FQ Mom Podcast

Taking off from last week’s discussion about the possible “misdiagnosis of the Sick Man of Asia,” let’s further discuss how to cure our Economic Anemia and see what we can apply to our own households. Listen.

If I ask you the question—“Bakit ba tayo napapag-iwanan na ng maraming bansa? What is the cause of our ECONOMIC ANEMIA?”—what’s your answer? This week’s podcastdiscusses this and you will be surprised it’s not what you think. Watch this!

Have you noticed how wedding countdowns seem a little longer these days? The culprit? The high cost of wedding!

But here is my gentle FQ reminder: Do not let the cost of the weddingbe the main reason you delay your marriage. When the timing is right for your love to grow, don't let a heavy price tag steal the show!

In my latest column, we’re breaking down how to make your Makatwirang Mak (rational side) and Emotional Emong (emotionalside) finally agree on your big day. We'll look at what guests actually remember (hint: it's your brain's limbic system at work!) and how to ruthlessly cut the clutter so you can focus on what really matters to you.

Listen and pass it on to someone in this interesting stage before “I do.”

Traditional financial advice treats money like a math class, but budgeting and saving are deeply rooted in behavioral psychology rather than pure willpower. Instead of relying on rigid rules that trigger deprivation, we need to design a financial environment that automates our habits and works with our human wiring.

Desgn! Design! Design!

Did you know that keeping your money moving like flowing water prevents financial stagnation and invites true abundance into your life? By automating your give-back fund based on your core values, you can remove the emotional friction of donating and ensure your wealth becomes a powerful force for good.

Listen.

At 60, I’m officially embarking on my "Third Act" by taking another shot at reading the entire Bible—and this time, I’ve designed a system using AI to help me overcome my past excuses and quirks! Just like in investing, we often let tiny obstacles or "friction costs" stop us from doing what is best for our future. What long-term goals or financial milestones have you been putting off, and what system can you design today to finally get started?

We have reached the conclusion of our series on Financial Infidelity. We have defined what it is and identified the red flags that signal its presence. (Click Episode 1 and Episode2)

 Now, the mostimportant question remains: How do we avoid this form of pagtataksil and build a truly transparentpartnership?

 No matter how loyal and truthful you claim to be to your spouse, if you aren’t financially honest, you can still be called a "taksil." To "infidelity-proof" your marriage, I always say that designing our environment is key. We must structure our financial lives so that the easiest choice—the default—is the one that is best for us and our relationship. This means moving toward "sunlight," the principle that transparency disinfects the hidden corners of your financial life.

 A major part of this design is addressing the feeling of lost autonomy, which is why many people hide money in the first place. It’s a bummer to have to ask permission for every salon visit or coffee date with friends. By designing your environment to include a "Me-fund" or a "Fun Fund" for eachpartner that does not need a "Board approval" for every use,you create a system where personal spending is autonomous and guilt-free, removing the need for secrecy. By staying goal-centric and aligning your financial values, you ensure that your default habits lead toward your shared dreams.

 Watch this final episode to learn the concrete steps to coming clean and ensuring a peaceful, high-FQ relationship with your partner.

Just like any form of infidelity, financial betrayal usually starts with a single, seemingly safe action, often with no initial intention of hurting a loved one. Think of it like this: a simple coffee with an ex without informing your partner, or those"pa-like-like" and "heart-heart" reactions to social media posts, can eventually lead to a full-blown affair. In the same way, a premature purchase of a luxury item using credit card debt—done without informing your spouse—can lead you down the path of full-blown financial infidelity.

 As we discussed in the previous episode of the FinancialInfidelity Series, this betrayal, usually committed unknowingly, is the act of hiding financial information, transactions, and other important money matters from the person you are supposed to be building a life with. Even seemingly noble acts, such as helping relatives or friends by lending or givingmoney without your spouse’s knowledge, may result in a pinansyal na pagtataksil. To help you assess your own relationship, this second installment discusses 10 specific symptoms, ranging from hiding debts and siphoning family funds to lying about your true income or hiding a job loss.

 Remember: Money secrecy is rarely about money; it’s about fear, power, and safety. High Financial Intelligence means we don’t hide to survive—we design our environment so we canthrive.

 Watch this video to see how many of these 10 signs might be present in your partnership.

We often hear this advice given to spouses, "Huwag mong ibigay lahat!" It is framed as a survival tool or a form of empowerment. "Magtabi ka para sa sarili mo." is aimed at protecting the spouses, especially the one who isn’t the breadwinner, in case of a broken relationship. But whilethese pieces of advice may have noble intentions of protection, we must ask this question: Does this secrecy actually serve a healthy, high-FQ partnership, or is it a sign of a shaky foundation? Watch this.

Financial infidelity is the silent betrayal that can slowly destroy trust inside a family. From hidden online shopping purchases to secret debts and undisclosed savings, are these harmless “diskarte” or warning signs of a deeper problem? In this podcast episode, we unpack the hidden costs of money secrets, why financial transparency matters, and how couples can build a stronger and more peaceful financial relationship together.

Listen.