July is National Savings Month.
Saving may seem like a thing “grown ups do”, but according to research done by Old Mutual, South Africa’s youth are quite money-wise. In honour of Savings Month, here are a few tips and tricks to help you (and your parents) save a few rands. Being money-smart isn’t something you have to be grown up to do, and you can put your pocket money to good use.
According to African Bank, rule number one is to keep track of your money. Forget writing everything down and punching away at a calculator – there is an app for that. Apps, like Old Mutual’s 22Seven, makes it easy to keep track of where your pocket money or salary is going.
Tip 2 is to start developing financial discipline. Getting new clothes, games and data every week may seem like all your pocket money is good for, but if you save up for a week or two you could buy something bigger and better. Learning to set goals and save is a wonderful skill to develop early.
If you want a quick way to save some money, skip the daily tuckshop visit. Tip 3 is to take your own lunch to school. It is healthier and less expensive than spending it all on sweets. Only visit the tuckshop once or twice a week, because South African adults admit that eating out is often one of their biggest financial expenses.
Tip 4: Make your own money. Whether it is chores, a weekend job or starting a side hustle, making your own money means you are in control of your money. By doing this, you will always be the CEO of your own life and you will never be dependent on a job, the folks of African Bank says.
Lastly, empower yourself. There are hundreds of websites and books to teach you to be money smart. Spend some of your Facebook time learning about money and how to save it. Learn to get and keep more money in your pockets rather than putting it into others’ pockets. Be the one others come to for money, not the other way round, and life will be a whole lot more enjoyable for you.
