A few extra rands misspent here and there can easily turn into thousands of rands each year and derail the family budget.
With New Year’s resolutions and goals still in full swing, what better way to adopt at least one of these attainable money-saving strategies:
Create and stick to a budget
Spend some time tracking and analysing how much you are spending every month and identify areas of overspending. Allocate a certain amount of money to entertainment and fun purchases only after rent and bills are accounted for.
Plan meals
Throwing out spoiled food every week is a waste of money. Check what is on sale, plan weekly meals ahead of time, make a grocery list and stick to it. Trimming the budget weekly will create big savings over a year.
Shop smarter
Making certain purchases, especially major ones, at the right time of year can save money. January is a good time to look for deals on furniture and many electronic appliances. Shopping for clothes and shoes, as well as seasonal items at the end of the season, will definitely offer considerable discounts.
Transfer money into savings regularly
Every week, move R50 to R100 into a savings account. Even better, set up an automated transfer to ensure you don’t think twice about it.
Swap a vacation for a ‘staycation’
Skip the pricey flight and accommodations to explore nearby areas that are easily accessible by car or bus. You’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have in the next town and how much money you’ll save.
