Frugal Living

Like you, I am feeling the pinch of recession and noticed how quickly prices has gone up in my favorite store, Makro. I have quickly tried my best to psyche myself into my saving mode, than the spending mode.

So, here are 3 Quick Ways to Avoid Unnecessary Spending

Do not take your children to the grocery unless they are my mine.

There is no doubt that bringing children in the mall or anywhere else where candies, toys and even school supplies are for sale can be stressful to a parent trying to stick on a budget. If your children are like mine, you can definitely take the kids inside the store. Since they are used to seeing me use the “list” all the time every time it’s grocery time. Anything NOT on the list is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Here are other helpful tips in succeeding in budget shopping.

When walking around the neighborhood, do not take your purse.

When you live in a rural area like me where everybody knows everybody, it can be a pain to walk around the neighborhood without being tempted to buy something. In my neighborhood, I have neighbors selling me kakanins, longganisa, everything from Avon, shoes from Natasha, you get the drill, eh? So, one of the tricks I have learned is either you walk like you are going somewhere important, that is if the neighborhood Avon Lady stops you… or you can always say you are broke, which I know doesn’t work since they can still coerce you into getting something for “installments.” Or, just walk around your house if you feel the urge to stretch your legs. That’s better then buying something you really do not need.

Only pay in Cash– Always.

I am big with Debit Cards. Unlike credit cards, they are great since you only get to spend what you have.

Stick with your Budget.

Whenevermy children and I are in town for our monthly check up and grocery shopping, everything we do is mapped out. This is great so as we already know where we are going; what things needed to be bought; and if we had to take lunch or snack, which place to have snacks; When you have a strict itinerary, this will help you avoid unnecessary spendings. Not to mention that since you are time bound, there should absolutely no time to wander around the mall. Since the children are not tempted by those Barbie and Bratz toys, there is no need to fend them off, since you ar busily carting them off to the next destination.

Do you have other cool shopping ideas? Please share them with me by posting a comment below or send me an email at: frugal.pinoy@gmail.com