Building wealth starts with understanding and managing money early in life. Jennifer De Leon, a Registered Financial Planner, is a prime example of how early financial education can lay the foundation for long-term financial success. “My earliest memory of money goes back to kindergarten,” De Leon told Financial Adviser PH. From depositing leftover allowance coins into the bank to selling candies and halo-halo during summer breaks, De Leon learned the value of earning, saving, and investing money from a young age.
Her parents played a crucial role in shaping her financial mindset. Growing up above their family store and witnessing the day-to-day operations of their copra farming business, De Leon was no stranger to financial discussions. “Whenever a typhoon hit and affected production, my father would gather us and explain why we needed to tighten our spending,” she recalled. This lesson in financial prudence wasn’t just about saving in tough times—it also emphasized the importance of saving for the future and the power of compound interest.
De Leon’s upbringing wasn’t just about surviving financial challenges—it was about laying the groundwork for future financial success. From her childhood, she internalized habits of frugality, budgeting, and investing. Her family’s emphasis on saving for essential needs and investing in education and books set her up for financial independence. “We had a typical Chinese frugal mindset—spending only on essentials like food and books,” De Leon said.
These early lessons about financial discipline paid off in her later life. When it comes to building wealth, financial habits are just as important as financial knowledge. De Leon’s story demonstrates how consistently saving, prioritizing essential expenses, and investing in the future can lead to financial stability and prosperity.
For parents looking to teach their children about money, De Leon’s experience shows that it’s never too early to start. By instilling habits of financial discipline early on, you equip the next generation with the tools they need to build wealth and achieve long-term financial success.
