Fin24 user shares his 9-point savings plan

Cape Town - Adding his voice to the Savings Issue, Fin24 user Sarel Griessel presents ways in which we can save those all-important pennies. He writes:

When it comes to saving money any of the following can assist:

1. Cut your electrical usage - switch off all unused lights and plugs, remove phone chargers from plugs when not in use. Switch off geysers and pool pumps during the evening or daytime; half an hour per day is a lot of savings at the end of the month.

2. Cut on cellphone usage - spend 5 to10 minutes a day less on Facebook, WhatsApp and telephone calls (where applicable, obviously).

3. Review insurance policies - wherever possible, always reassess things like life, house and car insurance premiums, especially if you haven't claimed in the last 12 months.

4. Reduce luxuries - these include eating out, gardening services, etc. Take lunch to work instead of using the canteen or buying fast food.

5. Leave earlier or later when going to work - this way you miss traffic. Or find alternative routes to save petrol.

6. Make use of loyalty rewards - join any retailers who have "loyalty reward" programmes to get the best possible returns from them.

7. Banking fees - ask about cheaper products / fees from your bankers. Don't just "pay as you go".

8. Medical aid - possibly drop a plan if it has no detriment to the household concerned (first get all info before deciding on this one).

9. Retail - shop around for goods such as clothing, food, household goods instead of just paying for what's most convenient or closer.

Consider yourself a savings hero? Or just have something on your mind? Add your voice to our Savings Issue: