Resetting My Money Mindset: How I’m Taking On 2026 With More Intention (and Less Impulse)

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Travel, Blogs, Wellness, Culinary, Shopping
04 Dec 2025
9 mins
Out of Town Blog
Melo Villareal

Author: Melo Villareal

My Money Game Plan for 2026 As a freelancer and travel content creator, my year unfolds in a lively rhythm of deadlines and departures—a constant dance between earning a living, chasing new experiences across countries, and managing the inevitable ebb and flow of expenses. Each month feels like a whirlwind of pitching projects from hotel […]

Out of Town Blog

Resetting My Money Mindset: How I’m Taking On 2026 With More Intention (and Less Impulse)

My Money Game Plan for 2026

As a freelancer and travel content creator, my year unfolds in a lively rhythm of deadlines and departures—a constant dance between earning a living, chasing new experiences across countries, and managing the inevitable ebb and flow of expenses. Each month feels like a whirlwind of pitching projects from hotel rooms, capturing stunning landscapes for my followers, and carefully stretching my income to cover both sudden opportunities and unexpected costs. But if 2025 taught me anything, it’s this: even the most thrilling, adventure-filled life needs a solid financial backbone to support it all. And, to be honest, my own financial foundation has occasionally felt wobbly, especially when the excitement of travel distracts me from budgeting.

With 2026 on the horizon, I’m choosing a fresh start. Not with ambitious resolutions that vanish by February, but with a renewed, healthier money mindset—one grounded in mindfulness, intentional discipline, and the tools that actually empower me to stay on track. Here’s an honest look back on what I’ve learned this past year, and the forward-thinking plan I’m embracing for the new year ahead.

What I’m Leaving Behind in 2025

The “Just Book It” Mindset

Last year, I romanticized spontaneity a little too much. Flash seat sales? I was there. Random weekend flights I didn’t budget for? Also there. And while the memories were great, the financial stress that followed… wasn’t.

In 2026, spontaneity won’t come at the expense of stability.

Souvenir Splurging

Over the years, I’ve collected a jumble of magnets featuring cityscapes, shirts from bustling market stalls, and novelty snacks that promised a taste of someplace new—all now hidden in drawers and mostly forgotten. This year, I’m choosing to leave behind the pressure to shop for mementos at every stop. I’ll savor my travels by capturing vibrant photographs, writing heartfelt entries in my journal, and focusing on the unique experiences that make each journey memorable.

“Future Me Will Figure It Out” Finances

Freelance income offers great flexibility, allowing me to pursue a variety of projects while setting my own schedule. However, this freedom comes with a downside: income can be highly unpredictable. In 2025, there were several instances when I counted on payments that hadn’t come through yet, budgeting for expenses based on what I expected to earn rather than what I had already received. That sort of miscalculation often left me scrambling to cover essential bills. This year, I’m determined to change that approach and manage my finances only with income that’s already in hand.

What I’m Embracing in 2026

Intentional Travel Planning—Not Impulsive Escapes

If a trip isn’t within my budget, I simply won’t book it—no exceptions. This year, I am making travel plans only after intentionally setting aside the necessary funds. When tempting seat sales or travel promotions appear, I won’t let excitement dictate my decisions. Instead, I’ll first check the balance of my dedicated travel savings, ensuring every trip I take is fully funded and financially responsible.

Souvenir Rules

I’m adopting a “one meaningful item per destination” rule—something useful, beautiful, or deeply personal. No more hoarding keychains, ref magnets, or even destination t-shirts I don’t actually use.

Your Bonus Just Dropped—Here’s How To Make It Work Harder with Maya

Structured Saving Through Maya’s Savings Features

One of the biggest changes I’m making is using Maya Personal Goals to treat my plans as serious, non-negotiable commitments. With Maya Personal Goals, you can set up to five different goal accounts, each earning a 4% base interest rate, with your rate increasing by every PHP20,000 you add (up to 8% annually for deposits up to PHP100,000).

I’ve set up:

A Travel Fund Goal – my budget for trips in 2026. Every project I finish automatically transfers a portion to my Maya Savings account. I’m not only able to set aside money for travel funds, but it will also earn interest since it’s also a savings account.
An Emergency Fund Goal – a safety net for life’s unexpected moments, because freelance peace of mind is priceless.

The best part? Maya lets me set deadlines and target amounts, so I see progress every time I open the app. It’s motivating in a real, tangible way.

Growing My Money with Maya Savings and a Time Deposit Plus

I’m done letting my money sit idle.

My daily savings are in Maya Savings, where they keep growing while remaining accessible. I love that Maya doesn’t require complicated steps to earn more. Your interest starts at 3.5% p.a., but it can rise to 15% p.a. just by using the app for things you already do — paying bills, buying load, scanning QR codes for food runs, or using your Maya Wallet or Easy Credit for errands. It feels good when your regular spending works for you instead of against you.
For funds I don’t need immediately, such as my emergency savings, I opt for a Maya’s Time Deposit, as it lets me lock in my money for 3, 6, or 12 months with guaranteed rates up to 6% per year on deposits up to P1 million per account. I can open up to five Time Deposit Plus accounts. This locking-in approach keeps me committed, and watching it earn consistent interest encourages me to stay disciplined.

Using Maya to Keep Me on Track

Maya has turned into my accountability partner throughout my financial journey.

It offers:

Goal reminders: Maya regularly sends me notifications about my savings targets, helping me stay focused and mindful of what I want to achieve.

Simple all-in-one management: The platform lets me view all my accounts, savings plans, and goals in one place, simplifying the monitoring and management of my finances, bills, and budgets.

With all these tools and those good intentions I’ve always started with, I’m finally seeing real, tangible results I can track.

Why 2026 Is My Money Reset Year

Next year, I’m shifting my focus from restriction to proper alignment. My goal is to ensure that every decision I make, especially how I spend my time and money, resonates deeply with my fundamental values.

When it comes to travel, I’m taking greater care to select trips that are not only enjoyable but also sustainable with my long-term goals in mind—balancing adventure with financial stability. I’m actively building systems and routines that bridge the gap between my current reality and my biggest dreams, enabling me to turn aspirations into lived experiences.

Looking ahead to 2026, it’s about choosing wisely—not just for financial gain, but for my mental peace, future security, and the ongoing journey of personal growth. Each choice is meant to solidify the foundation for the person I’m striving to become.

Your Turn: What’s Your 2026 Money Story?

If you’re also craving a reset—one that’s realistic, empowering, and grounded—start by doing a simple money check-in. What habits will you quietly leave in 2025? What goals feel important for 2026?