What happened to the days when bread cost 20shs and you could get your healthy fats in check by grabbing a big avocado for 5shs? I remember nostalgically the times when you would go shopping with a thousand shilling note and come back home with a tonne of groceries as well as treats and luxuries for the kids. Now, with a thousand shillings, you will probably buy unga, bread, milk and soap, then replace that broken bucket that’s been bothering you and find that you need to top up 100shs. The economy has really packed a huge punch in many people’s pockets, and everyone, both the rich and the poor, are being forced to tighten their belts and find a way to survive these difficult times.
While there are huge cutbacks people can make to adjust, such as downsizing their homes and cutting off their expensive social lives, small steps can be just as effective and helpful. Here are some tips on how to reduce your household expenses.
Buying in Bulk
Buying your groceries in bulk, say from a wholesale shop is cheaper than buying the same from a supermarket. It will allow you to understand exactly how much your family consumes, giving you the ability to budget for your shopping and eventually aid in cutting back on wastage. Stocking up on the basics also gives your family security and stability, knowing that they will not lack something essential any time soon. This habit would also allow you to be more keen and organised in your spending, such that there will no longer be impulse buying of things you don’t really need.
An electric kettle
This is especially handy if you do not own a water dispenser in your home. Since it is essential to have clean water, many people boil their water before drinking it. If you use a gas cooker for this purpose, you will find that replacing your gas cylinder is regular and increasingly expensive. The electric kettle can be multi-purpose, serving not only for boiling drinking water, but for whipping up easy cups of tea/coffee or saving the gas otherwise used in preparing foods which require hot water; such as ugali, spaghetti and rice.
Energy saving bulbs
I’ve seen this work especially well. Switching to energy saving bulbs from ordinary bulbs saw me cut the electricity bill from 5000shs per month, down to 2000 shs. The bulbs cost almost three times the ordinary bulb, but the benefit is quite impressive. Not only will you save that oh so annoying electricity bill, but you will also be helping the environment. Ordinary bulbs contain mercury vapour, which is toxic and dangerous, but the energy saving bulbs do not contain this harmful component. An added bonus is that they are long lasting, and you probably wont switch them out for several years.
Changing your social activities
While I don’t advocate for cutting off your friends and family completely, going out with them every weekend probably takes up a huge chunk of your income. Inviting people over to your home would see you having just as much fun together, but with the added benefit of spending much less money. With delivery services for alcoholic beverages like Boozit, one can have all the fun at a bargain without leaving your house.
Unplug unused electrical devices
Many are the times that we leave electrical devices plugged even when not in use. Most electronic devices constantly draw a small amount of electricity called a phantom charge. This if not checked can add up quickly considering the many devices and appliances that can be found in most houses. To eliminate this unplug any items that are used infrequently.
Those are just some of the small things you can do, so go ahead and try them out. Big changes can be made with tiny steps, and it all begins with the first step. After all, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Soon, you will become a saving guru and keep that money for a rainy day.