Holiday shopping often brings financial strain for consumers, but global fintech company Wise says Filipinos can stretch their budgets this season by adopting smarter spending habits, especially when buying from international stores.

Wise noted that many shoppers overspend long before Christmas arrives due to impulse purchases, hidden fees, and unfavorable exchange rates. The company emphasized the importance of preparing a detailed holiday budget that includes gift expenses, travel, decorations, outfits, and even personal treats. Having a clear spending plan helps curb unnecessary purchases.

Wise also advised shoppers to always pay in the local currency of the international store. The company explained that when foreign websites prompt users to choose between paying in pesos or the site’s native currency, selecting pesos triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion fees and foreign transaction charges. According to Wise, a $120 pair of sneakers could cost about P7,200 when paid in pesos, compared to around P6,840 when paid in U.S. dollars using the mid-market rate of P58.88 per USD as of 3 December 2025. The company said its multi-currency card allows customers to hold and spend in over 40 currencies at the mid-market exchange rate, avoiding hidden markups.

For frequent online shoppers, Wise encouraged monitoring exchange rates to maximize savings. Those who regularly purchase from U.S. retailers, for example, can convert pesos to dollars when the rate is favorable and store the funds in their Wise account. Alerts can be set in the app to notify users when the exchange rate reaches their preferred level.

Filipinos traveling abroad for the holidays were also reminded that Wise is now available on Google Pay, making it the first global non-bank in the Philippines to offer the service. Customers can tap their Android device to pay abroad in the local currency at the real exchange rate with no foreign transaction fees.