MAKATI, Philippines (Jul 2026) – Many Pinoy families and small business owners face a major financial slowdown around July as school tuition, household bills, and rising daily costs begin to accumulate.
Popular internet creators Cong TV and Viy Cortez are sharing practical money management lessons from their own personal journey to help everyday people handle their finances better. Long before building their current business empire, the power couple started their lives together in a small rented home, experiencing the same budget headaches that many Pinoys face today.
Clean out the digital shopping cart
Distinguishing between actual needs and temporary wants is a crucial first step in fixing a broken budget. Cong TV shared that during the early days of their content creation career, he often wanted to buy expensive items as soon as they earned money. However, Cortez acted as a financial restraint, constantly questioning whether a purchase was necessary or just for appearances. Now that they are parents, the couple evaluates their online shopping carts carefully, choosing to prioritize their children’s needs and long-term savings over impulse buys.
Reviewing bank statements from the past six months and canceling forgotten digital subscriptions can instantly free up cash. Storing an emergency fund in a separate digital account, such as UnionDigital Bank’s UD Save account, also helps keep savings isolated from daily spending money, reducing the temptation to spend it.
Keep side hustles separate
Managing multiple business ventures requires strict financial boundaries. Cortez, who manages a cosmetics line and various food cart franchises, explained that mixing personal grocery money with supplier payments makes it impossible to track whether a business is actually turning a profit.
Opening a dedicated account solely for business ventures simplifies cash flow tracking. Digital banking apps allow entrepreneurs to monitor their business expenses and revenues easily at any time.
Build a family safety net
Parenthood heavily alters how people view long-term financial security. For the couple, welcoming their children, Kidlat and Tokyo, meant moving away from spontaneous spending habits and focusing on stability. Cortez admitted that having children removes the room for a casual attitude toward money, creating a vital need for a secure fund to handle unexpected medical emergencies or educational requirements.
Financial milestones can be achieved by setting a goal to save three to six months’ worth of living expenses over a designated period. Mobile banking platforms remove the traditional hassle of saving, allowing users to move money into secure accounts instantly from their smartphones.
Find the right financial squad
The growth of the popular “Team Payaman” group highlights the impact of peer groups on personal habits. Cong TV emphasized that surrounding oneself with friends who share similar financial goals is essential for growth. When a social circle only focuses on heavy spending, saving money becomes significantly harder, making open communication about budgeting with partners and friends highly beneficial.
Instead of opting for expensive weekend activities, friends and couples can look for free local events or alternative entertainment. Utilizing digital features to transfer and manage cash within a group can help teams build financial discipline together.
The UnionDigital Bank app is available for download on major mobile app stores for users looking to simplify their personal savings and business tracking.
