Family influence, disciplined saving and mindful spending can shape sustainable financial habits
Panelists at the Debt Detox, Ask Us Anything session, from left: Yada Karnjanisakorn, a certified financial planner and owner of the FahYada Fanpage; Thanathon Karnjanisakorn, a financial adviser and founder of the NamFinance Fanpage; and Ohmsiri Veerakul, content director at LTMH Rocket. (Photo: Chanat Katanyu)
Financial literacy and early planning are more critical than ever, especially in this era of economic uncertainty, online financial content creators said at the Next Gen Finance forum hosted by the Bangkok Post on Friday.
Speaking during the “Debt Detox” talk, financial advisers and planners stressed the importance of family influence, disciplined saving and mindful spending in shaping sustainable financial habits for young Thais.
Family remains the most powerful driver of financial discipline, they said, with early exposure to budgeting, saving and investing laying the groundwork for long-term stability.
Yada Karnjanisakorn, a certified financial planner and accredited investment and securities analyst, credited her mindset to lessons at home.
“My family taught me to control my wants and appreciate the value of money,” she said.
She noted that many young people nowadays already understand investment basics, emphasising that families and schools are essential pillars in building financial literacy.
Her sister, Thanathon Karnjanisakorn, founder of the NamFinance platform, emphasised that financial discipline should be instilled in children from a young age.
Ohmsiri Veerakul, content director at LTMH Rocket, recalled growing up during a financial crisis.
“I always knew I could ask for money if I needed it, so saving didn’t feel urgent. But instability taught me the importance of financial planning later on,” he said.
Mr Ohmsiri warned that social media fuels lifestyle inflation and emotional spending. “Viral content can be misleading. People compare themselves to others without knowing their real situation, which often leads to poor choices,” he said.
Ms Thanathon noted that while comparisons can be harmful, they can also motivate people to save more and work harder.
The panel stressed that financial freedom does not require wealth.
“Happiness can be found in small things,” Ms Yada said.
“You don’t need to spend a lot to live well,” Mr Ohmsiri agreed.
“Live simply, eat simply, and don’t let emotions control financial decisions,” he said.
For those aiming at early retirement, these financial experts advised starting with small, practical steps: tracking expenses, building emergency funds and setting clear retirement goals.
“Even at 30, it’s not too early,” Ms Yada said.
“What matters is having a long-term vision and aligning it with what makes you happy.”
She added that portfolio management is vital to weathering unexpected events.
At the same time, Mr Ohmsiri urged would-be entrepreneurs to take a cautious approach: “Be conservative in your assumptions and study the market carefully to reduce risks.”
All three panellists also agreed that emergency savings are non-negotiable.
As an example, they agreed that if someone is a salaried employee, they should set aside three to six months of income as a safety net. Life is unpredictable, and preparation is the first step to security.