Every Muslim must have the desire to go for Hajj. As a complement to the other pillars of Islam, namely, saying the two sentences confession of faith, do five-time prayers, pay alms or zakat, fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. So, Hajj is the fifth pillar of Islam.
Hajj itself is mandatory for those who are able. Being able has a very broad meaning. Not only financial matters but also the physical health, mental health and mentality of the people themselves. Also, anyone can go for Hajj. It is ruled out any profession and the earning.
As long as someone really wants to go for Hajj, they always find their way. For example, saving some money earlier by setting aside a few percentages of income dedicated to Hajj cost in the future.
Muslim need to prepare a quite huge amount of money for Hajj especially for people with small incomes. Yet, surely there is no reason to reach Muslim’s dream to pray in Mecca. Therefore, we need some strategies to manage every income that comes in.
Here are 10 tips to save your earning that will bring you to the holy land, Mecca:
Get more information by visiting our Hajj, Umrah, and Eid Al-Adha dedicated information page and read more articles here!
Determine the amount of the percentage that must be saved into the Hajj saving account. Take about 10-20% of monthly income. So, there will be money to save your hajj, with approximately the same amount every month. The same amount of value and consistent every month, will be more easily calculated and estimated when it will meet the target.
You can divide your expenses into several parts with a certain percentage. Determine how much the cost that for daily consumption, investment, health insurance, alms, emergency needs and of course for Hajj savings.
For example, daily consumption like food, electricity, water, living expenses, and other expenses, you should limit with maximum 40% of monthly income. Then, allocate 10% from your earning for investments. 10% for health insurance. Do not forget to pay annual sacrifice and alms around 10%. Save 10% of your wage for emergency needs. Last but not least, 20 % of monthly income for Hajj.
There are times when temptation comes like buy some goods that aren’t really important. It is our nature to spree and mere pleasure. So, we need to set rules from the beginning if we feel negligent in saving, we should punish ourselves. For example, if we fail to save money this week, we have to double my saving in the next week. We could also double our quantity and quality of our Sunnah prayers. Most important to be noted is, the punishment will positively push yourself to be more productive and work hard.
Saving money alone might feel tiring or even bored. Perhaps, the amount of saving is not increasing much or also tempted to raise a white flag. Well, we must push ourselves to remain consistent and continues the spirit of reach the Hajj. We can invite our husband, wife, or best pal from the beginning to open a different Hajj account. Another way, we can compete with each other who is faster to reach the target amount. By having a supporting buddy, hopefully, we can go together to pray in Mecca.
Use money only for primary things. Don't spend money just because you like or want to. This will have an impact on your expenses, which will also increase. For example, if you always have breakfast and lunch outside, try to reduce the intensity. Having breakfast from home before leaving for work.
Or, you can reduce visiting shopping mall since that place always provide what you want like clothes, shoes, bags etc where those stuffs are not really needed in immediate time.
If we have a chance and able to manage our daily agenda, we can have a side job. For example, be a content freelance writer, freelance translator, or even a barista. But don’t forget your health and prayers. A side job is a good way to increase our saving.
Shopping list need to be made before going you go shopping . The goal is to prevent buy something you don't need and stick to the plan. Therefore, it is necessary to check the needs in the house whether it is used up, or will run out, and need to be purchased immediately. Other than those noted, it should not be purchased.
This point is very crucial since how many of us are going crazy when in shopping centers offer a massive price discount. Don't get tempted with the price discounts.
For example, if you want to buy clothes, shoes or bags, just make sure that your existing stuffs has been damaged, torn, or can no longer be used. If your stuffs are still good, you can still use them. You should save your money instead of spending it for unnecessary goods.
It is important to consider the quality of the items you are going to buy. The goal is we can use with the long time, minimal maintenance costs, and less likely to be damaged quickly. Such items are usually of the highest quality. Actually it is acceptable for you to reach deeper your pocket to get the best quality product.
It's better to buy once, yet for long time instead of buy at a cheap price, but have to buy many times because it is often damaged. Precisely this will increase spending in the future.
Taking note on spending regularly is very helpful when you have to monitor on how much money is currently left, and how much is already spend it. We can control the next spending since we already know the current financial capabilities.
Also, by taking notes like this, it's easier to do a small review of personal finances. Is it the initial plan runs well with the implementation? So, there are no expenses that are not as planned in the beginning.
Set the strong wiliness from the beginning. Determine to fight. Be good in goodness. Consistent in saving money for Hajj. Slowly, little by little, it just fine. Allah sees the struggles of each God’s fellows.
Hopefully, all of us who struggle can go for Hajj, put our steps in the holy land, Mecca, in due time.
Sarah571
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