Foods to Avoid at the Supermarket

Want to stack the nutrition odds in your favour? The key is good food so here are five things to never let into your shopping trolley: lollies, biscuits, sugar-sweetened drinks, potato crisps and processed meats.
Known as discretionary foods, all five are high in either added sugars, saturated fat or salt. Discretionary foods provide kilojoules but not many nutrients.
Consuming a lot of discretionary foods and drinks increases your risks of weight gain, obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Unless you’re extremely active, it is unlikely that you can eat a lot of these foods and also be a healthy weight.

Lollies
Dental caries or cavities (holes in your teeth) are the most common and expensive preventable diet-related problem. It’s bad enough that one in five adults rate their oral health as fair or poor, the prevalence of dental caries in children is also increasing. If you or your kids are lolly addicts, the best way to avoid dental disease is to give up grazing on confectionery.

^{Dump the lolly bag and swap to sugar-free chewing gum to save the kilojoules and your teeth.}
Sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates from highly processed foods are major risk factors for both the start and progress of dental disease. The more lollies you eat, and the more often you eat them, the bigger the risk.
What’s more, they’ll make you fat. Just 100 grams of jelly babies has over 1,400 kilojoules and over 50 grams of sugar, which is about ten teaspoons. Dump the lolly bag and swap to sugar-free chewing gum to save the kilojoules and your teeth.

Sugar-sweetened drinks
Sugar-sweetened beverages include sweetened soft drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, fruit juice drinks and cordial.

^{Drink soda water if you want the fizz of soft drinks without the kilojoules.}

In a trial of over 15,000 adults who were followed up for 15 years, researchers found drinking one or more cups of soft drink a day increased the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 29%, compared to drinking less than one glass a month. And a US study estimated drinking one can of soft drink a day could contribute to over six kilograms of weight gain in just a year, if the kilojoules were not offset by increasing physical activity or by cutting back on food intake.
Since we know these extra kilojoules are usually not offset, you can see why drinking sweet drinks regularly increases the risk of weight gain.
Swap to diet drinks, or soda water if you want the fizz without the kilojoules. Better still, drink water. Unless you’re an elite athlete, plain water is all you need during sport.

Crisps of all kinds
Crisps, including potato chips, Burger Rings, Twisties and corn chips, are some of the most popular snack foods in the developed world. And the bigger the bag, the more we eat.

^{Crisps are one of the most popular snack foods in the developed world.}
A healthy low-kilojoule alternative is air-popped popcorn. So put the multi-bag of crisps back on the shelf, grab a bag of popcorn kernels, and pop them yourself at home.
Popcorn is wholegrain, more satisfying and cheap. One cup of air-popped popcorn has 150 kilojoules, compared to 550 kilojoules in a 25-gram individual packet of potato crisps. This approximately 400-kilojoule saving is the equivalent of the energy burned up in about a 25-minute walk.

Biscuits
Most biscuits are consumed with a cup of tea or coffee. But the problem is that biscuits provide more than crunchiness. They contain large amounts of kilojoules, unhealthy fats and highly processed carbohydrates. What’s more, they’re mostly low in fibre and whole grains.

^{Biscuits are mostly low in fibre and whole grains.}
Look at it this way: two cream-filled biscuits contain around 860 kilojoules. You’d need to push your shopping trolley for about an hour to burn that up.
Instead load up on fruit and save on kilojoules. One cup of strawberries has 150 kilojoules, a small bunch grapes 350 kilojoules and a medium banana 365 kilojoules.

Processed meat
Processed meat includes meat products preserved by smoking, curing, salting or the addition of preservatives including nitrite, nitrates, phosphate, glutamate or ascorbic acid. They include bacon, ham, pastrami, salami, corned beef, chorizo, devon, fritz, luncheon meats, some sausages, hot dogs, cabanossi and kabana.
There’s no completely safe level of intake for these foods. The more processed meats you eat, the greater your risk of developing bowel cancer over a lifetime.

^{Processed meat are preserved by smoking, curing, salting or the addition of preservatives.}
Keep processed meat for when there are no other choices available. Whenever possible, load up with tomatoes and mushrooms, and swap the breakfast bacon for an egg with baked beans and a mixed vegetable grill.
Grab a pack of fresh chicken breast and cook it for use on sandwiches, or buy reduced-fat cheese, canned tuna and salmon, or small cans of four-bean mix.
If you have a recipe that calls for chopped bacon, replace it with diced browned onion and garlic, mixed with a couple of tablespoons of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or pine nuts.
Avoiding the five foods discussed here and replacing them with the suggestions I have outlined will put you on track to a long, healthy life. Ideally these foods will never appear in your shopping trolley, unlike the five foods that should be there every time you’re filling up the shopping trolley.

This is How a 2,000 Calorie Looks Like

For your information the Food and Drug Administration recommends a 2,000 calorie daily intake. But are we following this recommendation? Due to AMAZING ADVERTISING AND MARKETING STRATEGIES OF GIANT FAST FOODS, we are already consuming so much junk calories to satisfy our taste buds at the same time make us sicker each day.

LOOK AT THIS FAMOUS JUNK THEY ARE MAKING US EAT EVERYDAY:

1. Starbucks - Venti white-chocolate mocha, sausage and cheddar classic breakfast sandwich, dark cherry Greek yogurt, salted caramel cake pop, coffee cake.Total calories: 2,030.

2. McDonald's - Bacon clubhouse crispy-chicken sandwich, large fries, mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce, Oreo McFlurry. Total calories: 2,010.

3. Panera Bread - New England clam-chowder bread bowl, chips, chocolate-chip cookie, bottled lemonade. Total calories: 2,160.

4. Subway - Foot-long spicy Italian sub with cheese, a 6-inch BLT flatbread with cheese, chips, oatmeal-raisin cookie. Total calories: 2,010.

5. Shake Shack - Double Shackburger, cheese fries, peanut-butter shake. Total calories: 2,200.

6. KFC - Doublicious sandwich, large popcorn nuggets, large mashed potatoes with gravy, large mac and cheese, large coleslaw. Total calories: 2,940.

7. Chick-fil-a - Spicy chicken deluxe sandwich, large waffle fries, chicken salad, large vanilla milkshake. Total calories: 2,070.

8. Taco Bell - Beef quesarito, triple-layer nachos, crunchwrap supreme, cheesy fiesta potatoes, spicy tostada, large soda. Total calories: 2,080.

9. Burger King - Double Whopper with cheese, large fries, large onion rings, two oatmeal-raisin cookies, large Coke. Total calories: 2,990.

10. Five Guys - Bacon cheeseburger, large fries. Total calories: 2,230.

11. Arby's - Roast turkey ranch and bacon sandwich, large curly fries, ketchup, Horsey sauce, medium chocolate shake. Total calories: 2,010.

12. Wendy's - Baconator, spicy chicken nuggets, large fries, small frosty, root beer. Total calories: 2,480.

13. Chipotle - Steak burrito with white rice, black beans, corn salsa, sour cream, and guacamole, chips and guacamole. Total calories: 2,045.

How Stress Affects Your Skin

Have you ever noticed that when you’re really stressed out, your body tends to reflect that? When your to-do list is endlessly piling up, it’s prime time for pimples to populate your face, which leads you to stress about your blemish(es)—which can result in even more breakouts. It’s a vicious cycle.

Yet there’s science behind it. Just as stress affects your brain, it affects your body—and, even worse, can get in the way of clear skin.

Abigail Waldman, MD, a dermatologist from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, discusses the serious side effects with Allure—and offers tips on preventing the skin woes that are bound to happen when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

1. It can lead to scarring

Some people have nervous behaviors when they’re stressed—biting your nails, ripping apart your split ends, and picking your skin, for example. “Tic behaviors [like these] can cause serious skin problems,” says Waldman. “There are people who cause their own balding from pulling out their hair, which is [a disorder] called trichotillomania.”

