“Bahala na” is a phrase many Filipinos know by heart. Sometimes, it highlights courage in the face of uncertainty, but when applied to money, it often becomes a risky excuse. Waiting for luck to turn, delaying savings, or assuming things will somehow “work out” can leave you unprepared for emergencies and unable to reach your goals.
Today’s financial landscape is marked by high inflation, rising costs of basic goods, and mounting uncertainty about the years to come, all of which make money management far more complex than it was a decade ago. If you’re aiming to take a more intentional approach, it doesn’t necessarily mean shooting for perfection; it means building steady habits that give you peace of mind and control over your future.
A trustworthy financial partner can help you get on the right track and stay the course. As the #1 digital bank in the Philippines and a Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-supervised financial institution (BSFI), Maya offers solutions and practical advice that help you move beyond bahala na thinking and start saving with confidence. Here are some easy but effective ways to shift your mindset and put your money to work.
Anchor Your Goals to Something Concrete
It’s difficult to stay motivated when your savings are just numbers on a screen with no clear purpose. Why not turn those pesos into something tangible, like a plane ticket you’ve been eyeing, a starter emergency fund, or tuition for your child? Doing so creates a powerful “why” that keeps you disciplined.
Maya makes this easier with Maya Personal Goals, a feature that lets you deposit money toward specific targets for up to 180 days. You can create up to five separate goal accounts, with each goal account earning up to 8% p.a. on balances of up to PHP 100,000. The tiered interest rate system starts at 4% for the first PHP 20,000 and gradually increases up to 8% for amounts above PHP 80,000. The best part? If you need flexibility, you can cancel anytime and move your funds back to your Maya Savings account.
Build Saving into Your Routine
One of the easiest ways to slip into bahala na thinking is by telling yourself you’ll save “next time.” Without structure, saving always takes a back seat to spending. The fix is to treat saving like a non-negotiable bill—part of your routine every payday. Set reminders if you need help remembering to make the bank deposit, or even commit to making it the first thing you do when your paycheck comes in. Even modest, regular deposits add up faster than you think.
The effort you put into saving will pay off double if you have a high-interest savings account that can actually help your money grow instead of simply holding it. With Maya Savings, you can grow your funds daily with a base 3.5% interest rate per annum. What’s more, you can boost this rate to as high as 15% p.a. on balances up to PHP 100,000 just by using Maya for your daily transactions, from buying load and paying bills to paying via QR Ph or using your Maya Card. Everyday actions turn into momentum for your savings deposit account and reward you for consistency.
Think Beyond Short-Term Gratification
It’s tempting to spend on what feels good now and hope the future sorts itself out. But that mindset often leaves you unprepared for bigger goals that take time to achieve. Building discipline means setting aside money you commit not to touch, even when the short-term temptation is strong.
Need a reliable tool to support your longer-term savings goals? We’ve got your back with Maya Time Deposit Plus, designed for people ready to commit their funds for 3, 6, or 12 months. Lock in a deposit to earn higher, time-based interest while protecting that money from impulse spending. It’s a simple way to trade short-term gratification for long-term stability.
Stay Accountable and Visible
Bahala na thrives when no one, not even you, is keeping track. Staying accountable makes you far more likely to stick with your plans. This could mean sharing your goals with a trusted friend or simply keeping an easy-to-read tracker that shows how far you’ve come.
Maya’s app makes accountability and visibility automatic. You can check balances anytime, track your progress toward specific goals, and see your money growing in real time. That kind of clarity helps keep you motivated, while also reminding you that saving isn’t about blind faith; it’s about tangible results you can measure every day.
Celebrate Small Wins along the Way
Big savings goals can feel overwhelming if you only measure success at the finish line. That’s when discouragement creeps in and the bahala na mindset takes over. Recognize small milestones, whether it’s hitting your first PHP 5,000 or building up one month’s worth of expenses. This keeps your momentum strong. Treating progress as something worth celebrating helps you stay committed for the long run.
Reframe Saving as Empowerment, Not Sacrifice
Many people avoid saving because it feels like giving something up: a dinner out, a new pair of shoes, a short trip. But shifting your perspective can make it feel more emotionally rewarding. Instead of thinking of savings as deprivation, view it as buying yourself security, freedom, and peace of mind. That change in mindset transforms saving from a chore into a source of empowerment, one that protects you against uncertainty and brings you closer to the life you want.
You don’t need to be perfect at handling your money to leave bahala na behind; it’s enough to take small, intentional steps that add up over time. With Maya Savings, Personal Goals, and Time Deposit Plus, you have trusted tools to grow your money and secure your future. Start saving smarter today with Maya, the Philippines’ top digital bank.
