Now That My Kids Are Grown, It’s My Turn to Get Smart About Money

A mom's journey into financial literacy with the help of Tala’s TALAkayan

When you're a mom, especially in a traditional Filipino household, your whole life revolves around your family. I spent most of my adult years making sure my children had what they needed—education, packed lunches, tuition money, birthday cakes, new barongs and dresses for job interviews. And by God’s grace, all three of them are now professionals. Independent. Stable.

But now that the house is quieter, the laundry loads are fewer, and my wallet isn't constantly being raided for school projects or allowance—I’ve been thinking: what about me?

I’m not getting any younger. And even though I’ve been working hard my whole life, I realized something important recently: I never really learned how to manage money. I knew how to spend wisely and sacrifice—that comes naturally to any mother. But save for myself? Invest? Understand credit? Plan for retirement? No one ever taught me how to do that.

That’s why Tala’s TALAkayan struck a chord in me.

It's Never Too Late To Learn

We live in a world where things like "financial literacy," "credit scores," and "investment portfolios" are thrown around so easily—usually by people who already grew up comfortable. But for many of us, especially women who gave everything to their families, these things can feel intimidating or even embarrassing to ask about.

That’s why I appreciated TALAkayan so much. It’s not a lecture. It’s not condescending. It’s not reserved for bankers or businessmen. It’s for people like me—Filipinos who want to do better with their money but don’t know where to start.

TALAkayan started out as workshops in places like Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Laguna—even Singapore, for OFWs. But now, they’ve made it even more accessible. They’re uploading short, practical videos every week on Facebook and Instagram—tackling everything from budgeting tricks to understanding insurance and investing.

Yes, even investing. Something I used to think was just for rich people.

My Children Take Care of Me, But I Want to Take Care of Myself, Too

My children have always been generous. They send money, treat me out, and make sure I never go without. But I don’t want to be a burden. I want to be able to stand on my own feet, even in my later years.

More than that, I want to set an example for them—that financial growth doesn’t stop at 50 or 60. It’s never too late to learn, adjust, and invest.

After watching just a few TALAkayan videos, I finally understood why I should consider insurance. Not just for protection, but for peace of mind. I finally saw how I could start small with savings, and even try investing, little by little. It’s empowering to know that I can still plan for a future that includes me—my dreams, my needs, my independence.

From “Budgeting for the Kids” to “Planning for Myself”

Back then, budgeting meant figuring out how to make five lunches fit into one salary. Now, budgeting means choosing where to put my savings so it can grow. The principles are similar—but this time, I’m not just surviving, I’m thinking ahead.

And thanks to the guidance of financial educators like Salve Ibañez, who led one of TALAkayan’s special sessions, I no longer feel ashamed that I started late. As she said:

“You are not defined by when you started in your financial journey, but the steps you take to achieve progress.”

That line stayed with me. Because now, I’m taking the steps.

This Is Financial Education for Real People

Since it started, TALAkayan has helped over 1,200 people—from jeepney drivers to small business owners to overseas workers. People who didn’t get formal financial education, but who are eager to learn, improve, and move forward.

I’m proud to be one of them.

This isn’t just about pesos and centavos—it’s about confidence, clarity, and freedom. Freedom from always worrying, from feeling behind, from thinking “sayang, if only I had known this earlier.”

To Fellow Moms (and Lolas) Reading This

If you’re like me—someone who spent years taking care of everyone else—maybe it’s time to take care of you. Learn how money works. Learn how to make it grow. Learn how to protect it. And do it without shame, without fear, without feeling "too old" or "too late."

You don’t need to enroll in a seminar or read thick textbooks. You can start small. Watch a video. Open the Tala app. Ask questions.

And know that you are never alone in this journey.

Because financial education isn't just for the young or wealthy. It’s for all of us. And with programs like TALAkayan, it’s finally within reach.

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Ready to start your journey?
Visit tala.ph or follow Tala Philippines on Facebook and Instagram. Your next step toward financial confidence could be just one video away.

Tala Recognized by Forbes and CNBC for Outstanding Financial Services

International media houses Forbes and CNBC have recognized Tala once again for its significant contribution in providing personalized and tailored financial services to the underbanked population worldwide. Tala has earned its place in Forbes’ prestigious Fintech 50 list for the eighth consecutive year and CNBC’s Disruptor 50 list for the fifth consecutive year. 

