I am always emphasizing the importance of prioritizing mental health, but I also recognize that it’s challenging to focus on our psychological well-being when we’re overwhelmed with bills and debts. To help the next generation avoid financial stress, SmarTrade, a leading financial education and consultancy firm in the Philippines, has introduced its Money Management Workshop. Targeted towards young learners, these free sessions aim to instill crucial financial skills in students from an early age. This initiative provides a pathway filled with growth and success opportunities and is also designed to inspire.
SmarTrade’s Money Management Workshop for young learners is 100% free and open to students and young enthusiasts.
Part of the team conducting SmarTrade’s year-round learning sessions is 24-year-old Marc Lacson, a junior market analyst and trainer at the company. It’s interesting to note that he was once a SmarTrade trainee himself, learning how to do online trading.
Marc began his journey into trading and investing when he was in grade 11 at Don Bosco. “I have always loved playing Dota since I was a kid. However, my uncle told me, instead of playing Dota, why not allocate the time to making money, which is investing and trading?”
Marc was wise enough to heed this advice and started learning about stock trading. He taught himself the ropes by watching YouTube videos and reading articles and books. Initially treating it as a hobby, his interest grew, as did the time he devoted to this side hustle. His training as a varsity basketball and football player helped him develop the discipline and focus needed to balance trading with his studies.
The onset of the pandemic prompted Marc to diversify his portfolio by venturing into forex trading. He grew passionate about it and, despite occasional losses, never gave up. “I love analyzing and dissecting the data and news. That’s why every time I encountered losses, I learned from them. Each challenge was a lesson, shaping my approach to both trading and life,” says the Business Administration graduate from the University of Santo Tomas.
Twenty-four-year-old Marc Lacson began his journey into trading and investing while in grade 11.
Today, Marc is reaping the benefits of his early start and enjoying financial stability that many of his peers can only aspire to. He has discovered that consistency in strategies and techniques is key in trading. “It is like climbing a mountain, one step at a time. Every time you have a breakthrough, you need to get back on track and reflect. That’s when you will become better. When you’ve already reached the top, that’s the time you need to find a higher mountain to climb, it’s a continuous process.” For every peak he conquers, Marc generously shares his wins with his loved ones by treating them to nice meals. “Trading is about making calculated, future-focused decisions that benefit not just me but also those around me,” he points out.
“Marc’s journey is a powerful testament to our mission. We are dedicated to arming young students with the financial knowledge that can set them on a path to success similar to Marc’s,” says Joyce Ann Mayo, President and CEO of SmarTrade.
SmarTrade and its ATFX Community Partners – Philippines share their online trading and money management expertise at the Cavite State University – Don Severino De Las Alas Campus
SmarTrade’s Money Management Workshop for young learners is 100% free and open to students and young enthusiasts. For more information, visit www.smartradeph.com or @SmarTradePH on Facebook and Instagram.
