From combing through my credit card statements to putting idle cash to better use, here are three budgeting hacks that worked for me.
Financial savviness is one of those subjects I wish they taught earlier in schools. Those who get acquainted with it later end up playing catch-up in their adulthood and paying the price. As someone in my late 20s, I’ll admit it took me a few too many paychecks before finding my financial rhythm.
While I’m no financial expert, I’ve tried three simple budgeting hacks in the name of being more ‘financially savvy’. Small but mighty, these budgeting hacks have gone a long way in helping me reduce unnecessary expenditure while growing my money quietly. PSA: these don’t constitute financial advice, but are real-life tips that have helped me and might come in handy.
1. Begone, sneaky renewals
They say there’s no free lunch in this world – and no free trials too, if you forget to cancel that ‘free first-month subscription’. I would often sign up for free trials for all sorts of applications and services, all in the name of trying them out without spending a cent. Workout credits, streaming services, premium add-ons in mobile apps… you name it, I’ve probably tried it.
But these trials can quickly pile up and be cast out of mind. Then it’s onto another month of renewal (and payment) once you’ve missed the cancellation period. Compared to my early 20s, I am now more discerning about the free trials I sign up for. Plus, I’ll conscientiously keep track of their cancellation and renewal periods. Another tip? Comb through your credit card statements from the past three to six months, and you might just find another sneaky subscription that has fallen under the radar.
2. It’s okay to skip that $7 latte
This next budgeting hack can be divisive. Skip the ‘frivolous’ expenditure on overpriced coffee, pastries, or any other ‘guilty pleasure’, and that amount saved will be compounded to a much more significant sum. While it’s not a huge amount of money that can buy you a house or a car, this hack has made me more aware of how much I’m mindlessly spending each day.
I’ll caveat by saying that I still buy a $7 iced latte and a $20 brunch plate now and then. But my mindset towards my everyday expenditure has become more intentional and balanced. A $7 latte today might mean making my own coffee at home for the next few days, while meal prepping for a week is a small sacrifice if I intend to splurge on an upcoming feast.
3. Put idle cash to better use
It’s a known fact that standard bank interest rates aren’t the best. I personally learnt this the hard way by leaving my salary in basic savings accounts for years for a measly return. Yes, it’s safer compared to risky investments, but there are also lower-risk options that I’ve become acquainted with. Think government-backed Singapore Savings Bonds, fixed deposits and Money Market Funds (MMFs).
For the uninitiated, MMFs are low-risk and directly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Think of it as contributing to a collective pool of funds. This pool is then used to buy short-term, high-quality debt (such as MAS Bills and Singapore Government Securities) from reliable borrowers (including major banks, the Singapore government and blue-chip corporations). In return, the fund earns interest, which goes back to you as an investment return.
I’m able to steadily grow my savings through low-risk tools like MMFs while still having peace of mind. A heads-up: do your research before you commit to anything, so you know where you’re putting your money and what you can potentially expect in return.
An all-in-one app to get started with investments
Looking to dip your toes into investing? As someone who started from ground zero, all-in-one investment apps have been accessible and welcoming ways to get started. One such platform on our radar is uSMART.
Regulated and licensed by MAS, uSMART can be used to check stocks and ETFs, keep up with market news and charts, and acquire basic information on stocks. The platform also offers lifetime zero commission trading for US stocks and options trading. This means you will not be charged a flat transaction fee each time you buy or sell any US stocks, ETFs or options contracts.
For those keen on putting idle cash in an MMF, enjoy an 8.88% per annum interest rate for uSMART’s Maybank Money Market Fund Class A (Acc) SGD. The promotional rate applies to subscription amounts with a minimum of $2,000 and a maximum of $8,000, with a minimum 30-day holding period (Eligible for new customers and existing customers with no prior wealth management fund deposits. T&Cs apply.)
New customers can also receive a portable fan with a minimum deposit of $5,000, while stocks last (T&Cs apply). Keen to get started on your investment journey? Download the uSMART app to find out more today.
This post is in partnership with uSMART.
Disclaimer: This information is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor and consider your own specific circumstances before making any financial decisions.
