From regret to reset: Learning from the fall of fast-spent fortune through a famous Filipino proverb (salawikain.)

There’s a Filipino saying that hits hard every time:
“Ubos-ubos biyaya, pagkatapos nakatunganga.”
Loosely translated as, “Spent all the blessings, left staring into nothing.”

We’ve all had those moments — when blessings come pouring in, only to slip through our fingers just as fast.

When the Blessings Come
It’s always nice to get something out of the blue — your very first paycheck, a large bonus, inheritance, or even a lottery or gambling windfall. And the initial reaction?

Spend.

Indulge yourself.
Go out to eat.
Purchase that new fancy gadget.
Have a party.
Plan a vacation.

“Why not? I deserve it.” And you do.
But then…

Silence After the Splurge
You wake one morning, and it’s all gone. Everything. Without a safety net.

Then reality sets in.
“Easy come, easy go — now I’m just staring at the ceiling, broke.”
You sit there, wondering where all the money went. The fun is over, and all that’s left is stress and regret.

Why Does This Happen?
It’s not because we’re bad people. Most of the time, it’s because:

• We lack financial education.

• We’re trapped in the “I deserve this” mindset.

• We live with a “bahala na” (come what may) attitude.

• We are pressured by the people around us or by social media.

But It’s Never Too Late
The thing is, we can learn from it. We can get up again. We can prevent a second fall.

Here are a few things to live by:

• Save a part of every blessing. Even little amounts, done regularly, add up.

• Make a budget plan. Know where each peso (or dollar) goes.

• Prioritize needs over wants. Rewards are fine — in moderation.

• Invest in yourself. Skills, education, health — those pay off in the long term.

• Surround yourself with financially savvy people. Their habits will rub off on you.

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Blessings are like rain. Sometimes they pour, sometimes there’s drought. But if you know how to save, plan, and manage, you won’t be left with nothing when the rain stops.

Don’t let your story be one of regret — make it a story of change.

What about you? Has there ever been an “easy come, easy go” moment for you? Share it in the comments — you never know who your story can help.