SPEND LESS

SPEND LESS
Hello! This is my guide to SPENDING LESS.

You picked up this guide because you think you lack a little bit of
discipline...but you’re optimistic and motivated enough to change
your habits. Some of the ideas you’ll find here might be stuff you’ve
read before, but I highly suggest making a to-do list after this one,
and then see which ones you can prioritize in your life.

See, when you spend less, that’s when you willfully increase your
discretionary income, which gives you the financial window to invest,
learn a new skill, pay for mentorship, and be ready for emergencies.

Check out this 30-prong list of advice and tactics + resources, and
enjoy! I have a surprise for you at the end. :)

Karla Singson

karlasingson.com
The latte factor
The latte factor is a concept coined by David Bach. It’s the little
things that add up to a huge chunk of your budget when you can
cut these costs anyway.

Do an audit of your “small everyday expenses” and see how you

can do it better. It could be the Starbucks coffee you get every
morning (that you can duplicate with a Keurig), professional
manicures, hair treatments, massages, cigarettes, drinking,
appetizers, etc. I cut a lot of mani-pedi time and I like doing it at
home anyway. I don’t drink a lot now, don’t have other vices, and I
cook at home now more -- because I have an amazing kitchen!--
rather than Ubereats all the time. Of course you have to delineate
which one’s a “treat” and which ones you can delay or get at a
cheaper supplier. You can still treat yourself, of course.

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Check all your bank fees

Banks can charge you a bunch of stuff, a couple of times! Some

because you missed a payment date late, some for membership
fees (cards). You can cut some of them, and you can also
discontinue or negotiate others.

Remember - these fees... That’s how they make money for letting
you use their facilities. So you have to list down the fees that you
pay and make sure you dodge them!

Here’s what I have in mind that you should avoid: fees when the
account dips under the agreed average daily balance, bounced
checks, credit card annual fees, credit card “finance fees” or interest,
withdrawing from other bank atms, and transfer fees.

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Be smart about rewards

Check your favorite supermarket/ mall/ airline/ store for a credit card
rewards card or just any rewards card that they offer, and get them
for points. Compute what you could likely spend per year and
although some offer free memberships, others will charge you a
small fee.

Over the course of 3 years, I’ve practiced this and it helped me get
over a dozen free flights (domestic and international) and over 30
free stays in hotels. I made sure to always pay my credit card bill on
time too, so I don’t pay the finance fees and get the freebies! I saved
a lot of money doing this, and get to travel better as well! (BTW,
more travel tips in my email this month so make sure you sign up for
my FREE VIP list.)

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House supplies audit
This doesn’t sound sexy or fun at all, but it will help
you long term. Once and for all, make an audit of all
the items and the brands that you usually buy for
your house and choose the ones that you can
replace for a cheaper brand. You might save at least
P500 each month, it sounds small but long term it
could help you.

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Buy in bulk
Buy your groceries in bulk, always full-tank your car
every time you gas up, and withdraw the maximum
amount especially if you’re using an ATM that’s not
your bank. It’s always best to maximize what you can
get with one trip to the gas station, the supermarket,
and the ATM if you’re “paying the same amount
anyway”. Over time, you will appreciate the
convenience of this too.

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Share subscriptions
Check your internet subscriptions -- like
Spotify Premium, Youtube Premium,
Amazon Prime and Netflix. See if you
can share some with a friend or your
siblings!

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Buy presents smartly -- early,
handmade/home made, or a service!

I usually buy some of my Christmas presents starting

June if there’s a huge sale. I just make sure that I
think they actually like it or can use it. Then I keep it
for a few months and give it. It’s such a huge hassle
to go Christmas rush shopping anyway. Lastly, this
tip is not only for Christmas, applies during
Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day or even birthdays!

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Automate your savings
If you commit to saving at least 10% a month (or
even start at 5%!) you will find yourself spending less
naturally because you work with “less money”
throughout the month. Store in an account that’s not
easy to access -- NOT an ATM card-- and slowly
build your emergency fund and investment fund too.

karlasingson.com
Organize swap meets or barter
events
We all like new things and our tastes and
preferences change. Maybe you don’t have to
feel guilty about wanting “new” things
anyway. Try to organize swap meets, barter
events, or even FB groups which lets you
exchange items without spending. I’ve seen a
couple of moms do this and it still gives you
the high of having something “new” without
the regular costs.

karlasingson.com
We spend a lot on food, so here are a few tips.

Take note of food you like and learn how to cook it at home. It’s
actually not that difficult! I tried this with steak and since a good
steak dinner is at least $30, I save a lot by learning how to make my
own. It’s also like 80% cheaper, and I get to control my servings.

Next, order water as much as you can.

Lastly, think twice before having dessert or appetizers. Think about

how hungry you actually are, and make sure you’re not over-
ordering. If you have extras, ask them to box it and take it home. Of
course you can still treat yourself once in a while, but learn how to
be more conscious this time.

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Coupons and discount cards
Collect ones you always use and remember
them when you’re grocery shopping. Don’t
use a discount coupon just because it’s a
“deal”.

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Definitely try to move to a smaller house and get a
car that doesn’t cost a lot in maintenance. Frugality
starts at home!

