18 Best Investments under P100K in the Philippines - Grit PH (2024)

Last Updated on – Dec 19, 2023 @ 3:10 pm

Got a 100k and don’t know what to do with it? Well, you’re lucky because we’re giving you the 18 best ways to invest and grow that money!

Our first advice: Don’t let it just sit in the bank. With low-interest rates ranging from 0.5 to 1.5%1, you’re better off investing it elsewhere.

Even if you don’t have a lot of cash saved up, there are still many ways to let your money work for you.

For many young Filipino professionals and entrepreneurs, most especially in this era, it’s conventional wisdom to consider investments early. The time to think about investing is NOW.

If you want a more secure and brighter future for yourself, you shouldn’t put investing on hold.

What’s the Best Investment Vehicle in the Philippines [According to Data]

In an effort to understand the investment behavior of Filipinos better, Grit.PH recently conducted a study entitled “Best Investment Vehicles for Filipinos.” Over 867 small and non-institutional investors participated in the study.

Among the respondents were:

• 57.4%: female
• 38.5%: male
• 3.1%: LGBTQIA+
• 0.9%: Non-conforming

The study also spanned investors of all ages.

• 20.3%: 18-25 years old
• 14%: 26-30 years old
• 26.5%: 31-40 years old
• 17.2%: 41-50 years old
• 12.8%: 51-60 years old
• 9.2%: 61+ years old

The study asked respondents if they were to select one investment vehicle for their portfolio, which one would they choose.

Results showed that most people preferred starting a business (27%).

Followed closely by real estate (21.6%), stocks (11.4%), and Pag-IBIG MP2 (11.2%).

Here’s the full survey result for the investment vehicle that Filipinos preferred the most:

What is an Investment?

Buyers identify an investment as a purchased item or asset that would grow its value in the future and can be sold at a higher price. It can also be viewed as a property that enables its owners to generate passive income and create wealth over time.

Learn More: How to Invest your Money

What are the Types of Investments?

Stocks, bonds, annuities, commodities, real estate—I bet we all scratched our heads the first time we tried to know more about these financial terms. If you’re anything like me, you also probably got overwhelmed with all the technical jargon and got buried with a ton of information that didn’t make sense.

This guide aims to shed light on the different types of investments available out there to help you achieve your financial goals. Learning about them will open ways and ideas for multiplying your money quickly.

Here’s our quick rundown of the different types of investments:

1. Bank Products

Perhaps the most popular and common of all investments, bank products come in different options.

The money you deposited are federally insured to up to a certain limit and can be easily withdrawn. Some examples are savings accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), money market, and federal insurance.

2. Bonds

Bonds are loans offered by an investor to governments and corporations. In exchange, the borrower must pay the interest on the borrowed money at a predetermined schedule (annual or semiannual) and will need to return the principal on an agreed upon maturity date.

3. Stocks

Put simply, stocks pertain to units of ownership in a corporation. This means that if you own or invest in stocks of a company, you become one of its “owners”.

4. Investment funds

Investment funds come or are sourced from different investors. A mutual fund is one of the most common types of investment fund.

5. Annuity

Annuities promise to pay you a regular or fixed-interval income either immediately or in the future. You must first pay for the annuity in one lump-sum or through a series of payments also known as premiums.

6. College fund

College fees are notoriously expensive, and many people opt to invest in college funds to save money for the future. Depending on the location, earnings from this fund are not subjected to Federal and State taxes, as long as the funds are strictly used for college expenses.

7. Business capital

Simply put, business capital is money that you put into a business to gain active or passive earnings or income.

8. Retirement fund

Retirement funds come in handy as a way to have continuous cash flow. While still able, workers can save money and receive pension upon retirement.

9. Commodity Futures

This agreement or contract allows a person to buy or sell a specified amount of a commodity at a fixed price and future date. This helps protect buyers by negating risks caused by fluctuations in price of the commodity in the future.

10. Security Futures

Similar to commodity futures, security futures lets you purchase and sell a fixed amount of shares of a particular stock at a specified price and future date.

11. Insurance

Insurance protects you against potential financial loss, damage or harm. The insured or policyholder pays premiums to buy a policy that states the terms and conditions in which the insurer is required to pay.

12. Real estate

Real estate investment generates income or profit through purchasing, leasing, managing or selling a piece of realty property for a higher price than it was acquired when the property’s value appreciates over time.

13. Alternative and Complex Products

Alternative and Complex products offer optional investment vehicles outside of traditional stock and bond investments. Some examples of this include notes with principal protection and risky high-yield bonds that have low credit ratings. Most are risky but provide high rates of return.

Related: 8 Best Online Investment Sites & Platforms in the Philippines

19 Best Investment Vehicles for Filipinos

Here are the 19 best investments in the Philippines that every hard-working Pinoy should consider.

1.Small Business

Having a small business is another investment that you shouldn’t pass up. A lot of people might not be inclined to try this out because of the fear of failure. But why should that stop you?

Failure is just a part of life and taking risks is important, if you want to make your money grow.

But if you’re still apprehensive, you could always start small. With just ₱5,000, you can get into the food business. You can go with street foods, gotohan or mamihan.

If you’re the type of person who likes karaoke, with just a bit more money (around ₱25,000), you can do karaoke rentals. There are several options for those who want to start a small business for under ₱100,000.You can also check out our massive list of small business ideas.

Tips on starting a small business in the Philippines

• Find your passion. A lot of people wonder what they should sell. Finding your passion can be important because it will help you push through with your business even if the going gets tough. For instance, if you have the passion for fashion, selling clothes would be ideal for you.
• Do market research. The thing about most Filipinos is that, when they think about starting a business, all they think about are the basics, such as where to get capital and what product to sell. Those may be the main things, but market research is always important in any type of investment. You have to know your products, services, your competitors, your demographics, and trends in the industry.
• Secure funding. Your funding will cover two types: pre-operating fund to cover for equipment, stock, deposits, permits, etc., and working capital, which may cover salaries, rent, utilities, supplies, and other contingencies. It’s advisable to secure funding for at least six months of operation.
• Build a website. We live in the age of the internet and social media. So, having a website is essential these days. Your website is the digital address of your business. And it’s also basically your digital store. Having a website or at least a social media account can provide you with a digital presence and also social media marketing opportunities.
• Network with other people. The more there are of people who know about your business, the better the business will be. Online presence is crucial. Word of mouth is also great, but you get a wider audience through social media. Connect with people both online and offline. Attending seminars and business conventions is also a way to network.
• Consult experts. Getting a mentor or at least some form of advice through experts is always important. You will learn from the experiences of those who have made it. If you can’t find a mentor in person, find mentors in books or go online. Watch seminars on YouTube or search for business articles written by experts.

