Building Financial Confidence
Stories from real people managing their budgets better, policy changes that affect your wallet, and practical money advice you can actually use.
March 18, 2025
Starting this April, Philippine banks need to disclose all charges upfront. This changes how you'll see maintenance fees, transfer costs, and withdrawal penalties. We've talked to several local banks about what this means for your daily transactions.
Learn more about banking basics
March 12, 2025
Three families in General Santos City share how they've adjusted their monthly food budgets. Practical swaps and shopping timing that actually work.
March 5, 2025
We asked people under 30 how they're handling credit cards and loans. Their answers might surprise you—or at least give you some ideas.
Quick updates on what's happening in personal finance right now.
March 20, 2025
GCash and Maya both added features that categorize your spending automatically. We tested them for a week—they're helpful but not perfect. You still need to review what the app labels as "food" versus "entertainment."
March 8, 2025
South Cotabato households might see a small decrease in bills starting next month. It's not huge—maybe 50-80 pesos for average consumption—but every bit helps when you're tracking expenses closely.
February 28, 2025
Five local cooperatives are running free budget planning sessions through May. They cover basics like emergency funds and debt repayment strategies. No sales pitch—just straightforward information from people who actually work with members' finances daily.
February 15, 2025
Several universities now offer quarterly payment options instead of just semestral. Parents we spoke with say this makes budgeting easier, though you need to watch the processing fees that come with extra installments.
Transportation and food costs are doing different things right now. Jeepney fares stayed flat while vegetables jumped. We're tracking how this affects typical household budgets and what adjustments make sense.
New SEC rules mean those quick-loan apps have to be more transparent about interest rates. Some apps already shut down—the ones that were charging outrageous amounts. Others are adjusting their terms.
Traditional "paluwagan" systems are getting popular again, especially among younger workers. People like the forced saving aspect and the community accountability. Just pick your group carefully.
Most advice says save six months of expenses. But local surveys show three months is more realistic for many households. Starting with one month is better than nothing—and you can build from there.
Budget Counselor
Spent 12 years helping families untangle their finances. Started as a bank teller, now runs workshops on practical money management.
Policy Researcher
Tracks banking regulations and consumer protection laws. Translates policy changes into plain language people can actually understand and use.
Expert Perspectives
Our contributors work directly with individuals and families managing their money. They share what they're seeing in real situations—not textbook scenarios. Sometimes that means admitting there's no perfect answer, just better options depending on your circumstances.
