It should no longer come as a surprise to you that the P500 which used to be your allotted budget for car fuel for a week, now lasts you only one or two days. Yes, prices of basic commodities continue to soar, that we might just go for that promising cash advance. As moms, we have to take it upon ourselves to step up to the task and make do with what we have, for the sake of our families. Our frugal alter egos must take center stage at this point. Here are a few tips on how to save money on expenses:

• When shopping for groceries, stick to your list, and don’t bring the kids along. They tend to point at everything they want us to get them, and we in turn find it hard to say no. It also turns out cheaper to buy in bulk.

• You can save on your water bill by using the last rinse from your washing machine to water plants or clean the toilet.

• Whenever possible, withdraw from your own bank’s ATM. The P10 fee when you transact at another bank’s ATM can add up.

• When gassing up, do so in the morning, when it’s colder, as gas molecules expand when heated. So, that full tank might not really be full when you carry fuel on a hot afternoon.

These penny-pinching tips really do go a long way. All we need is discipline to carry these out.