I realized when I moved to a studio, I would “want”

less things, but when I went back to a large 2-
bedroom, I always think I “need” particular things.
You will also appreciate the peace of mind.

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Research things that you can use over and over
again, with less waste

For example, instead of using dryer sheets, you can actually

dip a scotch brite into fabric softener and you can use it
forever! Use rechargeable AA and AAA batteries. Use fake
flowers as accent to your home. Buy sturdy home pieces
that last a lifetime. Of course good care and cleanliness is
also a big part of this. Even your car can go over 200,000
miles without problems if you only take good care of it. You
can also make an “audit” for this in your life.

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Plant some food
Even if it’s *just* some spices (if you
don’t have a garden). It’s also
therapeutic.

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Get cashback loyalty and
credit cards. Best for
groceries, gas, and travel!

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Free entertainment
Check out free concerts, libraries,
parks, and go hiking! You can still have
so much fun without breaking your
budget! You can also turn eating out to
a restaurant into a nice potluck activity.
Still the same level of fun, but way
lower costs!

karlasingson.com
More often than not, you don’t
“need” a vacation

You just need a power nap, a drink you

like, deep breaths, and some silence.
Stop getting caught in all the travel
sales and actually save and invest so
you can have a better standard of living,
overall.

karlasingson.com
Avoid using credit cards, unless
you use it for points
Use cash as much as you can so that you can really see
what you’re spending. The reason for this is that if cash
(particularly paper bills) leave your hand, there’s a higher
level of “pain” associated with paying.

So if you can keep most of your expenditures in cash, like

day to day stuff, then you’ll be more conscious. It’s also a
good way to avoid the bank credit card swipe/ machine
fees.

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Go thrift shopping, second
hand shopping, or yard sales.
You know what they say---
one man’s trash is another
man’s treasure!

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Get group discounts for gym, or
travel, or even rent-- stay at a
compound or complex and enjoy
shared amenities if it makes it
cheaper for everyone. And take
note, they don’t even have to be
your relatives!

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Take advantage of deal sites like
Groupon and Metrodeal.
Whatever it is you’re looking for,
they might already have a deal for
that! Then you can get it for up to
70% off!

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Recycle, recycle, recycle!
Give second or third life to some of your
items at home, especially bottles and plastics!
I have so many recycled things at home and
sometimes if I buy something new I always
think about what it could be after I use it. It’s
also great to be conscious about our waste all
the time.

karlasingson.com
 Use a budgeting / expense
monitoring app. You will be more
conscious with your spending if
you list it all down vs. just
spending it.

SPENDING
TRACKER
MONEY
MANAGER

FUDGET

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If you have an income goal, have a
savings goal and an investment goal
too. These three should be equal to one
another.

That’s the only way that you can

simultaneously save, and grow your
money.

karlasingson.com
You are nothing without the right resources. So for this one, I’ve
dedicated 20% of the “tips” here as resources that I absolutely
recommend for you to read, listen to, or check out. I guarantee,
your life will change after this

Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki

How to Escape Poverty - Douglas

Kruger

The Compound Effect - Darren Hardy DOUGLAS KRUGER

How to Become Rich and Wealthy

- T. Harv Eker

The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday

Minimalism for Living - KL Hammond

T.HARV EKER

karlasingson.com
Like it? If you feel overwhelmed, don’t. :)

It’s easy and just like any thing you pursue, it just needs commitment.

Do you need help with commitment? And maybe even starting a business
and growing it? I got just the right class for you. This October 13, I’m
opening my FREE* time stewardship and Business & Profits 101 class.

This is a 5-day online mastermind that teaches you my time-tested

principles in time management and stewardship, productivity, results-
improvement, plus how to start a business from scratch and secure your
first round of profits.

And as a bonus, something I’ve never had before, I’ll spend one day
answering your questions.

Day 1 - Principles of Time Stewardship

Day 2 - Time Diary 1st day + reflection
Day 3 - Time Diary 2nd day + reflection + strategies for productivity
Day 4 - Business and Profits 101
Day 5 - Live Q & A (1 hour) + 24-hour Q&A on a group thread

It’s FREE* because you pay a deposit to register, and you will have the
option to refund it after the program if you did all the tasks. In line with this,
you also have the option to donate it to my charity programs for the
donation drives that I make every year to 5 different charities.

Sign up here. And let’s make your commitment real.

karlasingson.com
This is my last mentorship class for the year, and I will not run this class
again. Last April, I ran the time stewardship class and it had 40 attendees.

This batch will be limited to 100 maximum only. Invite your spouse, your
friend, and anyone you want to help with their growth. You can also share
this guide with them!

The skills I teach in that class are valuable...but the most valuable thing -- as
my past students attest too-- is always the mindset shifts. The a-ha
moments. The breakthroughs after so many breakdowns in their lives.
Would you like to be the one responsible for all these awesome things to a
friend, spouse, sibling or even a mentor? Tell them about the class. :)

Wonderful raffle prizes inside + you will never get another 5-day
masterclass from me again at such a low price. Last day to sign up is
September 30, 2019. All attendees will be added to a private FB group.
Don’t procrastinate on this. You’ve already procrastinated enough. ;)

Save your spot today. See you inside! :)

To your success,

Karla Singson

karlasingson.com