 

This remarkable achievement underscores Tala’s continued impact and innovation in the financial services industry. As Forbes highlights, “In 2023, Tala rebuilt its data infrastructure to cut the time it takes for most customers to get approved for a loan from two minutes to just a few seconds.” 

 

“Today’s financial system doesn’t work for the Global Majority – the 52% of the world’s

population who are excluded from legacy finance. At Tala, we’re proud to be working towards

unleashing the $10 trillion worth of economic power of the Global Majority with the latest technology,” said Shivani Siroya, founder & CEO of Tala. 

 

CNBC states, “Tala is out to disrupt legacy finance in developing markets by providing loans, credit, insurance and bill pay to consumers who lack access to banks, insurers and lenders, and who lack a financial track record.”

"At Tala, our dedication lies in advancing financial inclusivity for Filipinos through dependable and accessible financial solutions. Nearly three million individuals in the Philippines have gained financial visibility and empowerment through our services. As we persist in elevating financial stability and empowering aspirations, we actively advocate for financial literacy and forge partnerships with aligned organizations committed to enhancing financial service accessibility," expressed Moritz Gastl, General Manager of Tala Philippines. 

 

While we’ve made significant strides across three continents, we still have a long way to go to fully realize our mission. If you want to be a part of challenging the status quo, check out our open positions. 

 

Tala launches Tala Flexible Loans

  Tala, launched a unique credit option for its customers today. This first-of-its-kind feature, called Tala Flexible Loans, allows customers to choose the due date that works best for their needs, up to 61 days. 

 

Filipinos can now time their due date around their next payday and other financial obligations, making repayment easier, and enjoy lower fees depending on the duration they choose. Tala offers affordable, transparent and one-time fees on every loan. Tala has also made repayment easy in over 18,000 locations such as  GCash, Paymaya, Coins.ph, 7-Eleven, Cebuana Lhuillier, or M Lhuillier where borrowers can pay in full or make partial payments, anytime on or before their due date. Customers who make timely payments can earn more favorable terms over time, including doubling and tripling their loan limits within just a few months.

 

“At Tala, we always listen to our customers and innovate our products based on their needs,” says Shivani Siroya, Tala founder and CEO. “Our new, improved flexible credit gives borrowers the power to choose the due date that works best for them, not Tala. We are confident that this new feature will give Filipinos more financial access as well as the confidence to reach their financial goals.”

 

Any Filipino with an Android phone can apply for Tala credit 24/7 using Tala's easy-to-navigate mobile application. For first-time borrowers, simply open the application, fill out the personal information form, and provide one picture and government-issued ID. Tala provides a decision within minutes after application. Once approved, borrowers can choose their terms by confirming the desired loan amount, due date, and where they want to receive their cash. Loans may be deposited to their bank account, transferred to their Coins.ph wallet, or claimed at the nearest remittance center such as Cebuana Lhuillier, M Lhuillier, or Palawan Express Pera Padala.

 

Trusted by more than 6 million customers worldwide, Tala is on a mission to empower the financially underserved using its proprietary technologies, encouraging responsible borrowing while preventing over-indebtedness. At the same time, the lending app consistently enables financial literacy through its robust library of content, which includes articles related to loans, savings, business, and general expenses. 

 

Registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Tala ensures safe and accessible lending by employing best practices and championing consumer protection globally with world-class SSL encryption. 

 

To start a journey with TALA, visit the Google Play Store now to download the app or simply click http://bitly.ws/hcAt

TALA Goes Full Orbit in New Single "lucky!"

TALA is one with the stars in her latest single "lucky!"  Slowing it down from her last two releases, TALA embraces some R&B in this track as mixes in her love for astrology and astronomy with her knack for writing irresistible lyrics about young love. 

https://youtu.be/aIen84R4144

Talking about the song, she says she was inspired by the existence of the planet Mercury, in how "it is both the planet of communication, but also the planet of luck/trickery. In the same sense, it's odd how the planet shrinks every time it orbits the sun, yet it keeps on coming back - the song puts that into a context of a relationship that is doomed to fail."

The young singer-songwriter is definitely expanding her reach and her music, and "lucky!" is a clear indication of what's to come as she sets to release her second EP.