Related:How to start a business in the Philippines

2. Social Trading

What is Social Trading?

Social trading is a type of investing in which traders interact with each other through an online trading platform.

Think of it as the social media of the online trading world. Social trading works like a newsfeed where traders follow one another, share trading ideas and information, comment on each others’ posts, and view and analyze experts’ trades in real-time. It’s a good way to learn how to trade.

Ideal for beginners, social trading helps people make sound investment decisions with the help of professionals. This way, inexperienced traders learn faster even with little knowledge of the financial markets such as stocks, indices, forex, and cryptocurrencies.

What is Copy Trading and How is it Different from Social Trading?

Often used interchangeably with social trading, copy trading is a related term but is a different thing altogether. Although copy trading is a type of social trading, it involves directly and automatically copying the trades and strategies of experienced traders to replicate them in your own portfolio.

Any market movement of traders you’re following gets copied, such that when they open a new trade, you also open a new trade. If they make a profit or lose money, you’ll achieve the same results, too.

How to Start Investing Through Social Trading

Look for online trading platforms that offer a social trading feature. Among the most recommended platforms are eToro’s CopyTrader, AvaTrade’s AvaSocial, VT Markets, XM, and FXTM Invest.

Open a trading account with your chosen platform and follow the instructions on social trading.

If you’re particularly interested in copy trading, it typically involves choosing a trader whose trades you’d like to replicate, entering the amount you’d like to invest, and clicking the Copy button. This will automatically duplicate the trader’s position.

Learn More: Ultimate Guide to Social Trading in the Philippines

3.Real Estate

For those who would like to own houses through installment, there are cheap mortgages that would only cost ₱2,000 to ₱3,0001 a month.

Another investment to of course consider is real estate. If you’re thinking about owning a property but you’re wary about how much you want to spend, you may consider buying foreclosed properties to get a cheaper deal. For as low as ₱30,0002 you can own a foreclosed land.

Tips on Buying Foreclosed Properties

According to Lamudi.com3, here are some tips for buying Foreclosed Properties:

• Know where to look. To find foreclosed properties, go to banks, lending institutions, SPAV companies or companies formed under the Special Purpose Vehicle Act of 2002 to help banks shed their nonperforming assets, and government financial institutions like the Social Security System (SSS), Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG Fund), and National Housing Authority (NHA).
• Get your financing ready. When you already have a housing loan approved by the bank, sellers will take you more seriously. And so, you’ll get more negotiating leverage compared to other buyers.
• Attend property auctions. Attending these auctions will be a great way to discover properties not usually on online listings.
• Inspect the property. You shouldn’t ever buy anything without properly inspecting it. You must see for yourself if it’s worth your money.
• Know your fees and taxes. Other than the down payment and the property’s selling price, there are also fees and taxes charged to the buyer

Tips on Real Estate Investing

• Be goal-oriented. Ask yourself what you want to achieve in real estate investing. This way, you can have a vision of what you want to get from investing, and it will also keep you determined. If you think real estate can be the easy money you’ve been searching for, well, nothing in this world can really be called easy money. There will be challenges but having a vision and determination can keep you in track.
• Learn as much as you can about real estate. You need to familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of real estate transactions in the Philippines. Do research on the subject.
• Attend seminars. You’d have to learn a lot about real estate—one of the best ways to do that is to attend seminars and conventions on real estate. Not only can you learn from experts, but you can also check out potential properties.
• Join or start your real estate investors club. This is a great way to network and find out more from fellow investors.

Ways to Earn from Real Estate Investing

Buy “Pre-selling” properties

When you buy a pre-sale unit, it means you are purchasing a property in its pre-construction stage. A lot of investors make tons of money through this method because they buy it at a low introductory price, and then sell it at a higher price after its construction. This almost always guarantees high profits.

Fix and flip properties

This way to make money involves buying a property in need of repairs, and then fixing it and reselling it. When it comes to this method, some investors choose to do it on their own, while others hire contractors to fix the property’s problems.

Lease or rent properties

Depending on your property and its location, you can try long-term and short-term rentals. Long-term rental guarantees a more consistent income. Meanwhile, short-term rental is great if your property is located in a major city or a vacation spot.

When it comes to real estate, there is also another option called rent-to-own.

Depending on the agreement, this allows the renter to lease your property for a certain period and once that period is over, the renter has the option to buy the property from you.

Earn from REITs

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are a collection of properties or assets owned by a corporation such as commercial buildings, hospitals, and shopping malls. Investors who buy REITs then receive periodic dividends from the net earnings of the company.

Buy and hold properties

This is a common method where investors purchase properties and then hold on to the properties for years to sell them at a later time when their value has appreciated greatly.

Invest in a hotel unit

Although this is a relatively new way to earn money from real estate, its potential cannot be denied. Hotel investing refers to buying a hotel unit and letting a company operate, manage, and maintain it on your behalf. Just like owning a condominium, you will also have a title for your unit.

In the Philippines, this is made possible by companies like Hotel 101. This business and leisure hotel was developed by Hotel of Asia, Inc., a subsidiary of DoubleDragon Properties Corporation.

Hotel 101 will shoulder all the costs and hassles of upkeep and maintenance, as well as operating your unit as a hotel. Around 30% of Gross Room Revenue will be equally distributed to all investors every 16th day of the succeeding month regardless if your unit was occupied or not. Considering this, it’s a great source of passive income.

The perks do not end there. All Hotel 101 unit owners can enjoy 10 free nights stay in Hotel 101 – 5 nights in the branch where their unit is located, and another 5 nights at any branch nationwide.

Hotel 101 properties are located in prime business locations and tourist spots such as Fort and Davao, and the company is expected to expand in Libis, Palawan, Cebu, Boracay, and Bohol.

Learn More:Ultimate Guide to Real Estate Investing in the Philippines

4. ETF

What is ETF and how does it work?

ETF stands for Exchange Traded Fund. It’s a type of fund that owns assets like stocks, bonds, foreign currencies, gold bars, futures and others—similar to mutual funds (MFs).

Ownership is divided into shares too. But unlike MFs, these shares can be traded anytime in the market within the trading hours, making them easy to buy and sell.

ETFs are said to have lower operating costs compared to MFs since it’s more “passive” in its investing strategy. In most cases, ETFs merely “mimic” popular indexes (Index ETF) or industries and sectors (Sector ETF). Comparatively, fund managers handle MFs.

