When it comes to what we spend money on, there are things we need, and there are things we want. With regards to the latter, whether you’re treating yourself to a good cup of coffee, a limited-edition pair of sneakers, or a big-ticket item like a laptop or phone, it’s always easy to tell ourselves “Deserve ko ‘to!”.
We’ve all been there. There’s no denying that instant gratification feels good. There are a few things in life like the inexplicable rush of dopamine that comes from checking out at a store counter or seeing online purchases delivered straight to our doors. However, if you’re not careful with how you manage your money, chasing after your wants can compromise your ability to take care of the things you need.
To help more Filipinos take better care of their finances, Lista, the fastest-growing financial management app in the country, aims to help more people across the country gain financial clarity through the help of technology. From personal budgeting to cutting expenses, Lista shares tips to help you stay on top of your needs and to make financial room for the things you want:
#1 Check Yourself… And Your Spending
Keeping track of what you spend on is the first step to saving money. From your morning coffee to your monthly bills, there are many ways to record your expenses. To monitor the money coming in and out of your pocket with ease, Lista PH houses an expense tracker that’s simple, powerful, and accessible from your smartphone. This makes it easier to keep track of your spending and stay informed on what eats up too much of your finances.
#2 Take Control of Your Budget
Once you know how much you spend, it becomes much easier to create a budget. Setting a budget should show your expenses in relation to your income which helps in making it easier to plan your spending and limit overspending.
To easily set a budget according to your preferences, Lista’s Personal Budgeting feature helps users achieve their financial goals – whether you’re paying off debt or saving money for the long term. The app allows users to set a preferred budgeting cycle, make it easy to list expenses, and share additional insights to help you with your budgeting needs.
#3 Cut Out Non-Essential Spending
Looking at your budget and your expenses, it becomes easier to identify non-essential spending like eating at restaurants or going out. Other ways to save on everyday expenses include reviewing any recurring charges for seldom-used subscriptions or services, researching for promos in restaurants, or waiting on sales on things you want.
#4 Level Up Your Spending Game
After expenses and income, financial goals are the most likely factors to influence how you allocate your savings. Start by thinking about the things you want to save for, and from there, you can estimate how much money you’ll need, and how long it would take you to reach those amounts.
Lista PH’s Savings feature aims to empower Filipinos to meet savings goals and set financial targets for the things they want to buy. Whether you’re aiming to save five hundred Pesos to buy what’s in your online cart or to put away the funds for a down payment on a car, making the act of saving a habit, with the help of Lista, can help make it easier for Filipinos to stick to their short-term and long-term financial goals.
At the end of the day, responsible budgeting and spending on yourself shouldn’t feel impossible to balance. These four steps can help ensure you get to treat yourself to what you want without biting you back in the long run. Having a responsible way to keep track of your spending and your budget can lessen worries and remove the “guilty” from guilty pleasures.
Lista PH is available to download from The App Store and Google Play Store.
