<![CDATA[This exploratory qualitative study investigated the personal finance experiences of non-business college students engaged in internet gaming platforms at a private University in the Philippines. Specifically, it examined their spending behaviors, budgeting practices, and financial decision-making processes within gaming contexts. Using a basic qualitative research design, the study selected twenty non-business college students through purposive sampling. The researchers conducted semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analyzed them using thematic analysis. The findings revealed five major themes: (1) gaming as entertainment-driven spending with occasional financial intent; (2) prevalence of unstructured and mental budgeting practices; (3) impulse buying and emotional triggers in gaming expenditures; (4) awareness of financial consequences but inconsistent behavioral control; and (5) limited formal financial education and reliance on informal learning. The study concludes that participants demonstrated fragmented financial management practices, where awareness of financial consequences did not consistently translate into responsible spending behavior. Based on these findings, the study proposed a financial planner booklet to address the identified challenges. The study offers contextual insights into the financial vulnerability of non-business students in digital gaming environments. It provides practical implications for educational institutions, parents, and game developers within the Philippine higher education context.]]>
