Many of us would prefer to listen to our grandparents’ advice rather than our parents
or our own. It’s probably because of their experience, or it’s because they’re
not annoying like other people (sorry mom and dad). Now, if there’s something
I’d never forget about my grandma, it’s her tips on how to save money.
I remember getting
a piggy bank for my birthday, and Christmas, and my next birthday. Honestly, I
always thought they were useless. However, she said I should just keep them out
in the open, and set them near the door so I could slip spare change or extra
bills in my pockets. True enough, it became so easy to drop the coins I had on
me, and by the end of each year, I managed to save a good amount that proved to
be a decent addition to my savings.
Let me
share my grandma’s money wisdom to you.
1)
Use a
Piggy Bank
I remember getting
a piggy bank for my birthday, and Christmas, and my next birthday. Honestly, I
always thought they were useless. However, she said I should just keep them out
in the open, and set them near the door so I could slip spare change or extra
bills in my pockets. True enough, it became so easy to drop the coins I had on
me, and by the end of each year, I managed to save a good amount that proved to
be a decent addition to my savings.
2)
Have
a Budget
Whenever she randomly
gave me money (it’s probably because she loves me so much), grandma would always
ask me how I planned to spend it. What did I want to buy? Would I save it
instead? If I said I wanted to buy something, she’d remind me not to spend it
all in one go. Instead, she suggested I make a budget to make the most out of my
money.
3)
Live
a Simple Life
As I mentioned
above, my grandmother was never the fancy type. Even though she had money, she
knew it was enough to have decent clothes and food to eat each day. She didn’t
go on luxurious shopping sprees or spent money for costly house decors. By her
example, I learned never to waste money on designer clothes and shoes either.
4)
Save
for Retirement
Before retiring,
my grandmother was an outstanding employee wherever she worked. She was known
for her tireless efforts to produce great results. She was never complacent
with her tasks. When I asked her why she was working so hard, she told me she
was also saving for her retirement. She didn’t want to rely on pensions or
money from her children. She wanted to make sure she had her own means of ensuring
she lived comfortably, and that would only be possible if she had enough money saved.
5)
Unplug
Electrical Appliances When Not in Use
My grandmother
always called us out for leaving our appliances plugged in (except the
refrigerator) when we weren’t using them. Sometimes, she unplugged my mobile
phone while I left it recharging on the table. Though these make her seem pesky
at times, it actually helped cut a few dollars off our electricity bill. Another
lesson learned there: small sacrifices actually do help in the long run.
6)
Don’t
Use Too Much Gadgets
Speaking of
gadgets, my grandmother disliked it when we were too gadget-dependent. She always
said it was better to talk to people in person. That it was better to write on
paper, to call people instead of texting. And although she loved to do video
conference calls with our family members overseas, she told us simplicity was
still the best. We grew up without feeling the need to get the latest phones or
tablets—and we never felt bereft in any way.
7)
Walk
Aside from a
sterling reputation at work, my grandma was also known for being a regular
“walker” outside her home. She would spend her mornings walking back and forth
the sidewalk. She would do her inhale-exhale exercises in the fresh morning air
while greeting her neighbors. This made her strong and healthy. She told us to
do the same. So when I started to work already, I’d walk instead to wherever I
needed to be—so long as these places were only a few short distances away. I
didn’t think riding taxis or driving cars was ever a necessity, so this habit helped
me save money.
8)
Love Your
Family
This particular
advice, she didn’t really tell me straight. I say this because this is how I
saw her live her life. My grandmother gave so much importance to money, but she
knew when and how to spend it properly. She didn’t waste it on jewelry or stuff
she knew she wouldn’t really use. If there was something she spent huge on, it
was on me and on the rest of the family. Every now and then she would buy food
to cook for the whole clan. There’s really nothing like a deliciously-prepared
home-cooked meal to bring everyone together. It was always about keeping the
family tight-knit.
It has
definitely been easy add to—and grow—my savings because I saw how grandma did
it her whole life. I know that when I have my own family, I’d do the same as
well. The best way to teach something is to live it, after all. I’m sure that
if anyone else follows these tips and makes them their own, more people are surely
going to reap the financial, and emotional benefits, in their lives— all thanks
to my grandma’s money saving advice.
About The Author:
Mark Yasay
is a social media enthusiast and a writer for MoneyMax, the Philippines most
comprehensive online platform for comparing financial and telecom products. MoneyMax aims to consistently find the best
broadband plans, credit cards, loans, and other services and products that suit
your needs.
