Last Updated on February 22, 2026 by Izza of SavingsPinayPH
Happy 2026! How is the year starting for you?
In today’s post, I’m doing an honest 2025 financial review—covering the good, the bad, and the ugly—and sharing how I’m rebuilding my finances in 2026. This year-end money review looks at my life, goals, spending habits, and the lessons that shaped my financial reset.
Before diving into 2025, here’s a quick recap of my earlier years:
Let’s begin.
2025 Blog, Life, and Money Highlights
Here are the biggest personal, financial, and lifestyle highlights from 2025:
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Traveled to Hong Kong with my parents
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Got additional life insurance
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Reached a major personal milestone (Project X)
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Took my first solo trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Earned steady returns from my first feeder fund
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Discovered running as a new hobby
Traveled to Hong Kong with My Parents
In April 2025, I traveled to Hong Kong with my parents and my oldest and youngest sisters. I want to express my gratitude to my oldest sister, who financed our flights, accommodations, and activities during the trip. On my part, I budgeted for the travel tax and our daily expenses.
This was my first visit to Hong Kong, and I loved every moment of it. Five days felt far too short! We rode the Ngong Ping 360 cable car to see the iconic Big Buddha up close and visited Disneyland—a dream come true for all of us. We also took the Peak Tram up to Victoria Peak for breathtaking views of the city. One evening, we enjoyed a sunset cruise at Victoria Harbour. Of course, no trip to Hong Kong would be complete without sampling the food; I can still taste every delicious dish we tried.
Overall, I feel incredibly thankful that we had the chance to take our parents on their first international trip. I believe that every child dreams of creating such memories with their family. My parents are a constant reminder that it’s never too late to fulfill your dreams, and I hope to continue exploring the world with them. This trip wasn’t just about sightseeing; it was a journey filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments.
Related posts:
How to Establish Your Own Travel Fund
Update on My Financial Bucket List
Got additional life insurance
Last year, I decided to purchase additional life insurance, with basic coverage, to protect against hospitalization. It includes living benefits: accidental disability, dismemberment, hospital income, and death benefits. After five years, I felt that increasing my insurance coverage was a crucial step in my overall financial planning. It’s not only about protecting my future but also about creating a safety net today for those I care about in case I get hospitalized.
Read next: Which Do I Prioritize First? An Emergency Fund or Life Insurance?
Reached a major personal milestone (Project X)
One of the biggest wins I’ve had in my life happened quietly. After years of waiting, I achieved a major personal milestone. I’m not ready to share the details just yet, but I can’t help but feel a sense of pride and excitement about what’s ahead. Soon, when I am confident enough, I know I’ll be able to share more of this.
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Took my first solo trip to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
In 2025, I embarked on an unforgettable solo adventure to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. This was my first solo international travel, and I devoured every part of it.
Traveling alone truly pushed me out of my comfort zone. I had the freedom to plan my itinerary, explore hidden gems, and savor Vietnamese cuisine without worrying about anyone else’s preferences.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of this solo journey was the joy of moving at my own pace. I discovered a newfound appreciation for my own company and the art of being present.
Related Posts:
Ultimate Guide to Caramoan Island Hopping Adventure
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Ultimate Guide to Seoul, South Korea
Steady returns from my first feeder fund
In my finances, my feeder fund investment is growing steadily, and it’s truly exciting to see how well it’s performing. Of all my portfolio investments, this is the one I’m most happy I made. The returns have exceeded my expectations, and I find myself continually amazed by how well it has performed over time.
Read Next: 10 Different Investment Vehicles and How Each Works
Discovered running as a New Hobby
In 2025, I found myself surprisingly transformed into someone who runs. I went from running zero kilometers to completing a half-marathon by the end of the year.
Running not only gave me mental clarity but also eased my stress. I also embraced “runcation,” incorporating running into my travel itineraries whenever I visited a new place. This new lifestyle helped me establish a solid morning routine: journaling, studying the Bible, and going for a run.
What is a Financial Review?
A financial review is a regular check-in that examines your income, expenses, savings, investments, and money habits over a specific period. Doing a yearly financial review helps you understand what worked, what didn’t, and how to adjust your goals moving forward. My 2025 financial review allowed me to reset, reflect, and rebuild with more intention in 2026.
How often should you do a financial review?
In addition to an annual financial review, it’s helpful to do monthly, quarterly, and mid-year check-ins. Regular reviews allow you to adjust early, avoid surprises, and stay aligned with your financial goals throughout the year.
2025 Financial Review
At the start of 2025, I had ambitious plans. I aimed to save more consistently, grow my income, and finally feel “on top” of my finances. However, 2025 proved to be a year of financial inconsistency.
While I did manage to save and invest, I didn’t earn any income outside of my regular job. This was the first year I didn’t earn extra income from a side hustle, and since expenses felt heavier, I suffered more financial anxiety than I realized.
Having an additional source of income makes me feel financially relaxed, but I haven’t done the necessary work. I missed blogging, creating new content, and fulfilling the action items I set for myself at the start of 2025.
Related posts:
2024 Side Hustle Income Report – How I Made Php 40k from Multiple Income Streams
2023 Side Hustle Income Report
2022 Side Hustle Income Report
2021 Side Hustle Income Report
2020 Side Hustle Income Report
2025 Spending Habits
I can say my spending habits weren’t reckless in 2025, but they also weren’t as intentional as I would have liked. When I reviewed my transactions more closely, I felt I could have made better choices on where my money went.
