anything. It’s all done for you. (investments are always intimidating for me.)
The insurance benefit is what sets this apart from other investment funds. Gradmaker is a variable life product.
For every investment made in MANULIFE PHILIPPINES through the app, Manulife GIVES 1% (of their own money) to CARTWHEEL FOUNDATION.

I think this is one of my favorite features of this product. The fact that there is social responsibility built into investing makes the user feel like she is giving back too!

What does that mean?

It means that you are not only saving and putting aside money for your child through a peso dynamic allocation fund which can earn up to 8.5% on your investment, you are also helping other kids in far flung areas of the Philippines (WITH SPECIAL NEEDS) receive an education as well!

Sitting down with both Bianca and the executives of Manulife Philippines helped me create a solid understanding of how this investment app can help me save for Gelli’s future.

During the informative media launch of this app, I was able to sit down with both Bianca and the executives for Manulife. Like I said, investments intimidate me, so I had only a few things I wanted clarified because as intimidating as they are, this app makes the whole process really simple.

Actually. SO SIMPLE.

So simple, that I only had a few questions:

Question: If I calculate the projected cost of 4 years at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde for Gelli, and she changes her mind or there are other schools for her to choose from by that time, what will happen?

Answer: Actually, the app just uses the choice of college for projection costs only. We are not locked into CSB per say, we just use that as a basis for the cost of college now, and the projected cost in 12 years.

Question: Since the money invested in the app, is put into a Peso Dynamic Allocation Fund, will there be a penalty if I decide to pull the money out earlier than 12 years?

Answer: There will be NO penalty if money is pulled out after a 5 year period. But before that, there will be a 2% withdrawal fee inclusive of the total account value.

Now, some of you may have other questions. Here is a simple FAQ sheet for you to take a look at: