We’re halfway through the year and while you’ve probably ticked off a few items on your 2025 to-do list, here’s the big question: Are you still on track with your homeownership goals?

Whether your dream is to move into a cozy apartment, rent a family-friendly townhouse, or buy your forever home, doing a mid-year financial check-in can be the game-changer that helps you get there faster — and smarter.

Let’s walk through why this matters and how you can assess your progress, realign your budget, and renew your commitment to your dream home.

Why a Mid-Year Financial Check-In Matters

Most people make big financial goals in January — then life happens. Mid-year check-ins help you reflect on the past six months, adjust what’s not working, and amplify what is. Think of it as a pit stop on your journey to your dream home.

Without regular check-ins, it’s easy to drift off course. A surprise expense, an overlooked payment, or even lifestyle inflation can slowly derail your savings plan. But with intention and clarity, you can still finish strong.

Step 1: Revisit Your Home Goal

Start by revisiting your exact dream. Is it:

Renting a house near your child’s school by December?

Building a down payment for a future purchase?

Moving out of your family’s home and into your own condo?

Be as specific as possible. The more vivid your goal, the easier it is to stay motivated.

Ask yourself:

Has my timeline changed?

Is my goal still realistic?

Do I need to adjust my expectations?

Example: You initially planned to rent a ₱20,000/month home by October. But with rising costs and new expenses, you might need to adjust your move-in month or consider homes in the ₱15,000 range.

Step 2: Check Your Savings Progress

Time for the numbers. Look at what you’ve saved so far — whether in a bank account, digital wallet, or cash envelope.

How to assess your progress:

Compare your current savings vs. your target.

Calculate how much you need to save monthly for the rest of the year.

Identify if you’re behind, on track, or ahead.

Example: If your goal is ₱120,000 for a one-year rental budget and you’ve only saved ₱40,000 by June, you need to save ₱13,333 per month starting July to hit your goal by December.

Tip: Don’t panic if you’re behind. What matters is that you’re checking in now.

Step 3: Reevaluate Your Budget

Now, look at your current income and expenses. Be honest.

Ask yourself:

Are there spending habits I can cut or reduce?

Do I need to increase my income?

Am I saving consistently each month?

Small changes make a big difference:

Cancel a subscription you barely use.

Cook more meals at home instead of ordering out.

Sell pre-loved items online.

Accept short-term freelance or side gigs.

Even just ₱500/week saved can equal ₱12,000 by the end of the year.

Step 4: Protect Your Progress

It’s one thing to save — it’s another to keep your savings safe.

Here’s how to protect what you’ve built:

Avoid unnecessary borrowing or impulse purchases.

Store your savings in a separate account that’s harder to access.

Set up auto-debits for your “home fund.”

Create a mini emergency fund (₱10,000–₱20,000) so you don’t touch your home savings when life happens.

Bonus tip: Name your savings account something inspiring like “Dream Home Fund” or “First Condo Goal” to stay emotionally connected.

Step 5: Recommit with Purpose

Sometimes goals start strong but lose momentum. Don’t wait until December to feel disappointed. Instead, use this check-in to reignite your fire.

Ways to recommit:

Create a visual savings tracker.

Follow real estate or home design pages for inspiration.

Share your goal with a trusted friend or partner for accountability.

List 5 reasons why this goal matters to you and read it weekly.

Example:

I want a space of my own.

I want my kids to grow up in a stable home.

I want to stop moving every year.

I want to design a space that reflects me.

I want to prove to myself that I can do this.

Step 6: Explore New Options

The market changes — and your options may have too. Mid-year is a great time to:

Compare rental rates in new areas.

Connect with real estate agents or rent managers.

Research if a rent-to-own program might work for you.

Consider shared rentals or co-living spaces if you're single or newlywed.

You might discover better deals or fresh opportunities that weren’t available in January.

Step 7: Celebrate Small Wins

Even if you haven’t hit your full goal yet, every step matters.

Celebrate when you:

Reach your next ₱10,000 saved.

Say no to an impulse buy.

Find a cheaper yet better location.

Learn something new about home budgeting.

Celebrating wins boosts your confidence and makes the process more enjoyable.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Too Late

You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to be intentional.

This mid-year check-in is your reset button. You have six more months to refocus, realign, and move closer to your dream.

Whatever your home goal is — renting, relocating, or preparing to buy — this is your reminder: You can still make it happen this year.

So take a breath, check your numbers, make your plan, and take that next step. Your future home is waiting.