If I am not too extravagant

this month, I should be able to hit my savings target for this year. Not any big amount but not bad for 9 months of work.

If I can make myself take the public transport to work everyday, I should be able to save more next year. With the crisis going on, I really should convince myself that cabbing to work is excessively extravagant. So is cabbing home actually. Guess, it’s time to load my MP3 with music & try to reduce my aversion to the mad morning train crowd. Or rather, waking up half an hour earlier.

Notes to myself for 2009 on my spending habits:

1. I shall not buy another book until I have finished reading all my stash of books at home. Likely to take another couple of years, I think.
2. I shall buy instant coffee & tea to office. In fact, cutting down on caffeine is a good idea.
3. No accessories unless I am overseas.
4. No more bags. I have more than enough bags to suit all occasions.
5. No more wallets for the next 3 years, at least. Or until this current one wears out. To compensate for my latest splurge.
6. No more shoes until I wear out my current shoes to 10 pairs. Only exception is when I am overseas.
7. Be more cost conscious when eating out. This means not over-ordering which is what we do half the time. Also, be more cost conscious for lunch.
8. No more jacket suits. I have no more space in my closet.
9. No more pants or plain skirts either.
10. No more T-shirts except a couple of gym wear.
11. No more jeans.
12. No more lotions or cosmetics until I finish whatever I have at home.
13. No fashion magazines.
14. Cut down on booze.
15. Cut down on snacking.
16. Control impulsive buying. Like the set of teacups I brought on Friday cos I really like them.
17. No more watches.
18. Learn to say “No” to unnecessary stuff.
19. Stick to cheaper brands for generic stuff than does not make a difference. Even for groceries.
20. Do not waste electricity.
21. Cut down on expensive chocolates purchases.
22. No cabbing to work everyday.
23. No cabbing home from work unless really tired.
24. Cut down on unneccessary cabbing on weekends. Like no cabbing to friends’ place.
25. Submit my transport reimbursement claim monthly before I lose the receipts & end up paying from own pocket.
26. No extravagant holiday this year.
27. Just generally be more careful about my spending. Don’t think I will ever be the penny pinching type. But, I need to be more cost conscious & build up my savings again, especially now.