Like diet, saving should start ‘today’ instead of ‘tomorrow’
It was so liberating when we finally gained our financial independence wasn’t it? The first month we received our paychecks, we were ecstatic and spent it all away. Then we made ourselves feel better by assuring that it was our money, we should have a choice on how to spend it, after all it was all the hard work that paid off. We’ll save later. Well, it’s later and we’re asking “have we”?
Now 5 years down the lane, we still have nothing to show in the bank because we simply have not mustered the habit of simple saving. Let me tell you a little secret; it’s not that hard! Start with these baby steps, and soon you will realize that that dream house might actually migrate from fantasy land into reality. We say, follow the ants who save up on food for rainy days since hot blazing summer days are still around.
Curb restaurant dining
These days most dining out isn’t cheap. And let’s admit it; the cheap food is usually the unhealthy food. So opt for a healthier meal that doesn’t burn the pocket. Cook at home! Most of the younger generation now don’t cook and give excuses that they are too tired after work, or they don’t know how to cook. It is not rocket science ladies. Once you start, you master it within no time. Cooking at home will not only save you big bucks, it will also save you heaps in cholesterol and calories. Why spend on service tax and government tax, when you can be sitting at home with a hearty meal unwinding to some good music and much needed family time.
Help Starbucks no more
Ah yes, the most rapid trend within the Malaysian society: coffee/tea time. Sure it is nice to drink the freshly pressed Sumatran coffee with Bing Crosby singing in the background. But is it really worth RM 10? Just try to count the amount of times you have visited a conglomerate coffee chain this year alone? 5? 10? 20? Try making your own coffee and having it on the balcony of your apartment. Bing can still sing for you. Every time you do this, put RM 10 in the coffee jar. At the end of the month I guarantee there’ll be another kind of singing going on too. This song will sing how much you have saved on coffee.
Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish
Certain products such a jeans and shoes needs to be spent on. There is no use in buying cheap pairs of heels only to have them give out on you 6 months later. A reasonably priced shoes will have a longer lifetime because it is most likely to be off better quality; hence the increase in price!
Green is king
Who told you you can’t have a piggy bank no more now that you’re an adult? Go out and find yourself another Ms Piggy because you are going to start dropping in money in her belly again. Every time, you see a RM 5 note, keep it. Resist all attempts to spend it, even if you have to break a RM 50 or a RM 10. When you get home at the end of the day, drop your RM 5 in Ms Piggy’s belly. At the end of the year, break the belly open and treat yourself to something special. You will be amazed to see how much you have saved. Personally, this has been the best saving tip for myself. Last year I bought myself a holiday to Bali. The year before that, it was Kota Kinabalu. This year I am thinking Bohol.
Related Posts
No related posts.
