For over a decade, Charmaine Ocampo worked in corporate finance. She had the title, the experience, and what she thought was a solid understanding of money. But it wasn’t until she joined the Registered Financial Planner (RFP) program that she realized just how much she didn’t know.
“I thought being in finance meant I had everything figured out,” Charmaine shares. “But RFP exposed the gaps I didn’t even know existed.”
The Illusion of Financial Expertise
Working in finance gave her a strong technical foundation: she knew how to analyze spreadsheets, track expenses, and run reports. But when it came to personal finance—her own money—it was a different story.
“In the corporate world, you’re trained to manage company funds. But no one teaches you how to manage your own,” she says. “I had the skills, but not the strategy. I made emotional decisions, didn’t know how to plan for the long-term, and even got into credit card debt early in my career.”
One of her biggest eye-openers? Realizing that budgeting apps weren’t enough. “I used to track my expenses after I spent. It felt productive, but I was always catching up. RFP taught me the power of forecasting—planning my expenses ahead of time.”
Emergency Funds: Not One Size Fits All
Before RFP, Charmaine thought emergency funds were simple: save three to six months of expenses and park it in a savings account.
“But I always questioned that advice,” she says. “I’d wonder, ‘Isn’t it a waste to keep that much money idle?’ RFP gave me the answer: laddering.”
Through the RFP framework, she learned to divide her emergency fund into short-term, medium-term, and long-term tiers. “Some in a savings account, some in time deposits, and some in low-risk instruments. It was the first time I felt my emergency fund was actually working for me.”
Beyond Building Wealth—Protecting It
Charmaine was like many Filipinos who focused on growing their money—but forgot to protect it.
“Before RFP, I saw insurance as an expense. I’d always say no when someone pitched it to me. But during the program, I realized it’s not about fear—it’s about being a good steward of your resources.”
She learned how insurance, proper asset allocation, and estate planning play crucial roles in preserving wealth for future generations. “It made me think beyond myself. What happens to my assets when I’m gone? What kind of legacy am I leaving?”
She also discovered the power of tax strategies. “We weren’t taught this in school or in the workplace. But now I know how to reduce tax burdens legally and strategically—not just for my business, but for my family.”
Financial Planning Isn’t Just About Money
Perhaps the biggest shift for Charmaine was her mindset. “RFP reminded me that financial planning is about purpose,” she says. “It’s not just about earning more or investing wisely—it’s about aligning money with values.”
She now builds her financial plan around giving, saving, investing, and spending with intention. And she passes those lessons on to her kids, too. “They’re young, but I’m teaching them what it means to grow and protect money—and to use it as a tool for good.”
From Professional Growth to Personal Mission
Since graduating from RFP, Charmaine shares what she learned with friends, family, and even clients. “Whenever someone asks how I got my finances in order, I always say: join RFP. It changed how I think, plan, and teach about money.”
She concludes with a message for anyone who thinks they “already know” finance:
“Experience gives you skills. But programs like RFP give you vision. If I had learned these lessons ten years ago, I would’ve avoided so many mistakes. But now I get to share them—and hopefully help someone else get ahead faster.”
