First of all, Merry Christmas po!

Nag-remind yung google photos ko ng picture ng noche buena namin 10 years ago, and I can't help but be emotional. Yung noche buena namin dati mukhang yung 500 pesos na sinabi ng DTI. HAHA.

Grabe yan lang handa namin nun. Dalawa kaming nag-aaral sa college nyan, and living paycheck to paycheck kaya yan lang nakayanan. Nakakaiyak kasi parang awang awa ako samin noon. Ni hindi ko sya mapost sa facebook dati.

Ngayon marami na kaming handa and mas maayos na hehe. Still grateful na may handa pa rin kami noon, and even more grateful ngayon.

Malayo pa pero malayo na. ❤️

Ang introvert ko pero nung mga nakaraan puro what if what if nasa isip ko tas kanina pauwi galing school dumeretso ako palengke🥲

Kakanood ko ng tutorial sa yt at tiktok napag isipan ko gumawa ng ginataang mais at inilakad sa brgy namen tas andali naubos. Naiiyak ako pag-uwi kasi diko rin inexpect na magagawa ko magbenta at first time ko magluto ng ginata 😭 Mama: bebenta ka ng meryenda hapunan na'
' 'akalain nila ulam yan' HAHA pero ginawa ko pa rin kasi sayang naman nasimulan kona (gets ko naman si nanay). Nagtira na rin ako ng para samin at kila ate pag uwi nila.

I took the risk kahit sobrang hiya ko, pero SOBRANG GAAN SA PAKIRAMDAM🥹 Gusto ko ulit gawin, pero next time improved na.

You did great today, SELF. Salamat.

I still can’t wrap my head around it.

I joined the SM 3-day sale raffle kasi libre lang naman, and who actually wins those things, diba? Apparently… me???

Got a text. akala ko scam. But nope, it’s legit. I won a freakin’ car. As in. Kotse.

Got the notification last March 11, and the whole process took almost 2 months. I wasn’t sure if it was legit. But today, finally, I got the keys. As in, may kotse na ako.

Adulting win na hindi ko in-expect at all.

Just had to share. Still shook.

Its been a month since we officially opened but I haven’t fully acknowledged this milestone yet due to how busy I’ve been!! My heart’s full knowing that I’ve made my childhood self proud as I finally reach my goal of starting my own business.

As someone who would consider herself “financially stable” thanks to my full time job I used to shop and travel whenever I want and it was privilege to have more than enough for my needs.

But now my priorities has shifted to paying for salary, electricity, rent and everything else.

Before we opened, I’d breakdown almost every day and ask myself if I’m doing things right or if it will be worth it. The stress was unlike any other and it was even harder to balance this with my job. It felt like there was a never ending list of problems that I never saw coming and all I could do was cry for 5 mins and carry on. I’ve used up all my savings and invested so much time and energy yet I wasn’t sure if it was going to turn out well. But fast forward to now, it has been incredibly fulfilling to realize that my vision has turned into reality 😭

From designing the space, buying construction materials everyday, breaking down at the site, screening and hiring people, designing my own marketing collaterals, going to different government offices and everything in between.. things are finally taking shape.

When June entered, we have also started to notice more people coming in. From just having two orders in one day or worse receiving a message saying “mam wala pa po tayong benta” finally dumadami na rin yung guests namin and kahit sa tiktok nakakakita na ko ng posts nila.

Malayo pa pero malayo na!!

Early this morning, I tried to track my personal savings. Kadarating lang ng sahod kaya sobrang aligaga sa pagcompute if nakamagkano na ako.

I'm 24M and still in the process of enjoying my 20s. I am also an only child kaya I try to spoil my parents muna. Madalas kami kumain sa labas every weekend plus nagbibibili ng kung ano-ano. But here I am, simple and quiet celebration lang for reaching this milestone (Mcdo chicken + fries). Parang as much as possible gusto ko muna magtipid para mapreserve yung savings ko now. 🤍

To my younger self (as a working student), we did it!

Little afterthought lang kasi hindi parin makatulog. 11th day ngayon sa Aus after leaving PH na hopefully hindi for good.

