When you’re focused on paying off debt, it’s normal to feel like you’re running in place. Interest piles up, surprise expenses pop out of nowhere, and it can feel impossible to save for emergencies at the same time. Here’s the truth: anyamount you can save is real progress. Even R50 a week builds a little safety net that stops the next small crisis from turning into new debt. If you’ve run out of ideas or feel like you’ve hit a wall, don’t stress. The ideas below are simple, realistic steps you can take this week to free up cash, speed up your debt payoff, and still put something—however small—into savings.
Quick tip to stay motivated: pick one saving idea and one debt idea from this list, start both for 30 days, and track your results. Seeing the numbers change—no matter how slowly—keeps you going.
1. Cut Your DSTV Bill (or Replace it)
If you’re paying around R900/month for a premium package, that’s R10,800 a year that could be attacking your highest-interest debt. You don’t have to give up your favourite soapie; you have options:
Go antenna-first. A once-off spend on a good TV antenna lets you watch free-to-air channels. Redirect the full R900 to debt.
Downgrade, don’t delete. If you truly use specific channels, move to a cheaper package. Many households can still save R500/month or more just by downgrading.
Make it a challenge. Try a 60-day downgrade and track how much you miss the channels versus how good it feels to see your balance drop.
What to do today: Call your provider or use the app to compare packages. Set a calendar reminder for 60 days to review whether you stick with the change.
2. Open a Cheaper Bank Account ( and Actually Use It)
Bank fees nibble at your money every month. Low-cost accounts—pioneered locally by Capitec and now offered by most major banks (excluding premium/private tiers)—can cut your fees substantially.
Action plan: Open a low-fee account and route your everyday spending through it (groceries, data, transport). Keep your main debit orders on your existing account for now to avoid chaos.
Why this works: Lower fees + clearer visibility = fewer “mystery” debits and fewer penalty charges.
Bonus move: Create a separate “micro-emergency” pocket on that account and automate R100–R200 a month into it. This tiny buffer stops a bad week from forcing you to swipe your credit card.
What to do today: Compare the low-cost account fees on your bank’s website, open one online, and set up a small automatic transfer on payday.
3. Stop Eating Out (Without Feeling Deprived)
ood is one of the easiest places to overspend. Cooking at home—even simple meals—can save you hundreds per week, especially for families.
Pack lunch three days a week. If eating out at work costs R80–R120 a day, just three packed days saves R240–R360 weekly—around R1,000–R1,500 a month.
Batch-cook basics. Make rice, chicken, and a pot of veg on Sunday. Mix and match for quick meals so you’re not tempted by takeaways.
Set a fun rule: One treat takeaway per week, paid in cash only. This keeps it special and controlled.
What to do today: Plan three easy lunches and one affordable, home-made “fakeaway” for the weekend.
4. Rethink Private School (Where It Makes Sense)
Many parents feel pressure to choose private schools, but quality Model C or other affordable public schools in your area may offer strong academics and extracurriculars without the heavy fees.
Do a side-by-side comparison. List fees, transport, sports/club costs, and hidden levies. Compare actual outcomes like pass rates and matric results.
Focus on the extras. Tutoring in weak subjects and reading daily at home often matters more than the badge on the blazer.
What to do today: If school changes are on the table, gather info from two nearby Model C schools and speak to parents who already attend.
5. Be Strategic About University Costs
Varsity is a big investment. High fees don’t always guarantee better outcomes.
Consider lower-cost universities or public institutions with strong departments in your child’s field.
Work-study or part-time work helps with fees and builds CV experience.
Short courses, diplomas, and articulation pathways can be cheaper on-ramps to a full degree later.
What to do today: Price two alternative institutions and check for bursaries/work-study options. Map a 3–4 year path that balances cost and career goals.
6. Manage the Geyser Like a Boss
Electricity is expensive. A geyser left on 24/7 quietly burns cash.
Simple setting: Try switching it on for about an hour after 8 pm (off-peak) and turning it off overnight; you’ll usually still have hot water in the morning.
Extra savings: Fit a geyser blanket and insulate hot-water pipes to hold heat longer.
Track results: Compare your pre-change and post-change electricity costs over two billing cycles.
What to do today: Put a daily timer on your phone to switch the geyser on/off at set times.
7. Plan Your Grocery Trips With a System
Impulse shopping is a budget killer. A few disciplined habits return solid savings.
