Struggling to keep up with your kita (income) while your gastos (expenses) seem to multiply overnight? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many Filipinos face this daily challenge, whether you’re a small business owner, freelancer, or corporate employee. The good news? Balancing your kita and gastos is possible—with the right mindset and strategy.
1. Know Where Your Money Goes
You can’t manage what you don’t track. Start by listing all your regular gastos—rent, food, utilities, transportation, business supplies, etc. Use a simple notebook or a free app like Money Manager or Spendee. You’ll be surprised how those small expenses like milk tea or online shopping add up.
2. Pay Yourself First
Before paying bills or spending on anything else, set aside a fixed portion of your kita for savings or investments. This is what they call “paying yourself first.” Kahit 10% lang to start, that’s already a big win for your future self.
3. Set a Monthly Budget—and Stick to It
After listing your kita and gastos, create a realistic budget. Set limits for each spending category—like ₱3,000 for food, ₱1,500 for transportation, etc. Discipline is key. Kung wala sa budget, ‘wag gastusin.
4. Separate Wants from Needs
Be honest with yourself. Do you need that new phone, or do you just want it? Needs should always come first—food, rent, bills, etc. Wants can wait. Sakto lang, wag muna maging “luho goals” kung hindi pa kaya ng kita.
5. Find Extra Sources of Income
If your kita is always short, maybe it’s time to increase your income. Think about side hustles: online selling, freelance work, food delivery, tutoring, or digital services. The more kita, the more room to manage gastos.
6. Avoid Utang as a First Option
Utang should not be your go-to solution for daily gastos. If you must borrow, make sure it’s for productive use (like capital for business), not for luho. And always have a plan to pay it back.
7. Review and Adjust Monthly
Money management is not a one-time thing. Check your budget every month. May bagong gastos? Nabawasan ba ang kita? Adjust accordingly. Flexibility and consistency go hand in hand.
Balancing kita and gastos is not about depriving yourself—it’s about making wiser decisions today for a more secure tomorrow. Small steps like budgeting, saving, and earning more can go a long way.
Kaya mo ‘yan! Start now and take control of your finances, one peso at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions: Balanse sa Kita at Gastos
1. Paano ko malalaman kung sobra na ang gastos ko?
Kung mas malaki na ang gastos kaysa sa kita mo buwan-buwan, at umaasa ka na sa utang o ipon para lang mabuhay, that’s a clear sign na kailangan mo nang i-review at i-cut down ang expenses mo.
2. Anong app ang puwedeng gamitin para mag-track ng gastos?
Maraming free apps available tulad ng Money Manager, Spendee, o Mint. Pero kung old school ka, notebook or Excel spreadsheet will still do the job.
3. Okay lang ba na mag-splurge minsan?
Yes, pero planuhin mo. Set a small budget for personal treats or luho, basta hindi ito makakaapekto sa essential needs at savings mo.
4. Ilang percent ng kita ko dapat ang mapunta sa savings?
Kung kaya, aim for at least 20%. Pero kung nagsisimula pa lang, kahit 5-10% is a good start. The key is consistency.
5. Paano kung irregular ang income ko?
Base your budget on your average monthly income. Kapag malaki ang kita, magtabi ka agad for lean months. Prioritize fixed expenses first.
6. Worth it ba ang credit card for daily expenses?
Pwede, kung marunong kang mag-control. Always pay in full and on time para iwas interest and penalties. Kung hindi kaya, better to stick with cash or debit.
7. Ano ang “pay yourself first” method?
Ito yung pag-save mo muna bago gumastos. Pagkatanggap mo ng kita, agad mong itabi ang para sa savings o investment—treat it like a non-negotiable expense.
8. Anong dapat unahin: bayad-utang o savings?
Kung may high-interest utang ka (like credit card), unahin mo ito. Pero kung manageable naman, do both—save kahit konti habang unti-unting binabayaran ang utang.
9. Paano ko tuturuan ang pamilya ko na magtipid din?
Start by involving them in budgeting. Explain your financial goals as a family. Set a good example and celebrate small wins together—like “no takeout week” or “lights off challenge.”
10. Anong mindset ang kailangan para maging successful sa pera?
Discipline, consistency, and patience. Hindi kailangan maging kuripot, pero dapat maging matalino sa paggastos. Remember, every peso you save is a peso earned.
Business News Philippines was launched in October 2015 as a portal for readers to learn more about operating a business in the Philippines.
