Nicole Alba started earning money by selling origami at school when she was five. By 19, she was running a P200,000 windbreaker business and growing a YouTube channel that documented her journey.
She didn’t wait to be rich to get smart with money. She hit the ground running, and that’s exactly what makes her advice worth listening to.
“I’m not a guru,” Nicole says. “I’m figuring it out as I go and sharing what works.”
If you’re looking to start your own journey toward better money habits, here are the Simpol ways Nicole stays money-savvy.
Check out Nicole Alba’s money-saving tips:
Learn by Doing
Nicole didn’t grow up using budgeting apps or color-coded spreadsheets. She learned about money behind the counter of her parents’ electronics shop in Bacoor, Cavite.
“We didn’t have yayas. I stayed in the shop, watched my parents, and learned how to talk to people,” she shares.
“If I wanted something, I had to earn it.”
It wasn’t glamorous, but those early days at the shop laid the groundwork for how she saves and spends today. Being in the shop taught her to take initiative, handle missteps, and keep trying—lessons she still applies to her money mindset today.
Her first budget wasn’t perfect. But it was hers—and it was a start.
Build a Simple System
You don’t need complicated money-saving routines and saving strategies with too much math. Nicole’s best tip? Focus on consistency over perfection.
Her financial mindset follows four steps: notice, name, plan, repeat.
“Even something small like organizing your wallet counts—that’s awareness, that’s a win,” Nicole says.
Track your spending without guilt. Define goals that matter to you. Break down your goals into small, manageable steps and keep going until they stick.
Reset When You Slip
When your spending and budget start to feel out of control, Nicole suggests resetting your finances as soon as you need to.
“You don’t have to start over. You just have to start again — with what you have,” she says.
A financial reset can be as simple as reviewing expenses, clearing small debts, or adjusting goals. But the most crucial part is forgiving yourself for all your missteps and slip-ups in the process.
Face Your Debt
Debt, Nicole says, isn’t a sign of failure—it’s part of life. As soon as you can start to accept that, the sooner you can move forward to paying them off.
“There’s no jail for utang. But there’s peace in paying people back — and trust in yourself grows with each step,” she says.
Begin by listing all your debts, bills, and other financial obligations. Choose a repayment method that makes sense for you. Stick to it without panic or pressure. Tackle it one payment at a time.
Remember: You don’t need to be debt-free overnight. What matters is facing it head-on with a plan.
Start with What You Want
Big goals can feel paralyzing. Nicole says it’s okay to begin with something simple and specific.
“Want a phone? A trip? Just tired of asking for help? That’s your goal. Start there.”
Naming something you actually want can make saving feel real and, in some cases, more motivating.
From that want, track your spending honestly. Skip the fancy tools. Just write things down. See where your money actually goes.
Keep It Simple
Nicole doesn’t promise shortcuts. She believes in steady, meaningful progress over flashy fixes.
“You don’t have to get it perfect. Just do one thing that moves you forward.”
Whether that’s saving P500, skipping a Shopee sale, or checking your budget before you spend— it all counts.
Nicole’s approach to money saving isn’t about trendy hacks and get-rich-quick tactics. They’re her tried and tested techniques, grounded in lived experience. Her tips are proof that being money-wise is all about building intentional habits and making simple everyday choices that help you spend smarter, not harder.
Watch Her Story
Catch Nicole’s full interview on SimpolPeeps YouTube
Follow @nicolealba on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube
Reminder: Nicole will never message you about investments or crypto. Report impersonators.
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What’s your first money move? Please share your story on the comment section below.
Tag @SimpolPeeps and share what you’re starting today. Tracking expenses? Paying off a small utang? Skipping a budol? Tell us— we’re cheering for you.