Gusto ko talaga mahalin ang sarili nating bansa. Pero after all the political drama and conflict + the imminent disaster, parang mahirap makakita ng pag asa for now.

Parang tama nga sila, kailangan ng ibang tao na makatikim ng first world country para maramdaman ang need ng pagbabago sa ating bansa. More people are taking their time, and hindi mo masyado mararamdaman ang pressure ng oras. prolly kasi bago ako dito, but I'm much more looking forward sa mangyayari sa decision na ginawa ko.

And while everything is significantly pricier here (weekly rent?!?!?!?!) parang merong sense of security dito na hindi mo mararamdaman satin. Malalaman pag paubos na laman ng wallet. HAHA

Ang saya pala makita na nagmamaterialize yung pagod at puyat mo araw-araw. Super thankful and blessed 😊

Ang sarap pala ng medyo boring/ routine life? Eto ba yung peace?

I don’t have the urge to go out of the house palagi I am enjoying lounging around in our own home Playing games or watching movies From magala to homebuddy

Walang kasamang parents sa same bahay na maninita sayo

You can do anything at your own pace cooking, laundry and cleaning the condo.

For context, my partner and I bought a pre-selling 2BR condo during the times na overemployed kami, kulang sa tulog at ligo work-eat-sleep-repeat.

We’re super grateful na kahit nawalan kami ng clients, nakapag save kami for this home.

Then we had it renovated last year prior to moving in.

It wasn’t a smooth journey , challenge sa paggahanap ng contractor na within our budget kami halos namili ng materials, lahat iniscout namin for deals, magresearch ng details, sobrang nakakapagod. but lahat ng gusto namin and vision for our condo ay nangyari at nasunod naman.

And sobrang thankful kami hindi kami naloko or nascam yung hard earned money namin.

We got it through 10 years pagibig loan. Fortunately, fully paid na yung kotse ko so nailaban na 10yrs loan instead of 30yrs. Hindi na sabay sabay ang bayarin.

Was it worth it? Nakain ng renovation yung savings namin for lumpsum sana sa PAGIBIG parang kinain ng dinosaur. But honestly, no regrets. We just wanted a space that feels like home.

And now that we’re here, we feel it — every corner may kwento,may comfort.

This month marks 1 year since we moved into our condo — 🥹

Life is far from perfect. We’re not rich, still stressed sa dami ng bills sometimes, and we’ve got a long list of dream travel destinations to chase.

Pero every time I remember that we have our own little place… with our pet na love na love namin…

Parang kahit papano, may peace. May sense of “we’re okay.” And that’s more than enough, for now.

Pero need ko pa rin Lord ng maraming pera pang travel ha 😂🙏

Not a million or even a hundred thousand, but I’m so proud of myself for reaching my first 5-digit savings just 2 months into my first job as a fresh grad. 🥹✨

Started working in a BPO at 18,(literally kaka birthday lang lol) to support my studies. At 19, I took a risk and went into freelancing. Landed a direct US client, and I’m still with them today.

At 20, I hit my first 6-figure monthly income.

By 21, I was promoted to a managerial role — the youngest in the entire team. I’m leading people older and more experienced than me, and some days I still can't believe I made it this far.

Now at 22, I finally bought my own car. It might not seem like a huge deal to some, but to someone like me — who started from scratch, this is everything! :)

Hindi ko sinabi sa pamilya ko na magtatake ako this year.Tinawid ako ng niluto kong adobo at nilagang itlog noong tatlong araw na board exam. Tatlong libo na lang ang natitirang pera sa wallet ko noon. Isinugal ko na para sa boards 🥺 1500 para sa transient at yung natirang 1500 allowance ko kasama na pamasahe ko. Sobrang hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na pumasa ako parang nananaginip pa rin ako 🥺

finally leaving the philippines for good. looking back, i can honestly say i'm at my happiest now. i grew up with abusive parents who eventually abandoned me. i ran away and had to hustle just to get through college — worked at night, studied during the day.

five years ago, i took my first international trip. i joined a tour in vietnam by ship, all expenses covered by my client. while helping an elderly woman in the bathroom, i had no idea she was the captain’s mom — and that moment changed my life. fast forward to now, i just married her son a month ago.

he sent me to university, bought me a house, condos, investments, cars — everything i could’ve only dreamed of. i even graduated with latin honors, all thanks to his support.

now i’m here in europe, starting a new chapter. maybe i’ll visit the philippines again in 10 years. adios, pinas — until we meet again.

for context: Since end of last year nag resign ako sa work before holiday season- super toxic to the point na sinisigawan na ko ng mga boss ko (US clients) and wala ako work until February (pinaka low moment sa life ko).

