WELL, you may not have even noticed it, but we are already into the second week of the second month of 2025. Can you believe it. Christmas and the coming of the New Year feels like a distant past. But hey, before we know it, the Festive times will be upon us again. Yes, I know it’s not even Easter-season yet, but time surely flies at lightning-fast speed.

So be prepared for that inevitable extra spending come year-end. It may seem far away, but now is the time to start saving for the silly season or that year-end holiday. You may just rue it if you don’t.

Here are a few tips to start saving now.

Budgeting and Planning

Create a Budget: Track your income and expenses to identify where your money is going.

Set Savings Goals: Define specific goals for short and long-term savings to stay motivated. You don’t have to start with a lot, but make that start, even if it’s R5 a day. And remember, save first before you start spending, not the other way around.

Spending wisely

Shop with a List: Avoid impulse buying by making a shopping list and sticking to it. Try to do your bulk shopping once a month and in between stay away from the shops as far as possible. Only go there for essentials.

Use coupons and discounts

Take advantage of coupons, discounts and sales to save on purchases. Check out every shop’s saving pamphlets, there are lots of them around.

Cook at Home

Eating out can be expensive, so try to prepare meals at home more often. You can even make enough for the next day, which will mean another saving on your electricity bill.

Energy Efficiency

Use energy-efficient appliances and turn off lights and electronics when not in use.

Smart Financial Habits

Pay Off Debt: Prioritize paying off high-interest debt to save on interest payments.

Automate Savings: Set up automatic transfers to your savings account to ensure consistent saving. And always save your money in an interest-bearing account at a reputable bank.

Other Tips

DIY Projects: Learn to do basic repairs and maintenance tasks yourself instead of hiring professionals.

Buy Generic: Generic or store-brand products can be just as good as name brands and often cost less.