Hi there, my name is Jaycelle Playda-Sahagun. I am a Licensed Financial Advisor and the founder of Elevate Everyday Living.

My main goal is to help women achieve peace of mind by securing their future while pursuing their passions and enjoying their lives, and be on their way to financial freedom, not just for themselves but also for their loved ones.

My typical family

Growing up, I lived with a tight-knit family—my younger brother, my mom who was stay-at-home, and my dad who was an OFW for all my life. It felt like how it should be—the father working and the mother caring for the family at home.

As time went by, I realized that my mom was not just a simple stay-at-home mom. For starters, she managed all the money that my dad remitted to us. Despite my mom saying that my dad’s salary wasn’t enough to cover both mine and my brother’s tuition fees at a private school, they still managed to send us to one.

My financial hero

Managing finances that is insufficient is such a tedious and hard job, if you were to ask me. Now I strongly believe and know that apart from my father’s sacrifices who worked away from us, it was also mainly because of the money management skills of my mom that made it all possible.

I believe she has a knack for handling money early on through her own childhood stories. For one, my lola – her mom, did not want to put her to college because she’s female, however since it’s her vision and dream to graduate from college, she saved up all her salaries from their general merchandise store plus all the secret allowances from her dad – my lolo, and put herself to college. Yes, she was already working and earning at a very young age from their own business.

She’s been good in saving up and managing her finances ever since. And when she already started a family, she made her own financial contributions towards our household as well, through her different buy-and-sell-businesses. Eventually, she ventured into food business and ran a cafeteria while being a hands-on mom. She was and still is a Hustle Queen.

Losing our breadwinner

Everything was going quite well—more than just making ends meet—until my father passed away just before 50. I was only a few months in my first job after college and my brother was only in his first year. Our whole world collapsed.

Losing my dad was the saddest thing we ever faced as well as the greatest obstacle we overcame emotionally and financially.

My parents spent the most on our education that they didn’t plan anything for their retirement. Not even in insurance for my dad who was the breadwinner.

We were left with almost nothing, except for a few savings and properties my mother managed to keep.

Stepping up to the plate

My brother—only in his first year in college of nursing—was on the verge of losing his chance to finish schooling because my mom couldn’t support herself and my brother’s education expenses alone.

And this is where I had stepped up and took on my share of responsibility, being the ate and the panganay.

From someone who grew up not worrying about money, I became my mom’s partner in supporting my brother’s education and eventually supported her as well. In a snap, our lives took a 180 degree turn and that was the start of my adulting life.

Sandwich Generation

Our parents’ sacrifices were their greatest gift to us, and I am forever grateful.

Originally being at the other end of the stick as a recipient, I didn’t know how much it took for my parents to provide us with a good life and good education—until I became a breadwinner myself.

These life experiences humbled me and laid the foundation to want to become financially and independently successful. I realized that I did not want to belong to the sandwich generation.

All is well

After college, we merrily sent my brother off on his own way, that was the extent of our financial support. He paved his own path and has been quite successful in his own right.

In all gratefulness, my mom who is now in her senior years was able to recover financially and is now enjoying life, focusing on her own rice retailing business.

Why Elevate Everyday Living?

As I build my own family, I now know that I want a better future for myself and for them. I see how many women and young families started well in life, but eventually lose everything they built due to the lack of preparation for the inevitable and unforeseen life events.

As women, we need to converse more about money and financial wellness—involve ourselves more.

I’ve also realized that just like me, there are other women out there who are daughters or wives of OFWs, who are breadwinners, who are struggling being in the sandwich generation, who made financial mistakes and are attempting to navigate their own murky financial waters but don’t always have the guidance, support and encouragement they need.

This is the driving force behind Elevate Everyday Living.

As a Licensed Financial Advisor, my goal is to help women just like you and young families to take charge of their finances, to plan ahead for the s.a.d. (sickness, disability and death) events and to secure their future and their loved ones’.

My mother did it, I’m doing it now, and so can you.

Just like you…

I am passionate about personal development, my family and building friendships. I love relaxing activities like going to the spa, having an afternoon tea or lounging by the beach. Apart from work or other interests, I dedicate my time to my wonderfully supportive husband and adorable toddler son.

The success of our future is built upon the way we live our lives today.