How to Invest in ETF in the Philippines

As of this writing, only one type of ETF is available in the Philippines: The First Metro Philippine Equity Exchange Traded Fund (FMETF) by First Metro Asset Management Inc.

Buying and selling ETF is a similar affair with stocks. To start investing, you need to open a trading account with an accredited stockbroker like COL Financial, First Metro Securities, BDO Nomura, Philstocks, and BPI Trade, among others.

There’s a long list of accredited stockbrokers in the Philippines so opening a trading account is fairly easy. Once you have an active account, you may begin buying and selling ETFs via your preferred broker’s trading platform.

Read Next: How to Invest in ETF in the Philippines

5. Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) Savings

What is Pag-IBIG MP2?

The Modified Pag-IBIG 2 (MP2) is a savings program available to existing and former Pag-IBIG Fund members with at least an equivalent of 24 monthly savings. They may leverage higher dividend earnings versus that of the regular Pag-IBIG Savings program.

For as little as ₱500, you can take part in a program that lets your money earn as much as 8.11% in dividends (their highest ever recorded dividend rate).

Their 3-year average is a solid 7.65% per annum4, way better than what you could get from bank savings accounts or other investment vehicles. You can withdraw your earnings annually or get the lump sum dividend when the fund matures (5 years).

How to Invest in Pag-IBIG MP2?

Enrolling under the Pag-IBIG MP2 program couldn’t be easier. Simply get a copy and complete the MP2 Savings Application form and submit it with copies of a valid ID and passbook or ATM card of your nominated bank.

You can get the MP2 Savings Application form from your nearest Pag-IBIG Fund branch or download it from here.

Or you can visit this page and complete the required fields.

Learn More: How to Invest in Pag-IBIG MP2

6.Stocks

People may stay away from stocks because of having no knowledge about it. Most even just prefer to let their money be stagnant and stay in a bank.

But knowledge can be acquired, so it shouldn’t stop you from investing in stocks considering it could make your money grow exponentially.

Investing in stocks allows you to buy shares of companies, you won’t be able to buy under normal circ*mstances, said Marvin Germo, author of Stock Smarts5.

“The stock market gives you the opportunity to buy in companies, like partnering with SM, GMA, Jollibee,” he said.

Tips on investing in Philippine Stock Market

• Learn everything you can. Being too confident in the stock market can also be too risky. Absorb from the books and experts first. Do your research, discover the terminologies and all the tricks, buy books, and attend seminars. If you can, get a mentor. Do everything you can to be knowledgeable on the stock market.
• Know your risk profile. Are you cautious or are you a risk taker? Your personality should reflect the stocks you buy. According to Marvin Germo, there are stocks that are volatile, with a great potential to go up but also a great potential to go down. Some are just steady but when the market goes down, the impact to the company won’t be as bad. Consider what type of stock would fit your level of comfortability.
• Buy low, sell high. Buy stocks only when the price is below the “Buy Below Price”. The Buy Below Price is a level at which capital appreciation potential is already attractive relative to the fair value estimate. Any price below this is considered optimal to buy.
• Don’t expect money to double soon. According to an investor interviewed by Rappler

Want to get started with stock trading and investing? Check out our Beginner’s Guide to Stock Trading and Investing.

7.Mutual funds & UITF

What are Mutual Funds andUITF?

A Philippine Mutual Fund is an investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which pools money from many investors creating a massive fund under a common objective.

This fund is then invested in specific types of securities to achieve the stated objective.

The Unit Investment Trust Fund (UITF), on the other hand, has similar functions of a mutual fund. The main difference is that the fund is managed by a bank instead of a mutual fund company.

This type of investment is ideal for young and new investors because you’re investing your money to experts who would know what to do to make your money grow.

There are four main types of mutual funds and UITFs offered:

• Money market funds – Short-term debt instruments (one year or less).
• Bond funds – Long-term debt instruments offered by governments or corporations.
• Balanced funds – A mix of shares of stock and bonds.
• Stock or equity funds – Primarily shares of stock.

Tips on Investing in Mutual Funds

• Go with competent fund managers. You’re basically entrusting your hard-earned money to a third-party company. So, you must ensure that the fund managers they have are competent enough to bring growth, not losses. A good way to know is to look at the consistency of the fund performance at least in the last five years.
• Add regularly. Although you can start at a low price of ₱5,000 and there is no required regular addition, it is advisable to add regularly and use it as kind of your piggy bank for your long term goals.
• Assess risks. All investments have their risks, so it’s important to do risk assessments. Online brokers who offer mutual funds usually have their risk assessment questionnaire which will help you decide which type of mutual fund is best for you.
• Set goals and objectives. Like with any other investment, you must know why you’re investing. Is this for your retirement, leisure, or capital for your future business endeavors? Be clear on where you want this to go to make the best decisions. Newbies may become disheartened when they see losses even if they still haven’t reached the end of their time frame. As with stocks, you must be patient enough to see your investments grow.

Useful Resources:

• How to Invest in Mutual Funds & UITF in the Philippines – a complete guide by Grit PH
• Best Mutual Funds in the Philippines – curated by SavingsPinay.

8. Bonds

What are Bonds and how do they work?

Bonds work similarly to loans, except in terms of who borrows the money.

Say a company needs ₱1 million to expand its operations. They have two options: they can either borrow from banks (loans) or they can issue bonds.

With loans, banks will provide the company with a lump sum that they’ll have to pay based on the interest rate and other terms that the banks have set. In most cases, the company will be asked to pay in monthly terms, with the interest embedded in each payment.

With bonds, it’s like doing a reverse loan.

Instead of the company approaching the lender (bank), they will print a bond (contract) that might state, “In five years, our company will pay the owner of this bond ₱50,000”.

Since they need ₱1 million, they decide to print 20 pieces of these ₱50,000 bonds and issue them to institutional investors and the public. Aside from receiving the promised ₱50,000 face value back after five years, bondholders will also receive “coupon payments”.

For example, let’s say that the ₱50,000 bond in our example features a 5% annual interest rate.

Each year, the company will have to pay the bond owner ₱2,500 for five years. In total, the bondholder would get ₱12,500 in earnings after the bond matures (₱2,500 x five years).

But it doesn’t stop there. Since bonds are classified as IOUs (debt instruments) and can be circulated publicly, they can be traded—like stocks.

It’s possible that a bond can be sold at a higher price than its face value if the net present value of the principal and interest payments have increased.

But if the bond owner decides to hold on to it until it matures, he or she gets back the original investment (making it a good way of preserving capital) plus earnings from interest (passive income).

Different Types of Bonds

Bonds are generally classified into two: by maturity or by the issuer.

