I'm excited to share that I'm at 30% of my journey! I'm actively building my investment portfolio, diving deep into personal finance, and continuously improving my skills. It's been quite a ride. But let's rewind a bit and talk about how I went from earning ₱8,000 to a 6-digit salary.

My Progress...

"No one in his deathbed ever said, 'I wish I spent more time at work'" — Paul Tsongas

From Graduation Gown to First Paycheck

When I first graduated, my primary goal was to make money abroad, following in my OFW mother's footsteps. However, life had different plans for me. After unsuccessful attempts at call center job interviews, I pivoted to my passion as a web designer.

Despite my cringe-worthy design portfolio filled with gradients, bevels, and embossing (I really didn't know what I was doing that time). A breakthrough came when I landed a remote job interview with two Swiss founders. Everything moved quickly until we discussed expected salary.

The ₱8,000 Starting Point

Due to my inexperience in salary negotiation, I threw out a random number. After fees and conversion, my first paycheck was just ₱8,000. Surprisingly, I wasn't disappointed. At that time, I had no salary benchmark and was simply proud to have secured the job, plus this is a remote work and I don't need to spend on daily commute.

The Leap to ₱25,000

While my Swiss employers where possibly underpaying me, my actual job is just web designs but they are giving me web development task. They did me a huge favor by assigning tasks outside my job description and I began exploring WordPress theming, which proved crucial for my next career move.

Soon after, I landed a position with an Australian company as an e-commerce web developer, earning ₱25,000 as my starting salary. The interview process and exam was straightforward, convert a PSD file to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. My quick completion of the task led me to an immediate hire. I still remember when my boss told me in skype "You did it fast, you got the job". This is my first corporate job in the office.

Scaling to Six Figures

The jump from ₱8,000 to ₱25,000 was huge for me. As I enhanced my skills, I also improved my negotiation tactics. Taking an e-commerce exam helped validate my expertise, and over time, it went to ₱55,000, to ₱90,000 until I scaled my income to a six-figure salary. In tech industry, what I realized is that, there is a lot of opportunity but the key is find your niche and be an expert in that field. Learn the basics and foundations. Lastly, tech is an ever-evolving field, so never stop learning.

The Freelancing Grind

With a high-paying job and skills that I have, I was able to land a lucrative freelance gigs, my income soared but at the cost of my sleep and health. I often worked until 2 a.m., only to wake up at 4 a.m. to go in the office. For anyone who's doing daily commute in the Philippines, you know the pain. If you're not early, you're late. Period. Thanks to my frugal lifestyle, I saved enough to buy a car with a huge downpayment. Was it a good financial decision? Debatable, but the convenience it gave to me was worth every centavo.

The Million-Peso Mic Drop

Hitting my first million was less "cha-ching" and more "aha!" moment. I had a crucial realization, no amount of money is worth sacrificing your health. I asked myself, "Why am I in a hurry?" My sister was graduating and I don't need to pay for her college or give her allowance. Instead of living in a rush life, I started embracing slow mornings, listening to my favourite music while driving and prioritize peace of mind. I did the math, with my high paying job, I can still afford my simple lifestyle, savings, and investments. Thus, I gave up freelancing and started prioritizing my health. I understand now that no paycheck is worth becoming a burnt-out zombie..

Key Takeaways from My Journey

• Skills are your first investment: At times, discovering your niche is where doors of opportunity swing open. It also provides you with the privilege to choose
• When you're just starting out, don't complain as long as the approach is humane. Do the work and be consistent. Unexpected skills can sometimes open new doors.
• Negotiate your salary: It can significantly impact your earning potential.
• Aim for a high income first while studying personal finance. Once you have a good buffer, you can start investing.
• Craft a balance lifestyle where wellness and peace of mind take center stage.

This journey from ₱8,000 to a six-figure salary wasn't just about the money. It was a lesson in perseverance, skill-building, and ultimately, understanding the true meaning of wealth. As I continue on this path, I'm excited to see where it leads, success isn't just about the commas in my bank account. It's about crafting a life that's rich in health, balance, and maybe a few guilty pleasures.