Building financial security often feels like something reserved for people with high-paying jobs, large inheritances, or decades of investment experience. But for most people, especially those just trying to get by day to day, that narrative can feel out of reach and a bit discouraging.
The truth is, you don’t need a big salary to start making meaningful progress. Real momentum often comes from getting more out of the money you already have. It’s not just about cutting back; it’s about spending smarter, saving more consistently, and using tools that give your everyday actions more impact. Maya, a trusted name in digital finance, gives you access to exactly those kinds of tools, from smart savings features to value-packed credit cards designed for everyday Filipinos.
This article explores how small, practical actions—many of which you can start right now—can lead to bigger financial wins over time. Let’s talk about it.
Use Your Card Rewards to Chip Away at Big Purchases
Discounts are easy to appreciate in the moment, but cashback offers and other similar credit card rewards can have longer-term value when you treat them as part of a bigger savings strategy. Instead of using cashback as an excuse for extra spending, consider it a practical way to ease the cost of planned or recurring expenses. Whether you’re stocking up on groceries, replacing an old appliance, or preparing for a seasonal restock at home, you can apply any points or rebates you’ve accumulated on your cashback credit card toward reducing the final bill. This strategy, in turn, helps you stretch your money without feeling deprived.
Let’s illustrate how this works in practice using Maya’s Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card as an example. This ultra-rewarding credit card gives you up to 5% cashback at Landers Superstore, 2% on dining, and 1% on other qualified transactions.* Each peso earned converts into a point worth PHP 1, which you can use directly as a discount on your next Landers visit. That means your usual shopping habits—especially for essentials—can help chip away at the cost of your next big buy. The more consistently you use your Maya credit card, the faster those points can grow into something that actually gives you more purchasing power.
Make a Savings Plan and Stick to It
People who think they’re bad at saving are usually just forgetful or bogged down by the number of small decisions they have to make each day. Life gets busy, bills pile up, and before you know it, the month is over and your savings account hasn’t moved.
You’ll definitely be in for a headache if you just tell yourself that you’ll set aside whatever extra money you have left before your next paycheck. Take all the guesswork out of the process by committing a set amount of money to your savings on a regular schedule, even if it’s just PHP 50 every week or a small fraction of your salary each payday. Set up reminders on your phone or PC so you never forget to make the transfer and accidentally spend the money. With time and practice, putting the money aside will become second nature, and those small amounts will compound into something meaningful.
Spend with Intention
There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your money, but spending without thought can quietly chip away at your progress. Getting a second food delivery this week? Taking a ride-hailing app instead of the jeepney for a short trip? These choices add up. Spending with intention means pausing to ask yourself, “Is this helping me or holding me back?” It doesn’t mean saying no to everything; it just means saying yes more deliberately.
Channel “Found Money” into Bigger Goals
Unexpected cash has a way of disappearing if you don’t give it a job. A gift, a refund, a loyalty voucher—these small windfalls can easily vanish into impulse spending. On the other hand, they can become tools for long-term progress if you choose to exercise a bit of discipline.
Instead of letting “extra money” blend into your everyday budget, try directing it toward something purposeful. That could be an extra deposit into your emergency fund, an early loan payment, or a top-up to your savings goal for a vacation or appliance upgrade. These aren’t huge moves on their own, but do them consistently and they’ll accelerate your progress without affecting your core budget.
Stash Your Savings in a High-Interest Account
It’s one thing to set money aside, but it’s another thing altogether to make sure it grows while it sits. The difference between a regular account and a high-interest savings product can be substantial over time, especially when compounded monthly or daily. Look for savings solutions that reward you for both consistency and balance. Digital banks like Maya, for instance, often provide goal-saving solutions and time deposits with more flexible terms and more competitive rates than your average brick-and-mortar bank.
Use Financial Tools That Match Your Lifestyle
Financial tools work best when they align with your real habits, not your ideal ones. It’s easy to sign up for an app or card that looks great on paper, but if it doesn’t fit your day-to-day routines, it’s unlikely to make a lasting impact.
That’s why it helps to choose options that naturally integrate into how you already spend. If you shop at Landers regularly, for example, using the Maya Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card makes sense. It doubles as your membership card and grants you access to exclusive offers and promotions, while also earning cashback on every eligible purchase. The best tools aren’t the flashiest; they’re the ones that work quietly in the background, helping you move forward with as little extra effort as possible.
You don’t need to change your financial habits drastically to turn small savings into big wins; just a bit of intention, consistency, and the right tools to back you up. If you’re ready to start making everyday spending work harder for you, explore how the Maya Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card can help you save more where it counts.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.
