People would go to great lengths just to save money—and some would even resort to outrageous tricks! CIMB Bank Philippines, recently hailed the Best Digital Bank in the Philippines by The Asian Banker, rounded up the funniest answers and shares the one tool to help you save money that’s both easy and not embarrassing!
“My friend’s family would bring their own instant iced tea litro pack from home so they wouldn’t have to pay for drinks when dining out.” – Marge, 28
“An ex would always try to use only one square of toilet paper when she uses the bathroom. Her argument? It’s three-ply!” – Nick, 30
“I had a classmate who would always eat at this sketchy place that sells dirt-cheap siomai rice for lunch every day. The sellers won’t even tell you what meat is in the siomai!” – Cielo, 25
“My brother would drive to a gas station an hour away just to save Php 2.00 per liter of gas.” – Michael, 39”
“In KBBQ restos, my friend would bring his own cheese dip because it wasn’t part of the ‘unli’ menu.” – Kisses, 24
“I know someone who used around two inches of dental floss only – just enough to be able to pull it between their teeth – to make each pack last longer.” – Jake, 27
“My tita would always pass by the beauty section of malls to try on perfume samples when she goes out. She hasn’t bought a bottle of perfume in years.” – Manuel, 23
“My dad would always print my school readings using the smallest font as possible and on both sides of the sheet so that he can save on ink and bond paper. I’d get a headache every time I studied for exams.” – Pat, 22
Saving does not need to be difficult — it can be quite fun!
Saving money can really be quite a challenge, but you shouldn’t have to go to ridiculous lengths just to save up. If you’re a Gen Z (those born within 2001 to 2020) or a millennial (born from 1981 to 2001) and are starting to earn your own money to chase your own goals, here are some ways to make saving easier and more enjoyable:
Keep it simple
Start by having an amount in mind. Not having a hard number in mind makes it harder to save. Whether it’s P20,000 or P200,000, having a number makes the goal more concrete and gives you a sense of how near or far you are from achieving your savings goal.
In an article by financial company Citizens, it was shared that saving money is just like any other aspiration: it is easier to achieve when you specify a target. Whatever your goal is, write down a number. This helps you visualize the desired outcome and make it a more tangible target for you to reach.
Set short-term goals and celebrate small wins
According to an article by Deakin University, most people have long-term goals. However, they sometimes feel that the payoff seems distant and unreachable. To ease this roadblock, setting short-term goals can be a solution. These shorter-term goals can serve as your milestones towards your long-term goal, giving you a better grasp of what seems like an impossible target.