• Maturity-based bonds – Classified according to the length of time it will mature
  • Treasury Bills (T-bills) – Mature in less than one year (short term). The most common tenors (length of maturity) for T-bills are 91 days, 181 days, and 364 days.
  • Treasury Bonds (T-bonds) – Matures in more than one year. The most common maturity lengths for T-bonds are 2-year, 5-year, 7-year, 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year bonds.
• Issuer-based bonds – Classified according to who issued it
  • Treasury Securities – Issued by the Bureau of Treasury
  • Government Bonds – Released by various government agencies like Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF or Pag-IBIG), Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA), Federal National Mortgage Association, and others.
  • Municipal Bonds – Distributed by the local government units (LGUs)
  • Corporate Bonds – Supplied by public and private companies

How to Invest in Bonds in the Philippines

For corporate bonds, some banks advise the general public through their official website or mailing list. Information and requirements for investing in bonds are typically posted on their website.

Some will have you complete a quick online questionnaire to get your details and contact info. Afterward, a representative from the bank will call/email you to discuss the details and next steps.

For Government bonds like T-bonds, you can visit the Bureau of Treasury website for updates and listings for any upcoming public offerings.

You can also reach out to banks and check if they have any government bond offerings.

Like with corporate bonds, they’ll provide you with details and instructions along with the paperwork to complete should you wish to proceed with the investment.

Learn More:

• How to Invest in Bonds in the Philippines
• How to Invest in Fixed Income Securities in the Philippines

9.Insurance (VUL)

Life insurance is something every young professional should consider.

Having an insurance is necessary if you’re thinking about getting a house or a car. But more importantly, insurance is a must if you want to ensure that yours and your family’s lives are secured.

Did you know: Based on 2017 data, only 47% of the Philippines’ population have life insurance6, while US have 59% of its population insured7.

What is VUL?

A Variable Universal Life (VUL) insurance is a type of permanent life insurance policy that combines life insurance coverage with an investment component. This financial product is popular in the Philippines, due to its dual nature of providing financial protection and investment opportunities.

Aside from that, other benefits to VUL differentiate it from other traditional insurance policies, such as flexible premiums.

Any excess amount you add to the premium will go to your accumulated funds. In case of a financial emergency, on the other hand, you can choose to only pay the charges without the plan lapsing.

Speaking of financial emergencies, one great feature of VUL is its liquidity. You can still access your funds in times of need. Unlike traditional policies, this is treated as a withdrawal and not a loan.

Meaning the amount withdrawn does not incur interests. Although it is encouraged that whatever amount was withdrawn should be immediately reinvested to keep on track with your financial goals.

Tips on getting VUL/life insurance

• The need: Ask yourself—will someone be negatively affected financially by my untimely death? Mind you, it’s not about being sad about someone’s passing. Rather, it’s about the financial liabilities that you may be leaving after you pass.
• The amount: How much you need depends on several variables, such as current liabilities and dependents. If you’re thinking about retirement, ask yourself what your projected retirement fund will be. Will it only cover the replacement of your actual income or will it include expenses for leisure? That’s something to think about when getting your plan.
• The plan: Call different insurance agent and ask for quotations or get them to send you proposals through e-mail. This way, you can pick and choose what would be the ideal plan for you. Most insurance agents now have tools that generate quick client policy proposal.
• The overheads: A lot of the agents you will encounter will push for additional insurance or add-ons because of targeted quotas which will mostly just benefit them and the insurance company. Stick to your basic life insurance. It is, however, advisable to get a critical illness add-on. You never know if or when you’ll get a serious health problem.
• The advisor: Get an independent financial planner. Agents tend to be biased about plans because of their quotas. It’s advisable to get an independent financial adviser who is paid to advise you and not to reach quotas based on plans and add-ons. It’s not necessary to do this, but if you have extra cash to spend on a financial planner, get one.
• The timing: Obtain your insurance now. The younger you are, the cheaper the plans are. There’s no time like today to get a plan.
• The stability: Of course, you must make sure that the insurance plan you’re getting is from a reliable and stable company. Call the insurance company or the insurance commission, and search the web. Look for reviews and research the company. Make sure they are legit.

Read Next:Best Life Insurance Plans in the Philippines (VUL & Traditional)

10. SSS WISP Plus

The Worker’s Investment and Savings Program or WISP was launched in 2021 under the SSS Law of 2021. It is a compulsory provident fund for SSS members with a monthly salary credit of more than Php20,000.

This investment offers market-based returns to ensure that your contributions increase over time. This is also tax-free and may be claimed as an annuity or lump sum. Considering this, it acts as an additional source of pension when you retire.

Designed specifically for those who have more funds to invest, specifically those with Php20,000 to Php30,000 (2023 and 2024), and up to Php35,000 (2025 onwards), employer-shared contributions are applicable for this investment vehicle.

Meanwhile, OFW, self-employed, and voluntary members must shoulder their contributions on their own.

Majority of the investments will be in blue chip corporations (25%), and risk-free government securities (minimum 75%).

The principal amount is also always protected. Moreover, 1% p.a. of the total fund will be deducted to members’ accounts to pay for operational expenses.

The SSS reported that WISP collections hit Php35.84 billion in 2023.

Features:

Open to all members of SSS

This is an easy and safe way to give you additional retirement savings with a competitive interest that compounds as you wait for your golden years. All your contributions are safe and will be tax-free in the future.

Great boost for retirement

As you pay your WISP and SSS contributions, you can have a better nest egg when you retire due to its high interest. Your employer also contributes to this fund so you can truly see your retirement savings grow.

The moment you retire, your WISP’s accumulated value may be up to nine times your personal share in contributions. This can help you become more financially secure.

Options in receiving

SSS members can receive their benefits in an annuity or lump sum. This gives you more flexibility. If you receive it in an annuity, you’ll get a fixed monthly pension until your total value is fully settled. This may take up to 15 years.

Sample computation

As stated above, MSC above Php20,000 will go to WISP. For instance, if you are paid Php30,000, then the extra amount is Php10,000. The employee’s provident fund is Php450 (Php10,000 x 4.5%). For the employer, it’s Php950 (Php10,000 x 9.5%).

Take a look at this table by SSS to learn more about your WISP contributions.

How to enroll

If you’re already an SSS member with a monthly salary of over Php20,000 with no claim made in the regular SSS program, you will automatically be enrolled in the WISP.

