Adulthood comes with something truly unsavory: paying your own bills. And when you’re literally in charge of your own survival, it’s ideal to stretch the value of every single peso spent. So we won’t waste any time here: here are 7 ways to make your precious things last longer.

1. Keep your sneakers dirt- and waterproof with a protective spray.

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To protect your kicks from rain and stains, there are protective sprays that can create a barrier for up to four weeks. Just be sure to follow the instructions! You’ll be walking on puddles and roaming the streets worry-free—and when you make this a habit, your sneaks will look new for longer.

2. Trim the wicks of your candles to make their burn time last longer.

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Use a wick trimmer to reduce the visible part of the wick to ¼ of an inch. This prevents the candle from developing black soot, thereby increasing its burn time. 

3. When possible, stretch the use of your skincare products.

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Dr. Vicki Belo’s number one piece of advice when using the ZO® Oil Control Pads? Cut them in halves—or even in fourths!—to make your 60-pad jar last a lot longer. Each pad is packed with tons of solution anyway, so use only the amount you need!

4. Flip your mattress every once in a while to extend its life.

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While most modern mattresses shouldn’t be flipped (its internals are specifically designed to be used with the right side up), there are benefits to rotating your mattress. “Most mattresses can be rotated. In many cases, this will help to protect the mattress from premature damage. Rotating helps to spread out the wear-and-tear that comes with sleeping in the same position on your mattress every night,” says the Sleep Foundation. “Areas of a mattress that are exposed to heavy pressure (typically around the hips and shoulders) tend to sag prematurely. If the mattress is rotated regularly, it is better able to withstand this pressure over time.”

5. Forego that cute phone case for something that actually protects your phone.

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Okay, we’ll admit that 300-peso phone case of yours is adorable. But will it really keep your phone’s screen from shattering during its inevitable, eventual drop? When choosing a phone case, purchase only from trusted brands that provide details about materials used, the protection level provided, and the kinds of things it protects from (falls, water damage, etcetera).

6. Avoid using your laptop in bed without a table. 

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We won’t blame you for wanting to work in bed. TBH, same. But resting your laptop on your duvet or pillow on your lap as you work can cause it to overheat—the thick material underneath prevents heat from escaping efficiently. This can also cause your laptop to decay faster. To avoid this, get yourself a nice laptop table, the kind you can bring into bed! Bonus if you can find one that has a built-in cooling fan.

7. If your hand soap is running out, here’s a neat trick.

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We love splurging on a nice hand soap. But when your supply is running low, mix the remaining soap with water, then depot your solution into a foaming pump bottle. Boom! Almost brand new. You can add a drop of essential oil just to freshen up the odor if you want.

Just because we have the ability to buy certain things doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to make what we currently have last. It’s the first step in living a more conscious, sustainable life. Pass these life hacks on, Belo Beauties!