Manage Your Expenses - Be Frugal

“I came from a very poor family so I know the value of saving. Masinop ako, pero hindi namna ako kuripot,” Avelina says. Not one to by on impulse, she would think twice, thrice, four times before purchasing an item. She always asks herself whether the item is a want or a need. Such an attitude has helped her and her husband Norman raise their kids Aiko Marie (nine years old, grade three) and Joshua marie (six years ol, kinder) in a secure and comfortable environment.

To prepare for the kids’ school fees, Avelina saves her mid-year bonus. She is also very particular about the household budget. Avelina explains, “I follow a budget. I go to the market every week. Ako ang namamalengke I pain the menu so I know what we’ll be eating from Monday to Sunday.”

Avelina also doesn’t like being in deb. Her thinking is, if she doesn’t have the money, then she shouldn’t be buying stuff. Sometimes, she would also sell to officemates blankets and beddings she gets from Batangas. She has also explained to her kids that they can’t always get what they want. Fastfood toys, for instance, may be good for collecting but almost always end up gathering dust in toy bins.

Being frugal, says Avelina, is the key to a secure future.

source: Good Housekeeping

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