Money, Money, Money… Must Be Funny!
The cost of living is no laughing matter, but a little cleverness, a few practical tricks and a sense of humour can help our money go further.
Remember ABBA singing “Money, Money, Money”? Catchy tune, wasn't it? These days, some of us could do with a different chorus: “Where, Where, Where?”
Where did the money go? How did a few bags of groceries become a financial event? And why does the car always seem to need something just when we've recovered from paying the electricity bill?
The cost of living isn't exactly giving us much to sing about. Groceries, petrol, electricity, insurance, medical expenses and all those everyday essentials have a way of eating into our money before we've had a chance to enjoy any of it.
And the really annoying part? You don't necessarily feel as though you're buying more. Sometimes you're buying exactly what you bought last month, just paying more for it.
So, what's a person to do? We can't control every price, but we can get a little cleverer about where our money goes. No need to sell the family silver or live on bread and water. Let's start with a few small changes that might make a difference.
1. Become a supermarket detective
The supermarket is full of tempting little traps. Special offers flash at us, brightly coloured labels shout about savings, and suddenly we're walking out with things we never intended to buy.
Before you know it, you've spent R300 extra and still need to work out what's for supper.
A few tricks worth trying:
Compare unit prices. The biggest packet isn't always the cheapest option per kilogram or litre.
Plan a few meals before shopping. Check what's already in the fridge, freezer and cupboards first.
Look at the specials on things you actually use. Buying five jars of something you rarely eat isn't saving money; it's stocking a small museum of chutney.
Keep an eye on food waste. Leftovers can become tomorrow's lunch, and vegetables that need using can turn into soup.
The aim isn't to spend hours studying every price tag. It's simply to make a few better choices while you're there.
2. Hunt down those sneaky monthly expenses
There's a good chance money is leaving your account every month without making much of an impression on your life.
That subscription you signed up for three months ago? Still there. That bank account fee you haven't looked at in years? Still there. That cellphone package you chose when dinosaurs roamed the earth? Possibly still there, too.
Set aside half an hour to check your bank statement and look for:
Subscriptions you no longer use.
Bank fees and charges worth questioning.
Cellphone or internet packages that could be cheaper.
Insurance premiums that may be worth reviewing.
Duplicate services or memberships.
You don't have to cancel everything. Just check whether you're still getting value for your money.
And before cancelling insurance or essential cover, make sure you understand what you'd be giving up. Saving a few rand today isn't much comfort if it leaves you exposed to a much bigger expense tomorrow.
3. Shop your own cupboards first
Before rushing to the shops because there's “nothing to eat”, take a proper look at what you already have.
There may be pasta hiding behind the rice, a tin of beans lurking at the back of the cupboard, or frozen vegetables that have been waiting patiently for their moment in the sun.
Try a simple challenge: plan one or two meals using what you already have before buying anything extra.
Leftover roast chicken can become a sandwich filling, a pasta dish or soup. Vegetables can be added to an omelette. Yesterday's supper might make an excellent lunch.
Of course, not everything in the cupboard will magically become a gourmet meal. But using what you have before buying more can reduce waste and stretch your grocery budget.
And if you discover three packets of the same spice that you thought you'd run out of, perhaps it's time to organise the cupboard. Or start a small spice shop.
4. Make your trips count
Petrol isn't free, and neither is the time spent driving from one end of town to the other.
If you have errands to run, see whether you can combine them into one trip. Check opening hours before leaving home, especially if you're visiting somewhere out of the way.
You could also consider sharing lifts with a friend, walking for shorter errands where practical, or using public transport when it suits your journey.
And when you do head out for a day of exploring, look for free attractions, community events, pensioner discounts and affordable places to visit.
A day out doesn't have to involve an expensive restaurant, a full tank of petrol and a credit card that needs counselling afterwards.
Sometimes a picnic, a beautiful garden, a local attraction or a visit to somewhere you've never explored can be just as enjoyable.
5. Give yourself 24 hours before buying
We've all seen something in a shop or online and thought, “Oh, that's lovely! I must have it.”
Sometimes it's something we genuinely need. Sometimes it's something we didn't know existed five minutes ago and will probably forget about by tomorrow.
For non-essential purchases, try waiting 24 hours before making a decision.
Ask yourself:
Do I really need it?
Do I already own something that does the same job?
Is this a genuine saving, or am I spending money because it's on special?
Will I still want it tomorrow?
If you decide it's worth buying and it fits your budget, that's absolutely fine. The idea isn't to deprive yourself of every pleasure. It's to make sure your money goes towards things you actually want or need, rather than purchases made on impulse.
Your future self may thank you. Your cupboard might thank you even more.
6. Don't let saving money take all the fun out of life
This one matters.
Being careful with money shouldn't mean that every outing becomes a negotiation with your bank balance or that you feel guilty about every small pleasure.
Look for ways to enjoy yourself without spending a fortune. Keep an eye out for free birthday treats, special offers, affordable outings and local places you haven't visited before. If you're meeting friends, suggest a coffee instead of a costly lunch, or take a picnic somewhere lovely.
And remember to check whether businesses offer pensioner discounts before paying. Not every business advertises them prominently, so it can be worth asking politely.
You don't have to spend a lot to have a good time. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones that cost very little.
That's one of the reasons we love finding useful businesses, savings and interesting places to share on PensionersPayLess. A little research can uncover something you might otherwise have missed.
7. Share your clever ideas
Here's something worth remembering: the best money-saving tips don't always come from financial experts. They often come from ordinary people who've found a clever way to solve an everyday problem.
Perhaps you've discovered a cheaper alternative to an expensive product. Maybe you've found a wonderful free outing, worked out how to make groceries last longer, or found a way to reduce a household expense without sacrificing comfort.
These little discoveries can be genuinely useful to someone else.
And what works for one person might give another person an idea they hadn't considered.
So, where does your money go?
We might not be able to control the cost of everything, but we can make more informed choices, share what we've learnt and look out for opportunities to get better value.
We can compare prices, use what we already have, question those monthly charges and keep discovering ways to make our money stretch a little further.
And perhaps, every now and then, we can even sing along to ABBA without thinking about the grocery bill.
Now we'd love to hear from you!
What's the one expense you've noticed increasing the most? And have you found a clever way to save money that you'd be willing to share with others?
Tell us your best tips, tricks and discoveries. You never know who might benefit from your idea.
Because when it comes to making our money go further, we're all in this together.
And if you're looking for more ways to save, discover useful businesses and explore pensioner offers, come and have a look around PensionersPayLess. There's always something new to discover.
Keep DISCOVERING and SAVING!!!!
Charley
Charley Webster was born Charlotte Webster, but she’s been called Charley since childhood after her older brother decided “Charlotte” was far too long to say. The nickname stuck, and even after a lifetime in Johannesburg, almost nobody calls her Charlotte anymore.
Recently retired, Charley is now spending more time doing the things she loves most — walking in nature, gardening, exploring hidden spots around South Africa, and learning from the old-fashioned wisdom that gets passed from one generation to the next.
She writes for PensionersPayLess with a simple goal: to share practical ideas, affordable discoveries, and the kind of stories you’d chat about over a cup of rooibos with friends.
