Friends are the greater assets of life. They give you courage, call you out on bad behavior, and share beers with you after long stretches of work. When the fun gets going, however, your group of friends can turn into unintentional money drainers.
You don’t have to become a hermit just to save more money. Check out the six ways you can keep your budget while still making the most out of your barkada bonding.
- Stick to cash.
Ditch your debit card for cold, hard cash. It clearly limits your spending the next time you hang out with friends. No more cash? Time to go home.
Plus, paying with real bills and coins makes purchases more concrete. It’s easy to blow off spending P5,000 on a one-way plane ticket when you’re entering card details online. It’s much harder to do that when you’re handing a teller the same amount in cash.
- Be upfront about your restrictions.
When it comes to your finances, being direct is not a social no-no. Open up to your friends about financial constraints or a budget you’re keeping. Unless you’ve surrounded yourself with trust fund babies, you might find out you’re not the only one who has money problems or is cutting back on spending.
- Recruit your friends.
After a group heart-to-heart, try to get your friends in on the saving game. Find ways to save as a group, such as keeping a jar for excessive phone use. Anyone who checks out of the group conversation to check emails, social media, or texts donates P10 or so for every instance. The collected money can then be used to fund future nights out or out-of-town trips.
Even if you only convince one person to participate, you’ll at least have a buddy who can check you when you’re overspending and vice versa.
- Offer to organize an outing.
Give your resident group event planner a much-needed break. Take charge and offer to plan the next barkada getaway. With the reins in your hands, you can steer the group’s next activities towards free events or discount deals. You’ll save up as a group and realize that fun doesn’t have to come at a high financial cost.
- Watch the scoreboard.
Vagues sports reference aside, find a higher goal that motivates you to stick to your budget. That can be anything from buying a car in six months or owning a condo in a few years. Use that as an excuse for why you’re not willing to eat at a fancy restaurant for the fourth weekend in a row.
Remember: You always have the option to pass on the next pricey group thing that comes up.
- Emphasize time, not money.
Different salaries and priorities make for different spending habits. Instead of actively pushing for the cheapest activities, focus on what your barkada enjoys and research affordable variations. As cheesy as it may read, who you’re with matters more than what you’re doing or spending. If your group goes for a mid-range option, join in. You won’t remember the cost years down the road.
How can Perajet help you out in your next group trip? Easy. We give you access to quick cash and approve small loans no bank will offer. Now, you won’t have to dip into your savings to have fun or fear missing out on memorable group outings. Contact us for more information or fill out our online application form now to experience our hassle-free lending process.