Like every other year, 2011 ended with much celebration throughout the world. But we all know how the gloomy economic situation is getting too close for comfort. So in this new 2012, let us face the melancholy with exceptional optimism (because really, what good is there in being negative?) and let adversity stimulate you to creative survival.

If you are reading this article, brownie points to you because you have already chosen to head to a hawker centre instead of the chi-chi restaurants, and that’s a laudable first step. As we all know hawker centres are where one can have a very affordable and filling meal, regardless of your status quo. But let us push this further and find out ways to save money even in a hawker centre. Of course, the following antidotes are not limited to food centres, but let these pointers be a good start to your destination of financial security.

Do not go to the hawker centre on an empty stomach.

Take these simple steps beforehand: eating at a regular timing, drinking water, or having some fruits. This is so that when you get to a hawker centre, you will not find yourself in that all too familiar scene where you turn your head to the left, and the char kway teow looks good; to the right, the oyster omelette looks mouth-watering; and straight ahead, the roasted chicken hanging there just seems to be calling your name already. Settle on one dish, enjoy it slowly and to the fullest, instead of being at your fullest, and wishing you did not eat anything at all.

Work within a budget

Although this may sound like too much hard work and planning beforehand, it is as effortless as just telling yourself, “I am going to spend only 5 dollars here.” You will then find yourself being more sensitive to the menu prices than you normally would, and if a dish falls below that budget, a little whoop of joy from you because you. did. it.

Another easy way is simply have the limited cash in your wallet, leave the rest in your office or at home and do not even bother to bring your ATM card, lest you feel tempted by the ATM machines

Bring your own containers

Mother earth is calling out to us as much as your empty bank account is demanding your attention. Bringing your own containers for take-away food would be welcomed by the hawker stalls and you get to save that extra 20cents! And save the earth in your little admirable way.

Eat fruits, don’t drink fruit juice.

To the ladies who wish to maintain a svelte figure, grab slices of fruit from the fruit stall instead of ordering the juice. For example, at Golden Mile Food Centre and Bukit Merah Central Food Centre, one slice of papaya and watermelon each would cost you a dollar to a dollar and forty cents in total, but a cup of the fruits’ juice would set you back at 2 dollars at least. Furthermore, the juice machine leaves out the skin of the fruit where actually most of the nutrient and fibre dwells.

Be nice.

Someone once said “a smile is the most inexpensive way to improve your looks”. And in this case, a smile would even help you to save some money. A sincere thank you, a sweet smile, or making conversations with the old lady whom you always buy that fish ball noodle from, might just present you with more bang for your buck.

These steps may offer results that seem negligible, but do not despise the small effort, because all big things start small. And much like breath mints, it is always good to have some savings for rainy days.