New year, new financial goals? Not so fast.
While 49% of people aim to save money every new year, 80% of resolutions fail within weeks. But don’t let that discourage you. especially if you’re reading this in 2026.
If you’re like thousands of Filipinos on r/phinvest asking “Is it too late to start investing at 29?” or “How do I build an emergency fund with a 20k salary?,” you’re already ahead.
The fact that you’re here means you’re ready to move beyond spending and 13th-month pay splurges.
Building consistent money habits can help you grow your wealth by thousands — even millions — of pesos this year.
Contents
- Track your expenses diligently
- Automate savings and investments
- Prioritize debt repayment and set a realistic timeline
- Invest in upskilling yourself for better pay
- Master the 30-day money rule to avoid overspending
- Surround yourself with like-minded individuals for support and accountability
- Keep your financial plan fresh
1. Track your expenses diligently
Start with the basics. Write down everything you spend. Use free apps or go old-school with pen and paper. Got a family? Put a whiteboard on the fridge and make expense tracking a team sport.
Here’s why it matters. Studies show people who track spending stick to budgets better.
Most Filipinos on r/phinvest who built their first 100k emergency fund started here. One user shared:
“Nastart ko magkapiggy bank for the first time and nakaipon ako ng 7k. It might be small, pero yung thought na nakapag piggy bank ako is the achievement.”
Filipino expense tracking tools that actually work:
- Maya app Wallet. Tracks your spending via Transactions, especially useful for cashless transactions. Keep it simple.
- Digital bank transaction history. Most PH digital banks (CIMB, GoTyme, Tonik) have built-in categorization.
- Google Sheets templates. Popular in r/phinvest community—search “2026 financial tracker Philippines”
Pro tip for Filipinos: Track your December to January spending separately. The 13th-month pay, Christmas gifts, and New Year expenses can skew your “normal” monthly budget.
One r/phinvest user recommends:
“I have a weird financial calendar that ends on November. Because December is expensive (13th month bonuses, travels, gifts, taxes, etc.), this makes me more thrifty moving to next year.”
Give it a month. Soon, tracking becomes second nature, and those numbers might surprise you.
2. Automate savings and investments
Stop manually moving money. Set up auto-transfers on payday before “add to cart” temptations hit. Your future self will thank you when that Shopee sale rolls around.
Why it works? Science says less thinking = better money moves. You remove the cognitive load right off the bat. When you automate this, you bypass the mental load of deciding to save. Plus, money you don’t see is money you won’t spend.
Filipino automation tools that work:
- GSave (GCash Savings). Auto-save features with 2.6% p.a. Set up automatic transfers from your GCash wallet.
- Modified Pag-IBIG MP2. Set up auto-debit from your payroll account. Lock in 5-6% annual dividends.
- COL Financial SIP. Systematic Investment Plan auto-debits monthly to buy stocks consistently.
- Digital bank auto-save. CIMB UpSave, GoTyme Savings, and Tonik Stash auto-round up purchases and save the difference.
Mine, I use my Union Bank account to do this. So, definitely, try checking out what works for you and keep it simple.
So, how do you do this? Schedule transfers for the 15th and 30th. Let technology guard your wallet. Start with just ₱500/month and set it up today.
3. Prioritize debt repayment and set a realistic timeline
Prioritize debt repayment and set time-bound goals. Be ruthless about this habit.
Here’s Dave Ramsey’s fix: The snowball method. Start small. Pick your tiniest credit card debt, crush it, and then snowball to the next. Meanwhile, keep minimum payments flowing to others.
Action plan to achieve financial goals:
- List all credit card balance
- Track interest rates
- Set a realistic financial plan
- Adjust finances (yes, it’ll hurt)
- Consider household income boosters
Make this a reality check. Stop the bleeding now. Your emergency fund depends on it.
4. Invest in upskilling yourself for better pay
Can’t read 500 pages like Warren Buffett? No problem. Modern learning is smarter these days. Listen to audiobooks during commutes, grab an eBook subscription, or take free online courses instead of doom-scrolling.
In 2026’s Philippine job market, AI, data science, cloud engineering, and cybersecurity skills command premium salaries. Even trade skills like construction estimation and agricultural technology are experiencing demand surges as automation reshapes traditional office work.
Here’s the truth: 87% of online learners reported career boosts, from promotions to bigger paychecks. So, if you want any of these, make sure you also do your part.
Ready to invest in yourself? Start with personal finance books, then level up to a money coach or financial advisor when you can afford one.
Filipino professionals can also explore TESDA’s online programs or local certifications that employers recognize. Your smartphone can be your classroom—make it count.
5. Master the 30-day money rule to avoid overspending
Want to create better spending habits? When that impulse spending hits, pause for 30 days. Here’s why: Most “urgent” purchases aren’t urgent.
This is especially powerful during December, when 13th-month pay and holiday sales test your discipline. Apply the same rule to “pakikisama” spending—wedding gifts, party contributions, pasalubong expectations. Real friends understand budget boundaries.
During your waiting period, ask yourself:
- Is this a short term want or a real need?
- Can my mortgage or other bills wait?
- Could I find better deals for my future savings?
- Will this credit card bill keep me up at night?
- How can I protect my savings account and emergency fund?
