Tips on saving money!

Even if life is getting harder as years passes by and many families and individuals are saying that it's so hard to budget their earnings, there are still a lot of ways where we can still save money. We just need to be wiser when it comes to managing our finances!

Money is not something you can easily get! It is earned by working for it. When I was in high school, I used to save my "baon" (money given to me by my parents) so I can buy myself new clothes and shoes in the mall. And when I reached college, I accepted typing & printing jobs from my classmates, have a CD burning business and I'm proud to say that I really earned a lot that time! I save my earnings and buy some personal things for myself. I always put on my mind that I  will use my money to buy the things that I really need and setting aside my wants. When I graduated in college and got a chance to work as a web designer in an international company, I  was so eager to work hard because I got to have a big salary and as months and years passes by, I notice that I am getting tired of working because I am not saving enough money for myself and my family. I wanted to help my parents so I shifted to a different industry of work and even though I'm not earning that big, I learned to value more of my salary so I was able to pay the tuition fees of my little sister until she graduated from elementary. I'm so proud of myself because I was able to help not just my sister but also I can help in paying our family's expenses.

And now as years passes by, I'm glad that I'm still earning enough for me to supply the needs of my family. I know a lot of people will say, "oh, it's impossible to save money now dahil sa hirap ng buhay". Please don't say that, as long as we are strong and are still able to work then we can do it! All my life I have learned to earn, save and manage my own finances and you can too!

Here are some of my tips that I want to share:

1. Live within your means - not because you have work and earning means you will just spend and spend your money to buy your wants from gadgets to travel! Be wise to manage your earnings by making a list on what are the things you or your family really needs like food and clothing and don't forget the bills that you have to pay! Remember, be contented on what you have. Do not be envious on other people. You don't have to buy expensive gadgets or wear flashy, extravagant clothing! 

2. Be an honest worker - work well, do well! You are being paid to work in a company so be honest. Do your best in your job, make a good impression by being punctual and doing a thorough, complete work. Think of others ways you can earn. You know, there are so many ways we can earn extra income whether offline or online!

3. Have a good attitude - no matter what your job is, whether you are an ordinary office worker, a manager in a bank, or a sales lady, always remember this: "Love your job!" even if you don't like it sometimes, you have to put your best effort in what you do. 

4. Set a goal - put in mind what you really have to do with  the money you are earning from your job. Just because you have money doesn't mean you have to spend...and spend it. 

Control yourself from spending; use what you have or other resources you may have to avoid over spending; avoid debts (never ever get a credit card if you're not responsible! use a debit card instead!); limit your expenses (instead of riding a taxi, why not take the LRT/MRT or if the place you are going to is near, you don't have to ride a jeepney/taxi, just walk!); plan low-cost activities for your family or friends; get a notebook then plan and write down your expenses,  consider applying for a saving account on a trusted bank! Putting your money into a saving account can help you save it instead of spending it! And lastly, learn to evaluate yourself between your wants and your needs!

Brigham Young said: “If you wish to get rich, save what you get. A fool can earn money; but it takes a wise man to save and dispose of it to his own advantage”