Financial Readiness and Financial Management Practices of Hospitality Management Students at Eastern Samar State University-Maydolong Campus

Managing limited financial resources requires college students to make informed decisions about essential needs, discretionary spending, and savings. However, financial knowledge does not always translate into consistent financial practices, and evidence concerning Hospitality Management students remains limited. This study determined the financial readiness and financial management practices of Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management students at Eastern Samar State University–Maydolong Campus and examined their relationship and differences according to sex and year level. A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive-correlational design was employed. Using stratified random sampling, data were gathered from 244 students through a structured questionnaire adapted and modified from an existing instrument. The questionnaire measured financial readiness through general financial knowledge and self-reported needs-and-wants decision practices, and financial management through budgeting, prioritizing essential expenses, saving, and controlling unnecessary spending. Frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used for descriptive analysis; Spearman's rank-order correlation, independent-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance were used for inferential analysis. Respondents reported high financial readiness, with mean scores of 3.25 for general financial knowledge and 3.14 for needs-and-wants decision practices. Financial management practices were also rated high. Prioritizing essential expenses had the highest mean (3.14), followed by controlling unnecessary spending (2.99), budgeting (2.88), and saving (2.75). Financial readiness was positively and significantly associated with financial management practices (ρ = .378, p < .001). No significant differences were found according to sex or year level. The findings indicate that higher financial readiness is associated with more frequent financial management practices, although causation cannot be inferred. A financial-readiness enhancement program for all year levels is recommended, emphasizing practical budgeting, expense monitoring, realistic saving goals, and responsible spending.