Clever ways to save on household expenses in 2018
Did the spending frenzy over the 2017/18 festive season leave you with a flat wallet and a permanent frown of concern? You’re not alone! A vast portion of the South African population feels exactly the same way.
Get to grips with your food budget
One of the simplest ways to save is to cut down on you day-to-day shopping. When you’re going to the grocery store without a real meal plan in mind, the odds of overspending are far greater. Instead, sit down with your partner and draw up a monthly meal plan ahead of time. This way, you’ll know exactly what you need, which allows you to do a single bulk shop at the beginning of the month; with weekly supermarket sessions to top up on fresh goods like vegetables, fruit and dairy. Keeping track of your food expenses in this way will also allow you to take advantage of specials. When you know exactly what you need per month, you can stock up when prices are down.
Cut down on ‘but I must have’ expenses
‘But I must have’ expenses are things like streaming services and gym contracts. Everyone has a Netflix account, so you must have one; everyone has a gym contract, so you must have one. The truth is you really don’t. If you cancel your Netflix or Showmax subscription, you’ll free up more time for reading and engaging with your family in the evenings. Also, you don’t have to go to the gym to stay in shape. Lace up your trainers and take the dog for a walk. Or download a yoga app and get your stretch on in your living room. Get creative!
Reuse, reduce & recycle
This requires a mindset shift. Instead of throwing things out or getting a new version of something that broke, see if you can use it elsewhere or fix it. If it’s the only thing you do this year – start recycling. It’s not only good for the environment; it also makes you more cognisant of the things you chuck in the bin. Before you know it, glass containers are reused for crafting supplies and scrap paper is shredded for mulch. Start small, make the mind shift and try to do better every day.
