SAVE ON CALLS

The following are tips on how to save on calls, text or sms messages and the likes.

1. Use Yahoo Messenger, Live Messenger, Skype or Google Talk. Even my previous company was using Skype. With these applications we only need a PC or a laptop , add a headset and a webcam and viola you can make a call, a video call to be exact. It has options to invite third party like friends or a your new online friend.
2. I'm using my company's phone line to call. As long as you know the code and be discreet, it would be a temporary fix. Just ensure that you don't make IDD calls daily, I do it monthly..err..weekly...err
3. Try this http://www.chikka.com/. Free sms messages from your laptops or PCs to any mobile phones in the US, UK, HK, India, Philippines, , Guam, Saipan, Spain and Indonesia (untuk XLcom saja). You can still send txt or sms messages to other countries however it would be charged. Rates apply so check the link out.
4. In Singapore, I was introduced to ICC or International Callback Cards. For a card worth $10, which actually is sold for only 8 bucks in Lucky Plaza or Harbourfront ferry terminal. You can call Malaysia for 3 to 4 hours, Philippines for a maximum of an hour, Dubai for 45 minutes-depends on what brand of ICC you have. My favorites are Mu and i Callback.
5. Check freebies from Western Union , they gave me an IDD card worth SGD2.00 after I signed-up for the bank-to-bank transaction.
6. Sign-up for an International Prepaid card smarttel that is. They gave me SGD2.00 worth of credits just by signing-up for free.
7. If you are calling the Philippines that often from Singapore, try to use SMARTPinoy SIM to call a SMART or PLDT line (http://www.pldtsg.com/) and for Globe subscribers, there's another SIM similar to the first.
8. When you are travelling, it is better to buy that country's SIM card. For example, in Indonesia - I'm using Indosat IM3 SIM for lower IDD rates and free sms. In Malaysia I use Maxis' HOTLINK prepaid SIM for the same benefits as the first.
9. In WAYN- a travel and personal network site ala Friendster or Myspace. They have what they call an iternational roaming card woth USD4.00 /month.
10. Try to use postpaid compared to prepaid. I have Singtel as a postpaid line.
11. Check freebies once in a while from the website of your current line।
12. Try to reimburse your international calls from overseas or business trips , just ensure you have the receipt ready
13. If you have any thrifty trips, please share it....

THRIFTY LIVING AS A WAY OF LIFE

First, the basics, how do we define thrift? How do we become thrifty and make it a way of life?According to Barty Philips , an expert (I'm just a tip giver okies):

Thrift is the skill of managing your money,

whether much or little, so that you
can live a satisfying life without getting

into debt.The purpose of thrift is not to

give yourself a reduced lifestyle but by
regularly and consistently saving

unnecessary expenditure to achieve
particular goals.