1. "Kapag maiksi ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot."

We must learn how to adjust our expenses relative to our income. It is commonly referred to today as living below our means. So, if your income is insufficient to cover your wants, it would be wise to wait it out, save before spending, or increase your income to afford items beyond your salary range.

2. "Kung may itinanim, may aanihin."

Filipinos love the idea of savings, even if it often only remains an idea for many. Aside from savings, this proverb is also about investing your money today so that you will reap your benefits in the future. You can't expect to reap anything without planting its seeds.

3. "Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga."

The Internet encourages working smart, but before you know how to work 'smart,' you'll first need to work hard. Working hard and working smart go hand-in-hand, and if you spend time long enough, you will be rewarded.

4. "Kung may isinuksok, may madudukot."

Saving is important to anyone's finances, especially your contingency or emergency fund. If you have an emergency fund, you'll not worry too much about losing your job or some unexpected events because you know you'll survive somehow.

5. "Ang hindi napagod magtipon, walang hinayang magtapon."

Those who grew up spoiled or never sacrificed to get something will not hesitate to waste things because they never worked hard. So, it is important to train the younger generation to learn the value of working before getting a reward.

6. "Ubos-ubos biyaya, pagkatapos nakatunganga."

This relates to many employees' glorified "Petsa de Peligro," where they spend their salary in the first few days and are forced to cut back in the next few days or even go into debt. Living within your means and learning to be modest is important. No one will save us from our financial mistakes but ourselves.

7. "Daig ng maagap ang masipag."

Punctuality is an underrated virtue, especially in a culture where being late is the norm, hence the "Filipino Time" epithet. This proverb is similar to "the early bird catches the worm," stating that being early is often rewarded. However, it's also important to remember that arriving on time or earlier is a sign of respect.

8. "Habang may buhay, may pag-asa."

One of our most important virtues as humans is our ability to hope. It means that no matter how bad things go, we believe that everything will eventually fall into place. So, while this proverb covers the general sense of the importance of hope, we can also apply it to our finances: Even if we're struggling with our finances now, as long as we're alive, there is hope to succeed.

9. "Nasa Diyos ang awa; nasa tao ang gawa."

Since the Philippines is a Christian nation, people believe God will provide. However, too many Filipinos often leave it as that, and they miss the opportunities God may have already answered their prayers.

This idiom reminds everyone that God is indeed merciful, but we also need to work using the abilities and talents we've been provided with. Sometimes, the opportunities are already right before us, but we're too complacent to act.