- Make coffee at home
There’s nothing like your favorite cup of coffee to start your day right. But instead of buying this from your local coffee shop, perhaps you can experiment by making your own at home instead. Depending on what coffee blend you like, these things can save you money in the long run.
Let’s take the popular café chain Starbucks, for instance. Their drinks average to around Php120 per cup. If you buy there at least five times a week, that totals to Php600. If you multiply that by four weeks, that’s a whopping Php2,400 a month. A year’s worth can set you back Php28,800—a considerable amount of money that you can put towards your savings!
Not a coffee lover? The same is true with other beverages like milk tea. Try to learn how to DIY milk tea instead!
- Share Netflix with friends or family
These days, everything is subscription-based. If you want to watch your favorite or even newly-released movies and shows through a streaming service, you can cut back costs by getting a group or family plan.
Ask friends who are willing to split the cost with you, so you don’t have to shoulder the full fee. Just be mindful of the limitations of the plan you choose. With Netflix, a maximum of four people can access a Premium account at the same time. Be courteous with your subscription-mates!
Bonus tip: Try this with other subscription-based platforms such as HBO GO, Disney Plus, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Prime, YouTube Music, and more.
- Get creative with gifts
While it’s almost customary to give presents during birthdays or Christmas season in the Philippines, there’s the reality that these things can take a toll on your budget. There’s a way to still express your love for someone without spending too much on lavish gifts, such as creating handmade presents.
Do you know how to draw or paint? Giving a lovely portrait of your friends or family with their partner or pets can be something they treasure. If you know how to create canvas bags or flip old clothes into something new and fashionable, then why not give it a try? It’s always the thought that counts!
- Switch to a mobile prepaid subscription
Postpaid lines definitely have their perks, but you need to evaluate how much of it you’re maximizing. For instance, check if you really need unlimited calls and texts to all networks if you’re conversing with most of your family and friends through chat apps anyway.
Tons of prepaid promos offer the same amount of data, call minutes, and the number of texts. The only difference is you’ll pay less, and that’s what you want!
- Don’t fall into the trap of online shopping sales
The convenience of online shopping is truly addictive. Couple that with the Filipinos’ love for discounts and promos, and you have yourself a rabbit hole that’s difficult to escape from. But unless you’re buying something you really need—which isn’t always going to be the case—then you’re better off uninstalling those shopping apps from your phone.
The scenario of finding yourself checking out an item you don’t need just because it’s 50% off might be all too familiar. If you know you’re susceptible to online shopping sales, you might as well unsubscribe from email newsletter notifications for good measure, too.
