Happy Pockets!
tips and tricks on saving money
It’s always hard to keep up flowing cash in our pockets in a world where prices, taxes and personal allowances are on a constant rise! But it’s never too hard to find easy sneaky ways to save money, enjoying smart buys and satisfying over well spent items. Writer and model Khalid (and this month; August VIVA magazine contributor); shows you how saving few bucks will fire-back in your rainy days.
1- Apply for a new E-points card. Those cards are a very smart use, easy to get and easy to use. You either contact them directly to apply for one, or you apply on a application form in one of the stores that deals with e-points. This card saves you points with every JD purchase you make, and turns the points into JDs on the long run, so the more you collect the more you gain money, allowing you to buy things from the card which works exactly like a charge card. Check out there site for more info on the stores that deals with e-points and contact: www.e-points.net
2- Use a charge card and ATM instead of credit cards. Talk to your bank about applying for a charge card, or an ATM card. That card will take money right from your account with every purchase you make, while credit cards gives you extended loans and such free of control cash could cause you to fall in debt. If you already have a credit card, talk to your bank about switching or cutting off the card. That will save you from future money trauma.
3- Open a trust fund or a saving account. Many people especially the younger generation (teens and young adults) doesn’t have accounts or deposits to make, since they blow money on pricey parties and expensive dine outs, or on anything but saving it. So go to a bank that give good funds and special offers, and make a deposit even if it’s really little. So if you work, or just you got money because high school graduation or university, and so on, you’ll make a deposit with some of the money you have or made.
4- Study your pay-musts. Get an empty jar, and save those changes you have in your pocket. Keep adding money and change. Trust us, you won’t believe how much you’re saving or the money you have in your hand. This way you’ll be apple to pay for your taxi or cell phone allowance.
5- DIY; (Do It Yourself). Facials, wax, hair dos, menies and peddies they all some how coast. And since you’re in a rough patch in dealing with money, skip all the luxury in the mean while and try doing it all yourself, you could even have twice as fun if you include your friends. Many of my friends are so good in doing their hair, so they offer to do mine, also menies and peddies are fun to do with friends. For info on how to do a at-home-facial check out About.com: http://beauty.about.com/od/skinflaws/ht/basicfacial.htm
6- Shopping! First, it’s the most activity that gets you spending, second you get that feeling whether you feel you spent your money well on certain items. Many clothes we buy off the shops’ shelves we end up feeling stupid buying them when we return home and it’s all because you imagined that piece in a certain style or you saw it in a magazine! So when shopping ask the sales man or the casher to make the receipt out refundable, so if you feel that the items you bought isn’t worth what you paid for, or didn’t came out like you want, you could always refund them back, usually shops with refundable receipts gives up to a week.
7- DVD lover! In the city things are usually over priced, while down town things could be in half price or the least cheap. DVD stores in the city are usually for rent, and they charge higher than the ones for sale (the ones aren’t original copies) which is around 2 JDs or 1.5 JD, while stores down town will charge you 1 JD per DVD and will give you one free copy when purchasing 5, and they all clear and good as like the originals.
8- Bring your own lunch and snacks. At the university, school, or centers food (from simple sandwiches to coffee and chips) are charged more than the regular markets, and that’s money drained when you’re facing a bad-handle with money. So bring your own lunch from home, whether it’s an apple, chips and fruits or a home made sandwich, this way you won’t spend money on food out side your must-pay needs.
9- Involve your pals in your car gas’s bill. So it’s a Thursday night and you just got your dad’s permission to steal his car for the night, except your allowance won’t cover your gas’s bill, and the dilemma is, your dad already gave you money for it, but you chose to spend it on this limited edition t-shirt at P&B. This is a very good technique, tell your friends you won’t pick any one up nor driving them home since your car is out of gas, and they’ll have to pitch in money so for you to drive them around. I’m telling you, 2 JDs each won’t be a problem for them. That way every body will be happy and you’ll still have enough gas filled in.
10- Ladies nights and happy hours! Basically I’m not happy talking about this, that’s why I left it for last, but still you can’t deny it’s a huge money saver. Happy hours serves you drinks in half prices in certain hours every day, that way you’ll be saving a load. Ladies night also allow girls not to worry about cover charge when entering a certain place and maybe a free drink. So ask the places you usually hang out with if they have happy hours, and every club must have a ladies night at least once a week.
Check Out!
Don’t miss Khalid’s latest work on the local stands with Viva magazine’s August issue. Make sure to read his article “Up-Against the Wall” on talking your way out of anything! On local stands Right now.