Money and insurance

Four ways to use the quarantine to manifest your future

You may be stuck at home, but that doesn’t mean you should be idle. The quarantine is the best time for you to be proactive for the future.

By Maan D’Asis Pamaran

The pandemic has changed almost every person's lifestyle. Working from home and joining online classes may have become the norm, and you may have found yourself ordering food online to stay safe at home. You may have tried out the latest fads, such as baking ube cheese pan de sal or whipping up that coffee concoction that became viral on social media.

These past months may have also been a time to invest in yourself, and there are several ways in which you can use this time to make wise investments.

1. Add new skills or hone your craft.

Have you ever wondered why you suddenly have so much time on your hands? It’s likely because you’re not sitting around in traffic so much. That’s about two to four extra hours to be more productive.

Take advantage of this opportunity to enroll in a course that may help you further your career or one that will encourage a relaxing hobby. Many of these resources are available online, from experts offering masterclasses, to light-hearted how-to videos on social media.

2. Practice self-care.

Taking care of yourself seems like a no-brainer, but according to the National Alliance of Mental Health, people don’t understand what self-care means. After all, we’ve been taught since childhood to put others first. Self-care can be difficult because it means fighting against years of values education.

Ironically, self-care is putting yourself first so you can better care for others—the way you’re supposed to put on your oxygen mask on the plane first before attempting to help others. You can also think of it as your respite or recovery period so you can start all over rejuvenated and ready to go.

Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as enjoying a few extra minutes alone in the shower or streaming your favorite series on Netflix. You can also take steps to prioritize your health, such as eating better and working out. Train yourself to take care of yourself better by finding a dent in your schedule for a bit of me-time.

3. Spend wisely.

With night-outs and travel plans on hold at the moment, you can use your recreational funds as well as earnings from your newfound baking hobby to build up your investment instead.

Let’s be frank: we’ve become professional online shoppers over the pandemic, but you can be savvy when you “add to cart.” Watch for huge monthly sales and find discounts so you can get the most bang for your buck. That way you’ll save on expenses (both necessary and extras) and have more to put in your savings account.

4. Install safety nets.

You can pursue your dreams boldly when you know you have something to fall back on. Find the best investment that will give you peace of mind. Choosing a policy that meets both your insurance needs and investment goals will help you face unexpected events with more confidence.

When it comes to finding the right insurance, consider your long-term goals. After all, expansion and success happen not overnight, but over time.

FWD Manifest is designed for future-thinking Filipinos who want to seize the day. It is a Variable unit-linked (VUL) insurance that has a built-in investment component. This allows you to invest in different funds of your choice so you can grow your money over time. But more than that, FWD Manifest earns you bonuses for investing more over time and cushions your investment from risk.

The best time to invest and manifest your dream is now. Sign up and talk to an FWD financial advisor to discover how to take your next financial steps towards the future:

For more info on FWD Manifest, click here.