The Value of your Money

Recession hits not only the third world countries but influential countries such as US and Europe. During this crisis, what is the best way to fight global recession and poverty? Every day I do hear people complain about prices of fuel always increasing. Aside from that, commercial goods and commodities tend to race with the competing value of gasoline.


Rupee Coins


From foods, to clothing to house rentals where these three are the basic requirements needed by man, we tend to do everything possible to make both ends meet. Some do hunt for two or more jobs. Others do tend to save money by cutting off other expenses and services they tend to just to cope up with everyday living.

The value of money these days seems to weaken and weaken. People should observe discipline and know how to tighten their belts so that they can survive. Spending less and saving more is the key. Here are some ways you can spend less and save more:

Spending Less:

What are the ways that we need to spend less with? Start with your food budget; instead of getting that brand you like, opt to something which is more economical or lesser in price. Instead of frequent buying to groceries and malls, visit the nearest local wet and dry market to buy your food. Prices in local market are cheaper because their rent is less and the variety to choose an item is plenty.

Going out for a movie is not economical these days, not unless you really have a budget. But if you are like me, I’d be skipping on movie dates and just settle back home and wait for the movies to be showed online or in television. We also skipped dining out since fees for dining in increased, not only on the tariff but also on the food selections. Home cooked meals will be better and healthier.

Buy only what is needed. When you go to a mall or grocery, be sure you have a list and strictly follow your list. This means no more impulsive buying for you. If you have a credit card, better maintain only one and surrender the rest of the cards. This is the main reasons why most people are buried in debt because they carry 3 to 5 credit cards and swipe them all till they worry the next payday. What is scary is that when their next payout is released, it’s not enough to cover their expenses and the tendency is debt growing in interests.

Walk and exercise if the place you have to go to is just a few blocks away rather than using your vehicle so that you can save some gas. When you don’t have any food stock in the fridge, you can also turn off your fridge for quite some time; this will also help cut off some electricity bills. See to it that there is no leak in your pipes so that you can save on water bills and schedule your laundry so that you won’t be spending too much on water and electricity.

Unplugging appliances not in use is also a good way to save electricity. For mommies here, schedule ironing clothes. Recycle those items that can still be use and keep those bottles and newspapers handy for junk shops, you can earn something from that. Next time, I will be posting on my blog what items can we still buy on a certain value.

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I also once dreamed

Continue the next statement!! Well maybe a lot of you would be saying, I wish I had money, money to spend from what I want in life, money to dream of a good house, a good car, and of a good life. Stability as to most men want and security to what most women want. But basically, what do we really want in life.

THINKING!!!


There will always be a moment in our life that we sigh and sit down and think of what will happen to our future and the goals that we aim to get or achieve in our life. I for one can’t deny the fact that most of my colleagues do have a career of their own. I just can’t compete with that since we do live our lives in different ways and means and the main thing is that when we try to compare ourselves with someone else, we may just end up frustrated and lonely.

It is free to dream. For me, as long as I have a dream, as long as I have the vision, it makes me want and aim for no matter what the cost will be. Being persistent and having the will power is the motor that will drive you as getting results will be the one to motivate you further.

I do believe that trying is something will that produce results. Being positive is the side kick of it but right motivation and attitude are the key ingredients to have in order to get what you want without getting the risk of compromise.

Did you try to ask yourself these questions? What to they have that I don’t have in order to succeed? Is life really pure luck? Does God really chooses to favor some people and others not? The questions may seem endless and nothing may seem to be solid if you don’t seem to know what is best to do in order how to make it happen.

Once you get an opportunity (as it knocks only once in a blue moon) they say that you need to grab it. But how can you be so sure if it was really the right break for you. Personal conviction will determine as well as to balance the things you wanted when given a time pressure, you need to respond quickly than others. Being slow is not a good sign for getting any result. Waiting for so long and being sluggish ain’t gonna work too. Things will NEVER Happen “IF YOU DON’T WANT TO MOVE AND ACT”.

What are tools you have in order to achieve what you wanted? Do you think it is enough? Are there any other sources that you think will help to solve your problem? These questions may help you determine if you are going to be on the right track once you have a solid answer. Don’t say MAYBE, it will not be good to settle futures if you are not that sure of what you are doing.

The challenge is still out there. The quest is still going on. All of us need to strive hard in this so called LIFE. What makes you happy will determine if you have handled those issues in life confidently.

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Saving Money in this Crisis Situation (Part 2)

Practical ways to save:

1.Skip a Movie Date – You can save money if you can just skip on going to movie houses. If you think that you can live with that, then consider watching tv or reading books to alter that hobby.

2.Minimize your dining out- You eat outside you pay also for VAT. Always remember that once in a lifetime you get to enjoy dining out, but in a crisis situation like this, refrain from being vain and glamorous on eating out on those fine dine restaurants.

3.Skip on buying your branded products- Be it a beauty product or what you regularly consume or use, it is still best if you read the labels well. Give local products a chance particularly if the prices are cheaper than your usual branded product. It is up to you if you will do this, but it can help a lot especially if the Price is Right!

4.Impulsive Buying is a No-No- Be sure before you leave the house, you already have a list on what to buy so that you won’t get tempted on the things you will see in the grocery or market. Stick to your budget and buy what is only necessary or important. The things you need is first, the things you want, well forget it at the moment.

