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Hmmm... Yahoo seems to be fond of posting money saving tips in the homepage these months. Problem is, I don't think they can be of much use to most Pinoys as most don't have credit cards to cut in half, mortgage loans to negotiate or cars to try alternative fuels or car pooling on.Hell, most pinoy's dont even have any credit standing, houses or cars to speak of! All the credit score they are aware and concerned about is their sari-sari store credit score.
So it got me thinking, why not make an article focused on how pinoys can really save money during these trying times?Something that can be of practical value to all cash strapped brothers out there braving the economic winter?
Note: the following is a compilation of proven money saving tips gleaned from family stories, personal experiences from college and experiences of friends.
1. Jeepney 123
Rising fuel prices and the subsequent rise of transpo fare didnt pose much of a problem to Bok when he was in college. The cost of passenger fare might've have risen to P7.50 from a measly P2.25 during the few years he was studying in college with his allowance remaining rock solid at P6000/month, but the net effect of it on his transportation budget was zero.
See, his principle was very simple... Don't pay your fare if you can't afford it. Just pass off the other passenger's fare as your own and make damn sure your "innocent" expression passes the test when the driver starts asking who the hell didnt pay.
2. Bus ABC
The 123 technique might not work well in the case of bus rides. Buses, after all have specialized fare collectors so you can't take advantage of the traffic distracting the driver in this case. Not to worry though, bus fare collection systems have their own inherent weaknesses that a money-challenged passenger can take advantage of.
First, find another seat as soon as the fare collector checks where you went after hopping on the bus. If you're wearing a cap or a jacket, remove it. If you have reading glasses or a fake mustache in your bag, wear them. This is so that you can disrupt the memory system the fare collector has in place.
Next, look around your new seat for used tickets, preferably those that have not been marked or had their edges torn. This will serve as your fare. You then tuck this in your wristwatch strap and you're good to go.
The last step involves falling asleep throughout the duration of the trip.Failing this, you can also pretend to be asleep as the fare collector goes around to check the tickets. Just make sure you dont get in the same bus on your way home, he he he
3. FoodCourt Scavenger
I see poor people making do with gruel or a combination of rice and salt on the TV everyday and I wonder why they don't make use of their ingenuity and creativity when it comes to feeding their families.
Some claim they work in the trash heap all day just so they can take home P30, enough to buy 1 kilo of rice for the whole family for the next day. Sometimes, you see these kids crying from hunger or mothers getting teary eyed because they couldn't earn enough to feed their kids well.
Here's a suggestion:
A. Loan enough money to buy a decent set of clothes and shoes from the local divisoria. Better yet, buy 2 sets.Cost:P500,
B. While you're at it, buy a second hand bag.
C. Take a bath (very important), don the clothes and go to the nearest foodcourt preferably around noon or evening.
D. A good reminder at this point is that you should act as if you're there on serious business, scout the territory without being too obvious and choose the food you'd like to bring home.
E. Sit unnoticed in a recently vacated table and place the leftover food ( must be of substantial quantity ) on the tray, bring it over to the store indicated on the plate and request that the food be packed to be taken home.
F. Do the same for the food on 2-3 other tables (must be from different stores).
This way, you can feed your kids (with quality, delicious food) and sell the rest to your neighbors enabling you to pay back your loan.
G. Ask your kids what they would want to eat the next day and choose a different Foodcourt this time.If you have no fare to get there, refer to numbers 1 and/or 2. He he.
H. If nobody wants to loan you the money to buy new clothes, please refer to the next number.
4. Laundry Shopper
This one takes a bit more planning than the first three tactics described above. For one, you must be careful when it comes to choosing your shopping area. Too far and you'll stick out like a sore thumb, too near and the original owner just might come across you in the street.
Being a laundry shopper also involves a bit of recon before the shopping. You must have a clear idea of what the schedule of your target shopping line is. Make one mistake and you just might find yourself being pounded into the dust by irate owners. He he, got several clothes several years ago that got lost this way. Note though that to be a laundry shopper you must have a talent for estimating and choosing clothing sizes, pant sizes and even underwear sizes. Remember, there are no fitting rooms for this type of shopping, hehe
5. Church Footwear Section
Need some nice shoes to go along with your new clothes? Well, the local church just might be able to help you. Just go over the shoes off area and choose from among the options there. If you don't find a size that fits, try going another day, time or even a different church.
6. The Wedding Crasher
Ever wondered about people, who nobody knew, eating at wedding receptions? bride's family is too shy to ask about them, groom's family assumes these people are part of the bride's family. Result? A perfect cover for eating great food for free!
I know of several people, mostly my cousins, who tried this during periods of financial drought. They say that all it takes is a thick skin and a well rehearsed answer when asked about their relationship to the newly married couple. A small price to pay for food and infinitely better than eating rice sprinkled with salt wouldnt you agree? He he he
7. Crying Ladies
For snacks, the same people mentioned above would wear their serious/sad faces, go to funeral homes and pretend to be the deceased's gradeschool or highschool classmate or something, make small talk with the people there, all the while munching on free crackers and sipping on free coffee.
8. Memorial Homes
Years ago, I've had the opportunity to talk with the cemetery's security guard about his job. Apparently, cemetery security guards, or at least, those assigned to Sto. Nino Memorial Park, are too scared to make their rounds at night.
Which led me thinking..why not use those big big mausoleums as shelter for poor families? After all, It's concrete made, has good roof, solid walls, good floor, etc, etc. Why settle for lean-tos, nipa huts and under the bridge dwellings when these sturdy concrete structures are just waiting there for someone to move in? best of all, there's no rent or threats of demolition!
Of course, then you'll also have to contend with the 'multitudes of people' up and about the vicinity at night. He he he
9. Pirated Cable TV
Why pay monthly for cable TV service in Manila when you can just as easily get one for a one time fee of P1000 or so? The neighborhood where we used to live had such option. Just pay the right person a thousand pesos, choose from among the different subscriptions, gold, platinum, etc and he will climb up the utility line, rig a splitter right off someone elses' cable line (with the specified subscription) and voila! Cheap cable, he he
Impossible you say?? Illegal might be a better word, he he
10. Iron Master
Ironing clothes is one of the most energy demanding tasks in any home. Clothes iron run at about 1800 watts per hour. That's about P15 per hour and about P500 in additional electric bill every month if you spend an hour everyday ironing clothes.
Here's a cheaper alternative..
1.Buy a flat piece of roofing metal.
2.Place it on your roof or garden.
3.Bring it in every noon and 'iron' the clothes on it everyday.
4.Bring it out again if you need additional heat or better yet, iron the clothes outside.
So there you go. Practical, proven and highly applicable ways of saving money during financially troubled times. He he, feel free to add your suggestions.
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1 comments:
Wonderful suggestions!!!
"Impossible you say?? Illegal might be a better word, he he"
Just wonderful!!! :)
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