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.
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.
