Author: Belle

In these uncertain times, having an emergency fund is more important than ever. An emergency fund is a money set aside for unexpected expenses such as job loss, medical bills, or unexpected events in life. Starting an emergency fund can provide you with peace of mind and financial security. We compiled ways on how to start building your emergency fund:

1. Calculate Your Monthly Expenses

The first step in putting together an emergency fund is determining your monthly expenses. Rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, and other regular expenses should be included. After calculating your monthly expenses, aim to save at least 3 months’ worth of living expenses (realistically since we are living in the Philippines). This will ensure that you have sufficient funds to meet your basic needs in the event of an emergency.

2. Make an emergency fund goal

Set aside some money for an emergency fund once you’ve determined your monthly expenses. This is based on your income and expenses, and it should be attainable and realistic. Begin by putting aside a small sum each month and slowly increasing it over time.

3. Open a separate emergency fund account

It is critical to open a separate account for your emergency fund to ensure that it is not mixed in with your other savings or expenses. You can check digital banks like Seabank and Maya that offers high interest rate and easy access to your money.

4. Try to automate your savings

Saving automatically is an easy strategy for creating your emergency fund or any other savings goal. Set up a monthly automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account to ensure that a percentage of your salary is saved saves you time and effort. Currently, UnionBank and BPI are the only banks in the country that provide this service.

5. Avoid from dipping into your emergency fund

Once you’ve built up your emergency fund, avoid the temptation to dip into it for unnecessary expenses. Keep in mind that your emergency fund is is meant to provide a safety net in the event of unforeseen expenses or income loss. If ever that you have to utilize your emergency fund, rebuild it as quickly as possible.

Building an emergency fund is a big part of adulting and securing your financial future. Saving money isn’t all about giving up things you like, it’s also about planning for your future success. With a bit of self-control and determination, you can have financial peace of mind. Start building your emergency fund now to take control of your financial destiny and reach financial security. Let’s do this!

In managing your finances, budgeting is a significant step toward achieving financial stability and freedom. It can help you may manage your income and expenses, set priorities for your spending, and make informed financial decisions. A well-crafted budget can assist you in reaching your financial objectives, whether they involve reducing debt, saving for a major purchase, or simply managing your money more wisely.

At the same time, you must consider the current state of inflation that is happening to us. This can have a significant impact on how we manage our finances and plan our budgets. As inflation strikes, the prices of things keep going up over time, making your money worth less so in the future the amount of money you have today may not be enough to buy the same things.

1. Determine your monthly income

The sum of your monthly salary as well as any other sources of income you may have from side hustles.

2. Subtract your necessary expenses

Begin by allocating 80% of your income to essential daily living expenses such as rent, bills, food, transportation, and insurance. If these costs exceed 80%, you may need to look into ways to cut them.

3. Live within your means

It sounds simple but powerful financial advice that everyone can practice. It means that you should spend money on things that you can afford and not beyond your income level.

4. Set aside money for savings

Set aside 20% of your earnings for savings. This can include emergency funds, retirement funds, or any other savings goals you may have.

5. Make a savings plan

Determine how you will allocate your savings. You may want to put a portion of your savings into an emergency fund and the rest into short-term savings goals such as upgrading your house.

6. Monitor your spending each month and adjust your budget as needed

If you discover that you are consistently overspending in a certain category, you may need to adjust or cut back in your budget to balance this.

7. Consider gradually increasing your savings percentage

If you can comfortably live within your means and save 20% of your income, consider gradually increasing your savings percentage over time. Even small increases can add up over time and help you reach your financial goals faster.

Building a budget is not a one-time task, but it is an ongoing process that requires discipline and commitment all through out. Continue to monitor your spending, make necessary budget adjustments, and stay focused on your financial goals. A well-crafted budget will have a positive impact on your financial health and well-being with time and effort.

Setting financial goals is the first important step toward achieving success and stability in your finances. Yet, a lot of people find it frightening or difficult to create financial plans.

We created this guide to help you in the journey of starting financial objectives that are precise, measurable, reachable, pertinent, and time-bound (SMART). Whether you want to pay off debt, save for a gadget, or start investing.

1. Identify your financial goals

Make a list of all of the financial goals you want to achieve for the year. It could be debt repayment, saving for a down payment on a house, or investing in a retirement account are examples of such goals.

2. Prioritize your objectives

Once you’ve compiled a list of objectives, rank them in terms of importance and urgency. For example, paying off high-interest debt may be a more highly prioritized goal than saving for a down payment on a house.

3. Divide your goals into monthly targets

Once your goals have been prioritized, divide them into monthly targets. This will help you focus on what you need to do each month to reach your overall goal.

4. Set specific and measurable goals

Make your monthly goals specific and measurable. Divide P12,000 by 12 to get a monthly target of P1000 if your goal is to save P12,000 for your emergency fund.

5. Create a budget

Make a budget using your monthly target to assist you in achieving your financial objectives. Check to see if your money is being spent in line with your priorities.

6. Monitor your progress

Keep track of your progress toward your set targets and overall financial goals on a regular basis. This will guide you to make smart financial decisions along the way.

Setting financial goals can be a challenging process at first, but it is worth it when you see the result. You can achieve your financial goals with the right plan, strategy, and mindset, you can build a secure future for and your family.