Why personal finance is integral to your dream future

You may have the best salary or dream job, but if you do not know how to properly handle your finances, all that can easily go down the drain. 

Bills pile up and debts need to be paid, and if you do not know how to manage your earnings, you may find yourself with a negative bank account. So, if you want to save up for a future where you and your loved ones are thriving and living comfortably, you can start by budgeting carefully. 

However, that is easier said than done. Everyone's situation is different and some have to deal with more financial responsibilities than others and there is no shame in having no savings because you have to provide for all your family's needs with a meager salary. 

Still, it would not hurt to take some advice from people who have experience. 

JobStreet, one of the leading online employment marketplaces in Asia, recently held an online discussion between people with varying backgrounds on passion and personal finance. And the resource speakers shared some money tips they have learned. 

Young entrepreneur and co-founder of Lista Philippines Aaron Villegas said, ''Only spend in two cases. First is only if you have to. And second, if it is going to help you expand it even more.''

JobStreet Philippines' Country HR Manager Coy Mariano added that the best advice she received was from her mom, and that is to not spend money you do not have and not spend on things that do not last.

She also said that it is important to be smart with your investments. For example, if you want to start your own home bakery, you do not have to immediately go out and purchase the most hi-tech or expensive oven. Start with what you need and what is enough for your daily use. 

Getting a job on social media as a content creator or influencer is getting more popular by the day. It may be a good option for those looking for a profitable side hustle, but it is still a gamble and may not provide a steady stream of income.

Architect and vlogger Llyan Oliver Austria shared that when he just started his YouTube channel, he was still working under a construction firm and spent all of his savings on a camera. That was because he treated vlogging as a business and his equipment were investments. It was a risk that paid off as he now has about three million combined subscribers in his channels. 

Pilot and content creator Chezka Carandang shared the same idea. She invested in gadgets such as cameras, laptops, and mobile phones because these things allowed her to create nice content. She also kept her day job as an airplane pilot. 

''Always remember to work to learn, do not work for money, and get paid what you are worth. I believe by keeping this in mind you will achieve financial freedom in time,'' said Carandang.

With so many things on your mind on a daily basis, it can be difficult to remember every aspect of your finances. To make managing your personal finance easy and convenient, you can try using a mobile app such as Lista Philippines.

Lista is a financial management app built for small Filipino businesses, freelancers, and even employees who want to track where their money goes. The app allows you to monitor your finances and the money coming in and out. It even helps you create invoices and collect debt by sending free payment reminders to people who owe you money.

''Once you see all that in one app, it helps you make better financial decisions, and eventually grow your business or expand your finances,'' said Lista Philippines co-founder Aaron Villegas.

Villegas shared that Lista was created because the majority of Filipinos lack the proper financial tools. He hopes that the app can help aid more people in managing their finances and growing their businesses.

At the end of the day, the question remains. As the economy and society continue to adapt to the challenges brought by the health crisis, does passion and pursuit of your dream still matter? Or does the need to find any job to survive win? 

Mariano has this to say, ''Passion always matters, because some motivations get us out of bed every morning. But it is the passion for what you do, doing something that you really like, that actually gets the work done and done well. So, I do not think that passion is going to be obsolete, no matter what our needs are at the moment.''

That is why it is especially crucial that you know how to budget well and handle your earnings with care. 

With the Christmas bonus season finally here, everyone is reminded to prepare for the rainy days. You never know what will happen next year, so it is better to save as much as you can of that Christmas bonus so you have a safety net as you enter the new year. At the same time, do not forget to set aside money as a reward for all your hard work. You can be careful with your earnings while still being able to get something nice for yourself.

No matter what your employment status or current situation, proper handling of your finances can make a difference. As long as you are smart with your earnings, your dream future may be closer than you think. 

Manage and grow your finances with ease with help from Lista Philippines, download the app here. To find your passion and get work that you will love, visit JobStreet Philippines' website or Facebook page. #LetsGetToWork

NOTE: BrandNews articles are promotional features from our sponsors and not news articles from our editorial staff.