As I start mortgage payments on a new house in Cavite, I’ve started reflecting the numerous changes that are going to happen to my monthly budget. Basically, most of my unnecessary needs, are going to have to categorized as wants. This extra responsibility has compelled me to look for ways to save more of my take home pay.
No more softdrinks
My girlfriend and I eat out at dinner, basically because we go home too late to prepare food. Our dinner consists of a rice meal and a cup of softdrinks. Aside from having no nutritional value whatsoever, I have discovered that it’s one of the most expensive part of our dinner.
Now, we just drink water during dinner. In the past month, we have almost eliminated this from our diet, only being forced from time time to drink softdrinks at gatherings.
Annual savings: P7,488
No more bottled iced tea
At lunchtime, I usually go down to the nearest convenience store and buy bottled iced tea. Only to buy again later in the afternoon after discovering that I am still thirsty. While, Bottled iced tea is still on the budget, we have reduced the purchasing frequency and cost to a fifth. I only buy bottled iced tea on Mondays and re-use the bottle (I get refills from the company drinking station) throughout the week.
Annual savings: P16,016
A Better Alternative
Buying bottled drinks and softdrinks are big expenses if you total your expenses. My solution was to buy just one per week and re-use the bottles and refilling from either the restaurant or the office.
However, this still isn’t the best solution. I am planning to buy a stainless bottle, which ensures that no residue affects my health from re-using the bottle. Buying the stainless bottle would be an investment but I believe it would repay itself in savings a hundred times over.
If you are have a similar situation wherein you need to save money, run through all your expenses. You’ll be surprised at how many unnecessary needs you have that should be in the wants section of your budget.
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