Is It Possible to Save and Still Enjoy Life? These Filipino Employees Share How They Did It

Save, build an emergency fund, grow your career, travel, while still budgeting for self-care and enjoying life—is it really possible to do and have it all?

For most young professionals and Filipino employees, this idea of balancing it all almost seems like a mere myth. Having it all? In this economy? And this is without factoring in the continuous rise of living costs and, for some, the added responsibility of taking care of their families.

But here’s the good news. There are some of us who have done it, and they’ve shared their stories to let you know that you can do it, too.

Sun Life Philippines Employee Diaries Margie and Kristine

Photo: Sun Life Philippines

Margie’s and Kristine’s stories of success

Meet Margie and Kristine, two Gen Z and millennial employees who have achieved their life and financial goals not just through hard work, but also careful planning. They shared their stories through Sun Life Philippines’ Employee Diaries series, which aim to tell real-life tales of people navigating the challenges Filipino employees face—like balancing day-to-day expenses, supporting their families, while saving for the future and trying to enjoy the present.

This isn’t an easy feat—we all know that—but through success stories like Margie’s and Kristine’s, Sun Life Philippines, the first and longest-standing life insurance company in the country, hopes to inspire and bring this reality closer to many other Filipinos, too.

How Margie achieved her 1-million-peso dream

(L-R) Jennie Laureles, Sun Life Advisor, and Margie Endres, Sun Life Client | Photo: Sun Life Philippines

Like many, Margie also fell into the cycle of earning then spending. Every time sweldo arrived, she’d immediately spend it on online shopping. Things changed when she came across a Sun Life financial advisor’s post online that shared tips. This inspired her to reach out because, she said, she knew it was time “to get better at adulting.”

After initially securing health insurance, her Sun Life financial advisor gave her a challenge—saving up her first 1 million pesos before she turned 30. She said that this goal inspired her to be more mindful of where she spent her money, focusing mostly on saving and investing. And, with the guidance of her Sun Life financial advisor, she eventually reached her goal and made her first million.

Watch Margie’s story here:

How Kristine manages to enjoy life while saving for the future

(L-R) Kristine Vi Gadayan, Sun Life Client, and Rishel Mañas, Sun Life Advisor | Photo: Sun Life Philippines

Kristine works hard, but she felt like she was missing out on life experiences because of endless to-do lists. She wanted to achieve work-life balance, and what inspired her most was her brother, who she said would remind her to “live life to the fullest.”

Kristine sought the help of a friend, a Sun Life financial advisor, who helped her find that balance through better financial planning. By putting her hard-earned money into different investments and insurance policies that supported her needs, Kristine was able to free up more time to spend fulfilling her personal dreams and hobbies. Now, she can rest easy knowing that she can enjoy life at present while making sure that she is financially protected and prepared for the future.

Watch Kristine’s story here:

Practical money tips you can do now for financial freedom

Being financially secure is not just about being able to afford our wants and needs. Real wealth is freedom—from anxiety and worry that often come with thinking about how to pay the bills or settle an unexpected emergency.

Here are 5 things you can do now to start small and achieve financial freedom like Margie and Kristine:

1. Watch out for the “lifestyle creep”

This is a trap many fall for. When they get a pay raise, their lifestyle expenses go up, too. Try to keep your expenses the same and determine what your “expense leaks” are. Are you ordering too much from delivery apps? Cooking or bringing baon to work can help you keep more of your hard-earned money.

2. Create a separate “Family Fund” account

Many Pinoys are part of the “Sandwich Generation”—the ones helping out their families while trying to start their own lives. You guys are heroes! To make sure you’re still looking out for yourself, start a dedicated family fund. Even if it’s just a small amount from every paycheck, having this separate budget helps you show your love without compromising your own financial stability.

3. Invest in your peace of mind

Financial stress can be a real mental and emotional burden. But that’s why it’s so important to have an emergency fund. Think of your emergency fund not just as a bank balance, but as mental health insurance. Having an emergency fund helps you navigate life with less worry and more confidence, knowing you’re prepared to face any unexpected challenge.

4. Focus on small, daily wins

You don’t need a huge amount to start being financially adult. Big changes come from small habits, like choosing to meal prep or automating a ₱500 transfer to your investment account every sweldo. Small, daily choices add up over time. Being consistent is much more important than making huge commitments that feel intimidating to start.

Let that small thing you do today be this: reaching out to a Sun Life financial advisor who can help you create a roadmap for you to achieve financial freedom and live bright now—just like Margie and Kristine.

Head to https://sunlife.co/LiveBrightNow to start your journey toward a brighter future today.

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