Smart Savers: 10 TIPS TO SAVE FROM YOUR INCOME 1) Cook/prepare your own food People find this really hard to do, but making a sandwich for yourself or cooking a simple dish will save you tons of money and keeps you healthy. You can cook on weekends, store the finished product in the freezer in microwaveable and reusable containers. 2) Buy by bulk when able If you live alone, it’s tempting to buy toilet paper one roll at a time or a small tube of toothpaste whenever you’re out buying stuff. But, these small items add up and would often come out more expensive than buying bigger packs. If you think you can’t consume it on your own, split with friends. 3) Have foresight When you’re out, be on the lookout for bargains that you may not need now but will benefit you in the future. I usually do this for clothes and other non-perishable items. Be careful though how you make your choices. They must be relevant until the time you finally decide or need to use them. Also, panic-buying will only get you into spending trouble because the tendency is to grab whatever you can see just to get the shopping done. Major application: Christmas gifts. 4) Be creative Sometimes, all you need is to play with things a little and you’ll come up with things that will save you money and give you a lot of satisfaction. In cooking, don’t be afraid to experiment with ingredients. For clothes and home decor, mix and match items you’ve bought. 5) Know what you want and need A lot of unplanned expenses (that can pile up and be very costly) come from not knowing what you want. Figure out what you want and need and stay on it. That way, you don’t end up purchasing things that you end up not using or not liking. 6) Learn how to stay in for R&R Drinks and food from bars and restaurants are pricey. Taking a break from the social scene around once a month can go a long way in saving you cash. 7) Buy quality items that last Temporary fix-its are inevitable. However, they don’t last and you’ll keep on replacing them. And, again, that adds up. So when you buy an electric fan, knives, appliances, better get the ones that will serve you well for a long time. Sure it may require you to shell out a bit more cash, but it saves you money and hassle in the long run. 8 ) Hang out with like-minded people If you’re with people who are wise spenders, they’ll most probably rub off on you. Stick to the people who have the same financial philosophy as you. 9) Change your mindset The higher the price and the more popular the brand do not necessarily mean the better value for your money. Sometimes, the better purchases are disguised by brand obscurity and bargain prices. 10) Give yourself a break Saving money is much like dieting. If you deprive yourself too much, you’ll end up bingeing. So every now and then, splurge on something you really like. A new gadget, a new toy or eat somewhere really pricey. by: expert financial market banker, Karla Dalisay
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 05:37:22 +0000
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