My mother told me that April is a month of hunger and that I should be careful with my finances. I don’t know where she gets that idea. But I know my mother always have been superstitious but I also know her to be a very wise woman. I owe her several of my life triumphs by following her advice so I don’t see why I shouldn’t follow her advice now.
Earning well is good but saving money is a whole other ballgame. My mother always said: ” It’s not how much you earn but how much you save”.
Here are several tips to save your money on the supposedly “hunger” rainy days:
1. SET A BUDGET
Once you get your monthly salary, set a budget for your savings, tithing, your utilities & necessities and for your recreation. Save first before anything else. Set a monthly deposit straight into your savings account, preferably this account should have a bank book and without an atm card. Tithing is giving 10% of earning to a religious organisation pf your choice. They say the more you give, the more you receive. Then pay up all your utilities, rent, and other necessities. Lastly. set an amount for your recreation or something to buy for yourself as a reward for your handwork for the month.
2. STICK TO YOUR BUDGET
Setting a budget but it is more important to STICK to your budget. Live within your means. It is even betterif you can live below your mans.Don’t be to warp up in the latest gadgets or trends or buying things to keep up with the Joneses. Always think 3x before spending on an item. Do you really need it? Can you live without it? Are there cheaper but good alternatives?
3. CHEAPER DEALS
Speaking of looking for cheaper but good if not better alternatives, there are tons of great alternatives for the financial- savvy. Always be in a look out for sales and bargains here in Singapore. Join your favorite shops mailing lists or like their Facebook page to be updated on Singapore sales and offers. If you are a food-lover, getting Foodpanda Singapore Vouchers would be help you save. Keep coupons and avail of special offers.
4. LEARNING TO D.I.Y.
Instead of paying for outrageous fees for services, learning to Do-It- Yourself. You can save a lot if you do your own mani-pedi or dye your own hair. If you are hosting a party, you can make your own decors with the help of youtube or pinterest. You can enlist your talented friends to be your hosts, photographers or caterers in a much lesser cost. D.I.Y. is very popular these days and results to a more personal touch.
5. OPT FOR HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES
You might be raising your eyebrows why I am talking about healthy alternatives when our topic is about saving. Hear me out. Healthy choices can lead to savings. Examples are walking rather than taking the cab or even biking which can make you save on gas rather than driving a car. Choosing water for your beverage instead of soda or beer will not only save you from a belly bloat but make you save a few dollars off. Skipping dessert and opting for salad are another way to save and be healthy. Also you can split the main course with your partner to reduce calories and restaurant bill.
I hope these tips have been helpful. Let me know if you have other tips to share