Mark Daryll Dy: A Proof That It’s Never Too Early To Think About Finances

Mark Daryll Dy may just be like your average twentysomething: full of ambition, idealistic, and passionate about a lot of things. However, there is one thing that sets him apart from the rest of his contemporaries. While most of them are focused on living a lavish lifestyle or continuously focusing their finances on mundane things like smartphones, gadgets, and other frivolous goods, Mark Daryll takes the road not taken: The Road to Financial Freedom.

At the young age of 26, he serves as an independent financial broker and an entrepreneur. Putting his resources in many avenues that will allow him to become successful in achieving financial independence. While he seems to be uplifting his financial state—as well as other people’s money matters as a financial broker—he is happily married to his life’s co-pilot and now enjoying his status as one of Cebu’s premiere financial brokers.

What makes Mark Daryll, at a young age, sets his eyes on a different target and walk a different route from other young professionals? Learn more about his story and what propels him to achieve a feat that is also possible for others.

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“Don’t stop learning. Always empty your cup to new ideas. Embrace change and expect to succeed. It’s all about mind setting. You can change your life by changing the way you think.”

1.Why has it become your advocacy to educate people about the wonders of investment?

It became my advocacy since I got scammed years ago. I lost Php200,000.00. The company promised a return of 4.5% fixed monthly income. It was okay on the first year until it closed after three years. I still wasn’t financially literate at that time. I don’t have any idea about stock market, mutual funds, etc.
After that experience, I started attending financial seminars, read financial books, and looked for mentors to guide me. I see a lot of Filipinos getting involved into “get rich quick scheme” investments, wanting to get rich ASAP and got scammed, losing thousands or even millions. Why? They lack financial literacy. Usually they don’t know what’s the difference between a legit and a scam investment because no one really taught them. I realize that getting rich is not quick; you need to undergo a lot of process & emotional discipline. Financial education is the key!

2. What was your life as a child? Did it, in any way, affect the way you handle your money now?

Since I was born, my parents are already into business. They are the ones who taught me about money management. I always remember my parents always tell me and my siblings to save money and to save a part of our allowance. Or put it in a piggy bank. In fact when we were still young, they already opened an ATM savings account for each one of us. Every time we receive our allowance, part of it goes to our bank account. The positive side there is the habit of saving money.

3. At such a young age, what drives you to separate yourself from the pack and start investing already?

Way back in college, I already told myself that I’ll be a business owner and I will not work for someone else because I see almost all of the wealthy people having their own businesses. That’s what I saw from my father; he has time freedom and with less or no effort at all but money still keeps pouring in. That inspired me to become a business person and an investor. I started investing in direct stocks and indirect thru mutual funds at the age of 22 and engaged in small businesses first.

4. Why is it important for anyone to start investing as early as they can?

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It’s very important for everyone to start as early as possible because in investing, time is our best ally. In fact the best time to start investing is when you receive your first paycheck. The earlier you start, the earlier you can start building wealth while you still have little responsibilities. But it comes with a price, the choice between the pain of discipline (save and invest) or the pain of regret (by the time you got old; you have no money & have a lot of debts.) Be a blessing not a burden to your family when you retire.
Block quote: The earlier you start, the earlier you can start building wealth while you still have little responsibilities. But it comes with a price, the choice between the pain of discipline and the pain of regret.

5. Why do Filipinos have little to no knowledge regarding investments?

I think Filipinos have little to no knowledge regarding investments because financial education is not taught in schools. There are 3 types of education: (1) academic, (2) professional, and (3) financial. Our schools only focus on numbers 1 and 2. Number 3 is not included in our school system. If I had a subject about wealth 1 or wealth 2 before, I’d taken both classes.

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6. Do you think schools should play a bigger role in shaping younger generations into becoming savvy with their money?

For me, schools should include financial literacy in our educational system in order for the students to be prepared for the real world especially when it comes to money.

7. Since you often say that age is not the big factor retiring but money is, what age do you see yourself leaving what you’re doing and just enjoy life with your loved ones and family?

Yes, money is a factor on retiring because if you’re age 65 right now and still don’t have money, you have no choice but to still work but if your age 45 right now and you have lots of investments and money already, you have the option to retire and enjoy life. For me, I would still do what I’m doing now, spreading the importance of financial literacy till my last breath because for me this is not work, this is passion. It’s different if you love what you do.

8. What is the biggest advice you can give to Filipinos out there who want to become more in control with their finances?

My biggest advice to my fellow Filipinos who want to change their financial status is to first equip yourself with financial literacy before investing your money. As Ara Laray said “aral muna bago invest.” Don’t stop learning. Always empty your cup to new ideas. Embrace change and expect to succeed. It’s all about mind setting. You can change your life by changing the way you think.