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Grab’s Saver options are adulting heaven. Here’s why.
Have you seen those TikTok videos romanticizing Manila life with warnings like “P1,000 mo, isang araw lang dito” (Your P1,000 is gone in a day here)? That used to be a big fear when I decided to move to Manila.
When I landed my first job, I commuted to and from Cavite to Manila every day. I’d wake up at 5 am, wait through traffic and long lines, and get home just in time to get some rest and do it again the next day. It was fun at first to be able to do these “adult” things, but it eventually led me to so many hours in transit.
So I did what a lot of Gen Z probinsyanos like me do: I moved to Manila.
*Cue the main character music*
My first place was a tiny shoebox condo shared with two other girls that I found online who were looking for a condo-mate. It was a huge leap of faith, and the change was exciting because everything was suddenly within reach. Restaurants, malls, and things I only saw online were all just a short walk or ride away compared to the hours I used to spend preparing when I was living in Cavite.
FIRST-TIME LIVING ALONE. I didn’t realize that living away from your parents meant every little expense adds up – and you have to be in charge of fixing your day-to-day.But reality hit fast. Gone were the days when my parents covered rent, groceries, and bills. I had to adjust because my salary was my only saving grace, and every expense added up.
I would only eat at convenience stores when I was alone and then splurge when eating out with workmates. I would still commute back and forth whenever I would run out of money, which happened way too often. It wasn’t a sustainable lifestyle.
But over time, I realized that budgeting isn’t about giving up everything; it’s about knowing what I’m willing to spend money on, which includes convenient and reliable services. I soon learned to cook for myself, enjoy grocery shopping, and learn how to say “no” to eating out all the time. It wasn’t easy at first, but with a lot of research and my trusty budgeting sheet at hand, I eventually got the groove.
That was about the time I also learned about Grab’s Saver options, and when I realized I didn’t have to sacrifice convenience to save money.
Budgeting as a “legit” adult
When I first started managing my finances, I had to track everything from commuting to food deliveries to groceries. I noticed that a lot of my expenses weren’t actually unnecessary, but they could be cheaper if I knew where to look.
Here are a few smart spending swaps I made while still enjoying my life in Manila, thanks to Grab:
From expensive takeout to GrabFood Saver Delivery meals
When I’m too busy to cook at home, I head to GrabFood Saver Meals. With meals as low as P99 and delivering starting at P9, they have tons of budget-friendly food options that don’t skimp on my cravings. A GrabFood feature I’ve been loving recently is “GrabFood For One,” which offers solo meals with no delivery fees!
GRABFOOD FOR ONE. A sample of how Grab can help those living solo. From full-price grocery runs to GrabMart Saver
At first, I thought grocery shopping in person would always be cheaper. But when you factor in the traffic, the long lines at the checkout, and the time spent navigating the aisles, you realize that this weekly/semi-weekly errand can consume one of your most valuable resources: Time. With all the errands I have around the house and as someone working hybrid, I found an accessible solution with GrabMart!
GrabMart Saver Delivery is also another option for those who are keeping an eye on their budget. With delivery fees starting at P19, this wallet-friendly service lets shoppers stock up on essentials without breaking the bank. For me, it’s the right blend of convenience and savings to keep the pantry full and expenses low.
With the Grab app handy, it’s also better seeing how much you’ve ordered and realize that maybe you don’t need to get that extra bag of chips that cost more than eggs.
I should also mention that I’m very lucky to be able to return to our family home in Cavite (and poach a few canned goods and toiletries) when I can. Thanks, mom and dad!
From daily commutes to GrabCar Saver
Instead of spending so much on fare-heavy commuting, GrabCar Saver changed the game for me because of its reliability and safety at a lower cost. It’s become my go-to for days when public transport is unpredictable or I need to look less hulas for work events.
Main character moment going back to the province with all that luggage? Grab’s got me there too.
FEELING MAIN CHARACTER. Grab allows me to bring my luggage back and forth to Cavite without hassle.If you want to maximize your Grab earnings even more, there’s also GrabUnlimited for free delivery offerings for GrabFood orders and up to 8% off daily on GrabCar
By understanding my spending habits, I’ve learned that budgeting isn’t about restriction, it’s about making choices aligned with my lifestyle. I know when to cut back on unnecessary costs and what to invest in that adds value to my life.
That’s why discovering Grab’s affordability features was a complete game-changer. Being kuripot isn’t about saying no to everything, it’s about saying yes to the right things. – Rappler.com
