Description: You rely primarily on your salary from a single job (e.g., a BPO role) for day-to-day expenses. Your focus is on developing core skills, maintaining a budget, and starting to pay down debts.
How to Move Up:
Focus on Financial Basics:
- Build an emergency fund in a high-interest digital bank (GCash GSave, Maya, Tonik).
- Tackle high-interest debt first (credit cards, personal loans).
Skill-Building:
- Take advantage of BPO trainings or online courses (leadership, advanced communication, tech skills).
Explore Side Hustles:
- Brainstorm ideas (online freelancing, e-commerce, small-scale F&B).
- Use your “13th month pay” or bonuses as seed capital.