...

Money Doesn’t Grow On Trees, But Your Allowance Can Grow If You… PLANT SOME HUSTLE!

Alam mo ba yung feeling na parang lagi nalang kulang ang baon?

Yung tipong kakakuha mo lang ng allowance, pero parang humihirit na agad mag-goodbye?

Nakaka-frustrate, diba? Lalo na kung ang dami mong gustong bilhin o gawin.

Don’t worry, bes! Kasi today, we’re gonna talk about how to make your allowance GROW!

Hindi magic ‘to. Hindi rin ‘to get-rich-quick scheme.

This is about adding some hustle to your everyday life para naman hindi laging “anak ng tokwa” ang drama mo sa wallet mo.

Ready ka na ba mag-level up at gawing “sana all” ang allowance mo? Tara, start na tayo!

1. Be the Master of Your Baon: Budgeting 101

Bago ka mag-isip ng kung anu-anong sideline, kailangan mo munang matutunan kung paano mag-budget ng allowance mo.

Isipin mo na lang, parang relationship yan. Kung hindi mo aalagaan at bibigyan ng oras, magkaka-trouble ka.

Here’s the deal:

  • Track your gastos. List down mo lahat ng pinagkakagastusan mo sa isang notebook o kaya naman sa notes app ng phone mo. From pamasahe to kwek-kwek, dapat lahat accounted for.
  • Set your priorities. Ano ba talaga ang importante? Yung bagong Jordan’s na ‘yan o yung pang-tuition mo next sem? Always remember your goals!
  • Create a budget plan. Mag-allocate ka ng specific amount for each category – food, transportation, school supplies, etc. Pwede mong gamitin yung 50/30/20 rule: 50% for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and other goals.
  • Stick to your budget. Ito ang pinakamahirap, bes! Discipline is key. Kapag alam mong overspending na, hold your horses!

2. Time to Shine: Unleash Your Inner Raketera/Raketero

Dito na papasok ang diskarte at creativity, mga bes! Maraming paraan para kumita ng extra money, even as a student. Ang mahalaga, masipag ka at hindi ka takot sumubok ng bago.

Here are some side hustles you can try:

  • Online Selling. Ang daming pwede ibenta online! Preloved clothes, accessories, gadgets, books, or even food. Gamitin mo lang ang powers ng Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, or Shopee.
  • Freelancing. Kung magaling ka magsulat, mag-edit ng videos, or gumawa ng graphics, try mo mag-freelance. Maraming websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and OnlineJobs.ph na nag-ooffer ng freelance jobs.
  • Tutoring. Kung gifted ka naman sa academics, why not tutor your classmates or younger students? Pwede ka mag-charge per hour or per session.
  • Arts and Crafts. Kung artistic ka, pwede mong gawing business yung hobby mo. Magbenta ka ng paintings, customized shirts, handmade accessories, or anything you can create.
  • Event Services. Masipag ka ba at hindi takot magpakapagod? Pwede kang mag-offer ng event services like catering, photography, or videography.
  • Social Media Management. Kung adik ka naman sa social media, bakit hindi mo gawing source of income? Maraming small businesses ang naghahanap ng social media managers to handle their accounts.

3. Invest in Yourself: Skills Up, Money Up!

Hindi lang puro raket dapat, bes. Kailangan mo din mag-invest sa sarili mo para mas marami kang opportunities in the future.

Here’s how:

  • Learn new skills. Take online courses, attend workshops, or read books about topics that interest you. Maraming free online courses available sa platforms like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy.
  • Improve your communication skills. Important ito, lalo na kung gusto mo mag-freelance or magtrabaho sa mga industries na nangangailangan ng good communication skills.
  • Develop your talents. Kung magaling ka kumanta, sumayaw, or mag-play ng instruments, huwag mong sayangin ang talent mo. Mag-practice ka at sumali sa mga competitions. Malay mo, dito mo pa mahanap ang future career path mo!

4. Side Hustle Savings: Wag Puro Gastos, Bes!

Ngayong may extra income ka na, importante na matutunan mo din kung paano i-manage yung money mo.

Here are some tips:

  • Open a separate bank account. Para hindi maghalo ang allowance mo sa kinikita mo sa side hustle mo.
  • Set a savings goal. Magkano ba gusto mong maipon? Para sa bagong phone, travel fund, or pang-tuition mo next year?
  • Automate your savings. Mas madali mag-ipon kung automatic na nadadagdag yung certain amount sa savings account mo every month.
  • Avoid unnecessary expenses. Bago ka bumili ng kung ano-ano, tanungin mo muna ang sarili mo: “Kailangan ko ba talaga ‘to?” or “Kaya ko pa bang mabuhay nang wala nito?”.

5. Patience is a Virtue: Hindi Agad-Agad Yan, Bes!

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Ganun din sa pagpapalago ng allowance. Hindi agad-agad magiging instant millionaire ka.

Here’s the key:

  • Be patient and persistent. Huwag ka agad susuko kung hindi agad mag-work yung first few tries mo. Keep on learning, keep on trying, at wag mawalan ng gana.
  • Celebrate small wins. Nakapag-ipon ka ba ng Php 1,000 this month? Nakapagbenta ka ba ng first online product mo? That’s something to be proud of! Small victories pave the way to bigger achievements.

Final Thoughts:

Money doesn’t grow on trees, pero pwede mo itong palaguin if you’re willing to work hard and be resourceful. Huwag mong i-limit ang sarili mo sa allowance na binibigay sayo. Maraming opportunities out there, kailangan mo lang hanapin at pagtrabahuhan.

Kaya go out there and make it happen, bes! You got this!