At the end of 2025, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2026. One of them was simple to write but much harder to do: fix my finances.
I wish I could say that everything is already organized. It is not. My finances are still messy, and I am still learning how to manage them better. But I have made progress. One important item I finally ticked off my list was getting insurance.
What started as a personal financial goal eventually led me to an unexpected decision: to become a financial advisor myself.
It Started With a Question About Insurance for Seniors
One of my friends is a financial advisor. She shared information about getting life insurance for elderly family members, or seniors, as we commonly call them in the Philippines.
That caught my attention, so I asked her about it.
Instead of giving me a quick answer through chat, she invited my other friend and me to meet with her and her managers. They wanted to explain the plan properly, answer our questions, and help us understand what insurance could provide.
I went to the meeting because I wanted to learn more about coverage for seniors. I did not expect the conversation to make me examine my own life and responsibilities.
The Questions That Made Me Stop and Think
During the meeting, they explained the different stages of life and the financial needs that can come with each one. Then they asked us questions that felt simple at first but became difficult when I tried to answer them honestly.
What if something happened to me right now? Would I be ready?
Would the people I love be financially secure, or would they struggle because of the income and support I could no longer provide?
If I became seriously ill, would I have enough money for hospitalization, treatment, and recovery?
As a breadwinner, these questions hit me differently. My financial decisions affect more than just me. Other people may also feel the consequences if I get sick, become unable to work, or pass away unexpectedly.
I realized that working hard and earning money are only parts of providing for a family. Preparing for events we hope will never happen is also part of that responsibility.
Insurance Is Not a Curse
Many Filipinos hesitate to talk about insurance because the subject often involves sickness, accidents, or death. Some people feel that discussing these possibilities is negative, as if preparing for them might somehow invite them into our lives.
I understand that reaction. These are uncomfortable topics, especially when the conversation involves our parents, children, partners, or our own mortality.
But getting insurance is not the same as expecting something bad to happen. It is an act of preparation.
We lock our doors even when we do not expect someone to break in. We carry umbrellas even when we hope the weather stays clear. In the same way, insurance is one tool that may help reduce the financial burden when life does not go according to plan.
It does not prevent illness, loss, or emergencies. It also does not solve every financial problem. What it can do, depending on the policy and its terms, is provide financial support during certain covered events.
That change in perspective was one of my biggest realizations from the meeting.
Why I Decided to Become a Financial Advisor
After that conversation, I wanted to do more than secure my own coverage. I decided to become a financial advisor so I could help others understand their options, too.
I thought about my family, relatives, friends, and other breadwinners who may also be putting off this discussion. Some may think insurance is unnecessary. Others may believe they cannot afford it or assume they can wait until they are older. Many may simply feel uncomfortable talking about it.
I do not want to force anyone to buy a policy or use fear to convince them. I want to help people ask the questions I had to ask myself:
- Who depends on my income?
- What would happen to my family if I could no longer work?
- Do I have enough savings for a major medical emergency?
- What kind of protection fits my needs and current budget?
- Do I fully understand the benefits, costs, limits, and exclusions of the plan I am considering?
People deserve clear explanations before making a financial commitment. A policy should fit the person, not the other way around.
I Am Still Working on My Own Finances
Becoming a financial advisor does not mean I suddenly have perfect finances. I am still fixing mine. I still have goals to work toward, habits to improve, and lessons to learn.
Perhaps that is also why this path feels personal to me.
I know what it is like to postpone financial planning because other expenses feel more urgent. I know how overwhelming financial terms can sound. I also know how uncomfortable it can be to look closely at the gaps in your own preparation.
I am not speaking from a place of perfection. I am speaking as someone who finally started, and who wants to help others start too.
Getting insured was one item on my 2026 list, but it became more than a box I could tick. It changed how I think about protection, responsibility, and caring for the people who depend on me.
This Is the Beginning of a New Journey
My goal as a financial advisor is to make conversations about insurance feel more understandable, practical, and human. I want people to feel comfortable asking questions without judgment or pressure.
We may not be able to control everything that happens in life. But we can learn about our options, make informed decisions, and prepare as much as our circumstances allow.
For me, becoming a financial advisor is not only a new professional role. It is part of my own journey toward taking better care of my finances and helping the people around me protect what matters to them.
I am still learning. I am still fixing things. But I have taken the first step, and sometimes, that first step can change the direction of your life.