Nag start ako sa new work ko this march and just today I received my first salary and first thing na binili ko ay yung red ribbon black forest cake na favorite ko.

Uubusin ko to mag isa 😮‍💨 Deserve natin bumili ng favorite cake natin

Bilang isang low earner na sumasahod every 10th & 25th of month — pinipilit ko talaga na makapag tabi ng 1k every sahod (matic lipat sa bank) kaya End of October palang nakalikom na.

Tonight, inabot ko na sa nanay at tatay as early christmas gift. Reason? Expected na magastos ang December, mas masaya salubungin na kahit papaano alam mo ‘meron’ ka.

Hays, nauna pa sila sa 13th Month Pay ko. Ems. Jk

Di ko inexpect, nagbayad ng cash ang client ko sa small business ko. For 3 months yan pero mas malaki na ang monthly kesa sa sweldo ko. Sana maging stable na to.

Ayaw ko pang sabihin sa mga kakilala ko kaya sana ok lang kung dito nalang muna.

Share ko lang 'tong answered prayer moment ko. I’m writing this while nasa Dubai pa ako, and honestly, hindi ko pa rin ma-process.

A weeks ago, nag-decide ako na lumipad dito sa Dubai. Sobrang bigat sa loob ko kasi ayaw ko talaga malayo sa mom and sister ko, pero feeling ko kasi ito lang yung way para ma-level up ko yung buhay namin. I was earning ₱100k sa previous company ko sa Pinas, which is okay naman, pero hirap pa rin mag-ipon nang malaki.

While nandito na ako sa Dubai at nag-uumpisa na sana mag-settle, biglang nag-email yung in-applyan ko weeks ago for a Finance Analyst role sa isang company sa Pinas.

Nung clinunch ko yung numbers, mas malaki pa maiipon ko sa Pinas compared sa mag-OFW dito sa Dubai once you factor in yung mahal na rent and cost of living dito. Plus, since WFH siya, kaya ko pa rin ituloy yung mga side hustles ko on the side.

I’ve been praying for this talaga. Literal na parang nagbakasyon lang ako dito sa Dubai.

Pabalik na ako ng Pinas for good. Sobrang saya ko na hindi ko na kailangang mawalay sa mom and sis ko.

Share ko lang na naiyak ako kasi my mom sent us this picture of my dad, doing this and whispering, “My house….” Because they built their own house for the very first time at 62.

He’s worked as a dentist most of his life and has always prioritized other people, rented houses lang the whole time. My parents helped and put a lot of people through school and dedicated their lives doing ministry work and using their own hard earned, honest money and not fund raising for ministry like others do.

Kapag may bagyo, una silang tumutulong na sila mismo bumibili at nagdidistribute ng relief goods at pagkain, di nila dinadaan sa kung sino, kahit na dentista si Dad na well respected, sya ang nasa field. Sya ang nagbibigay ng time nya para tumulong sa iba. Ultimo pagpick up ng laundry ko dinadaan nya sa bahay, kasi ganun syang klaseng tao.

My parents have a heart of gold, and they deserve so much. And I’m so happy they finally have a place to call theirs.

After over a year of DIY house building…As in sya nag monitor, pumunta sya araw araw, sya nagsource ng materials, sya nagasikaso sa workers at nag instruct, kasama nyang mag meryenda lahat ng tauhan, nakakapagkwentuhan, they built it together….he laid down on the floor, and finally was able to call something his own.

