July 2025

What Is Stock Investing?

When you invest in stocks, you buy small ownership shares in companies. As these companies grow, your shares can increase in value. You also earn dividends—your share in the company’s profit.

Why It Works Alongside Your Day Job

• 🕒 Passive: Your money works without needing your daily attention.

• 📈 Compound growth: The longer you stay invested, the more you benefit.

• 🧩 Flexible: You can invest small amounts and scale up over time.

• 🛠️ Many platforms make investing easy for beginners.

Even investing just a few thousand pesos (or dollars) per month can lead to significant growth in 5 to 10 years—especially if you reinvest dividends.

Example: Jeff Rose of Good Financial Cents

A financial advisor by trade, Jeff built a personal finance blog that educates readers on investing while earning from affiliate links. His investments now work in the background while his content drives income.

Affiliate Marketing + Stock Investing = A Smart Combo

Here’s how these two methods complement each other:

One creates cash you can use now. The other builds your future.

Even better: You can use affiliate earnings to fund your stock portfolio, speeding up your wealth-building process.

Busting Common Myths

Many professionals hesitate to start because of these limiting beliefs:

“I don’t have time.”

You don’t need hours a day. Just 30–45 focused minutes, a few times a week, can make a real difference.

“I’m not good with tech.”

Modern platforms are designed for beginners. You can use drag-and-drop tools like Canva, WordPress, or Systeme.io. No coding required.

“It’s probably a scam.”

Affiliate marketing is a legitimate business model used by Amazon, Shopee, Canva, and thousands of global companies. As for stocks, licensed brokers are regulated and safe to use—just avoid risky trading schemes.

“It’s too late for me to start.”

Whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, it’s never too late to build something that gives you more options later in life. Start small, and stay consistent.

Getting Started: A Simple Beginner’s Plan

You don’t need a big budget or complicated strategy to begin. Here’s a basic roadmap:

Step 1: Choose Your Focus

• Affiliate: Pick one product or niche you’re interested in
• Stocks: Open an account with a trusted online broker

Step 2: Learn the Basics

• Read blogs or watch YouTube tutorials
• Follow beginner-friendly creators like Pat Flynn or Jeff Rose
• Join online communities for support and accountability

Step 3: Start Small

• Create your first blog post or video with an affiliate link
• Invest your first small amount (even $10 or ₱500 is a great start)
• Track progress weekly

Step 4: Build the Habit

• Block out 30 minutes a day or 2-3 hours per week

• Focus on consistency over perfection

• Celebrate small wins: your first click, first sale, or first dividend

Final Thoughts: Income That Works While You Do

Affiliate marketing and stock investing aren’t get-rich-quick schemes. They’re get-smart-slowly tools that help you build income and wealth in a way that aligns with your current responsibilities.

You don’t need to quit your job. You don’t need to be an expert.

But you do need to take the first step—and keep showing up consistently.

In a world where time is limited, building streams of income that don’t rely entirely on your daily labor is one of the smartest moves you can make.

Let your job be your base. Let online income be your boost.

Are you starting a small online business or freelancing gig in the Philippines? That’s great! But wait—did you know you need to register with the government, even if you work from home?

This blog post will help you. We’ll break down the steps in easy words. You’ll learn how to register as a sole proprietor or freelancer, get a BIR TIN, and pay taxes properly. Let’s go!

Why Should You Register Your Online Business?

Before we start, here’s why registration is important:

✅ It’s required by law

✅ You can issue official receipts

✅ You can open business bank accounts

✅ You build trust with clients

✅ You avoid penalties and problems with the BIR

Whether you sell online, offer services, or do affiliate marketing, registration makes you legit.

Step 1: Choose Your Business Type

If you work alone, you have 2 options:

1. Freelancer (Professional)

You use your real name and register as a professional. Examples: writer, virtual assistant, designer, online coach.

2. Sole Proprietor

You register a business name and use it in your transactions. Examples: Ray’s Digital Hub, Marquez Online Services.

📌 Note: For both, you’ll still deal with the BIR and LGU, but the process is a bit different.

Step 2: Get a DTI Business Name (for Sole Proprietors Only)

If you choose to become a sole proprietor, you need a business name.

Where to go:

https://bnrs.dti.gov.ph

Steps:

1. Go to the DTI Business Name Registration System.

2. Search for your name idea.

3. Fill up the form.

4. Pay the fee (ranges from ₱200 to ₱2,000 depending on scope).

5. Download your certificate.

🟡 Skip this step if you’re registering as a freelancer using your real name.

Step 3: Barangay Clearance & Mayor’s Permit

Yes, even online businesses need these.

For both freelancers and sole proprietors:

Steps:

1. Go to your Barangay Hall.

2. Bring:

• 1 valid ID

• Proof of address (e.g., utility bill or lease)

• DTI Certificate (for sole proprietor only)

3. Pay the barangay fee (around ₱300–₱500).

4. Get Barangay Clearance.

Then go to your City/Municipal Hall to get a Mayor’s Permit.

Tips:

• Bring the Barangay Clearance.

• Additional documents may be asked (e.g., sketch of location, occupancy permit).

• Mayor’s Permit fees range from ₱1,000 to ₱5,000 depending on business type and location.

Step 4: Register with the BIR

Now it’s time to register with the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR). This is the most important step for taxes.

Go to the BIR Revenue District Office (RDO) where your business is located.

What to bring:

• Valid ID

• DTI Certificate (if applicable)

• Mayor’s Permit

• Barangay Clearance

• Proof of address

• BIR Form 1901 (for freelancers and sole proprietors)

• BIR Form 0605 (Payment Form – for the ₱500 registration fee)

📌 If you’re registering as a professional (freelancer), include your PRC ID or portfolio/resume.

Steps:

1. Fill up BIR Form 1901.

2. Pay ₱500 at the BIR-authorized bank using Form 0605.

3. Submit your documents to your RDO.

4. Attend the BIR taxpayer’s seminar (some RDOs may skip this).

5. Receive your:

• Certificate of Registration (COR)

• Ask permission to print official receipts or apply for “Non-VAT BIR Printed Receipts”

Step 5: Buy or Print Your Official Receipts

Once you’re registered with the BIR, you need to issue official receipts (ORs) to your clients.

You have 2 options:

✅ Apply for BIR Printed Receipts

• This is cheaper and faster.

• Use BIR-issued receipts valid for a year.

✅ Apply to Print Your Own Receipts

• More expensive and needs a printing permit.

• Ideal for businesses with branding needs.

You must also have:

• Books of Accounts (you can use a notebook or buy from bookstores)

• Journal, Ledger, Cash Receipts

📌 Don’t forget to register your books at the BIR!

Step 6: File and Pay Your Taxes

Once registered, you must file tax returns, even if you don’t earn anything yet.

Common Taxes for Freelancers and Sole Proprietors:

✅ Quarterly Income Tax (BIR Form 1701Q)

✅ Annual Income Tax (BIR Form 1701)

✅ Quarterly Percentage Tax (BIR Form 2551Q)

✅ Withholding Tax (optional, if you hire staff)

🟡 Good news! If your income is under ₱250,000 per year, you may pay zero tax—but you still need to file.

Bonus Tip: Use an Online Tax Filing App

Filing taxes can be stressful. But good news: there are local tools that make it easier!

Try These:

• Taxumo – User-friendly app for freelancers

• JuanTax – For sole proprietors with VAT or more advanced needs

• TaxWhizPH – Offers online consultations and support

📌 Some apps offer affiliate programs—perfect if you want to recommend them and earn on the side!