If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my 25+ years of being a wife and mom, it’s that not everything we spend on as mothers gives a good return. Some things collect dust in storage while others turn out to be the best decisions we’ve made for our families.
I know how hard it is to stretch every peso—especially during the early years when my husband and I were still building our life together. But looking back, there are certain things I never regretted spending on. Not once. In fact, I’d spend on them again in a heartbeat.
Here are five of my best “mommy investments” over the years that paid off in more ways than one:
1. Quality Education
I’ll say it over and over again: Walang tatalo sa good education. From the moment our son was born, we knew we wanted to give him the best learning experience we could afford. We enrolled him in a school that encouraged creativity and critical thinking, and it made all the difference. We also enrolled him in Kumon which I believe gave him the edge to pass the Pisay entrance exams. Even when tuition fees seemed steep, we saw the long-term value.
Fast forward to today, our son graduated cum laude and is now successfully working—and I honestly believe that his strong educational foundation helped shape him into the confident, capable man he is today.
Mommy tip: Don’t just look at the name of the school. Visit the campus, talk to the teachers, and observe how the students interact. The environment makes a huge difference!
2. Health and Wellness Essentials
Back then, I’d often debate whether vitamins and doctor-recommended supplements were “worth it.” But I realized early on that investing in our family’s health saves us from the hassle (and higher expenses) of getting sick.
We stuck with reliable brands for multivitamins, stocked up on fruits and vegetables (kahit minsan mas mahal), and got regular checkups. I also got my fair share of mom guilt when I’d spend on healthier grocery alternatives, but now I know it was the right thing to do.
No regrets, momsh. A healthy family is a happy family.
3. Family Travel and Adventures
Some people say, “Sayang lang ang pera sa travel, ilang araw lang tapos wala na.” But you know what? Those few days created memories that lasted a lifetime.
Whether it was a road trip to Baguio, a beach getaway in Palawan, or our dream trip to South Korea, traveling as a family brought us closer. It taught my son to appreciate different cultures and made him more open-minded. Most importantly, we got to bond away from gadgets and the busyness of daily life.
Pro tip: You don’t have to go abroad to make memories! Even a quick weekend staycation in a nice Airbnb or a nearby resort can do wonders.
4. Time-Saving Appliances and Tools
When my son was still little and I was juggling homeschooling, household chores, and my raket on the side, I learned to let go of the guilt when it came to buying appliances that made my life easier.
Our first printer felt like a luxury, but oh boy, it freed up hours of my time! Same goes for our rice cooker, and our ever-reliable vacuum cleaner. More recently, I discovered the Instant Pot and air fryers—how did we moms even survive without them?!
Investing in these things wasn’t being lazy; it was being smart with my time. More time saved from chores meant more time spent with family—and more time for myself, too.
5. Reliable Internet Connection and Gadgets
Especially during Ralph’s college years (and let’s be honest, during the pandemic), having a fast and stable internet connection was a lifesaver. We upgraded our home internet, bought him a good laptop, and made sure he had the tools he needed for online learning.
Now that he’s working, he still uses those gadgets daily and we still enjoy uninterrupted Netflix nights and video calls with family abroad. The returns? Productivity, convenience, and peace of mind.
If there's one thing I always say when it comes to spending on gadgets, it's this: Hindi kailangan laging top-of-the-line, pero dapat dependable.
Final Thoughts
Being a mom has taught me how to be wise with money—but also how to invest in the things that truly matter. Sure, there were some purchases I could’ve done without. But these five? They were worth every single peso.
How about you, mommy? What’s one thing you never regretted spending on as a mom? Let’s chat in the comments! I’d love to hear your story, too.
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