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We know, we know – saving money can sound like hard work. But in reality, small, easy lifestyle tweaks can make a big difference, especially when prices keep rising faster than salaries. From meal prepping to no-spend weekends, South Africans are already adjusting how they live to make ends meet. The good news is that you don’t have to change your entire lifestyle, you just have to be a little more intentional with your habits.
1. Plan and prep your meals
Meal planning and prep is one of the easiest ways to save cash while cutting back on the stress of daily cooking. Start by making a weekly meal plan and sticking to it when you shop. Having a list not only keeps you focused but also helps you resist impulse buys. Try cooking two or three meals in bulk at the start of the week and freezing portions for later. It’ll make midweek dinners faster and reduce the temptation to order takeout (since you’ll always have delicious healthy meals at home).
2. Embrace no-spend days
A no-spend day is exactly what it sounds like: a day where you commit to buying nothing that isn’t essential. No coffee runs, no quick takeaways, no “just browsing” that turns into impulse shopping.
Pick one or two days a week where your wallet takes the day off. Beyond the rand value, you’ll build mindfulness around spending – the kind that helps you make better financial decisions every day.
3. Buy in bulk
Bulk buying often gets dismissed as something only big families do, but even single-person households can benefit if they’re strategic about it. Keep an eye on leaflets from your local bulk retailer and plan your purchases in advance. Everyday food essentials, cleaning products and toiletries usually cost less per unit when bought in larger quantities. But do keep an eye on unit pricing (that small number on the shelf label that tells you the price per kilogram or litre) to make sure the bulk option is truly cheaper.
4. Reuse, repair, repurpose
Before you toss out that shirt with a missing button or broken lamp, ask yourself if it can be fixed. We live in a culture that replaces everything too quickly, but learning to repair and reuse can stretch your rands surprisingly far and costs next to nothing compared to buying new.
5. Do it yourself (and stay tidy)
Sometimes saving starts right at home. Instead of paying for car washes, home cleaning services or garden maintenance, set aside time each week to do it yourself. Washing your own car, sweeping your driveway or tending to your garden can save hundreds of rands a month – and there’s real satisfaction to be gained from caring for your own space.
6. Move more, spend less
Health really is wealth, and staying active now can save you thousands in medical costs later. The best part is that staying fit doesn’t have to come with a gym membership or pricey gear. You can access hundreds of workout classes for free (and from the comfort of your own lounge) via YouTube. South Africans also have access to incredible free outdoor spaces like beaches, parks, and hiking trails that cost nothing but time. If you’re paying R600–R1000 a month for a gym you hardly use, cancelling or freezing it could save you that instantly.
7. Practice minimalist spending
Minimalism isn’t about living with nothing. Instead, it’s about being intentional with what you own and what you spend on. Before you buy something new, pause for a moment and ask whether you really need it, whether you can borrow or buy it second-hand, and whether it’ll still add value to your life a month from now. Over time, those small decisions create breathing room in your budget.
Your future self will thank you
Saving money doesn’t have to feel like punishment. When you focus on what you gain, whether it's less stress, more stability or more room for what matters, it becomes about freedom, not restriction. Choosing simplicity over status or homemade over takeout isn’t deprivation, it’s clarity. It’s financial peace. It’s the decision to invest in your future self instead of chasing every impulse in the present.
Start small, save smart
You don’t have to do everything at once. Start with one or two habits this month (maybe meal prepping and no-spend days) and be disciplined about tracking your savings. Once those habits stick, add another. Remember: saving money is about consistency, not perfection. One small, smart decision at a time is how financial confidence is built.