Many Filipinos want the same thing: the freedom to enjoy life without always stressing about money. At Maya, however, we believe that achieving this goal isn’t always about earning more. Often, the answer lies in being smarter with what you already have. By building a few simple habits and making small, consistent changes, you can create a strong financial foundation. No complicated spreadsheets or get-rich-quick schemes, just everyday routines and choices that lead to long-term results. Here are some that you can start doing today:
1. Know Where Your Money Goes
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering where your entire paycheck went just a few days after getting it, you're not alone. It happens to the best of us. A PHP150 coffee here, a food delivery there, and some random online shopping in between, and your budget is shot.
The solution? Track every peso you spend. You can use a simple notebook, a budgeting app, or even the built-in transaction history feature on the Maya app. It doesn’t really matter how you track it; what matters is that you see the full picture. When you know where your money goes, you can start directing it where you actually want it to go.
2. Save Before You Spend
Most people spend first, then try to save whatever’s left. If there’s anything left at all. But you want to be smarter, so flip that mindset around. When your salary comes in, pay yourself first. That means saving a fixed amount right away. It doesn’t need to be big, even just PHP 100 or PHP 500 will do. What’s important is making saving automatic and non-negotiable. Over time, those small amounts grow, especially when you save with Maya, which can give you up to 15% p.a. on your savings. But more importantly, you’re training yourself to make saving a habit, not an afterthought.
3. Set Clear Saving Goals
Ever saved money only to accidentally spend it on something else? Like using your vacation fund to pay for groceries or bills? This is why it helps to separate your savings into different goals. Think digital envelopes or pockets—one for emergencies, one for travel, maybe another for a future investment. Maya Personal Goals lets you do this easily in-app, so you always know what each peso is for. This way, saving feels more real and doable.
4. Borrow Money When It Makes Sense
When used wisely, borrowing money from a reputable digital bank like Maya can be the smartest move you can make. Say you’re almost ready to start a small business or you've been saving for a dream vacation, but you're just a little short of funds. That’s where borrowing can help you move forward without draining your emergency fund or throwing off your budget.
Before you borrow, though, ask yourself a few things: Why am I borrowing? Can I afford the monthly payments? Will this help me in the long run?
If the answers are clear and the math works out, then go for it. Borrow money online quickly and securely with Maya.
Maya Personal Loan lets you borrow up to PHP 250,000 with flexible repayment terms of up to 24 months, with monthly add-on rates as low as 0.77% per month. You’ll even find a loan calculator so you can plan everything upfront. Once approved, the money goes straight to your Maya Wallet, and you can manage repayments directly in the app. It’s convenient, fast, and paperless.
Need something more flexible? Maya Easy Credit gives you access to a credit line of up to PHP 30,000 with no interest–only service fees as low as 3.99% on the amount you borrowed. Use it to pay bills, shop online, or make in-store purchases. No physical card needed. Just smart borrowing to achieve your goals, right from your phone.
Take not that applications for Maya Personal Loan and Maya Easy Credit are subject to credit evaluation.
5. Use Credit Cards the Smart Way
Credit cards can be super helpful, but only if you use them wisely. Think of them as a tool, not extra cash. But only charge what you can pay off in full by the due date. That way, you enjoy perks like points, cashback, and promos without the downside of interest and late fees. Additionally, good credit card habits help build your credit history. That’s a big plus if you ever want to borrow money online for a bigger goal, like buying a car or a house in the future.
But if you find yourself relying on your card to cover everyday expenses, that’s a sign to revisit your budget. You might need to cut back or be stricter about where your money’s going.
6. Automate Your Money Moves
Life gets busy. Between work, family, and personal plans, it’s easy to forget a payment or skip saving altogether. That’s where automation comes in. Setting up automatic bill payments and scheduling transfers to your savings through the Maya app makes it easy because you can do it all in one place.
7. Check In With Yourself Regularly
Your financial plan isn’t set in stone. Life changes, and your goals should too. Maybe you got a new job, had a baby, or decided to move abroad. Whatever it is, take time every few months to review your budget and your goals so you can adjust your financial plans.
Keep Going, Even When It’s Hard
Nobody gets it right all the time. You might overspend, miss a payment, or fall behind on your savings goals—and that’s okay. What matters most is pushing forward. Every smart decision, no matter how small, brings you closer to the future you want.
With Maya, you’re not just managing money; you’re taking charge. Whether you’re building your savings or looking to borrow money online in the Philippines quickly and securely, Maya gives you the tools to make it happen. You're in control, and Maya is here to help you move with confidence and power toward your goals.