WISP vs. WISP Plus

WISP is mandatory for all SSS members who receive over Php20,000 per month. Meanwhile, WISP Plus is voluntary, and its focus is on capital preservation. Its investment mix includes:

• At least 15% in government securities. This can be increased up to 100%
• Up to 20% in corporate or multilateral institutions and equities
• Up to 25% in short- and medium-term loans to WISP Plus members (including calamity, salary, livelihood loans, and more)
• Up to 70% in loans to pensioners
• Up to 40% in money market and BSP-approved investment instruments

Just like the WISP, WISP Plus allows members to invest in their future tax-free. The latter also earns more compared to regular savings and time deposits.

Unlike the WISP which can be withdrawn, WISP Plus can only be withdrawn after one year (remaining balance should not be less than Php500).

For earlier withdrawal requests, it can only be done for extreme hardship conditions including repatriation from host country, involuntary separation from employer, critical illness, etc.

Keep in mind that WISP Plus can only be received through a lump sum.

11.Micro-Lending & Peer-to-Peer Lending

Another investment option young professionals and investors can get into is microlending and peer-to-peer lending.

What is P2P Lending?

Peer-to-peer lending is the borrowing and lending of money through a platform without going through traditional means like the bank or other financial institutions.

What happens is, usually, an online company will bring together borrowers who need financing and lenders who would like to invest their money and earn through interest rates.

People are attracted to P2P because it cuts out the middleman (the bank) and provides better deals for both the borrower and the lender.

Because rates are a lot flexible compared to banks, borrowers can get relatively cheaper interest rates while the lender can still profit from a decent amount of interest rate.

Popular P2P Lending platforms in the Philippines:

• Blend.ph
• SeedIn

Tips on investing in P2P lending

Here are some tips to consider according to Paula Pant, from Student Loan Hero8.

• Research before you invest. This should be a no-brainer, but it is something you must keep in mind. Research about the loan history of the company you’re going to choose to invest in. Look into things such as the percentage of borrowers who default (unable to pay back) and how they screen the borrowers. Also, ask about the average returns of investors in the past and how they handle late payments.
• Know your risk tolerance. “Think carefully about how much risk you are prepared to take, bearing in mind that you could lose the whole of your investment in a loan if it defaults,” wrote Graeme Marshall

Read Next:How to Invest in Peer-to-Peer Lending in the Philippines [Complete Guide]

12. REIT

What is a REIT?

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that owns or operates income-generating commercial properties such as office buildings, hotels, and shopping malls. REITs earn money through the rent collected from tenants that occupy their properties.

Investing in REITs allow small investors to make money in real estate without having to buy or manage any physical property. All you have to do to get started is to open a stock brokerage account and use the broker’s trading platform to buy and sell stocks issued by REITs.

Tips on REIT Investing

• Consider your investment goal, risk appetite, and time horizon. Just like investing in other assets such as bonds and stocks, you have to carefully take these factors into account when deciding whether you should invest in REITs or not.
• Do your research. Gather as much information as you can on the REIT company’s cash flow profile, revenue growth, occupancy rates, track record, and management team, among other details.
• Consider the property’s location. How high is the potential of a property’s value to increase over time? That depends a lot on its location. If there are any development plans, then chances are high that the property will have a higher value in the future.
• Analyze industry trends. This will help you determine the best type of REIT to invest in. For example, malls and hotels have been badly hit by the pandemic, as more people do online shopping at home and put off their travel plans. Investing in REITs that mostly own these types of real estate can be riskier than others because of lower demand.

• Decide how much of your portfolio must be invested in REITs. The goal, of course, is to diversify your investment portfolio. For beginners, experts recommend investing 5% to 20% of one’s portfolio in REITs.

Learn More: How to Invest in REITs in the Philippines

13. High-Yield Savings Accounts

High-yield savings accounts are offered by financial institutions (mostly digital banks) to help individuals grow their savings at a faster rate compared to regular savings accounts.

The interest rates on high-yield savings accounts can be several times higher than traditional savings accounts, making them a popular option for those looking to earn more on their savings.

How to Start Investing through high-interest savings accounts

Investing in a high-interest savings account is so easy. Here are the steps you need to take.

Research various digital banks

There are plenty of digital banks that offer high-yield savings accounts in the Philippines. Each bank has different features, so make sure to compare them to see which one suits your needs. Examine their interest rates, fees, and minimum balances.

Open an account

Once you’ve decided on a bank, the next step is to open an account. Provide basic information, such as your name, birthday, and address. You may also need to provide a valid ID and proof of address for verification.

Deposit funds

To start earning interest, deposit funds into your newly opened high-yield savings account. Most digital banks have no minimum deposit requirement, making it possible to get started with just a small amount of money.

Watch your money grow

Now that you’ve deposited funds into your account, you can sit back and watch your money start to grow.

What Are the Top High-Yield Savings Accounts In The Philippines

There are tons of choices when it comes to high-yield savings accounts in the Philippines. If you don’t have the time to look at each option one by one, this table below is for you:

Tonik Bank

Interest rate: 4% to 4.5%

Tonik’s Stash accounts are a must-have if you want to save money alone or with your peers. If you want to work on your personal savings, the Solo Stash with 4% interest is a must-have.

Meanwhile, if you’re saving for something like a vacation with friends, all of you can open a Group Stash account and earn as much as 4.5% interest.

Tonik allows you to open up to 5 stashes on your account so you can easily save for multiple goals at the same time.

Maya Bank

Interest rate: 6% to 10% p.a.

Maya Bank’s savings account offers one of the highest interest rates in the market with a range of 6% to 10% interest p.a.. This is perfect for those who are really serious about growing their savings.

Maya’s base interest is 3.5%, but you can earn more depending on your account usage. Here’s how to increase your interest rate:

This promotion only runs from June 5 to August 31, 2023. Boosted interest also only applies to your first P100,000.

SeaBank

Interest rate: 4% p.a.

With no maintaining balance, Seabank’s mobile savings account is a great option for those who want to start saving without worrying about fees or minimum balances. With this account, you can enjoy up to 4.5% p.a. credited daily.

Meanwhile, 4.5% interest p.a. applies to users with account balances up to P250,000. If your account is over P250,000, 3% interest p.a. shall apply.

GoTyme

Interest rate: 5% p.a.This account is aimed at the tech-savvy individual who wants a hassle-free approach to banking. GoTyme lets you open five saving accounts for different goals and allows you to track each one separately through their user-friendly mobile app.

You can easily set targets and timeframes, schedule auto-saves, and save your change when shopping. What sets GoTyme apart is it doesn’t have limits for maintaining or maximum balances.

CIMB Bank

Interest rate: 2.5% – 8% p.a.

CIMB Bank’s UpSave Account is a popular choice for those looking for a high-yield savings account. This account has no annual fees which is a huge plus if you want to maximize your savings.

