Amidst the deteriorating economic downturn and soaring inflation, the Philippine Peso is fast diminishing its purchasing power. That is why as consumers, we need to learn how to cut on household expenses in order to survive in this dire condition. Here are some practical savings tips, and we hope our readers will also send their other suggestions to this column.

1. In order to save on electricity, replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs especially for outdoor light. Although fluorescents are more expensive, they are also brighter, last five times longer, and consume up to 80% less electricity.

Switch off and unplug the TV, VCD/CD player, stereo/videoke component while not in use, since it consumes nearly as much electricity on standby. They are also potential fire hazards.

Regularly defrost your refrigerator and freezer to improve its efficiency. Be sure that the lid rubber of the ref’s door are in good condition in order to prevent leakage, and maintain the ref’s efficiency.

2. Whenever possible, use microwave oven and the pressure cooker instead of the oven. You can save much in energy costs because of the shorter cooking time.

Check that the flames in your gas range are colored blue to indicate that it burns efficiently. Yellow color may mean otherwise.

Conserve water and soap detergent by laundering the whites and re-use the water for laundering colored clothes. Next, fill the basin with clean water, this time adding bleach to the detergent, then wash the whites a second time. The pinaglabahan water can still be used for washing the rags with.

Be sure to fix leaking pipes, faucets, and water closets immediately.

3. If you have a car, be sure to bring it regularly to a reliable talyer for tune-ups, oil change, and maintenance check-up. By doing this, you prevent costly repairs to happen later, and ensure yourself of a worry-free driving.

4. When shopping at the supermarket, always draw up a list and stick to it. You can also practice the little money-saving trick while waiting in line to the cashier counter: look over what you have in the cart and weed out several items that you picked up impulsively.

When doing the grocery, select the house brands and generic labels of the supermarkets. Always be on the look out for promo sales, value packs, and discounts. Buy in bulk, and buy whatever are on sale, especially canned goods since they have a longer shelf life.

Buy fresh fruits and vegetables only if they are in season. They are not only cheaper, but are also in peak condition. Avoid buying fish and seafoods during full moon, or stormy days because the prices usually shoot through the roof.

5. Pay your electric, water, telephone, cable, and other bills on or before due dates in order to avoid unnecessary penalties, and be able to avail of prompt payment discounts.

Also try to return rented VCDs/DVDs on time so you don’t have to pay the Php10 daily fine.

6. Limit your family’s dining out to twice a month, or when there are important occasions to celebrate only. A lunch at Jollibee or Chowking for five would often costs at least Php 600, while a dinner for the same number of persons at a fine restaurant would costs not least than two grand.

During get together with friends or co-employees insist on splitting the bill among yourselves as all are tightening their belts. Nowadays, nobody picks up the tab for everyone anymore unless he is a corrupt government official or one of those notorious lords.

7. Look for second-hand items. For example, the second-hand books and magazines sold at the Book Sale are real bargain compared to the costly brand-new ones. Watch out also for the regular sales events at the National Bookstore and Powerbooks.

Similarly, you can save a lot of money on ukay-ukay clothes. In fact, a lot of fashionable, imported, and branded clothes can be found in these ukay-ukay stores if you will just have the patience to scrounge around.

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TRAFFIC VIOLATORS. The public is usually pissed off to see policemen violating City traffic ordinances with impunity. Last July 28, 2005 (Thursday) at 5:25 PM while driving along Concepcion Pequeña, we spotted a uniformed Naga City policeman riding on a motorcycle without a crash helmet. While observing him closely, I realized that his motorcycle does not have a plate number too! Luckily my prosecutor wife recognized and was able to identify the police (or foolish) man.

Are the policemen EXEMPTED from the city traffic ordinances which the Public Safety Office and the Traffic & Transport Management Office (TTMO) strictly enforce among the civilian motorists? How can this shameless policeman and his ilk blatantly defy law and order in Naga City and get away with it?

This thing will never happen in Davao City. Even the feisty Mayor Duterte obeys traffic rules and is known to discipline abusive policemen with an iron hand! Hindi gaya sa ating mga opisyal na pawang pusong mamon. No wonder we cannot lick the drug menace and other petty crimes in the city.

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POWER PUFF GIRL. So, the Forbes Magazine selected President Gloria as the fourth most powerful woman in the world last week.

Senate Majority Leader Aquilino Pimentel however reacted, “ It could be magic to Gloria’s ears, but an insult to the long-suffering Filipinos.” He said the high-brow magazine was out of touch since it failed to recognize local surveys which showed significant number of Filipinos wanted Mrs. Arroyo out of office.

“A leader may have all the powers in the world but if she used these powers to rig the elections and amass tainted fortune at the expense of the people, then she is a usurper if not a tyrant.” he added. (Philippine Star, July 31, 2005)

Indeed, as Spiderman said: with great power comes great responsibility!

JOKE TIME
The Devil challenged St. Peter to a litigation in the heavenly Court.
“How can you win?” St. Peter asked. “All the famous prosecutors and defense lawyers are up here.”
“How can I lose?” retorted the Devil. “All the judges are down here.”

QUOTES on the SONA
President GMA says she is beefing up our economy. It is ironic since majority of the Filipinos have not tasted beef for a long time.
“Truth hurts- not the searching after; the running from!” -John Eyberg
“There is nothing in the world like a persuasive speech to fuddle the mental apparatus.”  – Mark Twain