When Charmaine Ocampo landed her first job out of college, she felt like she had finally “made it.” With a stable paycheck and a corporate title, she believed she was on her way to financial freedom. But like many fresh graduates, she soon realized that having an income wasn’t the same as building wealth.
“In my early 20s, I was overwhelmed. I thought I was earning big because my salary was higher than the allowance I used to get as a student,” she recalls. “But because I didn’t know how to manage my money, I ended up spending almost everything.”
Her first major lesson? Earning money is only the beginning. Growing it requires a completely different skill set.
Selling Was the Game Changer
Charmaine admits that she used to rely solely on the money her parents gave her. The idea of selling something or creating additional income streams never crossed her mind.
That changed when she got married.
“It was my husband who opened my eyes. He showed me that if I wanted to grow my money, I had to learn how to sell,” she says. From that moment on, she started exploring ways to earn beyond her salary—selling products, joining networking ventures, and gradually developing the confidence to monetize her skills.
“Learning how to sell wasn’t just about profit,” she adds. “It taught me communication, negotiation, and resilience—skills I never got from school.”
The Power of Boundaries
Another crucial turning point came when she found herself drained by constant borrowing from friends and relatives.
“I used to say yes to everyone who asked for money,” she admits. “Until one day, I realized I had nothing left for myself.”
That moment forced her to reassess her financial boundaries. “I learned to say no. It was hard at first—you don’t want to disappoint people—but I had to protect my own finances.”
Setting boundaries wasn’t just about avoiding debt. It became a core principle of her financial life.
The Trap of Easy Credit
Like many young professionals, Charmaine also got caught in the trap of credit cards. She thought using a credit card would help her manage emergencies. Instead, it led her into a debt spiral that left her overwhelmed and unhappy.
“At one point, I was crying every payday,” she says. “I had a job, but no money left after paying bills and minimum dues. That was my wake-up call.”
She borrowed money from her then-boyfriend (now husband) to consolidate her credit card debts and swore never to fall into that trap again.
“We paid it off interest-free, and I paid him back. But I also made a promise to myself: never again. If I’m going to borrow, it should be for business—not just for survival.”
Building Financial Muscles
Today, Charmaine has turned her early money mistakes into a foundation for long-term growth. Now an RFP graduate, she invests regularly in both the stock market and real estate. One key practice she credits is switching from tracking expenses after the fact to forecasting them in advance.
“I don’t use budget apps anymore. Instead, I do an annual forecast at the end of each year. I list my fixed income, expected bonuses, birthdays, holidays, and allocate money ahead of time,” she explains. “This way, I know where every peso is going before I even receive it.”
She also teaches these practices to her kids, emphasizing the importance of investing first before spending. “Whatever I learn, I pass on to my family. Financial literacy should start at home.”
Final Takeaway
Charmaine’s advice for 20-somethings? Learn to sell. Learn to say no. And stop waiting to get rich from your salary alone.
“Wealth isn’t just about income. It’s about mindset, discipline, and having the courage to make better choices,” she says.