Additionally, CIMB’s mobile app makes it easy for you to do banking transactions and account monitoring.

14.Cryptocurrency

What is Cryptocurrency?

If you’ve never heard of Bitcoins or cryptocurrency, don’t worry. It may be unchartered territory for many people but it’s basically a simple concept.

Cryptocurrencies are simply digital or virtual currencies that people on the internet use to trade. It uses cryptography for security to ensure the safety of the traders. Its most appealing feature is the security from the government that it offers. Because your currency is encrypted and blockchains are decentralized, governments can’t monitor it.

Bitcoin is the most well-known type, but there are other types of cryptocurrencies that are actually cheaper and might be more ideal for you.

Now you may try to avoid this because of the sketchy ways cryptocurrency can be used. But Bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies are legal depending on where you are and what you plan to do with it.

The Central Bank of the Philippines (BSP) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are still in the process of issuing regulations on how digital assets will be governed9.

Tips on Cryptocurrencies Investing

• Have a strategy – Investing in crypto is also like investing in stocks. You need to decide your strategy before you do it. After all, crypto is not “easy money.” For instance, you can be an aggressive investor and go for emerging cryptocurrencies that have the potential to give you a high return on investment in the long run. Alternatively, you can be a conservative investor and stick to some of the most stable and established cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Keep your risk tolerance in mind – Investing in crypto is potentially risky. While many people have become millionaires by investing in it, many individuals have also lost their hard-earned money in this industry. Remember that crypto is still relatively new and it is also largely unregulated.
• Avoid FOMO – “Fear of Missing Out” is normal for people who are just starting in the crypto world. However, you should make sure that you don’t get carried away by the hype and forget to study. Look at the charts, check the news, and study the trends. Just because your peers are investing in a certain cryptocurrency doesn’t mean it’s a good one.
• Diversify your portfolio and don’t go “all-in” – Just like other investments, don’t pull all your eggs in one basket. If you do, you’ll only be putting yourself at risk of losing your money.
• Prioritize established cryptocurrencies – The world of crypto is quite volatile, but some cryptocurrencies have stood the test of time. Make sure to prioritize these coins, or at least include them in your portfolio.
• Never forget your crypto keyphrase – If you want to save your crypto for a long time, a cold wallet is the best option. If you use this type of wallet to store your crypto offline, never lose your keyphrase. If this happens, you can say goodbye to your investment. If you prefer to store your crypto in a hot or online wallet for ease of access, make sure to manage it properly since it’s more prone to being hacked.

Check out our Beginner’s guide to Cryptocurrency Investing.

15.Buy a website (for passive income)

Buying a website is something you should definitely consider. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of building a website and gather an audience for that site, then buying a readymade one that’s already profiting is definitely advisable.

It’s a great and easy way to acquire a passive income. You can check out Flippa.com to look for websites being auctioned.

Tips on Buying a Website

• Know the history. You must know about the site’s history before buying it. Know about its net worth, how old the site is, and if it is legit. Just because it’s saying it’ll earn you $10,000 a month doesn’t mean it really will. Usually, older sites are the most trustworthy ones.
• Be familiar with the platform. Is it WordPress, Joomla, or something else? This will make it easier for you to know the experts who can operate the platform.
• Understand the demographics. Find a site that targets the demographic you want to reach.
• Look at traffic quality. The more site visitors, the more money you’ll earn.
• Check the maintenance costs. How much will this site cost to maintain? How many staff do you need to run the site? These are things you must consider.
• Confirm the price. An average site would cost around $2,500—keep this in mind when you’re weighing whether a site is legitimate or not. There are sites that cost lower, but this can be considered a red flag.

Learn More: 7 Proven Online Business Ideas to Earn Money Online in the Philippines

16.Forex Trading

Forex, also known as foreign exchange, FX or currency trading, is a decentralized global market where all the world’s currencies trade.

The forex market is the largest, most liquid market in the world with an average daily trading volume exceeding $5 trillion. So, it would really be advisable to dip your toes into foreign exchange trading if you want to grow your investments.

Tips on Forex Trading

• Choose a broker wisely. Choose a broker that will allow you to do the analysis you require. You must know each broker’s policies and how he or she goes about making a market.
• Choose a methodology and be consistent in application. Remember that fundamentals drive the trend in the long term, whereas chart patterns may offer trading opportunities in the short term
• Develop a Trading Strategy: Your strategy should be based on your risk tolerance, investment goals, and market analysis. It can include technical analysis (studying charts and patterns), fundamental analysis (looking at economic indicators and news), or a combination of both.
• Manage Risk: Use risk management tools like stop-loss orders to limit potential losses. It’s also important to only trade with money you can afford to lose and to avoid over-leveraging yourself.

Learn More: How to Invest in Forex in the Philippines

17. Angel Investing (Venture Capital & Private Equity)

What is an Angel Investor?

Let’s break it down real simple: Say you want to launch your own food delivery business but don’t have the capital to begin with. After hearing about your plans, your uncle offers the necessary funding.

In exchange, he just wants the capital paid back plus 10% gain. Payable in three years. Happily, you accept his offer. “Thanks, tito! You’re an angel!”

Your tito is an angel indeed—an angel investor, to be exact. Often called informal investors, they are affluent folks who provide capital funding to start-ups in exchange for some gain or equity in the business.

What is Venture Capital?

Continuing with our scenario earlier, the money you received from your uncle is called venture capital. If you’re familiar with the tech industry, you hear about this a lot. Uber, Twitter, Airbnb, and a host of other big-name companies all received venture capital to kickstart their business.

In return, their success brought sky-high gains to their investors.

What is Private Equity?

It refers to monies or funds not included in a publicly listed exchange (e.g. the stock market). Funding injected by investors into a company in exchange of 100% ownership or control of the company is what makes private equity different from venture capital.

Read our Ultimate Guide: How to Invest in Venture Capital & Private Equity Funds in the Philippines

How to Become an Angel Investor and/or Venture Capitalist in the Philippines

Join a network of Angel Investors

This site stands as a middleman between entrepreneurs needing funding and investors. Once you’re registered as an investor, you can proceed to choosing among the list of business proposals that you deem most worthy (and profitable) of your investment.

Start small

Most people don’t know this, but you don’t need to be uber-rich to be an angel investor or venture capitalist. If we’ll use our scenario earlier, your food delivery business might only need ₱100,000 to get everything up and running. It really depends on how big the project is and how much capital it requires.

There are a ton of established businesses in the country that are looking to expand, which you can easily fund for as low as ₱50,000.