Sometimes these so-called tic behaviors are done subconsciously, so it can be tough to control—but they can lead to permanent scarring. Try using a stress ball or meditating instead, and do as your mom has probably told you a zillion times—don’t pick!

2. Stress can worsen preexisting conditions

If you have a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema, you may have noticed that they flare up when you’re really anxious or stressed. Waldman points out that beneath your skin’s unstable mode is a burst of the hormone cortisol, which can take a toll on your immune system and wreak havoc on your previously blemish-free face.

3. It can get in the way of your social life

Are you one of those people who wants to hide out when your skin’s breaking out? (I’m with you.) “Patients who have skin conditions have been shown to have higher instances of anxiety and social avoidance,” says Waldman. “It’s all interconnected in that stress and anxiety can impact skin conditions, and having skin issues can lead to anxiety and negatively affect someone.”

4. Fine lines can appear

Some people joke that certain bouts of stress age them. There’s actually some truth to that—New York-based dermatologist Kavita Mariwalla tells Allure that angst have a damaging effect on DNA inside the cells. “Telomeres—which are caps at the end of each strand of DNA, kind of like the plastic tips on the end of shoelaces—that protect our chromosomes and affect how fast our cells age are shorter in people with stress,” she says. “And as telomere length shortens, cells die off or become damaged.”

5. Inadequate zzz’s can make it worse

We know sleep is a big factor in our well-being (just ask Arianna Huffington). But it turns out that not getting enough sleep can show up on your face. Waldman says that swollen eyes, dark circles, and increased signs of aging are all physical consequences of not getting sufficient sleep. Sleep is “a time when we tell patients to use medications that can also work to repair skin,” she says. Mariwalla recommends a facial moisturizer that has caffeine, which tightens the skin around your eye area if you’re having trouble clocking eight solid hours of sleep.

6. Your hair could start falling out

The condition is called telegon effluvium, and occurs because your hair stops following its usual pattern of growing and falling out when you’re super-stressed. Some doctors think that if your body sees anxiety as a threat, it could possibly view growing hair as unnecessary (scary!). The good news is that your healthy hair patterns will resume in more calm times. To help prevent hair loss, Mariwalla recommends eating at least 20 grams of protein a day and consider taking prenatal vitamins.

The Newly Discovered Superfood

Could we one day be eating cookies and ice cream made with cockroach milk? Researchers in India have discovered that a viviparous cockroach (one that gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs) produces a substance three times more calorific than buffalo milk. 

Insects are increasingly looking like the food of the future. In years to come, man may make the leap from grasshopper snacks to cockroach milk as a source of energy.

A study undertaken in India has analyzed this substance. The research showed that the secretions produced by a particular species of roach are three times more calorific than buffalo milk (which is rich in fat and protein and four times more calorific than cow's milk).

Protein, sugar and fat

The female Diploptera punctata secretes liquid food after having given birth to her young. They feed and thrive on this substance produced in their mother's intestine. This cockroach milk, which does not resemble cow's milk, is rich in protein, sugar and fat.

The next step for the researchers is to find out how to produce this roach milk on a large scale. The study's biochemist says that these milk protein crystals do not taste bad, and could be one day used for human consumption. One solution could be a yeast-based production process. But anyone who is scared of insects need not worry too much; it will take years to complete the project and evaluate whether this substance is toxic to humans.

Proven Ways to Financial Abundance

When you’re trying to save money, every tip can be a gateway to more money-saving ideas. To make the process easier and more efficient, we give you the ultimate money saving tip guide. These tips may contain some that you’ve already heard – and more that you probably haven’t heard of yet.

Account for everything. 

Save everything related to your money: bills, receipts, even the stubs from your bus rides. It’ll help you see where your money goes, and let you build your budget.

