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Towards a better future: Building up savings amid COVID-19

Towards a better future: Building up savings amid COVID-19

April 29, 2021 | by HC Mutual

Our way of life has changed drastically because of the pandemic. As a nation, we have discovered and endured unprecedented challenges, risks, and uncertainties. Financially, COVID-19 has also underscored the importance of planning and saving.

Beyond taking care and providing for your family during these difficult times, building up savings ensures a better future for you. Tomorrow brings new opportunities, and enough preparation can give you and your loved ones the best chance to seize them. To help you get started on your savings or achieving your financial goals during this pandemic, we’ve prepared a few tips for you.

1

Track your expenses 
and your income.

The first step to saving is reviewing, understanding, and evaluating your current cash flow and financial capacity. Ask yourself: Where is your money going? What are you spending on the most? How much are you earning at present? Are you receiving any financial assistance?

2

Set goals. Work through them one at a time.

Building up savings during this pandemic is a long game. Start by listing down short-term and long-term financial goals that you can slowly work through, one by one, within a set timeline—no need to rush. For a more detailed know-how on setting goals and putting them into action, check out our guide to creating doable financial plans here.

3

Utilise payment 
holidays.

Give yourself breathing space and ease the financial stress of the pandemic by seeking assistance where possible. Many financial institutions like HC Mutual provide payment holidays for loans and other financial services in case of emergencies. Check your utilities, mortgage, or active loans if it is possible to work out an arrangement for you.

Start saving for the future today.

HC Mutual offers its members the KayaMo Saver’s Plan—a hassle-free way to build up savings and put your financial goals within reach.

  • As low as P101 per payday
  • Flexible savings plans of 3, 5, or 7 years
  • Access to the KayaMo Cash Loan – This way, you can have the means to address your immediate financial needs without dipping into your savings.
LEARN MORE

4

Prioritise the 
essentials.

Online shops and cashless transactions have made it easier to spend money. While it is good to treat yourself once in a while, keep your shopping to a minimum and focus on securing essentials first.

5

Reallocate 
your funds

With the nationwide push to stay at home for safety, online classes, and—for some
individuals—the work-from-home setup, a portion of your budget can be added to your savings and emergency funds.

Final Thoughts

Despite the fear and struggles caused by COVID-19, all hope is not lost. You can still look forward to a better tomorrow and ensure that your loved ones can have a future with careful planning, good saving habits, and financial safety nets.

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Cash Loan HC Mutual Personal Finance Saver’s Plan Savings

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Pay yourself first: 8 QUICK-AND-PAINLESS MONEY SAVING TIPS

Pay yourself first:
8 QUICK-AND-PAINLESS MONEY SAVING TIPS

October 15, 2020 | by HC Mutual

You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

We all have goals and dreams for the future. It may be the latest new gadget, getting another degree, travelling, starting a business, or owning a house. Whatever it may be, more often than not, it requires money. But if you’re the average earning adult, the numbers may seem impossible next to your list of expenses. As a result, we may prematurely park these goals for “when we’re ready” or sigh them off as daydreams.

It matters that you want to start working towards your goals—so here are some tips to push you forward and help you save in a smart, doable, and efficient way!

1. Track your spending

The first step to finding out how you can save is knowing how you spend. Whether it’s a monthly bill, an online purchase, or even a tip to your delivery guy, record it. Do this religiously for at least a month. Understanding your expenses in detail is the key to controlling it.

Once you have the data, organize it by categories (e.g. utilities, groceries, subscriptions, etc). Check your bills and statements to make sure your records are accurate. Thankfully, there are now spending tracker apps that can help you do this seemingly cumbersome task.

2. Make savings part of your budget

In the words of Warren Buffet: Spend what is left after saving. Once you have an idea of how much you spend monthly, allocate your monthly income and add savings as a budget category. Make it a goal to put 10-15% of your income under it.

3. Look for where you can cut down

If your expenses are too high and you can’t reach your monthly savings goal, it’s time to look at areas where you can cut back. Start with identifying nonessentials: Internet, telco, or cable too high? Time to look at downgrade options. Do you need both Youtube and Spotify? Perhaps you can order less and cook more?

SAVING TIP

When you feel like buying something nonessential, give yourself time to cool down. Wait a few days and see if you can live without it or if you are ready to save up for it.

4. Set a savings target

One proven motivation technique is to know exactly what you want to get in the end. It should be something concrete so you always know how well you’re doing. For instance, if you want a car, find out how much money you’ll need to buy one. Armed with your budget, you can now figure out how much you’ll have to save monthly, how long it will take you, and if you want to adjust your spending to get there earlier.

SAVING TIP

Your goal doesn’t always have to be big. It can be a small, short-term goal like a new bike or phone. Succeeding will give you a feeling of reward and accomplishment, and makes you more confident to set bigger and bigger goals.

