A Savings of $400, How did I do this? Sharing my 7 Saving Tips and Making Myself Seriously Consistent.

I just found out last Friday that I had saved $400 last year. I withdraw the money and will be opening a new bank account to save this one.

I am not dreaming. I used to write those words on my mini budget journal because the more I read it, the more it motivates me to do it. Last year, since I have an income every month, I made it happen and now this is the result of every hard work and struggles I experienced on my offline and online job.

You maybe saying "$400, for a year, that is very small". Maybe it is small, but I remember I got an offline job just this May and I started saving that money after all the expenses I had with my father passed away, so this one started last year of September. I also had a double time working, that requires me of not having more than 5 hours of sleep or not sleep at all , because I need to still work online as an additional income.

Not only that, I made a change and applied my own Saving Tips. I make it effective on the first day I received my salary, with no debt on the side to pay. I want to make sure that I will strictly apply this Saving Tips to make my own history.

My Own Saving Tips

I Make a List of the Things I Need

With the salary I am getting during the 15th and 30th of the month, I already have a prepared lists where I start my budget. I list down all the bills that needs to pay like electricity, water, internet and cable. Food is on top of the lists so I separate a budget to be given to my mother. Grocery is after the food, so I only buy those we always need like Coffee, Sugar, Cream or Milk, cooking ingredients, rice and Bathroom necessities. Unfortunately, new bag or new clothes is not on the lists, unless I cannot used the old ones because it is completely damaged. I have to say that I am using the same shoes I was using last year and haven't bought a new one. I will apply an adjustment if there are changes, but as much as possible I hope there are no changes.

I Do not Visits The Mall
To visit the mall is a mortal sin to me and of course, I am only exaggerating it. I am a person who loves window shopping because I love to take pictures and to try out new things. I never leave a mall without buying anything, but to be real, what I can only afford are new notebook and ballpen, because I love to write...

Since I will be engaged in buying new things, I will just avoid getting inside it. I have one mall that I will visit to buy the things I need, and when I do the grocery. After it, I will get out as soon as possible without looking left and right to avoid tempting myself to check out the things that I do not need. I did it for a month and after 45 days, I observed that I can do it. I make it a habit now... I survived.

I keep 20% of my Salary for Saving and Emergency Fund
After what had happened to my father, I realized that having an Emergency Fund is really important. I cringe every time I calculate my salary and I know there will be nothing left for my savings. Emergency fund is a must to me, so I make sure that I will reverse my computation and making it as a priority. Here is what I do. Once I received the amount of my salary, I less 10% for emergency fund. I will start to deduct all my necessities and bills after. From it, I will deduct my transportation allowance and then what is left is for Saving. I do not touch my online earnings because it serves as my other Emergency fund and some entertainment funds, if I have.

Pack Lunch, it is a Must!
I observed I saved P2000 or $40 since I started to have a pack lunch. I asked my mother to prepare it in the morning and she includes snacks with it. At our pantry, there is a free coffee, so I don't have to buy drinks outside. I add this to my savings and it really made me happy.

No Regular Monthly Date Out
I don't have someone to date, but I have friends who always wants a Date out every month. I learn to say NO. I saved P1000 or $20 because of this. I add the money to my emergency fund if my friends are busy this month (once they are busy, it is easy to say NO to them lol).

Be Simple or Maintain to Be Simple
When it comes to clothing, I am not a person who is up to date. To be honest, I am outdated. What I wear at work, I wear it every week. I try to experiment with it by adding accessories and sometimes, it doesn't matter anymore. If I have a friend who will give their used clothes, I will be very happy. I am now thinking of maintaining a weight so that I can use old clothes that I am not wearing anymore. I have lots of clothes but because of my big weight, I already abandon them. Not because I don't have a budget for new ones, but I better be simple and keep the money for now. I will only buy when it is strictly needed, for self expression, sometimes.

I never Say NO to Free!
I never, never, never say no to free bags, free food, free lipstick, food supplements and anything free! I asked my friends that if they want to give me gifts, give me new books, new clothes, new shoes, food supplements, and vitamins. I don't want to buy so if they are giving it to me for free, I will never Say No. Give it to me baby! I saved a lot when I starts to do it.

I have to say that these 7 Saving Tips are really effective on me. These are very simple. Everyone can do this. If you have a stable income, or you receive money more than you are earning, try to start saving. It could change your live and save yourself from stress because you don't have to worry a lot.

Now I planning to add additional saving tips, plus double the amount because it will be a long year for me. I am really excited to work hard, work smart and have a smart savings.

@tanner09

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