Tips on Angel Investing

1. Have a deep understanding of what it takes to run a business

As an investor, your main job is to provide funding. However, the success of your picks will highly depend on how well you understand the nature of their business.

Most successful angel investors and venture capitalists are stringent in their selection process, often going through several rounds of in-person meetings and reviews. This helps in making sure they are not betting their money on a high-risk venture.

2. Connect with Angel Investors and VCs in the country

It wouldn’t hurt to try asking for an hour of their time to get a primer on the whole thing. A simple gesture of taking them out for lunch to pick their brains may work surprisingly well in some situations.

Most of these people are kind enough to share their knowledge. And if they can’t meet you face-to-face, online correspondence is still highly valuable.

3. Invest in something you’re familiar with

When we invest in something, it’s usually on something we truly believe in, or very familiar with.

Why? Because it takes out a lot of the guesswork figuring out stuff from the beginning. Your existing knowledge about the product or service allows you to ask the right questions.

It also gives you better insight on the future and success of the venture.

4. Don’t go all in

In just a single investment, that is. As cliché as sounds, “spreading your eggs in several baskets” also applies in venture capital.

Not only will it allow you to lessen the risk, it also opens your pool of money to more promising investments (negates opportunity-loss).

5. Develop an investment game plan

World-renowned investor Ray Dalio operates on a set of core “Principles” (the title of his book) that serves as his checklist to guide him on decisions—both in life and investing.

As an angel investor or VC, it’s a good idea to come up with a solid plan that answers important questions like: What’s my expected ROI and when will I hit it? How much capital am I willing to invest during the course of the start-up? What type of involvement does this company require from me?

6. Try investing with a partner

Or better yet, several others. Investing is risky. In fact, most venture capitalists in the US fail.

If you’re just starting out, it might be a good idea to team up with others, so you won’t have to shoulder the whole start-up capital.

Sure, it will reduce your potential gains but at least you’ve significantly reduced the risk.

How do Angel Investors make money?

After putting in significant funding into a business, angel investors recoup their investments (and more) once the company starts seeing success. For example, an app or Software as a Service-type of company may begin growing its user base and starts getting paid for their offering.

This influx of revenue will naturally result to growth and increased chances of getting really massive (Uber, Airbnb to name a few).

While it’s mostly a hit-or-miss situation in the VC industry, the potential returns are enormous when you chance upon a real winner. It is said in the US, the average industry standard assumption for getting a winning portfolio is 10 investments.

Out of the 10, six will most probably be losers, 2-3 might break even or give slight gains, and (hopefully) your last one hits home run. The winning pick should be big enough (10 times your minimum investment) to make the whole thing profitable.

18. PERA: Personal Equity & Retirement Account

Established through Republic Act 9505, the Personal Equity and Retirement Account (PERA) is a voluntary retirement investment program.

It takes after the 401(k) and Individual Retirement Account (IRA) in the United States.

This long-term saving program aims to serve as an additional source of funds upon retirement apart from GSIS or SSS pensions or any form of retirement benefits from an employer.

What is PERA and how it works

PERA is a purely voluntary retirement savings program that allows the contributor to earn tax incentives from the amount he or she invested.

Those who choose to sign up for the program have to make certain contributions every year until they reach 55 years of age.

Upon retirement, they’ll reap everything they invested, not to mention all other proceeds earned from the contributors’ PERA account.

Some benefits of PERA include not being required to pay tax from all income earned from PERA when the contributor retires or die and 5% income tax credit until the contributor turns 55 years old, among others.

With the 5% income tax credit, you’ll get 5% off your annual taxable income allowing you to save more money in the long run.

Contributors can withdraw from PERA once they reach 55 years of age, given they have made contributions to PERA for a minimum of five years.

In case of death, the funds invested by contributors in their PERA account will be distributed to their respective heirs. Or if they have declared beneficiaries, the proceeds will go to them at this point.

How to Invest in PERA

If you are a Filipino citizen residing in the Philippines or abroad, is at least 18 years of age, have a tax identification number (TIN), and is making an income, you can invest in PERA by following the simple steps below:

1. Find an administrator to manage your account. You can either choose between BDO, Landbank, PNB, Metrobank, or BPI. Remember, you can only have one administrator, so choose wisely!
2. Assign a custodian to receive your funds. Make sure the person or entity is officially recognized by the Central Bank of the Philippines.
3. Select the PERA investment product you wish to invest in. You may choose from stocks, UITF, government securities, mutual funds, insurance products, and other accredited products.

Early Withdrawals

If, in the future, you wish to distribute funds but have not yet reached the required age, you can still do so—but not without penalties. Remember that there are only two qualified cases of distribution for PERA funds: death and retirement.

Distribution of funds that do not meet these requirements will result to having to compensate the government for the total tax incentives you got, including the 5% income tax credit, waived income tax for employer’s contribution, and waived taxes on the total investment income.

However, there are a few exceptions to this rule, such as:

• When a contributor needs to claim it after being considered “permanently totally disabled”.
• When a contributor needs it for payment of hospitalization for more than 30 days due to an illness or accident.
• When the proceeds will be transferred to an eligible PERA investment product or administrator not more than two working days from the date of withdrawal.

Supporting documents such as certifications might be needed for the first two exceptions so make sure you secure them from the proper authorities before presenting your case.

Read Next: PERA: How to Invest in Personal Equity & Retirement Account

19. Invest in New Skills

Minimum Investment: Only your time and effort

Investing in new skills, and yourself, is something that people tend to forget. But it is very important whether you want to invest in business or not.

You don’t have to go to a formal school to learn new skills. If you have the money, you can take courses or even get a post-grad degree.

For those who don’t have the money for expensive degrees, here are other alternatives you can consider:

• Online Courses – Take online courses which are usually cheaper and may sometimes even be free. Look up starting your business, choosing the right investment, financial planning, blogging, SEO, marketing—just about anything under the sun. There are varied courses to choose from and you can take advantage of the services offered online. Skillshare is a great website to take classes from, and you can get coupons to get free classes for a couple of months.
• Seminars and Workshops – There are seminars and workshops you can attend, some for as low as ₱1,000. As was mentioned above, you can take seminars for investments in real estate and stock markets, to name a few. It will also be a great way to meet peers who are interested in the same endeavors.
• Books – Books are investments. If you want solid knowledge on any subject matter, then buying a book on it is always a wise decision. The trick to reading a book if you’re busy is to look at the table of contents and to just pick chapters that would seem more applicable for you. This way you can focus on what’s essential.
• YouTube – You can learn any skill for free from watching thousands of videos on any given subject, may it be Bitcoin, Forex, or stocks. You name it, the site has it. The wealth of information you can access is just within your smartphone.

