Are you struggling to save money while working in an office? If you have trouble setting aside cash for your savings, here are some easy-to-follow tips on how to cut down on expenses.
For the average Filipino office worker, it may come as a challenge to save money when there are so many bills and expenses to be paid. However, there are a lot of different ways we can save money–maybe you just don’t know how.
Thus, here are some of the best ways you can save money while working in an office:
1. Set a budget
Take a look at your total income every month and create a budget that will cover your basic needs, such as food, utilities, rent, transportation, and investments like life insurance. What’s left over from your salary should be deposited in a savings account or emergency fund, which you can build for a few months or years until you have enough to stay comfortable.
2. Skip the expensive drinks
Do you often find yourself buying milk tea or coffee that consumes the majority of your daily budget? Try taking instant mixes to the office instead. Buy a whole pack of coffee, tea, or milk tea, and make your own drinks in a tumbler in the pantry. Aside from saving money, you can also cut out excess sugar in your diet–no more afternoon sugar crashes!
3. Bring lunch to work
This may be easier said than done, especially for employees who have to leave their homes early just to get to work on time. However, you can still find a way to pack your own lunch. Why not try meal-prepping every Sunday and put the portions in your freezer? This way, you can bring your lunch and just reheat it in the office’s microwave. Homemade meals are bound to be healthier than what you usually buy around the office, anyway.
4. Practice delayed gratification
If you work in an office in one of Manila’s business districts, then you may be surrounded by shopping malls that are full of temptation. But if you give in to your wants often without as much as a second thought, you’re definitely going to have trouble saving money for more important things. Instead of buying what you want as soon as you get your paycheck, wait a few days or weeks to decide if you really want it. After some time has passed, the urge to shop may have faded away already, meaning more money in your savings account.
5. Opt out of some gatherings
Do your coworkers have a habit of going out every Friday for drinks or buffet meals? Sure, going out with your coworkers from time to time can be a great stress-reliever, but don’t let it get in the way of your savings. If you don’t have the budget for after-work activities this week, simply opt out and go home. You can always join them next time.
A lot of people say that if you are working without saving money, then you’re working for nothing. Even if you can’t save a lot of money each month, putting away at least a few hundred pesos each payday is better than nothing. Remember: there’s always a way to save even if it seems impossible with your current income.
