For generations, Filipinos have grown up with the habit of saving money in banks. The word “ipon” carries a sense of discipline and pride, often tied to the idea that hard work should be kept safe in a passbook or savings account. Many of us remember lining up at the bank with our parents, watching them update their passbook as if it were a certificate of security.
This mindset has created a culture where banks are seen as the safest place for money. The comfort of knowing that cash is stored in a vault gives peace of mind, especially for families who work tirelessly to make every peso count.
The Illusion of Safety
While savings accounts do keep money secure, they don’t fully protect its value. Inflation, the steady rise in prices, slowly eats away at the real power of your money. Think about how much a bag of groceries cost five years ago compared to today, or how tuition fees have climbed year after year. The money you saved back then simply doesn’t stretch as far now.
What feels like a safe choice is, in reality, a quiet loss. By leaving money idle in a savings account, you’re not just keeping it still but you’re allowing inflation to reduce its worth over time.
What Savings Can’t Do
A savings account is designed to store money, not grow it. While it may earn a small amount of interest, the returns are often too low to keep up with rising prices. This means that while your balance looks stable, its actual buying power is shrinking.
Savings are useful for short-term needs or emergencies, but relying on them as your only financial strategy limits your potential. They act like a safety box, not a growth engine. If your goal is to build wealth for the future, savings alone won’t take you there.
The Stock Alternative
This is where stock investing comes in. Unlike savings, stocks give your money the chance to grow over time. Even starting with small amounts, investing in the stock market allows you to benefit from the growth of companies and the economy.
The idea may feel intimidating at first, but the principle is simple: while your money sleeps in a savings account, it can actually work harder for you in stocks. Over the years, this difference compounds, turning small investments into bigger returns compared to what banks can offer.
From Sitting Still to Growing with UTrade
The good news is that transitioning from saving to investing doesn’t have to be complicated. UTrade makes it simple to start. With just a few clicks, you can begin investing in stocks even with small amounts. Instead of letting your money sit still, you can finally let it grow and work for your future.
It’s time to rethink the way we handle our hard-earned “ipon.” Savings will always have a place for security, but real growth comes from investing. With the right platform and mindset, you can move beyond the illusion of safety and step into a future where your money grows as steadily as your dreams.
UTrade, is the online stock trading platform of Unicapital Securities, Inc., which offers smooth online stock trading and investing. With real-time market access, customizable layouts, and comprehensive charting, our platform provides convenience and a wide range of investment options, including stocks and mutual funds.
Unicapital Securities, Inc. (USI), under the Unicapital Group of companies, is a leading brokerage house duly licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission and is a member of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
