The importance of a healthy budget

Don’t let the debit orders ruin your day!

It has been scientifically proven that January is the longest month in the year, and this one was no exception.

Its no secret that for many, the sound of those January debit orders going off on your phone is the stuff of nightmares.

Yes – it should be our own responsibility to keep track of our expenses and ensure that we have enough cashflow to cover the basics.

BUT: What if life keeps throwing you curveballs?

According to various sources, the price of the average grocery basket was up by nearly 15% from October 2021 to November last year…we don’t know about you but we’ve only seen that kind of increase on store shelves and not in our bank accounts…

Everything, everywhere!

Add to this the rising costs of commodities impacting the entire value chain of food production, and relief seems like a far-off dream.

Oh, and let’s not even get started on electricity price increases!

With many of our basic groceries becoming increasingly unaffordable, direct action is needed. Even if it’s not your own doing, dealing with food inflation while still ensuring that your family eats healthily, is your responsibility.

There are many ways to cut costs without cutting corners, and your family will thank you in the long run.

We’ve come up with a couple of potentially cost saving tips to pad out your budget. A little bit at least…

At the risk of sounding like a broken record…eat more plants.

Meat, eggs and dairy are some of the groceries that have skyrocketed in price and reducing your intake will not only benefit your budget but could be a health boost.

Unsubscribe.

The start of a new year is a good time to check your recurring subscriptions and ensure that you really need AND use them. Three different streaming services, paid apps and “premium” accounts just to bypass advertisements might make life a bit more fun, but definitely makes it more expensive.

Mend, don’t spend!

Normalize mending things. Whether it’s a toy that just need some superglue, a shirt that needs a button, a shoe that can be resoled…Do not give in to planned obsolescence. With a stich, a drop of glue or a little bit of work, most everyday items can easily be repaired and give you a couple of months (or even more) of good use.

Pack your lunch (and skip the take aways).

Ensure that you have a proper menu plan and stick to it. Add on to that making enough food for lunch the following day and you’re ticking to boxes in one go. A packed health not only costs less, but its ecologically sounder and overall healthier than any fast food.

Stay offline.

This goes for online shopping, but also social media.

Shopping online can give you such a rush of dopamine that it can be addictive, and you’ll end up spending way more than you should. Staying offline in general is also a good idea. The link between depression and social media is well documented and what easier way to feel better about yourself than to click add to cart on that thing you really don’t need?

Comparison is the thief of joy and comparing your reality to the perfectly curated online image of others is a recipe for disaster.

Hang in there.

It’s tough and we know that no list of budgeting tips can completely alleviate the stresses of managing a dwindling budget in an increasingly expensive world but try to stay positive!