CHRISTMAS is just around the corner. Who among you is up for the Ipon Challenge?  

But first of all, what is an ipon? What does it mean to do an ipon?   

The word “ipon” is a Filipino term for “savings,’’ but it can also mean ‘’gather’’ or ‘’collect.’’ 

We’ve seen a lot of those alkansya with a template stating the final amount of your savings right after you complete the challenge, but has it ever crossed your mind if there were more challenges that you could accomplish? Here are some of them.

Barya-Barya

Coins are heavy, and sometimes we tend to lose them. Most of us might not care about losing one, five, or ten pesos from time to time, but has it ever occurred to you how much you could’ve saved when you chose to keep your spare change? 

Small investments can always turn into big ones when maintained, so what are you waiting for? Find a place where you can store your spare change and watch that money grow. 

Courtesy: pexels.com / @Angie Reyes

Invisible Ipon Challenge

Are you someone who’s into mysteries? Did you know that the concept of savings can also be applied to the concept of thrill? 

If you have bills such as 20 or 50 pesos that came as spare change, stash them away by keeping them in an envelope at home. Don’t peek, as it is an Invisible Ipon Challenge after all.

Don’t spend them either, and you will be surprised at how much you have saved. 

Courtesy: pexels.com / @Karolina Grabowska

Are Gen Zs up for the Ipon Challenge? 

For the four Gen Zs republicasia interviewed for this article, most of them answered ‘’yes.’’ 

However, one interviewee felt uncertain due to her belief that money is meant to be spent. 

YB, a freshman college student, shared the unfortunate experience of losing her wallet.

“Last June, my wallet got stolen. I had all my savings in that wallet, so it was super sayang! Since then, I spend my allowance as much as I can because I started believing that money is meant to be spent, and I only live once, so why restrict myself?” she said. 

Holidays such as Christmas make us spend a lot, especially when it comes to gifts. 

And for YB, it’s her love language. 

“Although I don’t have a lot, I give what I can. It’s one of my love languages,’’ she said.

But for Rhossel, a journalism student, saving money is a matter of self-discipline.

“There are a lot of temptations like McDonald’s or Tomo Coffee… But I just tell myself: No. Save the cash,’’ she said.

Juls, a college student, has a similar technique. 

“I don’t spend money on items that aren’t necessary, and when I do want to buy anything, I look for more affordable alternatives—even when it comes to food or coffee,” she said.

“Despite the fact that I am still in school, I must recognize the significance of money and refrain from frittering it away,” Juls added. 

Meanwhile, Drei uses technology to help him track his expenses. 

“Whenever my parents give me an allowance monthly, I use a tracker called Buddy to budget my expenses for a month. When there’s money left, I usually save it by depositing it in my bank account,’’ Drei said. 

“If there was a purpose why I would do this Ipon Challenge, I’d say it’s for me to be able to have extra money for myself, which I would use to pay for expenses or buy things that I like without having the guilt of spending too much money,” Rhossel added. 

There are 102 days left before Christmas; are you up for the Ipon Challenge?  Let us know your ipon method by commenting down below.