For Registered Financial Planner Heidi Casino, the first time she encountered the phrase “pay yourself first” left her more confused than inspired.
“I really don’t understand what that means,” she told Financial Adviser PH. “Kasi diba parang, pay yourself first eh binayaran ka na nga ng sweldo mo, ano pa ibabayad sa iyo eh first na nga ‘yun?”
It wasn’t until she joined the insurance industry later in life that the concept finally clicked—and it completely reshaped her financial mindset.
“Doon ako na-immerse doon sa concept of financial literacy,” she said. “And I thought that it is very important. Bakit hindi siya tinuturo sa school?”
Looking back, Heidi admits that if she had fully understood what “pay yourself first” meant early on, her money habits would have developed much sooner. “Sana naintindihan ko agad ‘yung pay yourself first, kasi ‘yun pa lang sobrang laking leverage niya,” she shared.
The principle is simple but powerful: allocate a portion of your income to savings before spending on anything else. Even just ₱500 every payday can build momentum, according to Heidi. “As long as you keep on seeing money inside your wallet, you will always have that valid reason to spend it,” she explained. “Pero, once you are able to separate that money on the onset pa lang… then it’s safe there.”
For Heidi, building that habit was a game-changer—not just for herself, but now as a parent, it’s a core value she passes on to her children. “Even sa mga anak ko ngayon, ‘yun yung palagi kong sinasabi sa kanila,” she said. “Expose yourselves to people na sobrang hindi niyo ka-level mag-isip… and at the same time kayo rin, when you learn that, you add value to others as well.”
Her advice for those just starting their financial journey? Don’t wait. Learn early, start small, and always pay yourself first.
