All But a Cheapskate

Are you a cheapstake?

Noun1.cheapskate - a miserly person

tightwad

miser - a stingy hoarder of money and possessions (often living miserably)

In our efforts to stick to our budget and live life to the basic, we are often tagged as cheapstake. We are always misunderstood as someone who does not want to spend money at all. You sometimes think how hard is it for them to understand that there are other greater things in life that you should spend your  hard earned money for?

No, they wouldn't simply understand. Because most of the people I know are people who would rather be a one day millionaire instead of saving money and spend it for something more valuable. Something that you really need to spend on and not just because for a simple whim -- which happens most of the time for these people.

I would say cheapstake is a very harsh word. It is like getting things from someone else without even asking if they really want that thing given away. Or, let your colleagues pay their part while you just sit there and pretend you are not part of the group and still benefit from that bucket meal they ordered from a fast food restaurant.

Don't be shy to say these things with a smile on your face:

"I do not have extra money here and besides, I have my packed lunch."

"I ate / kinda full already. Maybe next time."

"I still need to buy something from the grocery later. Can't spend my money here."

Or maybe, just simply no if they ask you if you want to order with them.

If they insist that they will lend you money for the meantime, still say NO. It is a NO-NO rule for me since the day I decided to live frugally to give in to anything that would make me lend money. 

Let them realize / see eventually that you are the greatest example of a person that is truly committed when it comes to dealing with your hard earned money. Believe me, they will not think that you are "kuripot" or "cheapstake." They will just see you as someone who is thrifty and knows how to handle your money very well.

Priceless Hobby: Book Time

Ebooks are everywhere but nothing beats the smell of every pages of a book. Plus the bookmarks - there's just something in it that I find very amusing. I have been saving up to buy this one. This one item is on my wishlist.

It is a very good book. Love reading it. I am just in the middle of it and I recommend it to anybody. Well, I am not not gonna impose it on you, my reader. Just sayin .... LOL

:)

Throw the idea of going to the mall. Sit back and read a good book.

Priceless Trip: Ayala Triangle

After getting my item at a coupon office and only a hundred and fifty in my pocket, I decided to walk around Ayala Triangle. Considering the fare back and forth, the money I have will just be enough to buy a less than 50 pesos meal. But then, I remember, KFC will let you buy your meal using your Globe points so I used it and I still have some money left.

The day is still young so I decided to stroll around. It is not hot that day and not rainy as well. What can I say, just the perfect day to go around the park

Admit it, we have here our own version of NYC's Central Park

Taking a trip should not cost you a lot. Take time to slow down. Take a seat. Be amazed with the wonder of nature and you got a great time already!

Priceless Hobby: Scribbling

Nothing to do? Why not let your creativity out in your own quiet room? It costs nothing and it is actually therapeutic. It is not much not maybe even good but I had fun while doing it. 

:)

Envelope System

I am a visual person. It is important that I am seeing the things that I need to prioritize. I need to have a constant reminder. For a person who is a recovering super spender (that is what I call myself), envelope system is a very effective habit.

This is a very "stretched" process. It is an everyday reminder for me whenever I go to work. For most, there are fewer envelopes. More likely a monthly reminder. To me, as you can see, it is an everyday thing.

Here, you will see a breakdown of expenses I only need to incur every single day. Very detailed expenses. It makes you stick to it because I have a savings goal bi-monthly. I have my own limitations and should-be's and must-be's.

Eventually, it will strengthen your discipline and make you stick to your goal strictly.

What would be its benefits?

• You can definitely say no to your colleagues who likes to have those take out deliveries. They will usually shut up when you say you don't have the money
• The trip back home is shorter. When you have money in your pocket, you like going around the place first to bring some things (more of a splurge). Things that you do not really need. Go straight home - it is cheaper and can give you more time to rest.
• It gives you a better view of what would be your ending balance bi monthly.
• It teach you to be more disciplined on how you should handle your expenses
• Eventually, it makes you evaluate the things and prices of an item before you buy them
• When you see that the money left in the envelope is just for your fare, you will hold on to it. Never thinking of buying things you do not really need. AND PLEASE ... do not ask for money to your colleagues as an excuse that you ran out of money. Do not ask them for money with a promise that you will pay them tomorrow. All your goal will be useless should you do this.

Stick to your goal and see what it can do to you eventually!

Wants vs. Needs

One of the things that burdens us is our confusion of our wants and needs. We often thought that what we want is what we need. BUT .. the reality is what we need is is just a quarter of the things that we want.

Wants are the things that we can live without. Needs are what we need to survive in our everyday life.

One example of it is our trip to the grocery. Pretty sure, you have been there without a list with you. This is a big NO for anyone who is into a tight budget. For my part, here is my usual grocery list:

• soap
• detergent bar + fabric conditioners
• shampoo (i am buying those 3-in-1 or 16 ++ shampoo's as they are cheaper but of course make sure it is compatible with your hair. good thing I found mine that is cheap :) )
• foods (this include the food that will be my meal for two weeks - very basic)
• load (for my prepaid internet load)
• and eherm .. sanitary pads 

Very basic necessities. These are the things you need everyday should you need to go to work or school. It may not be everyday but you need them in the next two weeks. Forget about going to the laundry shop to have your clothes washed. Do it yourself. Imagine what you can save by doing it yourself instead of paying them to do it for you. No one is really that busy and you need that exercise at least twice a week.

But without the list, this list can have additional stuff that you do not really need. You might see your cart loaded with chocolate, chips, sodas, extra kitchen stuff, girly stuff and other stuff. 

• Do you really need to have a stock of chocolates? Aside from additional calories, think of the cost of one chocolate bar. You might want to drop this money to your bank deposit account instead.
• Do you really need to have those sodas? Water, aside from it being cheap, is a healthy drink for you. 
• Chips for your snack? Food preservatives are a big NO for your health. Why not make a short trip to a local market near you to buy some cheap fruits as an alternative snack.
• Those girly stuff like nail colors, lipsticks, foundation - pretty sure you have them but do you need an additional stock of all of these? And those nail polish will not fade away that easily. Maybe in two weeks time. So, next time, you buy one, choose the colors you know you will love looking for the next two months on your feet. Budget, budget!\
• Dresses? Try mix and match. Choose colors that you can easily paired with other clothes in your closet. No one would really notice it if you use that twice in two weeks. If they do, for sure, you can easily find a way to defend yourself!

Make a list. You can download apps on your phone that can plan your shopping list. Make your list bi-monthly - for your payday schedules.

Another thing that is effective is making a wish list. I have mine that is why I know it is effective. It is a projection of your future expenses. Make the list of things you WANT to buy even if you do not NEED it. I have to admit that there are splurges like that but I try to keep it to a minimum. When you make a list, you can prioritize the things you really want to buy first. Eventually, you will see that some of the things on the list will be stuck there  for months. The reason is simple -- this is just the thing that you WANT but you do not really NEED rigth away.

Think about it!

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.

:)