Meriann Sanchez Regulto, AFP®, is a passionate financial coach and literacy advocate whose remarkable journey from extreme poverty to financial empowerment fuels her mission to help others achieve financial security. Her Associate Financial Planner (AFP®) designation reflects her expertise in guiding individuals and families toward sound financial planning, investment management, and wealth building. Growing up in extreme poverty, she experienced being a street child and searching for food in garbage bins to survive—painful experiences that became her motivation to pursue financial literacy. After working for almost 20 years with no savings and buried in debt, a family health crisis with no emergency fund became her financial turning point, teaching her that financial security is not a luxury but a necessity.
Regulto now approaches budgeting and financial planning with intentionality and care, having transformed from a spender to a disciplined saver and investor. As CEO Marketing Director at International Marketing Group (IMG), a Life License Underwriter, and a Kaiser Authorized Representative, she has earned recognition including the Millionaire Ring Qualifier, Top Producer Award, and Leadership Award. Guided by the belief that financial literacy is the bridge between hardship and financial freedom, she shares life lessons through the principles she teaches. Through her AFP® credential and her life’s work, she exemplifies a resilient, empathetic, and client-centered financial professional dedicated to helping others build lasting wealth and achieve true financial independence.
AFP® Certification Story
Investment Lessons and Financial Education
Have you ever made an investment that did not go as planned? What did you learn from it?
“My first investment was not money—it was investing in myself through financial education. I first attended a Financial Literacy Class by IMG with no plans at all. I only attended because a friend invited me. But that experience changed my life. I realized that learning about financial literacy and investing time to gain knowledge is the first investment every individual should make. It taught me that before growing wealth, we must first invest in our mindset and financial education.”
How do you balance risk and reward when making financial decisions?
“I balance risk and reward by educating myself first and making decisions based on my goals and values. I avoid putting all my resources in one place and make sure I have savings, protection, and investments. I believe wise decisions come from knowledge, patience, and discipline.”
What is a money goal you are currently working toward?
“My goal is to achieve lasting financial freedom while helping more families become financially educated and protected. I want to continue building my investments, creating multiple income streams, and making a positive impact on other people’s lives.”
AFP® Program and Financial Growth
What motivated you to join the AFP program, and how did it influence your approach to financial planning?
“Coming from extreme poverty and experiencing debt and financial struggles, I wanted to deepen my knowledge in financial planning. The AFP program gave me a more structured understanding of wealth building, risk management, and financial strategies. It strengthened my mission to help others avoid the hardships I once experienced.”
How has becoming an AFP® helped you make better investment and wealth-building decisions?
“Becoming an AFP helped me become more disciplined and strategic in my financial decisions. It taught me to focus on long-term goals, manage risks wisely, and make informed investment choices. More importantly, it gave me the confidence to guide others toward financial security and wealth creation.”
What is the most valuable lesson you learned from the AFP program, and how have you applied it in your own financial journey?
“The most valuable lesson I learned from the AFP program is that financial success is not just about earning money—it is about managing, protecting, and growing it wisely. I apply these principles in my own financial journey by continuously learning and making intentional financial decisions. Additionally, becoming AFP certified gave me confidence—not only in myself but also in my ability to create a positive difference in the lives of others. It strengthened my mission to educate, inspire, and help more people achieve financial security and a better future.”