That stay motivated feeling from shopping? It’s temporary. But a healthy financial situation lasts. Your retirement savings will thank you for every impulse purchase you skip.
If you can’t pay in cash from your regular basis income, it’s probably not worth tapping your high-yield savings account or investment account. Let your financial tools work for you, not against you.
Remember, a good financial journey starts with smart choices. Your retirement fund grows one skipped splurge at a time.
6. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals for support and accountability
Need a push to achieve your money goals? Find your tribe. Money moves are better with backup.
Digital spaces to level up:
- Reddit’s PH Investing community (real talk about investment account strategies)
- PSE Daily (stock market pulse)
- Money-saving groups (daily financial tools and tips)
Here’s the deal: A good financial journey starts with good company. Share wins, ask questions, but filter advice—what works for their life might not fit your path.
Pick forums focused on your current goal, whether starting an emergency fund or planning for retirement. Let the collective wisdom inspire your financial future.
Remember: You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with. Choose your money mentors wisely.
7. Keep your financial plan fresh
Think of your money like your body—both need regular check-ups to thrive. Just as you track steps, count calories, and hit the gym, your financial health needs its own fitness routine. So, make sure you also do these regular financial check ups.
Perfect timing for Filipinos: Start your 2026 financial review now. Post-13th month and New Year expenses are over. It’s time to recalibrate.
Quarterly:
- Track your savings goals progress
- Review monthly payments
- Adjust your household income allocation
Yearly:
- Deep dive into your retirement account
- Update long term goals
- Review investment account performance
Life Changes? Reset your plan when:
- Landing that new job
- Buying a new car
- Updating your mortgage
Create calendar alerts for these money dates. Your financial future needs regular maintenance to stay healthy.
Always remember, what worked last year might not work now. Keep that financial success plan flexible—like your favorite workout routine but for your wallet.
People also ask about financial habits
1. How do I start building healthy financial habits?
Building healthy financial habits starts with small, consistent steps. First, track where your money goes for 30 days – every peso counts. Then, automate your finances: set up transfers for savings, bills, and investments. The key? Start with one good money habit at a time. Whether it’s brown-bagging lunch or canceling unused subscriptions, these small wins compound into major financial victories.
2. What’s the ideal amount for an emergency fund?
Your emergency fund should cover 3-6 months of essential expenses. But here’s the real talk: start with ₱5,000, then build it up. This financial safety net prevents you from falling into credit card debt when life throws curveballs. Keep it in a high-yield savings account – your money should work while it waits.
3. How can I break bad money habits?
Breaking bad money habits is like breaking up – it’s tough but worth it. Start by identifying your spending triggers. Shopping when stressed? Mindless “add to cart” clicks? These drain your credit card balance fast. Replace these with good financial habits: use the 30-day rule, track expenses, or find free entertainment. Remember, your financial future depends on today’s choices.
4. Which financial decisions should I prioritize?
Think of financial decisions like a ladder. Start at the bottom: emergency fund first, then tackle high-interest credit card debt. Next, focus on putting money into retirement and investment accounts. The key to achieve financial goals? Prioritize based on your personal finance situation. High-interest debt is usually the emergency you need to handle first.
5. Is a high-yield savings account worth it?
Short answer? Absolutely. Here’s why: while regular savings accounts offer minimal interest, high-yield accounts make your money work harder. Sure, you won’t get rich overnight, but even a 4% annual return beats the typical 0.1%. Perfect for emergency funds or short-term savings goals. Just watch out for minimum balance requirements and fees.
6. How do I budget my 13th month pay wisely in 2026?
Your 13th month pay is a financial reset button—use it wisely. Split it strategically: 50% to emergency fund or debt repayment, 30% to investments (MP2 or digital bank savings), and 20% for year-end needs. Automate transfers before holiday spending temptations hit.
Pro tip: Don’t treat it as “extra” money—it’s part of your annual income. Use December as your financial planning month, not just your spending month.
7. Should I pay off debt first or build my emergency fund?
Following Dave Ramsey’s proven Baby Steps: Start with a ₱5,000-10,000 “starter” emergency fund (Baby Step 1): just enough to handle small emergencies without derailing your progress. Then, attack all debt (except your home) using the snowball method (Baby Step 2). Once debt-free, build your full 3-6 months emergency fund (Baby Step 3).
Why this order? The small starter fund prevents you from taking on additional debt while you aggressively pay off high-interest debt. This ₱5,000-10,000 covers a minor clinic visit or emergency travel, but you’ll need the full emergency fund later for major expenses like hospitalization or typhoon damage.
The key: get “gazelle intense” on debt payoff after your starter fund is in place. Every extra peso goes to debt until it’s gone—then you can breathe and build that full emergency fund properly.
Final thoughts
As we wrap up this article, it’s clear that personal finance is not just about setting New Year’s resolutions. It’s about forming healthy habits that will have a long-lasting impact on your financial well-being.
From diligently tracking your expenses and automating your savings to prioritizing debt repayment and investing in yourself, these are all habits you should adopt now.
Remember, it’s never too late to start practicing these habits and taking control of your finances.
Which habit are you most excited to start implementing?
We can’t wait to see the positive changes it brings to your life. If you find this helpful, share this article with a friend, and together you can do better.
Want more smart money tips like this? Bookmark MoneySmart Philippines for practical guides on managing your finances during the holidays and beyond.