BARGAIN HUNTING HINTS - PART 2

Hunting for a bargain takes time and effort and only certain items are worth that effort, you have to weigh up the advantages versus the cost. As a follow on from our last blog post... here are some more to pointers for a good bargain hunting acumen.

BARGAIN HUNTING HINTS - PART 1

A really good bargain is hard to come by and sometimes it requires a bit of dumb luck! The problem with luck is that it isn’t reliable... That’s why we have put together a list of consistently savvy bargain buying tips to help you increase your chances of getting the best possible deal on whatever it is that you are looking for.

FRESH SAVING TIPS

As we are embraced by the cold of Winter it can be a tough choice to get out of bed in the morning. We have some saving tips that encourage you to get out and about, while others can be enjoyed from the comfort and warmth of your home. Help your wallet put on some winter weight with these points:

A SOUP-ER SAVING IDEA

As Winter sets in we need to stay intent on nourishing and nurturing ourselves and our loved ones by staying active and healthy, all while working around the load-shedding schedule. One of my favourite ways of getting a nutritionally balanced meal, while not having to worry about the power cutting out and having a half-cooked dinner, is by making soup.

CLEVER WAYS TO REDUCE COMMUTER COSTS

Prices always seem to be on the rise, and there is nothing that you can do to fight it except to save in areas where you may have been excessive in the past. We came across some smart and practical motoring tips that every road user should be aware of if they are keen to save on vehicle costs.

5 FINANCIAL LESSONS FROM 2014

When it comes to debt management you need to have some contingency plans in place for those unexpected and uncontrollable circumstances that can put a strain on your cash flow.

To best plan for the unforeseeable future, we look to the past and identify trends that may recur in the future:

Fuelling Up

Looking back at 2014, we saw the price of fuel rise to an all-time high. Placing major strain on consumers and businesses alike. After a hefty fuel price reprieve earlier this year we experienced sharp increases, with a dip in price predicted for the month of May. With the rollercoaster-like nature of petrol prices we have learned to plan for unpredictability, especially when covering long distances on a regular basis.

Banking Bull

After a handful of near-disastrous outcomes regarding banking organisations last year many have lost faith in the banking system. The affected credit ratings of all banks has resulted in less favourable lending terms, making it harder to meet payment obligations and less likely access a new loans.

Rising Repos

In 2014, South Africans had to deal with two increases in repo rate throughout the year. This directly affected consumer debt and bond repayments. More people were pushed to apply for loans to absorb the rise in repayments due to the limited disposable income that was being depleted at a faster rate. Having provisioned an extra budget would not go unhurt if this were to repeat in 2015.

Unemployment Issues

2014 also saw an increase in the unemployment rate. This means that more people are unable to meet their financial obligations and will most likely turn to the already strained State for support. This, coupled with the striking in major economic sectors, causes a knock-on effect that negatively impacts the financial well-being of South Africans. Making provisions for a volatile market is crucial to avoid falling into a downward debt spiral.

Development Damper

South Africa's high levels of indebtedness, along with other factors such as consumer affordability and rising interest rates, saw the downgrading of the country's credit rating in 2014 by Moody’s Investors Service and other major ratings agencies. This makes it more difficult to attract foreign investment and will likely lead to further weakening of the Rand. 

Negative developments such as this cause debt to rise as well as an increase in the cost of borrowing.

The only constant in life is change, therefore it’s important that you start saving as soon as possible to build up an adequate cash reserve that can bail you out of tough financial situations without plunging you into debt. In need of financial advice? 

I can help you out, let’s get in touch!

END OF MONTH SAVING TIPS

Once again we are at the end of another month and I hope that the year has been going well for all! Regardless of how well things are going, there is always something that we can address and change in our lives to hopefully bring about a good change!

From changing our eating habits to being more observant of the world around us, here are some more money saving tips to help you plan for a future of financial success:

END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS!

It’s that time of the month again when you either feel as though you have wisely managed your monthly budget or you are counting the cents as you barely scrape through into March. To avoid this worry in the future, here are some saving tips to help you keep your cash in hand!

VALENTINES DAY IDEAS

It is almost that time of the year again - when hearts are worn on the sleeve and chocolate is eaten in excess. While lavish consumerism is often an indulgence, there are a number of thoughtful ways to make this day romantic without burning a hole in your pocket.

10 TIPS FOR FINANCIAL PLANNING

Do you want to begin your 2015 financial year on a good note? Then what better time to review your financial plan!

