Cutting back?

N

Neo

New member
I've recently done a bit of research on our household's monthly income and it's quite scare to see how close to the breadline we've been living. So, in order to get a more comfortable lifestyle I've decided to cut back on a few things; such as my expense car and DSTV.

To be honest, cancelling our DSTV has been a no-brainer. It does have its benefits, but it simply isn't worth the monthly R730 that I'm paying. Take that as a saving over a 1 year period, and it's over R8000 that we save.

Unfortunately (sort of) the next thing on the list was my car. I've decided to trade in my 2011 VW Golf 6 GTi DSG on a 2012 Honda Jazz 1.3. It sounds ridiculous, but by doing that I'll be saving an additional R4000 per month when you factor in a massively reduced monthly premium, drop in car insurance and a more fuel efficient car. Also, I am able to pay off the Jazz in 2 years, as opposed to my GTi only being paid off in 2016!

So to anyone else out there that has to cut back on some stuff, just know that you're not alone :) By doing this I've made our day-to-day lifestyle a lot easier and when new toys like the PS4 and XBOX One come around, I might actually be able to afford them! lol
 
I've also cancelled DSTV. It's nice to have, but these days with the baby, it takes us three days to watch a movie because we keep falling asleep. Plus, it's a hell of a lot of money just for TV.

We had also recently hired a new maid, but she wasn't working out because she kept breaking stuff, coming late (and making me late for work as a result), and not finishing the ironing and stuff, so we let her go, but instead of having someone in twice a week, we're now getting someone half a day a week, and that's also saving us a pile, although it does mean much more housework for us.

But those two things are almost covering the cost of car payments for the new car.
 
Yeah, every now and then I wonder to myself how I got through the month so happy in varsity on a few hundred bucks a month. It has me thinking of cutting down.

I did do the same, cancelled DSTV, got netflix. Cancelled premium uncapped and got a capped account, saving a few hundred. Cancelled some random insurances. I'm busy selling my motorcycles, so gonna save there also on insurance.

While it isn't quite the R4k you're saving, every hundred here and there adds up I guess.
 
Congrats on making the saving. As I'm moving down to WC at the end of the year I've started looking at cutting fat from my budget as well. So far I've cut membership to PlayMoreGolfSA, the gym membership and ended some insurances. I am fortunate to be living alone, so I don't have any dependants, making that I've always had some extra cash left over at the end of the moth. But it seems the more you earn, the more you spend...so some culling is needed. Good luck to all with this!!!
 
To help try cut back things on my side, i have started making sandwhiches again for work and stopped going to spar / take away.

Its scary how expensive lunch can be.
 
Since I got sick about a year ago, I've cut back dramatically on my spending.

I stopped buying games (Huge saving) Playing what I have and what I get with gpu orders lol

I stopped driving everywhere, I would rather walk to the shop or let my mates come visit me, setup appointments so I could see them all in 1 or 2 days and cutting down on the extra driving. If I do drive I end up leaving as early in the morning as possible, No traffic means no stop/go all the time which saves fuel.

Constant upgrading of my phone, buying a new phone cash..such a kak idea.

Tons can be done to save cash.
 
Roomys_ZA said:
To help try cut back things on my side, i have started making sandwhiches again for work and stopped going to spar / take away.

Its scary how expensive lunch can be.
Click to expand...

Actually cooking dinner instead of getting take-out because you're lazy also makes a big difference.

Also, having something to eat before you go grocery shopping makes a massive difference on the number that comes up on the cash register. You also end up with less junk food
 
matt said:
Actually cooking dinner instead of getting take-out because you're lazy also makes a big difference.

Also, having something to eat before you go grocery shopping makes a massive difference on the number that comes up on the cash register. You also end up with less junk food
Click to expand...

LOL i was actually telling that to some of my work colleagues around the lunch table just now.
 
matt said:
Actually cooking dinner instead of getting take-out because you're lazy also makes a big difference.

Also, having something to eat before you go grocery shopping makes a massive difference on the number that comes up on the cash register. You also end up with less junk food
Click to expand...

Hows that?
 
If you go shopping hungry, you buy more food than is required...

I do this often... One night I left Cobble Walk with 8 pieces of Sushi, a small pizza from Debonairs and a King Steer Large meal combo... because I was hungry and felt like all of it :)
 
Eugene said:
When you're hungry you are more likely to buy anything that looks tasty.
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Fair enough, I'll be sure to try it with my wife. Although we try not to buy too much crap.
TBlaar said:
If you go shopping hungry, you buy more food than is required...

I do this often... One night I left Cobble Walk with 8 pieces of Sushi, a small pizza from Debonairs and a King Steer Large meal combo... because I was hungry and felt like all of it :)
Click to expand...
LOL! That is next level
 
I have cut back on everything. My passport renewal was so damn expensive.
 
matt said:
Actually cooking dinner instead of getting take-out because you're lazy also makes a big difference.

Also, having something to eat before you go grocery shopping makes a massive difference on the number that comes up on the cash register. You also end up with less junk food
Click to expand...

The best way to save on your food bill people ...... So much can be made with even the simplest cooking knowledge.

Also, every time you sink into a Steers burger, think how many more burgers you could make for the same price and let that depress you :p
 
I have been saving since a young age and as such I don't need to cut back, I will on occasion splurge like when I bought myself golf shoes last week but it isn't the norm, plus I borrow money to my friends who pay me back with interest, always happy when my money works harder than me. . .
 
Cancelled a few policies that were not performing, but other than that haven't really cut back much.
 
Nice thread. Always good to see what others are up to in this regard.

Yeah things have been getting scary lately - prices are going up *so fast*. Food, medical and petrol being the worse. Lets not speak of etolls...

I'm battling on the protein front in particular. Its tricky to get something nice that doesn't cost a pile. e.g. WW chicken schnitzel is now R100+ per kilo. About a month back I got it for R74 (on special though). Schnitzel is admittedly on the luxury side of things, but its the same for all the meat.

My local butcher has better prices (and quality!), but its usually closed by the time I get home. :(

And I don't really have options here...I react poorly to dairy and you can only eat so much beans. I'm starting to think a protein shake might actually work out well financially.

Neo said:
By doing this I've made our day-to-day lifestyle a lot easier and when new toys like the PS4 and XBOX One come around, I might actually be able to afford them! lol
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ai bru. Not sure trading one toy (GTI) for another toy (PS4) is a winning strategy. Then again the one has more zeroes...

Roomys_ZA said:
To help try cut back things on my side, i have started making sandwhiches again for work and stopped going to spar / take away.

Its scary how expensive lunch can be.
Click to expand...
I've been telling myself this for about a year...with mixed results.

matt said:
Actually cooking dinner instead of getting take-out because you're lazy also makes a big difference.
Click to expand...
Kinda. If you throw together a rockin meal then its not cheap either. Couple of mushrooms, bit of meat and you're already R50 lighter. In fact I'm pretty sure it works out more expensive for me (1 person)...but meh I'm eating top of the range ingredients then, not a cardboard McD burger so its fine.
 
I'm a student and earn a pittance so I'm kinda pro at cutting back at finding deals but ever since i started going legal and playing legit games and buying music my budget dies. I don't want to pirate but it's means I can't save any cash.

I want a real job for the money but....everyones description of growing up sucks so far. Might study a little longer :p
 
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