These painless switches will save your money but will not make you feel like you’re sacrificing too much

These painless switches will save your money but will not make you feel like you’re sacrificing too much

Don’t cut short your telephone conversation.

Find a cellular plan that gives you the lowest bill for your use. Or go back to pre-paid. Reliance offers joint billing for an entire family at subsidised call rates. Docomo has per-second billing for the Friends and Family plan.
CHA-CHING: Get an extra credit of R200 on a Vodaphone recharge of R1,100.

Don’t buy gifts, make them.

Websites like honestlywtf.com teach you how to make body butter, home decor objects and jewellery. They make great presents.
CHA-CHING: The Body Shop’s body butter costs between R600 – R1,000. Make yours at home for less than R250.

Don’t sign up for the gym in January, do it in July instead.

Gyms rely on new-year-resolution mania to fleece you in January, and post-festival weight gain to snare you in the winter.
Membership rates are the cheapest in the monsoon.

CHA-CHING: Save up to 50 per cent on gym fees.

Don’t holiday in summer, go in the off season.

Room rates are lower, restaurants are less crowded, flight tickets are more affordable and the souvenirs are cheaper. Plus, you’ll have the place to yourself.
CHA-CHING: A shack in Gokarna is R1,200 in peak season. A luxe condo is less than R1,000 off season.

Don’t buy petrol, buy CNG.

Eco-friendly is the new cool.
CHA-CHING: You will recover the cost of a CNG fitting (R60,000) in a few months.

Don’t waste anything.

If you have emergency funds, increase your deductibles – home, rent and insurance policies. You’ll have lower premiums.
CHA-CHING: You’re using your money to make money.