When I see the word frugal, I admit I almost always fall for the clickbait.  That’s a personal favorite hashtag so I can read or hear about how one can do more with less.  And who doesn’t need that, especially these days?  I confess that not all the pages or videos I’ve seen were worth reading or watching though.  But this last time, I actually landed on a pile of practical and solid money saving hacks.

Netizens of all ages and backgrounds were generously sharing the one thing that saved them money, or wish they did so they could have saved money.  The discussion and the list are still growing, but I picked up the 12 most useful and easy to adopt tips.  Paying it forward here so we can all get more value for our hard earned cash.

#1 Bring your own lunch

You’ve probably heard this before, but have you done it?  Instead of eating at the cafeteria or going to restaurants during the work week, consider making and bringing your own lunch.  You will definitely spend less, plus because you are preparing your own meals, you can make healthier choices.

#2 Learn how to make the coffee you like at home 

Buying coffee, whether from cafes or from convenience stores, can be a daily drain on your wallet.  Plus if you are adding a muffin, a croissant even a cookie, those add up to quite a lot. Get a good quality thermos and brew your coffee at home.

#3 Buy classic clothes 

Being fashionable may be nice, but you’ll end up buying more clothes to keep up.  You’ll also end up with out-of-season designs that you probably won’t wear again. Stick to classic styles for tops, bottoms, jackets and good quality clothes that you can enjoy for years.

#4 Avoid subscriptions when you can  

It seems impossible not to be enrolled in a subscription these days.  If you are paying recurring fees, list them all down to have a better picture of what you are spending monthly, every quarter and even yearly.  Now that digital service providers are also subject to 12% VAT, expect to pay more for the same service.

#5 Do the online price check  

Before buying anything, check online and see if you can get the same item for less anywhere less.  Don’t just check for brand new, but consider Carousell and Facebook Marketplace too.  You’ll be surprised at what you can find – maybe that item you are looking for, basically new, at half the price.

#6 Discounts and vouchers are your wallet’s friends  

Make an extra effort to check for available discounts, or find vouchers you can use before checking out.  Did you know students get discounts for airfares?  Or that you can get free delivery for groceries when you meet the minimum spend?  Discover discounts from your bank, from your credit card, from your store and make all these add up as savings for you.

#7 Go car-free  

An ex-car owner realized that he didn’t really need to own one.  But his friends were all buying one and he didn’t want to be left behind.  So he paid the downpayment, took on a loan, started spending for gas and parking, and was stuck in hours of traffic daily.  He finally decided to sell his car and now enjoys freedom from monthly loan payments, gas and parking expenses.  He takes the MRT to work most days, and on splurge days, opens ride-hailing apps for a treat.

#8 Quit smoking  

One netizen shared he has been cigarette-free for two and a half years and realized he blew so much money in cigarettes.  Now he wishes he quit sooner.  Check your lifestyle and vices, and see where positive changes can be made, for both your wallet and your health.

#9 Staying home on not-so-good days 

Another netizen realized she would go to malls when she is feeling down or bored.  Then come home with shopping bags which she would later realize are filled with useless stuff.  Then there’s also the fact that she dined out too much.  So she put an end to this cycle of needless spending by staying home.  She spends alone time away from temptation by catching up on shows, or cleaning out closets.

#10 Watch your money 

Track your finances from earnings to savings to spending.  Set aside what you need for living expenses and transfer the rest to a better-earning savings account.  Many leave their funds in the checking account for easy access, but almost all checking accounts do not earn interest.  Let your money make more money.

#11 No to automatic sign-up 

Shop around before you sign-up for the same service.  For example, when it comes to car insurance, it’s easier to just renew with the same provider.  But don’t do it.  Instead check around for better rates and if you really prefer your existing insurance company, ask them to match the lower rates you found, if any.

#12 Yes to automated savings 

One thing that’s good to do out of habit is to set aside monthly savings.  Most banks these days offer easy sign up for automatic savings.  You can choose to put your savings in another account, or place them in investments.  It’s okay to start small and then slowly increase your savings as your income increases.  Your future self will thank you for this.