Moneyfesting 2025: Your guide to manifesting financial freedom and smart homebuying
It’s 2025, folks! A brand new year brimming with fresh opportunities to chase dreams, crush goals, build muscles, and finally take charge of your financial future.
And let me tell you, there’s no better time to start than now.
As someone who lives and breathes finance, real estate, and investments, allow me—your friendly neighborhood stockbroker-slash-economist-slash-financial-literacy-enthusiast—to guide you through starting the year with a mindset and plan so solid, even your future self will give you a standing ovation.
Step 1: Mindset—Manifesting vs. moneyfesting
Everyone’s talking about manifesting these days, and while visualizing your dream life is great, let’s take it a step further.
I call it “Moneyfesting”—turning your financial dreams into a money-savvy reality.
Start by embracing the fact that financial success isn’t about luck; it’s about intention, strategy, discipline, and a pinch of patience. Remember: Your homeownership dream isn’t just for the privileged few.
Let’s turn that Pinterest vision board of dream houses into an actual address. Financial readiness trumps mere aspiration every day.
Step 2: Financial literacy—Your superpower for 2025
Knowing your numbers is essential.
A recent study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) shows that financial literacy directly correlates with personal financial resilience. Individuals who actively manage their budgets are 30 percent more likely to achieve their financial goals, according to a report by the World Bank.
Track your spending. Use apps, spreadsheets, or even an old-school notebook to monitor every peso. Studies show that people who track their expenses save up to 20 percnet more than those who don’t.
Save before you spend. Follow the golden 30/50/20 budgeting strategy—30 percent for savings or investments, 50 percent for needs, and 20 percent for wants. This ensures you’re paying yourself today and tomorrow, while giving yourself that much-needed peace of mind knowing you are on top of your financial obligations.
Pro tip: Make sure that you build your emergency fund before you dive into investing or home ownership.
Eliminate high interest debt. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reports that credit card debt remains one of the highest interest-bearing liabilities among Filipinos.
While credit cards can be helpful tools, mismanagement leads to financial setbacks. Paying down these obligations is critical before applying for housing loans.
Step 3: Saving and investment tips for first-time homebuyers
Buying your first home is a milestone, but it’s also a financial commitment that requires careful planning. Here are a few helpful tips to prepare.
Build your emergency fund. Ensure you have six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses set aside. Data from a recent TransUnion report shows that households with emergency funds are 30 percent less likely to default on loans. This stability provides peace of mind during emergencies.
Park your funds in high yield options. While saving for your down payment, consider high-yielding instruments like real estate investment trusts (REITs).
According to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the local REIT market grew by 40 percent in 2024, offering investors the opportunity to grow their money from price appreciation and earn cash from regular quarterly dividends. REITs will also get your feet wet into the wonders of real estate investing.
The good news is FirstMetroSec now allows its clients to invest not just in Philippine REITs but also in global and Asia Pacific REITs through its funds platform FundsMart.
Maximize government programs. Pag-IBIG’s affordable housing loans remain a lifeline for many.
Offering rates as low as 3 percent per year (a far cry from the current market rate of 6 to 9 percent), Pag-IBIG has enabled over 15 million Filipinos to achieve homeownership. The International Finance Corp. also recognizes Pag-IBIG as a model for affordable housing programs globally.
Know your budget. Your monthly amortization should not exceed 30 percent of your take home pay. This rule of thumb, confirmed by a World Bank study, improves financial stability and reduces borrower stress levels.
Shop around. Choose banks with proven track records, low interest rates, and excellent service. A BSP survey reveals that borrowers who compare at least three banks save an average of 1.5 percent on annual interest rates.
Step 4: Investments for growth—Think beyond savings account
Diversify your portfolio. Explore mutual funds, bonds, and stocks. FirstMetroSec’s FundsMart offers access to peso and dollar-denominated UITFs, mutual funds, and feeder funds. This diverse range of instruments empowers you to grow your money while working toward your dream home.
Be consistent. Investing is about time in the market, not timing the market. Research from Morningstar shows that consistent investors see an average annual growth of 8 percent, even during volatile periods. Consider enrolling in FirstMetroSec’s Voluntary Investment Program (VIP) to automate your investing for as little as P1,500 a month.
Stay educated. Knowledge is power. A BSP study revealed that financially educated individuals are 70 percent more likely to achieve their financial goals. Make it a goal to attend webinars, listen to podcasts, and consult experts. FirstMetroSec is renowned for its market education campaigns and offers free webinars tailored to all investor levels.
Step 5: Dream big, start small
Every success story begins with a single step. Open that investment account. Save that first thousand pesos. Invest in your first REIT. Celebrate small wins—they pave the way for big victories.
This 2025, aim not just to survive but to thrive. Build lives filled with opportunities, choices, and—most importantly—financial freedom. Whether it’s manifesting your dream house or MoneyFesting your financial goals, the key is to start now.
Here’s to you—the future homeowner, the savvy investor, the budget warrior. With platforms like FirstMetroSec by your side, smarter decisions and brighter futures are just a few clicks away.
Cheers to financial empowerment and a prosperous 2025!
