Sheryl Sardido Arancon, AFP®, is a distinguished financial professional whose lifelong journey with money began in childhood, shaped by her entrepreneurial parents—an engineer and a CPA—who instilled in her the art of making money work for the family at a young age. Her earliest memory of money came from playing Monopoly, which introduced her to business concepts, and from lending her book collection to classmates for a minimal fee, teaching her the value of earning even small amounts. As a special scholar at Pisay, she managed her own stipend and served as finance chair in various organizations, building a foundation of financial discipline that would guide her career.
Arancon’s Associate Financial Planner (AFP®) designation affirms her expertise in guiding individuals and families toward proactive financial planning and wealth management. Her career reflects a commitment to sharing her decades of experience and helping others build the habit and discipline of saving and investing early. Through her AFP® credential and her work as a financial advisor, she exemplifies a dedicated, transparent, and impactful professional focused on empowering families to achieve long-term financial freedom and build a lasting legacy.
AFP® Certification Story
Investment Lessons and Risk Management
Have you ever made an investment that did not go as planned? What did you learn from it?
“I’m investing in condominium property during pre-selling. I learned that investing in a condominium early entails higher maintenance costs through time, with increasing HOA fees, and a very slim margin of profit after taking into consideration the holding costs and expensive parking upon turnover of the unit.”
How do you balance risk and reward when making financial decisions?
“In terms of investing in global funds, there will be higher risks, but the rewards are really far from the performance of local funds. This risk-reward tradeoff should also be commensurate with the net worth and investment ability of the investor. Those who can swallow big risks are those who have extra disposable income or earnings.”
What is a money goal you are currently working toward?
“My money goal at present is to map my savings, investments, and wealth accumulated through the years so these will be passed on progressively to my heirs, with harmony as a family.”
AFP® Program and Financial Growth
What motivated you to join the AFP program, and how did it influence your approach to financial planning?
“Actually, I was convinced to enroll in RFP during the pandemic for additional insights which I can use in my profession as an advisor and as COO in the family corporations established by my parents.”
How has becoming an AFP® helped you make better investment and wealth-building decisions?
“The modules and topics discussed helped me in continually honing my craft, becoming more knowledgeable, and being of big help to our own family businesses.”
What is the most valuable lesson you learned from the AFP program, and how have you applied it in your own financial journey?
“AFP is one of the learning vehicles in doing a comprehensive financial plan for my family and beloved clients.”