Investing in the Philippines FAQs

Still got questions about investing in the Philippines? We’ll answer them below.

How to Choose the Best Investments in the Philippines

Filipinos are known to be risk-averse when it comes to investing. You’re probably one of those who are wondering what kinds of investments give the best return.

The best investment yields high returns with minimal risk.

But are there really low-risk, high-return investments in the Philippines?

This may sound impossible, but you can find them if you know where to look.

The key is to check low-risk investments such as money market funds and bond funds (through mutual funds or UITFs) with the highest returns.

Money market funds and bond funds are both invested in low-risk, fixed-income securities. Time deposits and government T-bills comprise money market funds, while corporate and government bonds comprise bond funds.

To view and follow the best-performing investments in the Philippines, visit the following sources:

• Investing.com’s Philippines Stocks tracker for daily stocks performance
• Philippine Investment Funds Association (PIFA) website for mutual funds
• Unit Investment Trust Fund Philippines website for UITFs

How Much Money is Needed to Start Investing in the Philippines?

The short answer: Not much.

If you’re just starting out as an investor, you don’t need five or six-digit figures from the get-go. Anyone, even college students and fresh graduates, can start investing with as little as ₱25 to ₱5,000.

The actual initial investment depends on where you’re putting money in, and the bank or investment company that will handle your funds.

Here are the required initial funds for the common investment options in the Philippines:

How to Start Investing with Little Money

The advantage of growing your money through investments is that you can start small.

There’s no excuse from getting started even if you’re a breadwinner with a lot of bills to pay, as you can increase the amount you invest later on when you’re more financially capable.

But it’s important to note that you should never begin an investment journey without a solid strategy.

Take these initial steps to invest even with a small amount of money.

1. Determine how much you can afford to invest.

This step is crucial if you plan to invest regularly in the long term.

You don’t want to invest a certain amount initially and then stop it altogether after a few months because you could no longer afford the monthly, quarterly or yearly investments.

Before you start off, set a realistic and reasonable amount to invest, considering your income, expenses and savings.

2. Save up for your emergency fund.

A common mistake many first-time investors make is jumping right into investing without having an emergency fund.

When a financial emergency happens (like the hospitalization of a family member or the need for home repairs after a typhoon) without emergency funds stashed away, you’ll have no choice but to withdraw your funds or sell stocks prematurely.

Ideally, you need to build an emergency fund equal to six to 12 months’ worth of living expenses, before starting to invest.

Make the process easier by putting away a small amount every week or payday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) recommends putting the emergency fund in short-term, liquid investments such as savings accounts and time deposits.

You can invest the rest of your savings in medium-term or long-term instruments, depending on your financial goals.

3. Put your money in low initial investment vehicles.

Look for investment opportunities that allow you to begin investing with a minimal amount.

The best financial instruments for this purpose are mutual funds and UITFs. When you put your money in these instruments, you can invest in a diversified portfolio of bonds and stocks with just a single transaction. Here are your options in the Philippines with initial investments ranging from ₱25 to ₱1,000.

What are the different types of Investment Strategies?

Investment strategies can vary widely depending on the goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon of the investor. Here are some of the most common types of investment strategies:

• Growth Investing
• Value Investing
• Passive Investing
• Active Investing
• Momentum Investing
• Dividend Investing
• Income Investing
• Indexing
• Contrarian Investing
• Diversification
• Dollar-cost Averaging

How to Determine your Investment Risk Appetite

Your risk appetite as an investor refers to the amount of risk you can take in pursuit of your investment goals. After all, “no pain, no gain,” right?

An individual’s investment appetite can vary wildly depending on different factors so there’s no clear standard for what a good risk appetite looks like. If you want to determine your risk appetite, take a look at the factors below.

Investment goal

Your investment goal will largely influence your risk appetite. Think of why and when you want to use your investment money for. A person who is investing to pay for a house down payment will have a different risk tolerance from someone who is investing to pay for a week-long holiday.

If you are an aggressive investor who is okay with taking on more risk for more potential reward, then you can afford to invest in higher-risk assets. Meanwhile, a conservative investor with a low-risk appetite will favor investments that lessens the risk of losing money.

Investment timeframe

Different people have different time horizons. Investors that have a longer time horizon can afford to take more risks.

Current income and savings

Your current income and savings are other major factors in determining your risk appetite.

Those who earn more money and have huge savings can have a greater risk appetite since they have a better financial cushion to catch their fall. On the flip side, if you don’t have enough disposable income, you can’t afford to lose much money on investments.

Keep in mind that there is no right or wrong risk appetite. The answer largely depends on your unique situation.

Learn More: Investment Risk Management Strategies

What’s the best investment for beginners?

Beginner investors in the Philippines can benefit from very low barriers to entry.

Some of the best investments beginners should take advantage of include Pag-IBIG MP2 and SSS, which are two of the most common investments in the country.

You can start for as low as Php1,000 for the SSS PESO Fund, and Php500 for Pag-IBIG MP2. These investments are also guaranteed by the Philippine government, and most of all, they are tax-free.

Other investments for beginners include stocks and mutual funds, UITFs, and VULs.

Always keep in mind that before you start investing, you should first have your emergency fund. This is ideally 6 times your monthly salary. You may store this in a high-yield savings account that pays you interest based on your cash balance.

Related: How to Build Wealth in your 20s

What are the top 5 investments for building a portfolio?

There is no such thing as a perfect investment portfolio for everyone.

When you’re building your investment portfolio, there are key things you should account for such as your time horizon, investment strategy, goals, and risk appetite.

That said, five of the most popular investments today include emerging market stocks, blue-chip stocks, fixed-income securities, real estate, and certificates of deposit.

What are the best alternative investments?

If you’re ready to diversify your portfolio, investing in alternative assets is an amazing idea. These investments cover assets that are not stocks, bonds, or cash. The best alternative investments today include:

• Real estate crowdfunding platforms
• P2P lending
• Cryptocurrencies
• Private equity and venture capital
• Arts, collectibles, and antiques
• Commodities
• NFTs

Want to learn more about these alternative investments? Check out our in-depth guide here.

How are investments taxed in the Philippines?

In life, there are two things you can’t avoid: death and taxes. Here’s how investments are taxed in the Philippines.

Sources

1. Pag-IBIG Fund
2. Lamudi
3. Lamudi
4. The Smart Local – Investing for Beginners
5. GMA Network
6. Philstar
7. Best Life Rates
8. Student Loan Hero
9. The Manila Times