In today’s fast-paced world of financial advice and investing trends, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing more, buying more, and chasing more—without asking the most important question first: What truly works for me?
For Dr. Jhoanna De Guzman, a Registered Financial Planner (RFP) and educator, the turning point in her financial journey wasn’t a new investment or a market win. It was a moment of self-reflection.
“Know yourself first before listening to any advice,” she said in an interview with Financial Adviser PH. That insight didn’t come overnight—it was shaped by years of doing what many new investors are told: diversify early and often.
When More Isn’t Better
As a fresh RFP and MBA student in her early twenties, Dr. Jhoanna was passionate and prepared. She had studied the frameworks, learned the tools, and wanted to prove she could apply them all. So she did.
She opened accounts for multiple Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITFs), enrolled in VULs, dabbled in the stock market, and explored real estate and credit card strategies. She followed financial influencers, tried to track every trend, and built a sprawling portfolio across banks and platforms.
But the result wasn’t what she expected.
“I felt like I had to do it all because I’m an RFP—people expected me to know everything,” she recalled. The emotional cost was high. She felt overwhelmed, stretched thin, and increasingly anxious—not because of market losses, but because of decision fatigue and scattered energy.
Start With a Personal Audit
The lesson she learned—and now teaches—is that the foundation of any wealth plan isn’t built on products or platforms. It starts with self-awareness.
“Saving isn’t just about discipline; it’s about spending without guilt and planning with clarity,” she said.
Before jumping into any investment, she now advises clients and audiences to do a personal audit. That means asking the hard questions:
How much can I comfortably save without stressing my lifestyle?
What amount can I spend without guilt?
What are my actual financial goals—not borrowed goals from friends or online gurus?
Once she paused to reflect, everything became clearer. She realized that clarity doesn’t always come from doing more; it often comes from doing less—but with intention.
Simplify to Sustain
From more than ten active accounts, Dr. Jhoanna trimmed her investment portfolio down to two core holdings. She let go of the idea that she had to try everything or keep up appearances. In doing so, she gained something even more valuable: peace of mind.
“I’m able to sleep peacefully now because I play the long game with just two investments,” she shared.
That mental shift—away from FOMO (fear of missing out) and toward purpose-driven financial strategy—is what she considers her greatest financial achievement. It’s not about how many accounts she holds, but how each one fits into her overall life plan.
Replace FOMO With Purpose
For new investors, it’s easy to feel pressured to keep up: everyone seems to be trading, flipping properties, or joining the latest crypto trend. But Dr. Jhoanna’s message is clear: chasing returns without knowing your own financial baseline is a recipe for regret.
“Clarity comes when you understand your limits, your motivations, and your capacity to follow through,” she said.
That clarity allows you to spend more confidently, save more intentionally, and invest with conviction.
Teaching the Next Generation to Reflect
As a speaker and educator, Dr. Jhoanna now emphasizes financial reflection over reaction. Instead of starting a seminar with “how to invest,” she begins with “how to think.”
She shares her personal missteps—trying to do it all, trying to be everything—and how stepping back became her breakthrough.
“I’ve stopped trying to be the person who knows it all,” she said. “And I’ve found that clients connect more with honesty than with a perfect checklist.”
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re just beginning your investment journey or feeling burned out by too many financial decisions, the message is the same: start with you.
Define your values, audit your comfort zone, and choose a plan that’s sustainable—not just profitable. Because the best returns don’t always come from doing more. Often, they come from doing what’s right for you.
As Dr. Jhoanna puts it, “Personal finance isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about knowing what matters most.”
