21/12/2025
An open letter to the future me.
Dear Future Me,
I’m writing this to remind you of something that once felt far away, but is now very real: the importance of saving—especially for retirement and for future medical needs. I hope life has been full, meaningful, and calm in ways that only preparation can bring. If it is, then the habits started earlier played a big role. Saving was about giving you choices. Those choices focus on what truly matters rather than worrying about money. Retirement savings were never just about stopping work. They were about freedom—the freedom to live on your own terms, to pursue hobbies, to spend time with loved ones, and to say “no” when you needed to. Every contribution, no matter how small it felt at the time, was a step toward independence and dignity. Learn from the mistakes of others especially in the Philippines, where the SSS pension plan is never enough. You have been a part of the sandwich* generation; don't let it happen to your children. Medical savings mattered just as much. Health is unpredictable, and even with insurance, medical costs can arrive suddenly. Planning ahead meant peace of mind. It meant being able to focus on healing instead of bills, on care instead of stress, in choosing the ideal treatment instead of compromise due to budgetary constraints. Those savings were acts of kindness from your past self to you. If times are comfortable now, remember to be grateful for the discipline it took to prepare. If things are challenging, remember that saving was never about deprivation—it was about effort and responsibility. Either way, know that the intention was always to protect you. Take care of yourself. Spend wisely, live fully, and remember that every choice you made earlier was an investment in this moment. With hope and foresight,
Your Past Self importance
*a generation where you take care of your own family and your extended family.