Commit to whatever expenses you have.The monthly bills are unavoidable, even if it’s just that one subscription to a music streaming service at Php150 per month. If you want to keep it, then you have to commit your money to it.

Save on costs without compromising.
Everything has a cost, there are certain things that you shouldn’t compromise on because of the price like work clothes and appliances. It’ll cost you more when you buy cheap items that are low quality because you’d buy them more often.

80% Expenses, 20% savings can work.
You’ll see the difference that saving 20% of your income makes, and the 80% in expenses can include your fun fund, bills, and putting away for retirement or travel.

Start small.
There’s no such thing as small savings. Even if it’s just a few loose bills and change, start your savings somewhere, and start now.

Don’t miss payments on bills.
There’s nothing worse than having bills pile up. It’s a headache and an additional cause for stress when you get letters of disconnection, or interest piles up.

Avoid the mall.
Nothing screams impulse buy and eventual buyer’s remorse when you suddenly end up walking into a mall with tons of sales.

Buy in bulk when possible.
Certain home supplies and food items (that don’t go bad as easily) actually save you a lot of cash in the long run if you buy larger sizes. Think of it as stocking up.

Cook big.
Like buying in bulk, cooking larger portions for meals ensures that you can pack lunch for the next day. It’ll also help you flex your cooking muscles a little.

Stop ordering takeout every night.
Takeout once a while isn’t bad. It becomes a problem when your nights are filled with nothing but fast food. As with the tip above, cooking big ensures you have leftovers to span a few days, so cook your fave.

Shop at a farmer’s market.
Most farmers’ markets let you buy ingredients in bulk. Take note, fresh ingredients in bulk. You’ll be sure of the quality, and won’t have to skimp on the quality.

Work from home if possible.
Some companies offer full-time work via online contracts, allowing you to work from home. You eliminate most of your overhead costs, allowing you to save way more.

Maximize free software.
There are a lot of free apps that let you be productive, and the best part is that they don’t cost a thing.

Buy video games that have a lot of replay value.
Gaming can get expensive, so instead of buying several video games at once, buy one that’s got a lot of good content and can keep you occupied in your downtime.

Cut down on artisan coffee.
Instant coffee is just as good, but if you need brewed, buy a bag of grinds and look up recipes on how to make your kind of coffee. It’s cheaper, and you learn something new.

Always go for recyclables.
Going shopping? Take a canvas bag with you for groceries, less waste. Plastic bottles can be repurposed and turned into weights, or plant pots, or even snack clips.

Schedule your essential purchases.
Take note of items that are recurring in your household. Mark these items with a date bought, and you’ll find a rhythm when it comes to buying them. It lets you set your costs and schedule them accordingly.

Repair instead of throwing things out when possible.
Some things can still be saved. The jeans that were left over from the flared 90s trend? Turn them into shorts. The shirt with the torn sleeve can be a new-ish top with a few stitches and creative cutting.

Ignore the need for brands.
Branded items tend to charge an extreme premium for the name. Let’s be honest, brands are nice when you can afford them, not when you’re saving up for other things.

Avoid vices.
If you smoke, it might be better for your pocket if you quit, or ease up on the habit. Alcohol is best enjoyed occasionally, as is partying. Your sober self won’t have to deal with the bad financial (and emotional) choices your drunk self made.

Make a list before you go shopping.
A list keeps you on point and lets you see a breakdown of everything you need to keep your household running.

Look at long-term goals.
If your list of long-term goals stretches long, making them a reality will require saving and creative juggling of your finances. It should help you focus if you have long-term goals.

Stop being on trend all the time.
You’ll spend too much and regret it later on. Being on trend requires a financial capacity that you may not have, and trying will have you scrambling for cash later.

Read personal finance books.
It doesn’t have to be the super thick ones that tell you how to control your finances. Find even a website that speaks to you, and work on your finances from there.

Have a ‘fun fund’.
All work and no play can trigger unnecessary spending. Think of it as separating the “gimik” money into one pile away from your savings.

