{"id":724434,"date":"2023-10-15T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=724434"},"modified":"2023-10-13T15:27:57","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T13:27:57","slug":"100-ways-to-save-money-if-youre-on-a-budget-in-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/finance\/724434\/100-ways-to-save-money-if-youre-on-a-budget-in-south-africa\/","title":{"rendered":"100 ways to save money if you’re on a budget in South Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Saving money is challenging for many people, especially when the cost of living is on the rise. Considering this, Debt Rescue complied a whopping 100 ways in which you can save an extra rand here and there to help you save more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saving money when funds are tight can be challenging, but there are numerous creative strategies to help manage and even grow your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Debt Rescue’s tips on how to save across 14 expense categories are listed below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food & Groceries<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Buy generic brands.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Shop at discount stores.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Purchase items in bulk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Use coupons and discount codes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Cook at home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Plan meals around sales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Buy produce in season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Limit dining out.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Freeze leftovers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Avoid impulse purchases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Drink water instead of sodas and juices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Limit alcohol and tobacco purchases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Cook at home more often.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Use loyalty and rewards programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Grow your own food.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Make your own cleaning supplies.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Housing & Utilities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Downsize your living space.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Negotiate rent or mortgage rates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Get a roommate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Turn off lights when not needed.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Install energy-efficient bulbs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    6. Unplug electronics when not in use.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    7. Use a programmable thermostat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    8. Air-dry clothes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    9. Insulate your home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    10. Refinance your mortgage.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    11. Use energy-efficient appliances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    12. Repair appliances instead of replacing them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Transportation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Walk or bike instead of driving.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Use public transportation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Carpool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Plan and combine trips.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      5. Maintain your vehicle regularly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      6. Buy a used car.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      7. Sell your car and use car-sharing services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      8. Compare car insurance rates every 12 months.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Entertainment & Leisure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

          \n
        1. Cancel streaming services or satellite TV.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Utilise free entertainment (parks, board games).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Attend free community events.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        4. Have a movie night at home instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        5. Visit museums on free days.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        6. Exercise outdoors or at home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        7. Borrow books instead of buying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        8. Do DIY projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        9. Host potlucks instead of dining out.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

          Health & Personal Care<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

            \n
          1. Buy generic medications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          2. Practise preventive care.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          3. Exercise regularly to avoid health issues.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          4. Cut your own hair or learn how to do beauty care at home.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          5. Limit salon and spa visits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          6. Purchase beauty products on sale.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          7. Utilise free or low-cost clinics.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Technology & Communications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

              \n
            1. Downgrade your phone plan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            2. Use free Wi-Fi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            3. Cancel landline service.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            4. Buy refurbished electronics.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            5. Sell old gadgets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            6. Limit app and software purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

              Shopping & Clothing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                \n
              1. Shop at thrift stores.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
              2. Buy clothes off-season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              3. Repair instead of replacing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              4. Limit the purchase of new gadgets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              5. Participate in clothing swaps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              6. Only buy what you need.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              7. Avoid fashion trends.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              8. Buy durable, not disposable.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              9. Wait for sales events to make big purchases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
              10. Implement the 30-day rule for non-essential purchases.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                Banking & Finance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  \n
                1. Open a high-interest savings account.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Set up automatic transfers to savings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                3. Avoid ATM fees.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                4. Use cash-back credit cards responsibly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                5. Set a budget and stick to it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                6. Avoid late fees by paying bills on time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                7. Invest in low-cost index funds.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                8. Set financial goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                9. Learn about personal finance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                10. Claim all eligible tax deductions and credits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                11. File taxes early to get refunds sooner.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                  Credit and Loans<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                    \n
                  1. Pay off high-interest debts first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. Avoid payday loans.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  3. Consider debt review.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  4. Negotiate interest rates with creditors.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                    Education & Career<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                      \n
                    1. Take advantage of free online courses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    2. Apply for scholarships and grants.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    3. Consider apprenticeships or vocational training.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                    4. Network and attend free career events.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                      Insurance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        \n
                      1. Shop around for the best insurance rates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      2. Increase deductibles to lower premiums.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      3. Bundle insurance policies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                      4. Only buy the insurance you need.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                        Travel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                          \n
                        1. Plan stay-cations instead of vacations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        2. Use rideshare apps instead of renting cars.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                        3. Limit spending on eating out and pack a lunch instead.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                          Gifts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                            \n
                          1. Make gifts instead of buying.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                          2. Set spending limits with family and friends.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                            General Savings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

                              \n
                            1. Create a budget.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            2. Track every expense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            3. Sell unnecessary belongings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                            4. Prioritise needs over wants.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
                              \n\n\n\n

                              Read: 4 financial mistakes young South Africans make \u2013 and how to avoid them<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                              Debt Rescue complied a whopping 100 ways in which you can save money. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":696539,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11121],"tags":[6172,853,11180],"class_list":["post-724434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-finance","tag-debt-rescue","tag-south-africa","tag-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/724434","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=724434"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/724434\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":724978,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/724434\/revisions\/724978"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/696539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=724434"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=724434"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=724434"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}