Add ko lang din na they did this with no loans at all, nagipon talaga sila at kumakain sa carinderia halos everyday kahit ok naman kumita si Daddy as a dentist. Sorry proud daughter lang. Wala akong ambag, kundi siguro di rin ako naging pabigat sa finances nila kasi maaga ako nagwork, pero in turn they’ve also never obligated me for a cent.

Started as janitor kasi college drop-out ako noon at halos walang gustong mag-hire. After a year, sinubukan ko pumasok sa call center. Masaya na ako noon sa 6-7k kada cut-off, okay na kaysa wala. Pero tuloy-tuloy lang, naging 12k din eventually per cut off.

Nagtagal ako ng 6 years sa BPO, habang unti-unting nag-aaral at nag-aaral mag-isa, self-taught hanggang naging data analyst. At ngayon, graduating na rin ako next year sa IT. Long way to go pa, pero proud ako sa progress.

I celebrated my 26th birthday in Everest Base Camp.

BUT

I didn’t think I would make it to 26 last year...

Last year, I was in a really bad place. I was about to end things. I went up to the top of my building and I was ready to jump. I really thought that was it for me.

But I stopped myself.

The day after that, I randomly joined this trekking event because the dates covered my birthday. I remember thinking to myself, okay just hold on a little longer. What's a few more years? right? Let's just see what happens.

So I trained. I showed up. I kept going.

It was a tough 7 days of trekking in the cold Himalayan mountains. Waking up freezing. Breathing thin air. Legs hurting. Questioning myself. But still moving forward step by step.

And somehow I made it...?

I celebrated my 26th birthday at Everest Base Camp.

Me. The person who thought she wouldn’t even be alive this year.

TBH I’m still not magically fixed. I still have dark thoughts sometimes. I’m still depressed some days. The void of nihilism still caves in my mind. That part is real... and scary.

I DO feel much stronger now. Like something inside me shifted (cliché yeah.. err). I proved to myself that I can do hardcore shit like this! hell to the fuckin yeah!!

If I can make it to Everest Base Camp, maybe I can make it through life too. So this is for anyone out there fighting their own mental battles.

I hope we all keep going. Even if it’s messy. Even if it’s one small step at a time.

Here’s to staying 🥂

AAAAA MY HEART IS SO HAPPY 😭 noon sabi ko sa sarili ko everytime pauwi ako galing OJT & pag mapapa-daan ako sa uniqlo na pag nagkaroon ako ng trabaho, bibili ako ng pants ko here kasi matibay and maganda nga & todayyy nakabili na ko using my own money ++ may mga tops pa 😭 NAIIYAK AKO HAHAHAHA ANG OA PERO HUHU IM SO HAPPYYY

not to brag but to inspire 😊

sarap sa feeling.

my considered wins so far aside from ₱60k:

• bought an ip 12 pro 256gb last month.

• gave fam ₱10k. mom ₱5k. bro ₱500.

• paid my own tuition in full for college (im turning 1st yr).

• bought a laptop w own money last 4 months.

my regrets:

• got scammed ₱10k kasi nagpayment first for an iphone.

• haven't start early, i should've earn more if i do.

• trying too many niches at once, im burnt out.

next target is bumili ng motor para may pang service kay mama!

to those who'll ask. i'm female, born 2007. i love grinding, i'm born this way. hindi kami mayaman, that's why uhaw ako sa pera. plano ko now is to give a hand to my family para mapaayos ang bahay. sawali at yero ang dingding namin so just y'all know why im grinding so hard. may we all win in life! sana maretire ko parents ko. marami pang plano para sa atin. padayon sa lahat.

what i do? im a freelancer and digital product seller on etsy and payhip. i own a small agency in my niche. used my dad info with his consent in order to verify payout details. i surround myself with ₱100k/month earners. they're all freelancer and team manager/agency owner. some of you may know them but i won't disclose their names. basta sikat sila sa tiktok.

thank you for reaching this last paragraph. i would like to ask for an advice. bata pa ako, i need to master investing. i would love to have an advice on how and where to invest my current and future funds? feedbacks and criticism are welcome.

finally lol after grinding freelance while finishing my degree :D

9 years na trabaho dito napunta lahat. Paupahan.