Have an emergency buffer fund.
Emergency funds and buffer funds are different. Buffers are usually made of spare cash you have as a contingency for a daily basis, like money apart from your daily allowance that you can use in cases like the taxi fare got higher unexpectedly. An emergency fund is 6-months’ worth of your wage that you can use for in case of big emergencies such as job loss and illness.

Piso fares are a great way to plan travel
You can plan to travel a year from now, allowing you to save for the trip in the meantime.

Double down on debt, it stops having to pay more on interest.
The faster you pay off any debt you have, the more money you’ll have to put.

Pass on extended warranties on your gear.
A warranty shouldn’t cost you more money. Having a year’s warranty should cover you if you take care of your gear.

Shop online
Some online shopping sites offer large discounts on items but make sure that you’re buying from legitimate sources. Confirm that it’s the actual item you want to avoid headaches.

Talk about money in the family.
It’s uncomfortable, but a conversation like this needs to happen, especially when it can impact the way you all live. Case in point: it’s a good idea for someone who is about to work abroad to discuss the financial arrangement.

Get energy-efficient appliances
Appliances that are energy-efficient will help you save on your electric bill, and are good for the environment.

Get creative with your savings.
Make a game of saving, or use jars labeled with a goal and put money into those.Take on a saving challenge, it’ll surprise you how easy it is to fall into the habit of saving.

Consider a low-cost investment to shore up savings.
Do research and find an investment vehicle that works well with your money. A low-cost investment allows you to put away cash and gives you returns after a few years.

Determine your wants and needs.
You can get items in your want pile are things later on, but you should financial focus on items in your need pile instead.

Plan and limit gift giving.
Decide which occasions and people merit gifts. Set a price limit on the gifts you’re willing to give.

Open a bank account for your savings.
Savings accounts are gateways to investing and they earn interest if you put the minimum amount set by the bank to earn interest.

Learn the art of haggling.
Haggling can help you get items cheaper at flea markets and places like that an Ukay store you go to.

Spread your billing dates evenly between paydays.
Bills are inescapable, but spreading them between paydays can soften the blow. This way, you don’t end up with little to no money half the month.

Use what you have.
Make a budget, set goals that you know you can reach, and live with those financial goals in mind.

Assess everything for quality as well as price.
Pricey doesn’t always mean the best quality. When shopping for big-ticket items, look up reviews, and ask people you know who have the item.The sturdiest items may not be as pricey as you think.

Bring only big bills with you. It will be painful to break it for any reason.
A Php 1,000 bill getting broken down into hundreds and fifties will strike you visually, as you can see your money decreasing.

DIY to save on shopping.
YouTube and Pinterest are your friends if you want to make DIY items. If you’re gifting people, doing it yourself will be cheaper and personal.

Take advantage of 0% credit card offers
Certain big-ticket purchases are suited for layaway, and 0% interest eliminates higher payment in the long run.

Go debit instead of credit for online shopping.
Virtual debit cards are convenient for online shopping, because of less spending. You can only spend what’s on the card, and eliminating chances that you’ll be in over your credit limit.

Take the cost of your impulse buy and divide it into your hourly wage.
Doing this will have you asking if a day’s worth of work is worth that sudden buy, or if the four hours you spent working is only worth a pair of shoes.

Read reviews before you buy.
Reviews will help inform your decision to buy something, and in most cases, you might even find suggestions for equally sound alternatives.

Put away money equal to the amount you spent on an impulse buy.
You’re not only forced to save, but you’re also forced to re-think your future impulse buys.

Take on a saving challenge.
It builds up a habit, and you end up with a cozy little nest egg if you follow the plan to the letter.

Skip the expensive gym and lose weight at your own pace.
Gym memberships are at a premium, which can lead to you slogging through your exercises simply because of the price. Ditch the expensive membership and find a different weight-loss regimen that also lets you have fun with it.

Buy the smartphone you can afford
Some less expensive smartphones have almost the same specification than their pricier alternatives. You get more functionality for less.

