5 Simple Saving Tricks

CEBU, Philippines - How good a saver are you? Is it easy to save money or is it tough? Here are some simple tricks to help you save money.

Tip #1: Four banks, not just one!

Want a smart way to control your money? Use four little banks. Label each bank with the way you’ll use the money: SAVE, SPEND, INVEST, and GIVE. A “saving” bank for money to be used later on larger items. A “spending” bank for money to be used soon on everyday things. 

An “investing” bank for money that will be used much later on. A “giving” bank for gifts to help others.

Decorate each bank with stickers, photographs, cut-outs from magazines – or your own drawings. Let the pictures show how the money will be used. For example, if your SAVE bank holds money for a new bike, that’s the picture you tape to that bank. Show off the banks in your room! They keep track of your money – the money you have saved.

Tip #2: Set savings goals!

How much should you save each month? That depends what you’re saving for. For example, you want to buy a new bike, but your parents say that you have to save P1,000 of the bike’s price before they will pay the rest. It can be tough to earn that amount of money in a short amount of time. That’s why money-smart kids have savings goals – and stick to them.

If you saved P100 each month (P25 a week), you could have that bike in 10 months! And if you double your savings each month, you could buy that bike in much shorter time! Sweet! The more you can save, the quicker you get the bike.

Money-smart kids who stick to their savings goals make things happen!

Tip #3: Save first, not last!

What’s the first thing you do when you get paid for something? You divide your money and put it in your four banks. If you want that bike, you have to be sure that money goes into the SAVE bank first. Talk to your parents about your plan. They might separate that SAVE money from your allowance, so that you can easily put it in the SAVE bank right away.

Here’s why putting your SAVE money into your bank first is important. And here’s a big rule about money: You can spend it only once. Let’s say you use your SPEND money go to a movie. You have all of your allowance in your pocket, and you spend P100 of your SAVE money on pizza and soda. That money is gone. You can’t use it for your bike. Your dream of a bike just got farther away.

Tip #4: Cut your expenses.

Get a notebook that you use only to keep track of your money. Write down any money you spend. Try to keep a Money Diary. List what you bought, when you bought it, how much it cost, and why you bought the item. Your money diary will teach you something about yourself. For example, you may find that you spend P150  a week on snacks from vending machines at school. Are those snacks worth that money? Or would you rather save that money for something else? Don’t eat the snacks, and you get closer to buying the bike.

Tip #5: When you do spend, be a smart shopper.

Okay, you’ve got some money and you’re ready to buy a DVD. You’ve saved that money, so make it work for you. Remember to shop smart! Check out prices. You can buy that DVD plenty of places. Figure out where you can get the best buy for your money. Look for bargain sales and coupons. If you save more, that means you can spend it on something else. Or add it to your SAVE bank for your bike. (www.themint.org)