One Julia Barretto's realizations about money is that saving alone is not enough to secure her finances in the future.
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), coursed through Maya via email, the 28-year-old reveals that her focus now is on having her money work for her.
"I’ve learned that you have to be intentional with your money," she says.
"Back then, I thought saving just meant holding onto it, but if it’s just sitting there, it’s actually losing value over time because of inflation.
"That’s when I realized: if your money’s not earning, it’s burning.
"That’s why it’s so important to put it somewhere it can grow—like in a high-interest savings account with Maya.
"It’s not just about how much you save—it’s about making sure your money is working as hard as you do."
JULIA BARRETTO: SAVING AND GROWING MONEY
When asked about specific tips she has learned over the years regarding saving and growing her wealth, Julia mentions some tools that seamlessly integrate savings strategies with everyday spending.
She tells PEP, "One thing that really helps me is using the Maya Savings Calendar as inspiration.
"You actually see the numbers add up in your account every single day, and that kind of visual progress really motivates me. It’s so satisfying to watch it grow.
"Another trick I swear by is using [an app] to pay for everything—my bills, essentials, even when I’m rewarding myself—because every time I spend, my savings interest gets boosted up to 15% p.a. So it’s like, girl math: I shop and I save smarter."
Of course, Julia launched her own fashion brand The Juju Club in 2021 at the age of 25. She also co-owns Spritz Studios, a creative content space.
But don't get her wrong, the VIVA actress is not totally discarding the importance of saving, which, she says, is a good way of jumpstarting her financial goals.
She advises that consistently setting aside even a small amount can make a significant difference over time.
In her words, "Start small, but start now. Don’t wait until you’re 'earning more' or 'more stable.' Even just setting aside a little consistently makes a huge difference over time.
"And use tools that work with your lifestyle... so you can still enjoy life while your money quietly grows in the background.
"Saving doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice—it can be easy and in control."
JULIA BARRETTO: CALENDAR GIRL ERA
Julia expresses her excitement about being chosen again as a "calendar girl."
Previously featured by a liquor brand, this time she takes on the role of "Savings Calendar Girl" to demonstrate that saving can be sexy.
When asked about her experience working on this campaign, Julia says, "It was honestly such a fun and empowering shoot!
"I loved putting a modern twist on the whole 'calendar girl' concept—especially as the world’s first-ever savings calendar girl. That was such a fun title to own!
"Each month’s theme let me portray a different character, which made it a creative and exciting challenge. We’re showing that saving money can be bold, sexy, and smart."
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