Make a list and stick to it. Plan meals first, list only what you need, and take a pen to tick items off.
Don’t shop hungry. Eat a snack before you go—truly, it works.
Chase real specials, not hype. Compare price per kilogram/litre; avoid “save R5” traps.
Go monthly for staples, weekly for fresh. Bulk-buy long-life items; top up fresh produce cheaply once a week.
What to do today: Draft a 7-day meal plan and a single shopping list. Keep receipts to spot patterns and trim extras next week.
8. Cancel the Gym (But Keep Moving)
If your membership is barely used, it’s an easy win.
Free fitness options: Brisk walks, park runs, body-weight exercises at home (push-ups, squats, planks). You don’t need equipment.
Accountability hack: Find a walking buddy or use a free step-counter app.
If you love the gym: Switch to off-peak or community gyms with lower fees.
What to do today: Pause or cancel the membership and schedule three free workouts on your calendar this week.
9. Draw Up a Budget You’ll Actually Use
Budgeting isn’t about restriction; it’s about a plan that reflects your reality.
List your net income and all expenses. Include annual or seasonal items (TV licence, school uniforms, holiday travel) by dividing them over 12 months to avoid nasty surprises.
Name every rand on payday. Allocate amounts to debt and savings first, then the rest to bills and spending.
Track it weekly. Five minutes every Sunday to check balances keeps you in control.
Pick a payoff method:
Avalanche: Pay extra on the highest-interest debt first—saves the most interest.
Snowball: Crush the smallest balance first—builds quick momentum.
Choose the one that keeps you consistent.
What to do today: Write a one-page budget, choose avalanche or snowball, and schedule a weekly 10-minute check-in.
10. Find Free (or Nearly Free) Entertainment
You don’t need to spend to have fun.
Parks, picnics, beaches (if you’re coastal), hikes, community events—all low or no cost.
Swap nights out for nights in. Movie night at home, board games, potluck dinners.
Make it a challenge: “No-spend weekends” twice a month, with a pre-planned free activity.
What to do today: Plan one free activity for this weekend. Put it in the calendar like a paid booking.
Putting It All Together: A One-Month Mini Plan
Today:
Downgrade DStv (or set a 60-day trial).
Open a low-fee account and automate R100–R200 to your micro-emergency pocket.
Choose avalanche or snowball for your debts.
This week:
Pack lunch three times.
Create a 7-day meal plan and one shopping list.
Set geyser on/off times; start tracking electricity usage.
Next 2 weeks:
Cancel or pause the gym (or switch to a lower-cost option).
Do three free workouts per week (walks, runs, body-weight routines).
Price-check model C/public schools or alternative varsity options if relevant to your family.
End of month:
Tally your savings: DStv change + bank fee reduction + lunches + electricity + gym + groceries.
Send that total extra to your highest-interest or smallest debt (whichever method you picked).
Keep R100–R300 in your micro-emergency pocket—no guilt.
Even if this only frees R1,500–R2,500 a month, that’s R18,000–R30,000 a year redirected to debt. Add your regular payments and you’ll start to see balances move.
Mindset Tips That Make the Numbers Work
Small is not useless. R50 tucked away is R50 you don’t need to borrow later.
Automate the boring stuff. Set debit orders for your micro-emergency savings and your extra debt payment right after payday.
Track wins, not just misses. Keep a simple note on your phone: “Skipped takeaway = R90 saved,” “Downgraded package = R500 saved.” Watching the total rise keeps you motivated.
Expect setbacks. A tough month doesn’t mean failure. Adjust, then return to the plan.
A Quick Example to See the Impact
Let’s say you implement four moves: downgrade DStv (R500 saved), pack lunch 3x a week (~R1,000 saved), cancel gym (R250–R400 saved), and manage the geyser (R150–R250 saved). That’s roughly R1,900–R2,150 per month. If you add that to your existing repayment on a R12,000 store card charging high interest, you could clear it in a few months instead of dragging it out for a year. Once it’s gone, roll the entire payment into the next debt. That’s the snowball effect.
Final Word
You don’t have to do everything at once. Pick two ideas that feel easiest, start them now, and give yourself 30 days. Keep a tiny emergency pocket going—even R100 matters—so life’s hiccups don’t push you backwards. Debt freedom is built on small, repeatable actions done consistently. You’ve got this.