A financial plan provides you with the financial security to overcome unforeseen events and map out a financial future for yourself. When creating a financial plan you need to identify key achievable goals that can advance your financial situation.

Here are 10 tips for improving a financial plan:

MORE LEFTOVERS?!?

The Festive Season is a super time for good food and (mostly good…) family. However, after all the aunts, uncles and cousins have departed there can be a prolific amount of food still to be consumed.

Letting it go to waste would be a shame, but eating the same leftovers for a week can be bland. Here are some meal ideas to try, ranging in ingredients and skill to keep the taste buds appetised:

GET IT WRAPPED

People like to spruce up their houses around this time of the year with festive decorations. Either to display a better facade to guests that are invited over for dinner or to simply rouse some holiday spirit. I have put together a list of ideas to establish a merry mindset in an affordable and alternative way… take a look!

BUDGETING FOR THE PRESENT

If you’re part of a large family or have a wide circle of friends, you'll know how expensive and time consuming it can be buying Christmas gifts. Your gift budget gets spread thin, your initiative runs dry and everyone gets a mediocre present. Here are two gift-exchange ideas that can be fun and help you save some bacon:

FESTIVE FRUGALITY

It is the festive season, the silly season and, ultimately… the discount and savings season! With fierce competition between retailers all vying for your attention and more importantly your cash, now is the opportune time to shop smart and take advantage of special offers and sales without breaking the bank.

END OF MONTH SAVING TIPS

I normally finish off the month with some awesome saving tips, but seeing that Christmas is around the corner, I thought I'd kick off December with these out-of-the-box ideas. Whether it’s sticking to the rules, brewing some domestic cocktails or just staying informed, here are some crafty ploys to keep you frugal. As always - our 'end of the month saving tips'!

END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS

From changing the way that you shave to spending some more time at the local library, here are some super end-of-the-month saving tips!

1. CURTAIL THE CELLPHONE

Go through your cellphone bill, look for services you don’t use, and ditch them. Sit down and go through each item on your bill and see if there’s anything there that you don’t use, like a surfeit of text messages or web access or something to that effect. Then call your cell phone company and ask to have those services eliminated. Boom, you’re saving money.

END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS

It’s never too late to learn something new! With the current pace of change, the human race is being forced to become better adapted to change - and that means that we are constantly learning new things. Whether it’s the software on your phone, the new car, a new job, a new relationship… we’re constantly learning something new.

The same should apply to your approach to saving and spending your money. Here are five, level-headed, fresh saving tips to work into your daily habits.

END-OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS

Saving money can be as easy as not spending it unwisely. From monitoring the tyre pressure on your car to being aware of local community events, there are heaps of ways to save money! I’ve read up on some more tips this month and have four amazing, stress-releasing (except for the last one…) ideas.

1. AIR UP YOUR TYRES

For every two PSI that all of your tires are below the recommended level, you lose 1% on your fuel consumption. Most car tyres are five to ten PSI below the normal level, so that means by just pumping up your tyres, you can improve your fuel economy by up to 5%. It’s easy, too.

IS WINTER BURNING A HOLE IN YOUR POCKET?

Winter makes saving money and keeping to your financial plan a little more difficult! All around the country temperature gauges are plummeting about as fast as the electricity meters are lighting up. If you, like many South Africans, have an electricity box that you recharge, you’ll be acutely aware of how much faster the usage light starts to flash during the icy winter days ahead. If you’re billed after the month, you’re probably anticipating a hefty utility bill!

But staying warm in Winter doesn’t have to burn a hole in your pocket. There are many economical ways to keep your house, and your family, warm through the cold days and nights of June through September. Here are some super options to try out!

FRESH SAVING TIPS FOR THE END OF THE MONTH

We all want to save more, right? But then why aren’t we?

I have found that one of the biggest secrets to saving is to be creative in the way that you spend, or don’t spend as the case may be. Saving is often hard to do because it’s not an immediate gratification. We are conditioned from a young age that saving involves putting your money in a ceramic piggy bank that only gets smashed when full. You knew the money was in there, you could rattle it around alright, but you couldn’t see it and you couldn’t spend it.

Getting creative with the way in which you save money, by not spending it, is an activity that you will enjoy immediately! Then, if you get it right, when the end of the month comes you will see several hundred (hopefully more!) extra bucks sitting in your account that you’re not used seeing. Then, you can decide how you save, or spend, that money on something that you couldn’t have bought last month. This is a creative way to freshen up the way that you manage you money and make it go further.

So, in tradition, here are five fabulous saving tips!