Live BELOW Your Means.....

I don't know how to start.

All I can say is when you don't have money to pay for rent, don't even think of getting your own place. Save for the future and hope to save enough to invest on your own property or condo or house. There's no point in working your butt off to be able to pay a rent you can barely afford just so you can boast to others that you've broken free from your folks.

I'd rather live with my parents, get my own room, my bank account intact, my wallet fat with cash, able to buy things I want, go out & spend when I want to, than to have my own place dying with hunger, not knowing where the hell to get money for the damn rent, utilities, and building dues.

Shop for necessities ONLY! Yeah, yeah..... Girls were born to shop. But seriously, how many shoes, strands of FAKE pearls, handbags, all kinds of bags, make up, bottles of perfume, does one need in a lifetime? Certainly not that much.

I guess other people would rather look good (even if in reality, they look like a walking overly-trimmed christmas tree), than have a disposable income, or food on their tables.

I say invest on key pieces. Classic styles, quality shoes, bags, and REAL jewelry that'll last you longer than the current clothing or accessory trends. How long are you going to wear that generic-looking antiqued dangling earring anyway? Don't your ears hurt? Doesn't your neck get itchy because of all those 'trendy' fake necklaces you wear?

Yes, you can treat yourself OCCASIONALLY to luxuries but only if you absolutely deserve a treat.

Stop buying coffee at Starbucks! Seriously, what's the difference between the coffee in the office pantry and the coffee you buy outside? They taste the same to me! You think hanging out and being seen in Starbucks will make you look trendy and sophisticated? Take another look! You're just like everyone else! Generic, boring, and hooked up on overpriced caffeine.

In case you didn't know, caffeine is bad for you. Just like your nicotine addiction which also makes you stink.

Why do you need braces? Nothing's wrong with your teeth. They look perfectly fine. Then again, I'm not an orthodontist.

Did you know that contraption in your mouth doesn't make you look cool? It's a corrective device! Like wearing back braces or leg braces to correct whatever's crooked in your body. So why fix it when it isn't crooked? You want crooked teeth to go with those braces? Come on over, I'll punch you.... It'll give you good reason to visit an orthodontist and spend good money on braces and whatever dental surgery needed after I'm done bashing your face.

As much as possible, pay with cash. A credit card should only be used for emergencies! Owning a credit card doesn't make you seem rich. It makes you look like you don't have money to pay for that coffee you're buying or that faux leather bag you've been eyeing for months. Besides, the interest itself is ridiculously high, in case you haven't been reading your statements, that alone should stop you from using them plastics!

Oh, one last thing. Stop acting like you're born with a silver spoon in your mouth. It's not amusing. You're making a complete fool out of yourself, it makes people want to stick a big wooden spoon from Baguio up your flat butt.

So again, live below your means, or you'll die a sad, sorry miser.