Frugal Living: What Habits Help You Save Money?

**_Cathy_** · May 6th, 2014 08:43 PM

What are your habits that help you cut your expenses?

Share us your tips! Let me start...

1. I pay for my credit card in full and on time
2. I don't purchase items with interest
3. I have my haircut once or twice a year
4. I paint my own nails - this saves half the cost per salon visit
5. We are slowly replacing our regular lights to LED lights
6. I make use of free items or rewards (eg free coke at shell for every P2k receipt)
7. We use power sockets with switch - surprisingly reduced our electrical bill since all our TVs, fans etc used to be plugged in directly at the socket and that is supposed to consume electricity daw
8. I don't keep up with trends on technology - I will use my gadget until it dies
9. I cancelled my magazine and newpaper subscription
10. I don't regularly buy clothes or shoes - I buy cheap flats from the tiangge (mostly around P300-400)
11. I don't spend for vacations - I don't itch to travel. This makes up for a big expense for some family and friends!
12. I shop online to look for better deals - I buy a lot of items from Amazon and it saves me a lot of money
13. I wax my car - aside from saving money, I also go by "If you want something done well, do it yourself"

14. I go to the wet market to buy fish and vegetables - it's so much cheaper than buying at the supermarket
15. I avoid going to places where I have to pay for parking
16. I plan my trips - hindi ako naglalagari when driving

**jut703** · May 6th, 2014 11:55 PM

I have a monthly budget and I strictly follow it.

I also try to live as if I only made half of my salary. It forces me to be more frugal and allows me to save more.

I disagree though with the point on traveling - it's okay to travel and it's one of the key things to a well-rounded life. There are many ways to see the beauty of the country and the world without spending exorbitantly. I spent a week in Boracay last summer for under 7k including airfare and station 1 accommodations, with enough left for activities such as parasailing.

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**_Cathy_** · May 7th, 2014 12:10 AM

Originally Posted by jut703

I disagree though with the point on traveling - it's okay to travel and it's one of the key things to a well-rounded life. There are many ways to see the beauty of the country and the world without spending exorbitantly. I spent a week in Boracay last summer for under 7k including airfare and station 1 accommodations, with enough left for activities such as parasailing.

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I enjoy travelling too but I don't make an effort to save money for it. I just go with my family so I don't have to pay for airfare and accommodations. I know people that travel every chance they get (eg long weekends) and some that really allot a budget for travel. I am not that way lang talaga, and it saves me money

**jut703** · May 7th, 2014 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by _Cathy_

I enjoy travelling too but I don't make an effort to save money for it. I just go with my family so I don't have to pay for airfare and accommodations. I know people that travel every chance they get (eg long weekends) and some that really allot a budget for travel. I am not that way lang talaga, and it saves me money

I try to live self-sufficiently kasi. After grad wala na kong hiningi sa parents ko. Actually kahit tuition for high school and college I made an effort na they don't have to pay a single cent (well except for allowance).

So pag sa travel, I really allot a travel fund from my salary. Maliit lang, but over the course of a few months kahit papano nakakaipon din and nalilibre ko pa family ko. I discovered that it feels good to be the one doing the treating than the one being treated

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**compact** · May 7th, 2014 01:45 AM

Nobody can beat an ilocano mother when it comes to frugal living. The words "awan ngarud" still rings in my ear untill now, that is because whenever me and my siblings asks for something before, my mom would just say that magic words and it will be the end of discussion. Learn to say no to the kids when it comes to "wants." How? Say "awan ngarud."

My mom is a master of the art of haggling. I really cannot decipher how she do it but she once brought down an orchid's price from 1000 to just 50 pesos.

Hand me down is another technique of her. Our youngest once tore down a gown intentionally so as not to use it, but instead of buying her a new one, my mom went to the tailor shop to simply put it back in shape.

And because of her ways, she was able to send all 6 of us to college in a public teacher's meager salary. Now she is enjoying her retirement in a Texas ranch in the U.S. of A.

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**chookchakchenes** · May 7th, 2014 02:08 AM

Ito sigurado ako madami sa tsikot.com and ibang car forums

Stop buying unncessary add-ons for your car tapos titipirin yung sarili. (Hindi na maganda kung yung kotse pormado pero yung may-ari dahil tinitipid yung sarili at katawan eh nadugyot yung itsura.)

**kimbon** · May 7th, 2014 05:35 AM

In addition to TS, I pay my utility bills 12 months ahead of schedule to get 1 month free of subscription like CATV, association dues etc... We buy fruits per box instead of per kilo in divisoria then we share it with my sister & relatives. I buy majority of my housewares stuff in divisoria also ( di sa 168 mall ah...) kundi may mga specific stores for kitchenware, office supplies, fruits, etc.... Kaya nga pag pumupunta kami ng divisoria di pwede kotse ang dala dapat ay big car eh. baka next time truck na siguro. hehe

**_Cathy_** · May 7th, 2014 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by kimbon

In addition to TS, I pay my utility bills 12 months ahead of schedule to get 1 month free of subscription like CATV, association dues etc... We buy fruits per box instead of per kilo in divisoria then we share it with my sister & relatives. I buy majority of my housewares stuff in divisoria also ( di sa 168 mall ah...) kundi may mga specific stores for kitchenware, office supplies, fruits, etc.... Kaya nga pag pumupunta kami ng divisoria di pwede kotse ang dala dapat ay big car eh. baka next time truck na siguro. hehe

We avail of these pay in advance promos too. We pay our Real Estate/Property Taxes 3 yrs in advance, aside from getting a 20% discount, you don't have to worry for the next 3 years.

Would you have an idea how much more cheaper (%) if you buy per box?

**macsd** · May 7th, 2014 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by _Cathy_

We avail of these pay in advance promos too. We pay our Real Estate/Property Taxes 3 yrs in advance, aside from getting a 20% discount, you don't have to worry for the next 3 years.

Would you have an idea how much more cheaper (%) if you buy per box?

Is that so. I never knew about this & definitely check on this come Jan 2015. Will surely save a lot doing it.

**jick.cejoco** · May 7th, 2014 05:45 AM

It is a common Filipino trait to be materialistic and flamboyant. Picture this: having a signature bag but haggle too much even the most inexpensive merchandise from a sidewalk vendor. Di bagay noh?

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