Every new day comes with a renewed sense of optimism. Whether it’s the beginning of the month or year, your birthday or a random Saturday afternoon, you can get started with your goals whenever you feel inspired and motivated.
And this life is yours to make. Whatever you desire—a journey around the world, a green and healthy lifestyle, a vast expanse of knowledge or even simply gaining financial independence, choose to become the kind of person you’ll most definitely be proud of!
Get into the habit
Spending is part and parcel of everyday life. In order to survive, spending is a must. That is why it is only practical and sensible to pay close attention to how you spend your hard earned money. If you are committed to spend wiser this time around, here are some practical tips you can look into.
Set personal financial goals. The key step towards smarter spending is knowing your priorities. Create specific financial goals—it can be as simple as saving up for a new gadget or a much deserved holiday getaway or as major as setting aside a portion of your income so you can make a down payment for a car or a home that you can truly call you own. Focusing on achieving your financial goals will help you better manage your spending habits.
Keep tabs on your purchases. Start paying close attention to your spending and expenses. Keep all your receipts, list down your daily expenses on a notebook or better yet, download a spending tracker app on your smartphone. This will help you determine where your money is going and identify the areas that you can adjust or cut back on, if need be.
Have a list ready. Every time you head out to the mall or grocery store, make sure to bring a shopping list with you. That way, you can control what you place in your cart and ensure that you only buy the things that are necessary and thus essentially avoid overspending or buying on impulse.
Embrace frugality. Being frugal doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have money to spare or you have to sacrifice enjoying life, it only means you are being wise about where you spend your money on. Making this a habit can take a little getting used to. You can start by preparing your own lunch for work a few days a week instead of eating out everyday. Aside from saving money, you’ll also be able to make healthier choices.
Play the waiting game. Whenever you get that sudden urge to shop and buy something—a new handbag, a game console, the latest smartphone, etc. give yourself plenty of time to think about the purchase. Sleep on it and see how you feel the next day or week. Weigh the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision. Consider your budget or savings if you can really afford the purchase without sacrificing your financial goals. Maybe after waiting it out, you might actually realize that you don’t really need the item and save a good amount of money.
Look around. Before you hit the checkout counter, make sure you’ve done your part in finding out the best deals available for the item/s that you want to purchase. You may take advantage of discount coupons and online group buying site exclusive offers or wait for regular mall-wide sale days. Go ahead and scout different stores and shops for better price options that will suit your budget.
By being conscious of how and where you spend your money, you can get into the habit of spending smart in no time. Remember, it’s not about how much you earn, but how much you save that really matters.
Spend smart with the right credit card!
Smart spending can also equate to savings. You don’t have to deprive yourself of the things that you want, you just need to make the right choices so you can get the most out of your money.
And if you’re a BDO Credit Cardholder, there’s a good smart spending deal that you can take advantage of right now!
With the BDO Shop. Choose. Redeem. Promo, simply use your BDO Credit Card when you shop anywhere and instantly get FREE shopping treats. Every single-receipt transaction meeting the minimum spend requirement entitles you to a FREE SM Gift Pass*.
This promo will run until March 15, 2015. Redemption of SM Gift Pass will be until May 15, 2015.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your smart spending habit today!
To know more about the best deals and exclusive perks for BDO Credit Cardholders, download the BDO Deal Finder App for FREE from the iTunes App Store or Google Play Store.
Not yet a BDO Credit Cardholder? Apply now and avail of other promos and offers from BDO!