…while not depriving yourself of joy.
1. Avoid shopping for groceries when hungry
…or you’ll end up buying more than you plan to.
2. Skip that costly coffee outside
But if you can’t resist, buy an affordable coffee maker instead. It will still cost you less compared to a daily fancy coffee for a year.
3. Celebrate occasions in simple ways
Find alternative ways that won’t compromise the joy of the occasion. There is beauty and happiness in simplicity.
4. Give inexpensive gifts if you have to
Find something that costs less but can still be appreciated. Give extra on the thought.
5. Plan your leisures and your wants
You don’t need to be hard on yourself. Take breaks. Just plan ahead to have guilt-less spending.
6. Switch those travel plans to staycations
With COVID-19 precautions still in place, postpone (if you may) those leisure travels for equally relaxing staycations.
7. Control that ‘add to cart’ behaviour
“Is it worth spending for?” Ask the heart, before you add to cart.
Pray before you pay.
8. Keep that phone for another year or two
You deserve more money in the bank than a new phone. Why replace if it ain’t broken?
9. If there’s no means, don’t do it, period.
Don’t resort to borrowing money for something unimportant.
10. Ask for discounts, don’t be shy
When you know you can bargain, do it (but not with small sellers please). Pharmacies, for example, often give discounts when asked.
11. Send money instead of balikbayan boxes
Save the courier/shipping fee for something more important. Besides, many products from abroad are already available in the Philippines.
12. Cancel your gym memberships
If you don’t really need the program, and you are disciplined, find alternative workouts you can do on your own. Youtube might help.
13. Put limit on buying kids toys
Divert them into more physical games so they won’t have to look for plastic toys that often. Or, try DIY toys like how we do back in our time.
14. Get a hobby that won’t break the bank
Commit to an encouraging hobby – like cycling or running – you only have to spend once on equipment and outfits perhaps.
15. Avoid jumping into bandwagons and fads
It’s okay if to wait to try the latest milk tea. It’s okay to not have the latest Jordans.
Replace FOMO with JOMO – Joy Of Missing Out
16. Cook more, bake more at home
It’s not just economical, preparing meals at home speaks a lot of love language to the family.
Next thing you know, you’re not buying bread anymore.
17*. Bawasan ang arte
Umulit ng ulam basta hindi panis. Umulit ng damit linggo-linggo basta nilalabahan.
17. Downgrade your lifestyle, not deprive
Declutter the tangibles and the intangibles. Keep only those that really sparks joy.
Your contentment should not depend on material things.
18. Take on financial challenges
Join these #challenges on Facebook of start your own elsewhere.
Example: #30DayChallenge – if you want something, wait for 30 days and ask yourself if you still want to buy it.
19. Do not compare you current situation with somebody else’s
People have different timelines. What works for others might not work for you.
Life is seasonal. Tomorrow could be different from what you have today.
20. Be grateful for what you have
When you have a grateful heart, you are content. When you are content, there is no impulse to spend.
21. Keep the lessons of 2020 by heart
2020 shows us that a basic way of life is doable.
Blessed are those who save for emergency funds, for they can remain afloat in times of crisis.
BONUS: Commit to habitual financial education
Follow money experts like Randell Tiongson, Chinkee Tan, Marvin Germo, etc. who give daily practical tips on handling money.
There are surely a lot more
Photo from pexels.