Have a standard budget for going out.
Peg your night-out at a fixed amount for dinner, drinks, and travel. Your friends might think you’re a square, but at least you won’t be running a credit card tab.

Learn how to say ‘no’ on going out when running out of cash.
Your finances will thank you even seem like a killjoy to your friends. If they insist, suggest a house party instead. Less spending, same awesome company.

Go on an automatic debit account for your savings.
You can’t spend what you don’t have, and automating your savings means it’s completely out of your reach.

Do not withdraw money from another bank’s ATM.
Withdrawing money from ATMs that are the same ATM network such as Bancnet and Megalink still carries an extra fee, while withdrawing from your bank’s ATMs are free. That Php 5-10 charge may not seem like much, but it can add up to a lot in a year.

Use an expense-tracking app to reduce your spending.
There are free apps that let you track your spending, putting all your impulse buys on display and can be the ultimate guilt trip.

Get rid of your cable and landline subscription if you’re not using it.
Thanks to mobile data and streaming services like Netflix, it becomes impractical to manage these subscriptions. Save the cash from these, or allocate them on other expenses.

Get passive income earners so you’ll have more money to save.
A sideline or part-time job will help you save more, and the extra income can be allocated as part of your fun fund.

Think about purchasing a “want” for 48 hours and assess if you still want it as bad as you first saw the product.
Letting the thought of the purchase stew in your head lets you assess the effects of said purchase, and whether or not you can actually live with yourself after.

Do not go to the grocery store hungry.
Odds are high that you’ll be tempted to spend more on snacks and quick to eat food while you’re there.

Look for free activities to attend instead of paying for them.
You can argue that everything costs something, and it’s true. Look for activities that won’t cost you any more than you’ve already paid for them. Learn to cook using online tutorials, play apps that are 100% free.

Avoid late payment fees.
Late payment fees and interest can be a one-two punch to your finances that you won’t recover from so easily. Avoid late payment fees and pay on or before the due date, you might even get rebates or freebies.

Use coupons when purchasing.
Coupons are becoming a thing fast in the country. Anything from hotel accommodation, travel tickets, even clothing. Take advantage of coupons from legitimate online sources and you’ll end up spending way less.

Buy items that are out-of-season.
Identify people you will give Christmas gifts to and buy one gift per cut-off starting July.
You’ve got eleven months to figure out gifts for the people closest to you. Consider spreading gift purchases out once a month to the day you need to give them out.

Have no spending days.
Days where you spend absolutely nothing are essential to saving, and keeping your financial health. Stay home, curl up with your favorite book, or marathon that show you’ve had for weeks.

Get insurance.
Insurance cuts down costs when you need to go to the hospital, or if you figure in a car accident. The cost you pay for it helps you out later on if you need it.

Borrow books and movie CDs, don’t buy them.
Consider trading with friends who have the films or books that you’ve been wanting. It cuts down on costs, and this way, you all have more common things to talk about.

Identify a monetary amount that you will always set aside (all Php5).
It builds a habit, and helps you save in easy increments.

Buy generic medicine.
Most medicines have generic brands, that have the same effect and cost much less than what you’d normally pay. Ask your doctor for the names when they write your script.

Do preventive maintenance on home appliances at least once a week.
Clean out your fridge, the microwave, your coffee maker, and the kitchen sink.Well-maintained appliances will last longer.

Sell what you have not used for the past 6 months.
Chances are these items will still be in good condition. Sell these items for a little extra cash, and so that you’ll have more space in general.

Buy generic brands whenever possible.
As with medicines, off-brand items cost less and can be bought in bulk for cheap.

Get a smaller living space.
If you live alone, it may not make sense to have a second bedroom. Consider a smaller, cheaper space that you can turn into a perfect solo pad.

Combine the uses of several gadgets into one.
Unless your profession calls for it, it’s ideal to have all your needs rolled up into a single device. You cut on purchases, and have a multi-purpose piece of tech at your disposal.

