Helping freelancers manage their income and plan for the future.
VULs, or Variable Universal Life insurance plans, are one of the most widely marketed financial products in the Philippines. You’ve probably heard about them through friends, family, or a financial advisor offering life insurance with an investment component. At first glance, they sound ideal: life insurance and investing in one plan. But if you go … Read more
It took me a long time to write about this. VULs (Variable Unit-Linked insurance plans) are a controversial topic, and I’ve spent more time than I’d like to admit reading through Reddit rabbit holes and finance threads. A lot of people have VULs, and many are wondering why their “investments” aren’t really growing. If you’re … Read more
Budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need fancy tools or an accounting degree to take control of your money. What you do need is a system that reflects your real life, especially if your income isn’t the same every month. Budgeting is the bedrock of personal finance. Every financially successful person who built … Read more
Money isn’t just about math. It’s shaped by our families, culture, and what we saw growing up. And for many Filipinos, that includes habits and beliefs we never questioned because they were “just how things are.” But some of those habits are quietly holding us back. This isn’t about blaming our parents or shaming anyone. … Read more
I’ve recently read a news article about credit card debt in the Philippines reaching “critical risk” levels, and it struck a chord with me. It reminded me of a challenging time that shaped how I handle money now. In my 20s, I carried over ₱100,000 in credit card debt. I was young, new to the … Read more
The internet has been buzzing with frustration over the “new” 20% tax on savings. Social media is full of angry comments, and clickbait-y headlines didn’t help either. Here’s the truth: the 20% tax on savings interest is not new. It has been there for years. To illustrate, below is a screenshot of my interest earned from … Read more
I grew up in a hardworking middle-income Filipino household, raised by parents who did everything they could to give us a better life. And they succeeded. I carry with me so many of their values: perseverance, gratitude, and the ability to make do with what you have. But as I got older, I started noticing … Read more
I first stumbled upon minimalism in 2016, just before turning 25. I wasn’t depressed, but I wasn’t in a good place either at the time. I think it was a quiet quarter-life crisis. I liked my job, but I was in debt, constantly stressed and burned out, and quietly wondering if this was really it. … Read more
When I first started freelancing, I was obsessed with one thing: earning more. I’d take on multiple clients, chase deadlines, and hustle hard to hit my monthly income goals. But over time, I realized that freelancing isn’t just about making money but also about managing it well through personal finance. It took a few financial … Read more