Four investment opportunities ideal for fresh graduates

Every year, thousands of fresh graduates enter the Philippine workforce as they land their first jobs. As these young professionals get a taste of working a full-time job, they also get to reap the benefits of their first salary.

Now, it’s no secret that fresh grads earn relatively less than their more experienced counterparts with more years under their belt. And while they may focus on working hard to earn their next pay raise, some fresh grads may not realize that they have available investment opportunities even with the average starting salary.

If you’re one of these recent graduates, here are a few instruments you can invest in for your future.

Savings account

The first step to invest in your future is by opening a regular savings account.

For as low as PHP 2000, you can open an ATM savings account with Metrobank to start building your financial stability. A regular passbook savings account, meanwhile, will only require a minimum initial deposit of PHP 10,000. Ideally, you should not touch the money in your savings account except for emergency expenses. You should have a separate account for your everyday needs. Keep in mind to have at least PHP 2000 in your ATM savings account and PHP 10000 in your regular passbook savings account to avoid paying any fees.

You can use this savings account as a jump-off point for your emergency fund or any financial savings plan you want to have in the future. You can also earn a small interest over time, which can grow as you continue to deposit money into your account.

Having a savings account is a good starting point in your financial journey as it teaches you how to manage your finances and steers you in the right direction towards achieving your financial goals.

Unit Investment Trust Fund

Today, even fresh grads can enter financial investments depending on their risk tolerance. A common misconception about investment instruments is that it is exclusive to those earning high salaries and have a lot of disposable income.

While it is possible for you to enter high-risk, high-reward investment instruments immediately as a fresh grad, you can start conservatively with instruments like Unit Investment Trust Funds (UITF) for as low as PHP 1,000.

The Metro Aspire Equity Feeder Fund, for instance, requires a minimum initial investment of PHP 1,000, which also serves as its maintaining balance, and a minimum monthly contribution of PHP 500 for at least two years. With access to investments with higher requirements, you get to make the most of your salary as an early investor.

UITFs are pooled investment funds managed by financial professionals who know where to best invest your money to help it grow. While it isn’t risk-free, first-time investors may prefer to let a professional handle their financial growth rather than do it themselves. This can give you an idea of how investment markets work before moving on to riskier investments.

Start doing so much more by investing in your future.

Begin investing meaningfully with Metrobank through our various UITF products.

Life and health insurance

Apart from investing as soon as you start earning a paycheck, it’s also recommended that you consider getting a life and health insurance at an early age. You are at the peak of your health in your twenties, translating to lower health and life insurance premiums.

As you grow older, the cost of premiums increases as well. It’s better to invest in your health now than wait for a few years.

The best time to start investing is when you are young. Invest in an AXA health insurance plan today.

Yourself

While an investment is often monetary, it can come in various ways and forms. Improving and caring for your health and well-being may not rake in the pesos, but it can help you become a better individual in the long run.

As a fresh graduate, you are still at the start of your career. There are plenty of ways to invest in yourself to make you stand out from a crowd with similar skills.

Find online courses or certification trainings to help you learn additional skills that will make you a more valuable person in your field. If you can’t find free training materials online, consider buying books or attending paid seminars and conferences. These will help you learn new concepts you can bring to the workforce.

Investing early can give you financial advantages later in life; it takes you a step closer to your long-term goals in life. Instead of spending your first paycheck on a brand-new phone right away, why not go the smart route and either save a portion of it, or spend it on something that can benefit you in the long run?

Open a Metrobank Savings Account today.