Whatshot
Here's how to win the war against rising prices
Here's how to win the war against rising prices
Date: 2017-01-27
Here are some ways to trim the fat and hang on to your home:
Draw up a monthly budget and stick to it. Include things like entertainment, haircuts, school fees, domestic workers' salaries, telephones, petrol, food, lights and water, insurance, and car costs (including the cost of a service where necessary).
• Do not cancel your household insurance under any circumstances.
• Trade your car in and opt to buy a cheaper model.
• Monitor your electricity usage and cut back where possible.
• Budget for food and stick to it as much as possible.
• Shop weekly or monthly.
• Compare meat prices. It's often cheaper to go to a butcher than to buy meat from a supermarket
• Only buy seasonal produce. The rand isn't looking that great on the international front and you will be paying a premium for imported foodstuffs.
• Cell phone contracts can be expensive. Consider downgrading your contract when it expires and going for something cheaper.
• Open a savings account and put away as much as you caneven if it's only R100 a month.
• Budgeting for entertainment doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying life.
Remember that regardless of your cash flow circumstances, things generally get better over time. Hang in there, and try and keep a positive perspective, things may seem far worse than they really are.