As if South Africans don’t already have enough to worry about, it seems more and more locals are pulling their belts just a bit tighter to make ends meet.
Amid load shedding, a weak economy, companies closing down, greylisting and the ever-weakening rand being major concerns there was some light at the end of the tunnel with the news of a sizable decrease in fuel prices last week and an 11-month inflation low in April.
Unfortunately, though, for most families there is still too much month at the end of their money, according to recent findings by Statistics SA.
It says in its report the poor continue to struggle the most, spending up to half their income on food and non-alcoholic beverages, the wealthiest spending only 11% on the same items in contrast.
“The groups most susceptible to economic hardship are experiencing large increases in their cost of living, according to the latest inflation data.
“The poor have recently shouldered the brunt of rising prices, with the general cost of living for pensioners remaining above general inflation.”
The Stats SA report stated the wealthiest spend most of their income on transport, followed by miscellaneous goods and services, such as insurance.
So the fuel prices affect this group more severely.
The report also revealed urban provinces such as the Western Cape and Gauteng recorded lower rates of inflation, as opposed to provinces such as Limpopo.
Generally, over the past few years locals had been hit hard and needed to come up with ways to stretch their income.
People’s Post polled residents both online and on the streets to find out how they were making ends meet and what items were the first to go, and in most cases, it is not what you may think.
Only first names have been used to allow people to speak freely, without fear of victimisation or ridicule.
For Rugshana, aside from cutting the conventional luxuries from the shopping trolley, a popular phenomenon in Western countries has been introduced in their home.
“I find meat to be very expensive and is now a luxury,” she says.
“We do meat-free Mondays. It is tough, because you must get creative. It’s easier in winter because we eat soups more often.”
Meat and poultry were also first to go for Rushaan.
“We cut meat out completely. Chicken I will buy only for special occasions. It was not really difficult to adjust, but having a son who loves meat makes it sometimes difficult.”
Of the residents who responded, things considered as everyday food items outside of luxuries was a common answer. This was followed by medical aid, armed response and insurance.
Maygene says: “I changed to a cheaper medical-aid option.”
Brandon has already cut his trolley to the bare minimum, and next to go were the “nice-to-have essentials”.
“Stuff like fast internet, DStv and insurance,” he says.
“Next month I will have to cancel my subscriptions. I reduced the speed of my internet and I don’t have comprehensive insurance anymore. It’s important they say, but I can have that, or I can eat.”
Other common options to cut were childcare or seeking cheaper alternatives, vehicles, vacations and trips to fast-food outlets.
While the situation seems dire, there are also some creative ways readers shared with us.
Ronvin says two negatives have turned into positives for them.
“We actually have more immediate family gatherings for Sunday lunches and on a Friday night,” he said.
“So everyone brings something. It helps to not spend on an entire meal, but also it increases family time spent together.
“We also use less electricity – most times our ‘load shedding lights’ are on.”
Lucille says bulk buying along with another household has saved her and her family in the long run.
“The cash and carries have great prices on items, but it’s mostly in bulk,” she said.
“My friend group and I all put a small amount together to buy such items as detergents, oil and rice, whatever we generally need. Afterwards, we split it up among each house.”
