Your 20s were for figuring things out. Your 30s? That’s when money mistakes start getting expensive.
Turning 30 doesn’t just mean another candle on the cake — it means stepping into a clearer version of yourself. For young professionals earning P20K–P40K per month while supporting parents or starting a family, this decade is less about big dreams and more about smart moves.
Financial educators like Ramit Sethi (who wrote I Will Teach You to be Rich) and Jax Reyes (who founded Kaskasan Buddies) remind us that wealth isn’t just about having millions of dollars in the bank — it’s about having the freedom to live a life that you want.
Here are 4 practical lessons for your 30s:
Ask the big money questions.
Ramit Sethi calls it the asking $30,000 vs. $3 questions. Stop asking yourself every day if you can afford that P150 latte. Instead, ask how you can earn enough that you don’t have to think about the cost of something trivial like your favorite coffee.
Ask big money questions like: what kind of life do I want to live 30 years from now, and how much will that cost? Or how can I build a fund that covers 3 months of expenses if something happens?
You probably won’t become wealthy by depriving yourself of a treat every single day. But when you take control of big money questions, you don’t have to sacrifice your small joys.
Debt isn’t your enemy—but unmanaged debt is.
Pinoy money expert Jax Reyes emphasizes to his followers that credit cards or debts aren’t inherently bad. But don’t treat a credit line like it’s your money because that’s how one ends up buried in debt.
Loans that serve a purpose (tuition, business, or emergency) are valid reasons to take out a loan. Just make sure to keep track of the interest rate, due date, and amortization. And take out a loan that you know you can pay off.
For transparency and flexibility in loan terms, work with legit lenders like Globewest Finance.
Small savings build up.
It doesn’t matter how small you can afford for your savings right now. Automatically set aside a small amount of your salary and put it in a separate account. Out of sight, out of mind. Before you know it, you’ll have a sufficient emergency fund, giving you peace of mind.
When you can, regularly put money towards Pag-ibig MP2 and other long-term investments. It doesn’t matter how small. Over time, compound interest does the heavy lifting.
Invest in yourself.
Earnings grow when you grow. The best investment is you.
Invest in your skills. Attend leadership classes. Learn to code. Equip yourself with the know-how to use digital tools. New skills can help you get a promotion (therefore, a raise) or a side hustle (for extra income). Pick a skill to upgrade in the next six months, and watch yourself grow.
Invest in your health. Getting sick can greatly impact your earnings, and medical bills can put a huge dent in your savings. Eating right, exercising, and getting enough rest are your investments in a more productive life and career.
Consider a side hustle to diversify your income. Small gigs may make your rich overnight, but they build your capacity to earn, adapt, and stay secure.
Thoughts?
You don’t have to rush to be the next tycoon in your 30s. But you can use this decade to build the habits and systems that you breathe easier, support the people that you love, and work towards the life that you want.
When you’re ready for the next step — starting a business, clearing debt, or getting support for a financial goal — Globewest Finance is here to help.
Or visit one of our branches in Cebu, Davao, Manila, and nationwide.