5. Prioritize your goals

Don’t forget your long-term goals, and make sure you’re not putting off important things (like retirement) for shorter term needs and wants. Allocate your savings so it is balanced between immediate rewards and long-term security.

6. Use the right tools for saving

Consider a mix of options for your short-term and long-term goals. For short-term, you can use your savings account or open a time deposit. For longer term goals, consider retirement insurance or securities such as stocks or mutual funds. There are banks that offer investment accounts with higher interest rates. There are life insurance plans where you’re insured for a set period and get a lump sum when it matures. There are also financial institutions like HC Mutual which offer a combination of these features.

As you do your research, take note of details like balance minimums, fees, and interest rates to find the best mix and fit for you.

SAVINGS TIP: For those who want to save for longer-term goals but have smaller starting income, HC Mutual offers the KayaMo Saver’s Plan:

  • Choose a savings plan that fits your needs and goals within fixed terms of 3, 5, or 7 years
  • Depending on your plan, you can earn bigger premiums by the time your savings mature
  • Auto-debit arrangements or automatic payroll deduction schemes are available to make saving easier and more regular
LEARN MORE

7. Automate your saving

Setting up automated savings reduces the chances of spending that money instead of saving it. For example, if you’re using a bank, you can open a separate (sacred) savings account and set up automatic monthly transfers from your payroll account. HC Mutual deducts your savings directly from your payroll to make saving easier for you.

8. Check your progress regularly

Review your budget monthly and see how your savings grow! Not only will it motivate you, it will also help you identify and fix any problems that may come up. Who knows, it may even inspire you to find more ways to reach your goals faster.

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Saver’s Plan Savings

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HOME BUYING 101: A Guide to Buying your First Home

HOME BUYING 101: A Guide to Buying your First Home

July 6, 2020 | by HC Mutual

Part 1: House shopping

What to look for in finding the perfect first house for you

Buying your first home is not something you can rush into. We understand that it is an important milestone—something to show as proof of financial responsibility and capability, a rite into full adulthood, as it is. But this is all the more reason to take your time. Buying a house, especially for the first time, is a big commitment that takes a lot of work and preparation. It can be a smart move for the long term, but only if you fully understand what you’re getting into.

This is the first part of a series of our complete guide to help you buy your first home and reach an important milestone in your life—and ensure that it will be a step towards a good future.

How do I know if I’m ready?

This is the first, and probably one of the more difficult questions in starting your journey as a first time homeowner. While there is much to think about, you can start here.

Step 1: Ask yourself if it’s time for you to buy a home
We get it. Achieving milestones at work, thinking of your age, and grappling with peer (and family) pressure can be pushing you to consider buying a house now. But why do you really want to buy a house? The only reason that matters is if you are ready to be a homeowner, and ready to commit to everything that it entails—psychologically and financially. (If you are feeling anxious about “burning money” paying rent, think of it this way: they are both ways to have a place to live, each with their own pros and cons.)

Step 2: Ask yourself how you can afford a house
A home loan (or mortgage) is not something to be taken lightly. It is a commitment that takes 15 to 30 years. Before you even consider buying, you would have to have good credit, a steady income, and a sizable amount of cash for down payment which can range from 10% to 40% of the price tag. On top of that, there’s also the closing cost to take into consideration, which can run from 1.5% to 3.5%. Research financing options available to you and look at which fits. The KayaMo Home Loan is specially designed for first time home buyers; HC Mutual also looks at your current credit standing, not your history, when you apply for a loan.

Try a home loan calculator or consult a financial advisor to see if you can afford a home (or how much home you can afford) given your income and credit score, versus different loan term options and the down payment amount you are able or willing to cash out.

Step 3: Start with your dream house—and work backwards
Having an ideal “dream” home is just as important as thinking realistically about being able to get it. The key to finding the sweet spot is to separate your needs and wants in a house. Understanding what’s truly important to you can help you compromise based on your budget. Here are some things to consider:

  • Basic requirements (e.g. size (sqm), number of bedrooms and bathrooms)
  • Location and accessible amenities
  • Structural features (e.g. no. of stories, basement and/or garage, ventilation)
  • Exterior and interior features (e.g. pool, garden, flooring type, accessibility features)
Tips for shopping for your first home

Once you have decided that you are ready to own a house, then it’s time to look at your options.

1. Pick the right type of house for you
What kind of future are you seeing in this house? Perhaps you are looking to start a family and want a nice yard and ample space in a single detached home. But if you want easier maintenance and extra amenities and perks (and if your lifestyle can support the extra cost and less space), then you might want to consider a condo or a townhouse.

2. Check the neighborhood
Remember, this will be your home for a good chunk of your life, so you need to make sure that the neighborhood you pick will be a good fit for you.

