Step 6 of 8
Your biggest asset is you
Add up every peso you'll earn in your working life. For most people, that future income is worth far more than everything they own today. Planners call it human capital.
Your human capital
Your future earnings, before any raises
₱10,200,000
Juan's ₱25,000 a month × 12 × 34 more working years = about ₱10.2 million, before any raises. That's his biggest asset by far, and it shrinks a little every year as his working years run out.
Grow it
- Learn a skill that's in demand, from Excel to coding to a trade.
- Get certifications that lead to higher pay.
- Build a side income from what you already know.
- Guard your health: it's what lets you keep earning.
Protect it
- Life insurance replaces your income for your family if you die.
- Health and critical illness coverage protect your savings when you're sick.
- Income protection: if illness or injury stopped you from working for months, what would replace your pay? Check your SSS sickness and disability benefits, any company disability cover, and accident insurance.