On the positive side, thanks to my eldest sister, I discovered Korean banchan and learned that they are easy to make. So, whenever I need a snack or I’m craving something, I have something ready. I spent less on food deliveries, unlike before, as I learned to cook more at home. I also discovered Dali store since there’s one in my running route. Dali has some staples in our refrigerator like meat, tofu, yogurt, and more. I also made intentional choices to spend on experiences, travel, and time with family.
I spent more money on running than I initially anticipated. Haha! It turns out that running races can be quite expensive, and gear costs can add up quickly. I’m really thankful that my eldest sister gifted me a sports watch (Coros Pace 3) and a pair of Novablast 5 training shoes; they have been incredibly helpful in my training. However, I found myself purchasing other running shoes to suit different conditions and preferences. Between race registrations, running clothes, and extra footwear, I’ve realized my passion for running comes with a hefty price tag! Still, the joy I have whenever I run makes everything worthwhile.
In 2026, I need clearer boundaries and better money systems. The goal is to spend more with awareness so that my money consistently supports the life I actually want to live.
Key Money Lessons I Learned Last Year
Here are the lessons 2025 taught me.
Value experiences more than things
As I grew older, I realized that memories accumulate value over time. I have never regretted the money I spent on experiences such as traveling, attending concerts, visiting coffee shops, or dining in new restaurants. I feel less and less guilty about indulging in some pleasures. We work not only to make a living but also to enjoy the life we have.
Less planning, more action
In 2025, I realized that excessive planning can subtly turn into procrastination. I spent too much time researching, organizing, and contemplating how to manage not just my money but my time, which often kept me from taking any concrete action. Instead of focusing on the smallest steps that could build momentum, I was caught waiting for the “right time” or the “right mood” to act. In the end, I wasn’t able to do anything worthwhile in content creation or extra income.
Money systems matter more
Perhaps the most practical lesson I learned last year is that motivation is unreliable, but systems aren’t.
There were months when I felt inspired and disciplined, and others when I felt tired, stressed, or disengaged. The difference between financial progress and stagnation often came down to whether I had systems in place.
Automated savings, clear account separation, and simple budgeting rules did more for my finances than bursts of motivation ever could. Once the systems were set up, good decisions became easier—and bad ones harder.
These lessons are now the foundation of how I approach money, life, and decisions moving forward.
How I’m Rebuilding My Finances in 2026
So where do I go from here? I’m all about rebuilding my finances in 2026. Here’s exactly how I’m doing that.
Step 1. Keeping a financial journal
One of the simplest but most impactful changes I’m making this year is keeping a financial journal alongside my digital spreadsheet. The spreadsheet tracks the numbers, while the journal captures everything else, mostly the why behind my spending.
Here’s how I’ve been using the financial journal:
- Record my daily expenses
- Keep receipts
- Space where I can regularly write about:
- How I feel about my spending
- What triggered certain purchases
- What’s stressing me out financially
- What’s working—and what isn’t
I learned that many of my financial decisions were driven by emotion. I wasn’t always spending because I needed something; sometimes I was spending because I was tired, overwhelmed, or looking for comfort.
Writing things down helps me slow down and notice patterns. I’m a huge fan of journaling, but it’s something I didn’t always think of doing for my money.
Here’s what I’m thinking – once I understand why I spend, it becomes easier to change how I spend.
Step 2. Addressing my overconsumption
Another key part of rebuilding my finances in 2026 is addressing my overconsumption.
I started this last year, but I will stay more committed this year. I’m doing a project pan for my skincare and makeup. More about this in this post – My 2025 Project Pan.
The plan is to use what I already own until it’s finished, then buy nothing new.
In addition, I’m committing to a No-Buy or Low-Buy year. I want to create boundaries that can support my financial goals. Every peso I don’t spend impulsively is a peso that can go toward savings, stability, or experiences that actually matter to me.
Step 3. Committing to better money systems
Again, one of the biggest lessons I learned last year is this: motivation is unreliable, but systems are not.
In 2026, I’m committing to better money systems so that good decisions happen even when I’m tired, busy, or unmotivated.
Some of the systems I’m focusing on include:
- Giving every financial account a clear purpose so my money feels organized and intentional, not scattered.
- Using cash or a debit card for discretionary expenses more often than a credit card, to stay grounded in how much I’m actually spending.
- Tracking my expenses and keeping my receipts to build awareness and reduce end-of-month surprises.
- Recording my income and expenses right away for tax purposes, instead of scrambling when tax deadlines come up.
- Doing bi-monthly decluttering, both physically and financially, to reduce clutter and unnecessary spending.
- Having regular check-ins and reflections about my finances, even during months when things feel “okay.”
- Committing to monthly, quarterly, mid-year, and year-end money reviews, so I can adjust early and make better decisions over time.
Read next: 24 Things You Can Do To Improve Your Finances
Step 4. Focusing my energy back on my side hustles
Another important part of rebuilding my finances in 2026 is intentionally refocusing my energy on my side hustles. Last year, my attention was spread too thin, and I didn’t always show up consistently for the projects with long-term income potential.
I’m choosing consistency over bursts of motivation.
I’m bringing my focus back to the side hustles that already fit my life and energy. Even small, regular effort feels more empowering than constantly starting over or waiting for the “right time.”
You may also want to read My 2026 Financial Goals and My 2026 No Buy or Low Buy List, where I share how these rebuilding steps fit into my bigger financial plan.
Final Notes from SavingsPinay
I am happy to finally publish this post, and I do hope this is just the start of more financial stories I can share this year.
How were your 2025 finances?
