My Frugality Diary

A daily devotional calendar dedicated to how to live your life in a frugal way. I am glad that I found this one as most of the guidelines here are really helpful for anyone who is trying to change their lifestyle. From being an over spender, I started finding ways on how to go back to living a basic life - which is not bad after all. In fact, life should all be basic and not be full of complexity!

It trims down your life to what you really need and what you only want. You should focus on what you need and not what you want. That should be your rule in life. It works for me. Your need and everything else on the list can just be categorize as vices or extra expenses that won't be really beneficial to you in the long run.

This one seems pretty hard to find but if you do, grab it right away! You won't regret buying this one.

:)

Money Money Money

First Year of Independence

It was last year when we decided to sold our house in Quezon City. My sister also decided to live with my parents along with her children.

As for me, I decided to live alone. I rent a small space that my brother has up on their house. There is no special treatment here. He has his own family so I have to pay the rent. Of course, I am willing to do it.

I am quite excited but I already know that the way to living independently is not a walk in the park. The obligatory share to my parents, the house rent, the monthly fare, the food in the house and in the office - I have already listed it down. Let me not forget that at this time, I still have my PLDT broadband connection.

The first few months were such a struggle. Aside from the expected expenses I have mentioned above, I still have an existing loan for another six months so my mind is thinking - can I survive before my salary day?

Yes, I told myself, you can do that.

My source of income does not just come from my regular day job. I am also into oDesk. Plus, I know that there are other jobs I can do outside of my company - if I am just going to be persistent and determined to do it.

To make the story short, yes, it has been a year. I was able to survive. There were sleepless nights. After work, I still have to work additional hours for my other "sideline" jobs in oDesk. It was not easy. But it was all worth it. This is one thing that they told me before that I cannot do but i was able to.

I know I do not how to cook. But the first time I did it, I know for a fact, that I am not just used to doing it. But once I did, I did it right. Maybe it is just my laziness or someone else in our house, my mom, is doing this chore for us.

The only time you know how far you can bend are those times that you were tried and tested. When you did, there's that little grin forming in your lips. In your mind, you're saying, I did it!

:)

I Am What I Am: Single

Reference: Tumblr

When Is Being Lazy Good

I find being lazy these days good for me. The word itself may always imply negativity but when you associate that word on things like how you can save money or how you can live a more frugal life, being lazy is really good! So, start being lazy :)

Crazy?

Here's why I am not crazy when I said start being lazy to live a successful frugal life:

Instance #1:

Working so hard can make you feel so tired at the end of your week. During your rest days, you just want to pig out, sit and relax (unfortunately, this may just apply to single woman like me :(  ). When you see the pile of your clothes you need to wash, it is like they are a big sad face begging you to wash them. Your left and right brain is going to start debating whether you are going to wash them or not. Or, just go to the laundry store to have them do this chore for you.

This is where my right and left brain starts debating again. If I go to the laundry shop, I will need to walk ten blocks from my place. That is a lot of walking! Then I'll get all sweaty or I'll get hungry and I'll buy a food on my way home. Aside from the fact that I already paid for the laundry shop of the chore I should have been doing. And I might also get a cab if I am too tired to walk my way home. Did I just spent 300 pesos for just an hour? That is already my budget for two days!

And yeah, with all those stuff, I gotten lazy already. So, I started to set up everything. The stool, the brush, the soap, the fabric conditioner, the pales and everything you need for manually washing your clothes. The part of just brushing of the clothes already gives your biceps some hard work. Plus, you were able to save 300 pesos worth of expenses.

(I do handwashing because I am really trying to save on the electricity bills - just in case you are curious why I do that!)

Instance #2:

Shopping is every woman's theraphy - even when she's sad or happy. I may not be a big fan of buying after shopping -- I do window shop though. Most of the times, looking back, eating at some not so cheap restaurant is my thing! I am guilty when I say I am taking pictures of everywhere I go - to document my memories just in case I had an early Alzheimer's (I hope not!).

I work in a place where everything around is me is not cheap. I cannot find a single meal which is cheaper than 50 pesos. Prices all starts there. So, what can I expect with the shopping and all? It'll slash out all my payroll salary!

Good thing is that my workplace is like 30 or more blocks to where I live - and I am not gonna walk that far to shop!The shopping malls are not literally near my place. I need to ride a cab or trike to go there. Thank goodness! I love to walk going to work, don't get me wrong! But if I am going to walk just to go the shopping mall and then walk for three hours just looking around and shop for anything -- I'll just stay home: sleep, watch my favorite cable shows or movies, do scribblings and read all my unread books / magazines in the house!

How much did I saved? Maybe 500 to 1000 pesos. That's how I spent then when I am going shopping for a day! Now, it is just a thing of the past.

There's still a lot of scenarios. This post might have a part 2 to 100. Just sit back and be FRUGAL.

Single Life's Moments #1

Reference: Tumblr

Saving Tips #2: X Out Bills To Pay

Before anything else, this idea was inspired from being a patron of the site We Are Sole Sisters!

Nowadays, the only bills I have to pay is the house rent. My parents is living in a near province which is a three hour trip to my workplace. It is not a good and wise choice to live there - even though how much I want to be with them. So, I have to rent my own place near my office.

How did I do that?

Looking back, I have to pay for my internet bills, electricity, water bill, house rent. Plus the loans I took advantage in a snap. A splurge. Back then, I was a bigger fool not thinking a hundred times before doing something.

Now, no loans, no water bill, no internet bills. Again, only the house rent.

I look for a place to rent where the water and electricity bill is already included on the bill. Nice choice, isn't it? Plus, it is a house where I get to use the appliances so there is no need for me to buy my own appliances. In my room, I have my own tv (with a cable, beat that!), an electric fan, a built in cabinet, a king size bed and shower in the bathroom which is also inside my bedroom.

Little luxury, right?

Now, let's talk about the loans. Forget about your splurges. Pay your bills first. You have to do this neglection until you are done with your loan. That is what i did. My budget is so strict that I promise myself no more loans for me by the time I am done paying them.

Now, I am done. I get to buy my very first branded sandals after three years. Well, still on a sale section of the department store. But, it was a good purchase!

Internet bills? A 1,500 pesos bill for an internet bill is not really a good deal. I know how to do the technical troubleshooting of a dsl connection. I have been a technical support for so many years. These companies find it so very hard to admit that they are having maintenance or outage. Because they are afraid that the customers are going to ask for a rebate. In the last two years I have it (since 2008), I only get nothing but disconnections. Technicians will come on the day that you are in the office.

***If you are single with nobody living with you in your place, it is not practical to get that internet connection especially during the times of a tech visit.

So, I ended up disconnecting my internet connection and settling my bill. Because those technicians will tell you it is fixed and your bill will continue even if you have those downtime days. Not really practical.

Nowadays, I am using my prepaid internet connection. It maybe 1000 pesos monthly but I really do not need to worry about being asked to troubleshoot my computer. Again, nothing is wrong with my computer ---- it is your connection. So much for those DHCP release  and renew days! I do not really miss it!

You do not need a mobile plan as well, for geez sake! It is a big SPLURGE even right from the very start. You do not need to call everyday unless if it is company provided one. As long as it is not, take advantage of the unlimited surf or call. I am not a text or call person. I only text if i really need it. Call? I still text like can you please call me? ASAP? Making sure the other person also needs my call very badly. And what about CHIKATXT? If you still don't know that, GOOGLE it.

Now, you are seeing your savings or checking account getting fat ... nice, isn't it?