Alex Gonzaga used to be guilty of shopping splurges when she was younger.
The 31-year-old actress vlogger admitted that she used to spend her money on clothes since being in showbiz meant she always had to dress her best. But now that she is married, Alex's financial priorities have changed.
The Lunch Out Loud host said she has developed a new habit when it comes to handling her paychecks, and this helps her manage her finances.
"The first thing that I do, deposit ko po muna," Alex said at her press launch for Shopee's 5.15 Payday Sale last Saturday, May 8, 2021. She explained, "Kasi mas gusto ko po nakikita na may pumapasok kesa may lumalabas, so deposit muna ako.
"Kapag na-deposit ko na, saka ka na mag-withdraw. At least may pumasok. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako ganun pero iyon iyong aking pag-uugali. Ipasok mo muna lahat iyan 'tapos saka ako magwi-withdraw, saka ako mamimili, saka ka magbabayad ng mga kailangan mo bilhin."
When it comes to food for her husband and her family, Alex doesn't hesitate to click "buy now" instead of simply adding to her cart.
She said of her current online shopping splurges, "Dati mga gamit, ngayon na nagka-asawa na ako at saka tumatanda na ako, parang food. Ang add to cart ko [sa online shopping], walang food kasi kapag naisip ko na gusto kong bilhin, kunyare may nabili po ako 'tapos nagustuhan ng asawa ko, nagustuhan ng mommy ko, automatic iyan, bibili ako tatlong pack na. Bibilhin ko na kaagad."
Learning from Mikee
Alex revealed she learned how to better manage her finances thanks to the influence of her husband, Mikee Morada.
The Kapamilya talent said, "Ang natutunan ko kay Mikee, napansin ko iyon ever since mag-jowa pa lang kami, pag may gustong bilhin si Mikee, may it be big purchase or small purchase, hindi niya binibili agad. Pinag-iisipan niya ng 3,000 times, ganung level."
She recalled one instance when Mikee asked her to accompany him to buy a new laptop. "May point na dati nagpunta sa States. Sumama siya sa amin nung nag-States kami.
"Sabi niya, 'Samahan mo naman ako, bibili ako ng laptop.' Naka-apat kami ng bilihan ng laptop 'tapos iyon lang din. Same lang din.
"'Tapos hindi pa rin siya nakabili. Hindi ko alam kung bakit 'tapos the next day pa siya bumili. Apat na Best Buy, iyong bilihan ng appliances, tinitignan niya lang talaga kung pare-pareho ng presyo, kung tama ba iyong nasa kanya. Hindi ko na-gets. 'Tapos tuwing pumupunta kami sa appliance center na iyon, Best Buy kasi iyong tawag sa States, ako iyong may nabibili isa-isa. Nakabili ako ng cellphone protector, cellphone case.
"Sabi ko, 'Alam mo, Mikee, ako iyong nakakabili, ikaw wala kang nabibili.' Nakikipag-usap siya dun sa mga staff. Ganun siya, ever since before maano talaga siya, kailangan niya maisip nang ilang beses. So iyan ang natutunan ko sa kanya."
As for online shopping, Alex said it was Mikee who taught her how to control her impulse buying.
"Sabi niya sa akin, kapag mag-online shopping ako, kunyare may naisip ka na mga appliances mo na gusto, lalo iyong mga electronics and something na mga appliances, i-add to cart ko na lang daw muna.
"Iyon ang sabi niya sa akin, 'Add to cart mo 'tapos balikan mo na lang nang balikan.' Pag gusto mo pa rin siya in mga three weeks, two weeks, ayon na, bilhin mo na. Minsan nakakalimutan ko bilhin, minsan nakakalimutan ko, 'Ay, 'tapos na pala iyong sale, 'tapos na pala yung ano 11-11.' So napapabili pa rin ako, buti na lang may mga cashback."
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Importance of Investing
Another financial advice Alex would like to share with her fans is the importance of investing their money.
She said that compared to saving it in the bank, investing gives your money the potential to grow faster.
"Ang natutunan ko po is to invest your money. Iyon po iyong pinakanatutunan ko. Kasi po before, when I earn parang bili lang ako ng gusto ko, kasi nga for me, iyon iyong reward ko. I worked hard for this.
"Ngayon na-realize ko na you can make your money work for you, you can earn pa with your money. Iyon iyong naipaliwanag sa akin ng asawa ko and natutunan ko over the years, na instead of buying iyong mga gusto mo, bumili ka ng mga bagay o mga investment na mas lalaki iyong pera mo. Hindi siya maiiwan sa inflation."
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