Cutting out on cable TV can save you so much money. Especially when you’re strapped for cash during the month.

After all, when you’re working from 9am to 6pm for majority of the week, you probably don’t have much time to watch TV on week nights any way, right? Plus, the kids probably enjoy watching short snippets of shows on YouTube too. 

Even if you’re bored, there are plenty of shows worth watching on YouTube as well. From short documentaries by verified accounts like Vice to hilarious food programmes by Buzzfeed. 

Sharing Spotify and Netflix accounts with friends or family can really help cheapen the cost of a subscription fee. 

Having little to no money forces you to reflect on the way you’re spending money. 

For example, instead of getting a $25 eyebrow wax, should you perhaps pluck your own eyebrows? If you know that you’re short on money this month, quit spending frivolously and use the time to identify how you can cut back on certain expenditures. 

Certain grocery stores like Cold Storage have a reduce to clear rack that could have plenty of grocery items at more affordable prices. 

Alternatively, check the newspapers for advertisement by grocery stores. These advertisements sometimes tells you the food items on sale. 

These days, the weather in Singapore isn’t all too bad so take advantage of this and walk to your destination if it’s nearby. A bus ride might cost just over a dollar but every dollar adds up right? 

I don’t know about you but, I refuse to book an Uber or Grab if there isn’t a promo code for it. Promo codes on these transportation apps are great. Sometimes you can get a ride for $0 so I think, why not? 

That said, if you really need to get to your destination but don’t have a promo code for it, reach out to your colleagues or friends who might have them and ask if they could help you book and pay them back after. It’ll help you save more. Plus, if it’s a Grab, your friend benefits from the points your ride gets them. 

Just remember to return the favour the next time your friend is in need. 

Whenever I’ve paid my bills, the last thing I feel like doing is heading outside and window shopping. 

Not having enough money for the month is already tough. Don’t make it harder on yourself by heading out and looking at clothes and things you wish you could afford. 

When I’ve got a budget to stick to for the month, I cut down on seeing my friends and catching up with them over expensive dinners at the start or the middle of the month. I’ll let them know that I’m busy and try to reschedule with them closer to my pay day instead. This way, I don’t feel the burn as much. 

Friday nights are usually date nights but when I’ve got to stick to my budget, I inform my partner that I’d like to eat at a more affordable place for dinner. 

It’s not always easy to be vulnerable with the ones you love about your financial situation but, it’ll help a lot in the long run. 

Everyone struggles with financial issues, whether they care to admit it or not, but it’s important for you to be honest with the ones you love. They’ll understand.