Take advantage of birthday freebies.Many restaurants offer freebies for celebrants. Head there if you’re being pressured to treat people to a meal, you’ll get your money’s worth more that way.

Buy items when there’s a price drop.
Price drops give you great items for lower costs, lower them even more with coupons and other discounts when applicable.

Get membership cards.
Memberships allow for discounts, rebates, and freebies on certain purchases. Loyalty definitely rewards you in this case.

Unplug appliances when not in use.
Slash costs on your electric bill by unplugging items that aren’t in use. If possible, set your appliances to power save mode.

Stop buying bottled water.
Most establishments have house water, for free. Take a water bottle with you and fill up at water fountains and dispensers instead.

Use comparison websites.
Comparing items lets you see which ones are worth the money you plan to pay. You might even find better items for less.

Tell your friends and family that you’re saving money.
They’ll understand, and think of you as a more financially responsible individual.

Use cash for purchases.
Using cash eliminates the odds that you create debt for yourself.

Stay out of stores if you do not plan to buy anything so you can avoid impulse buying.
Window shopping is a gateway to impulse purchases and eventual buyer’s remorse. Don’t visit shops unless you really do plan on buying something.

Have friends offer services at your wedding instead of giving a gift.
Your friends can save on spending and you can save on costs, of course this works if you’ve friends who are willing to offer their services as gifts.

Buy a fuel-efficient car.
You’ll save on fuel costs and help better the overall air quality in the city. Any money you do spend on fuel will last much longer than a normal car would.

Be open-minded to cheaper hobbies like reading, blogging, biking and cooking.
It can be something that occupies your spare time, and you learn new skills – all for free!

Surround yourself with frugal people.
They’ll be just as driven as you are to save, if not moreso. You get #SquadGoals and #SavingGoals rolled up into several people.

Buy low-cost printers so ink refills will be cheaper.
Printers usually use up a ton of ink, consider buying one fitted with an ink injection system to save on ink cartridge costs.

Find ways to get extra income.
A little extra cash never hurt. Hold a garage sale, or a bake sale. Spring clean your home and sell items that are unused.

Avoid “Takaw tingin.”
They say envy is a green-eyed monster, and one you have to resist when someone around you has something new. Be satisfied with what you have, for now at least.

Include a “guilt trip” list at your wallet.
This can be a list of goals you’ll never get if you keep opening your wallet to bust out the cash on an impulse buy.

Buy second-hand things.
Ukay-ukay stores are great places to find runoff fashion that fits your style, and costs way less than that Birkin bag you’ve had your eye on.

Ignore your bonuses.
While you could reason that bonuses could be used to reward yourself for a job well done, consider rewarding yourself with a bigger savings account instead, or shore it up in an investment.

Cut down on entertainment costs.
You’d be just as happy cuddled on the couch with Netflix as you would if you went out to watch a movie, minus the cost of a commute, food, and tickets.

Take care of your clothes.
Clothes that are sturdy last longer with care. Follow the wash instructions on the tags to avoid having to replace an entire wardrobe every couple of months.

Reduce eating out for special locations.
Special occasions being birthdays, anniversaries, and milestones. During these occasions, feel free to splurge a little. Otherwise, home cooked meals can just be as special, and less costly.

Do not buy gadgets when they are newly-released.Technology has a way of rapidly depreciating, you’re better off waiting for your dream gadget to drop in price before you make the purchase.

Find alternatives for “retail therapy.”
Bad day? Consider alternatives to shopping ‘til you drop. Make some comfort food and curl up with your favorite thing to do. Your wallet will thank you.

Take advantage of happy hours when going out with friends.
Happy hours mean discounts on drinks, maybe even free ones if you know the right bar. Drink responsibly, and make sure you have enough for a ride home.

Final Thoughts
When you’re trying to save, these tips can easily involve into mantras each time you get tempted to impulse spending. Think of them as guidelines for yourself, because everybody saves differently.