  • Look up safety and crime statistics. This is a given, especially if you are planning to start a family. Go around and talk to the barangay or local enforcers to get a good picture of the security of surrounding areas.
  • Map out the available amenities. What do you need near you? Look for the nearest hospitals and clinics, grocery stores, pharmacies, churches, train and bus stations, parking spaces, etc.
  • Research nearby schools. Even if you don’t have (or are not planning to have) kids, this affects home value in the long term.
  • Visit the area or drive down through the neighborhood at different times of day so you can assess the traffic, activity, and noise in the area. Drive or commute to or from the location to assess how accessible it is and how long it takes to go to work or school. Transportation also factors into your living expenses.

3. Stick to your budget
Your pre-approved loan amount should be the ceiling when you’re house shopping and comparing prices. Aside from buying the house, you have to consider how much it costs to move into that house and live in it. In general, look at property valued less than your ceiling to make room in your budget for homeownership expenses such as:

  • Bills and utility payments
  • Home insurance
  • Maintenance and general upkeep of the home (e.g. paint, plumbing, etc.)
  • Emergencies (such as broken appliances)

It is important to consider these monthly and periodic expenses especially right after buying the house as your finances dip and shift drastically. For this crucial moment, HC Mutual offers the KayaMo Saver’s Plan to help you build up your savings and borrow against it when you need it for repairs and improvements in the future (you can usually expect these expenses within the first 5 years of moving into your new house).

Ultimately, being firm with your budget will save you from getting stuck for years paying a mortgage you can’t afford, and not being able to build your savings as a consequence.

Quick Tip!
If you’re buying from a seller and you’ve fallen in love with a house, you may be tempted to bid high at once to ensure that you win. Don’t. As long as you shop within your budget, you can give yourself some wiggle room to bid higher only if needed.

Lastly, find a good agent that you get along well with and discuss your questions and concerns comfortably. Someone who is skilled, motivated, and knowledgeable on your side is indispensable in finding the right home just for you.

Next in this series:


Part 2: Getting your finances in order
Saving and preparing to buy your first home

Part 3: How to avoid common home buying mistakes
General tips and how-to’s of being a smart first-time buyer

Tags
First Home Home Loan Home Tips Saver’s Plan Savings

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Taking the leap: Are you ready for your first home?

Taking the leap: Are you ready for your first home?

May 22, 2020 | by HC Mutual

Choosing to buy your first home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. It is a commitment and a dream come true, which is why
you need to make sure that you’re ready before taking this major step.

There are many things to consider before going out to house-hunt: your savings, available properties, and your family’s preferences.
To prepare you for this life-changing move, here are a few questions that you can ask before buying your first home.

What kind of house do you want?
Knowing exactly what you want and what your family needs can
work wonders on your financial plans. Factor in the plot size,
floor area, configuration, and location of a potential home
when budget-planning to help balance costs to what you’ll
spend living in it. Consider the household’s accessibility, fuel
and transportation expenses, monthly bills, and other
day-to-day expenses.

Have you compared property prices?
Be sure that you’re getting a fair price for your home. Research
similarly sized properties in different areas and neighborhoods.
Make a list of your options and weigh out the pros and cons.
What are the amenities? Are there other inclusions? How long
has it been on the market? By comparing houses and taking
time to make an informed decision, you can get the most out of
what you’re paying for.

How will your savings look after your purchase?
A good place to start when buying a house is where you’ll be financially after you sign the deal. Will you still have enough for utilities,
essentials, and additional fees? Being ready for your first home goes beyond meeting its market price. Look at how much you’ll have
left for your monthly budget and savings.

How stable is your source of income?
Before making your decision, secure a steady and long-term
source of income. How many people are earning for the
household? Do you share bills and split living expenses? Having a
stable livelihood on top of your savings will ensure a happy and
comfortable life for your family in the long run.

Are you ready for lifestyle changes?
The process of paying for and maintaining your property can
greatly affect your lifestyle, especially for the first few months.
Review your monthly budget and consider: Do you need to lower
your mobile data plans, allocate more for utilities, or spend less on
leisure activities? Evaluate what changes can be made to cushion
your savings as you settle in your new home.

Have you considered your financing options?
One way to ease the financial load when buying a house is to apply for a loan. Look at the interest rate, payment terms, and loan
amount. Does it cover what you need? How does it fit into your budget? We at HC Mutual take these into consideration. We have
offers like the KayaMo Home Loan—with flexible terms and a wide range of partner home developers—to provide a smooth-sailing
journey to your first home.

Owning a place that you can proudly call yours is a major milestone. It is a decision best made with your family and an investment
that can last through generations. You don’t have to rush into it. Give yourself enough time to work through your financial goals at
your pace and build up enough savings before taking the leap.

Tags
Budgeting First Home HC Mutual Home Loan Savings

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