5.Be Careful of those Buy-1-Take-1 Promos – If it is not on your grocery list, then don’t. Most buy one take one items is not particularly the thing you need. Some of these buy 1 take 1 promo are cheap but the quality is also the same. It only tempts you to buy and the price range is not what you think it is that you have saved more. Quality comes in first before quantity right.

6.No Shopping for New Clothes/ Shoes - I am not kidding. Do you think that you needed brand new clothes? New shoes? For what? Is there any occasion? If there is well you can at least use your still good to wear clothes and shoes. I can only think of buying new clothes if I am really lacking clothes or there is really a big occasion. But during crisis times and you go around the mall, never ever shop on items which you think is LESS important. Food is necessary and people need to eat, but clothes or shoes, I think not. Kids can also help their parents if they will not be choosy on clothing. What is important is the inner being, not just the outward appearance.

7.Recycle Items/ Products – Yes; recycle things which you think is necessary to be recycled like plastic bottles, magazines and newspapers. You can create a lot of good things in these items aside from keeping them and sell them on junk shops. About food, well practically speaking left over food are to be re-heated and can be eaten again if you think it is still good to eat. Just don’t waste anything.

8.Correct usage of Phone Calls/ Text Messaging- Don’t be a one liner guy if you can send more than 250 characters on that SMS. Saying Hi, then later on you will text message again to ask how someone’s day is really not practical. People should learn how to save money. Send only messages that are important and limit your calls. It is up to you on how much can you save money before reloading again for a new one. Youths these days should remember that their folks earn that money through blood, sweat and tears. They should not burn money by just texting useless messages. Not unless you are already working and you know how hard money is earned.

9.Using Cash more than using your Credit Cards- Credit cards is good when you are paying your bills online. But it is a No-no if you use it on purchasing items online since it is also not that safe. About using your credit cards on malls, well you should know that you pay not only the amount you swipe that card but also you pay for the interest and take note, you also pay extra amount if you miss paying the previous debt. It is much wiser to just pay using cash because you can still save some dough if you do this.

10.Live on your means, don’t envy others who can afford to buy- You saw your neighbor bought a new Flat screen television and you wanted to do the same so that you can be someone who others thought you can afford and boast. Well my dear, the answer is live on the things based on your means. Do not envy others, it is a SIN. You should never compete on someone by just placing yourself in a situation where you borrow money just to pleasure yourself or others. Be simple, live a life which is more pleasing to God. Remember that the love of money is the root of all evil. Money is neutral and should be used according to God’s plan, not just your own plan because it will never succeed.

Being happy in life even if life these days are hard can be attain as long as we are content of what we have. There are so many things to think of saving money, but this will start with you. One golden rule I can share also with you here is that DO NOT BORROW MONEY, not unless your into emergency BUT, there is a BUT there, borrow money which you think you can RETURN BACK. Anyone who borrows money is a slave to the Lender. You will also not prosper if you don’t pay back what you owe to people.

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Saving Money in this Crisis Situation

Gasoline prices ballooned for the past months and prices of commodities followed along. In this crisis situation, what are the things that you do to save money? It is really difficult if only one in the family is working. In this generation, the parents should be both working or their children who are of age should be helping their families in order to sustain the daily expenses. If kids go to school, their parents would also be shouldering their daily fare and food budget. About electricity bills, well this summer will be expected to be more expensive because you will be using electric fans or air condition more. But we can do something to save money so that we can still buy what is important or needed.

Here are a few tips on how to save money in this crisis situation:

1.Saving for Electricity – You can unplug appliances that are not in use, in this way you can save money because even if you turn that appliances off, the meter will still move. Don’t use all the appliances all together. If you’re using the washing machine, you can turn off your fridge or your television for the mean time. Using the computer to watch is cheaper than to use your colored television. Another thing that you can conserve electricity is to schedule your daily chores like washing, ironing and cleaning for the week. Keep all the dirty clothes in the laundry bin and just wash clothes when in bulk so that it will be in just one go, that is also applicable in ironing clothes. Keep the door of the fridge close.

2.Saving for Food- You can save money by buying fresh veggies and fish in the local market without going too far where you will spend gas or fare for traveling. It is okay to buy and eat red meat once a week but this depends on your budget. Skip on buying frozen foods or cured foods, it is not safe for your health. Get only what you can eat, if that is rice then start from half a cup to one cup so that no one in the family would be thrashing off left overs. According to the latest survey almost 4B pesos of foods particularly rice are wasted because of left overs. If you want to go for the second round, make sure you keep your plate ample enough so that you won’t waste anything, don’t be a PG (Patay-gutom) Dead hungry for more, it’s really unethical.

3.Saving Gas/ Gasoline- Walk if it’s just near anyway it will be beneficial for your health. In this way you can save fare or gasoline if you have a car. You can also save a lot on your gas tank (cylinder) if you don’t boil water for taking a bath. You better take a bath in the morning of afternoon where water is good. Avoid cooking foods that needs a lot of time for boiling or preparations. Always turn off the knob of your cylinder tank so that it won’t leak any. If you wanted to travel with your family and you want to use your car, just go to nearer places so that you can still save a mile for fueling your tank.

to be continued...

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