Stretching the shilling to beat inflation

Times are lean, what with a number of layoffs and tax increases lately, and most families are tightening their belts to beat inflation. When Mercy Nge'ndo and her husband lost their main source of income, they were forced to adjust their lifestyle and downsize drastically.

The couple had to explore cost-cutting techniques to keep their heads above water. "We were forced to strike a few things off our expenses list to reduce on expenditure," explains Nge'ndo.

"We had to do away with our weekly dinners in restaurants, gym memberships as well as the occasional holidays out of town,"

The couple also sold one car as it was challenging maintaining two cars, and also moved to a smaller house.

“Car-pooling has worked pretty well. Whenever possible, we share a vehicle with friends who live nearby and work in the same area as we do. It's faster than public transport, hence saving on time, and you just need to contribute an amount equivalent to the fare you'd have paid to PSVs.

This caters for the car's fuel. Using matatus, especially when running errands in and around the CBD, is not just affordable but also practical.

You save on parking fees and spend less time in traffic or in search of parking space,”

 "Our kitchen budget was also affected as we had to reduce on 'luxury' foods like sausages and bacon. We stocked more fresh foods, which are more affordable," she explains. Nge'ndo advises fellow women to live within their means.

"The tendency to compete with peers often causes us to spend money we do not have or fail to prioritise what we should spend money on" she explains. "This is one of the reasons why many are overwhelmed by debt," she says.

Nge’ndo shares her cost-cutting tricks.

“I use a fireless cooker (basket) to cook food and also keep it warm. This saves on gas (reduces cooking time) and eliminates the need to keep reheating food. Shopping less often reduces on impulsive purchases. I stick to a monthly budget and shop for most essentials at a go. More visits to the supermarket encourage one to buy more non-essential items,” notes Nge’ndo.

“I also ensure to purchase in-season foods. These tend to be fresher, tastier and also cheaper. The household menus can be adjusted to accommodate these changes. Preparing home-made snacks saves you a lot of money in the long-run. Cakes, mandazi, pizza, breads can be quite easily prepared at home. You also have control of the ingredients and end up eating healthier and safer snacks,’ she says.

“My kitchen budget hardly changes – except during school holidays, where you have to factor in lunch. I prefer buying all fruits, vegetables, eggs, cereals and grains in the local market, or from farming friends where possible. Working with a menu makes it easier to determine the amount you will need to purchase in a month. Also, I realised that prices are slightly higher between the 1st and 6th of every month, so I avoid the market at that time. Milling our own flours for ugali, porridge and pastries also cuts costs for us,” she says.

“The mobile money-lending services have come to my rescue on several occasions. Their convenience can however be 'addictive', so I only use them when necessary, or in cases of emergencies. I have used them for medical emergencies as well as to help me expand my business.”

Klaire Muriithi says as a single mother, accountability entirely lies on her. “Coming up with a budget that works hasn't been easy but I am learning how to be a better planner. I do my monthly shopping like clockwork. I shop for groceries every two weeks. This helps in reducing wastage,” she explains. She says she had to drastically cut down on her entertainment budget. I had to cut down on going out every other time. I prefer to Netflix and chill,” she says. “I go out for movies at least twice a month and hang out with my friends and loved ones once a week,” says Klaire.

She says she was a regular online shopper but has had to reduce on it completely to work on her savings. “I buy some of my baby’s clothes online though I’m not as frequent as I used to be,” she says.

“Bulk shopping has really worked for me. I also shop at a local convenience store and groceries store near where I live that is good on discounts,” she says.

Klaire used to leave her car at home but says that after doing her math it didn’t make much economic sense. “It makes sense for me to drive to work every day than use the taxi hail apps daily. I only use them when I’m going out to meet my friends or if working till late,” explains Klaire. However, she steers clear off the money borrowing phone apps.

“I am a regular save on Mshwari that caters for savings. That’s what I use to put in planning on buying a household item,” she says.

Klaire, a practicing Christian, pays her tithe first. “I give it back to God's work and then I save,” she shares. She also encourages on the need to have a monthly/weekly budget to keep you accountable with your money and what one needs to do. “Let go of what’s not a priority at this time. Besides, you can always get it at a later date,” she advises.

Jackie Githiga sticks to a written budget to cut down on unnecessary expenses. “I have a specific shopping day and start buying the most important items on my list. Unfortunately, by the time I get to the least needed items on the list there’s no money left,” laments Jackie.

“I have been forced to make little adjustments to cope. “There is this time I did without nail polish, which was my thing and that expense was diverted elsewhere and yes eating lunch from home instead of buying it which is a great save,” says Jackie. “I am a simple person. I have kept it simple. Coffee with friends is mostly planned and if it’s a random coffee date be sure it’s not me buying,” she says with a wink.

A SAVING CULTURE

The first thing Jackie does in an attempt to stretch the shilling in her house is having a cost-saving conversation with her house manager.

“I make her understand and know how long certain commodities in the house should last. This instils a saving culture in her and eliminates wastage,” explains Jackie.

She has also had to car-pool, which she confesses is not comfortable but circumstances force it at times.

“I, however, do not have the Tala and other lending apps in my phone and that’s intentional since I do not want to mess up my end month budget so I avoid the quick advances,” she says. “It’s ok to do shopping at a wholesale shop where things are cheaper than the supermarket. It’s ok to play games at home with your kids instead of taking them for play outs all the time. It’s ok to cook in the house instead of takeaways always. It’s ok to live the life that you can afford and are comfortable with. It’s ok not to compare your own life with others and if you are not ok with your current situation work hard to where you want to be,” advises Jackie.

Jemimah Kanene often shops in bulk to reduce on her expenses. She attests to the fact that when one buys items on a daily basis, one ends up paying for more and it's more economical to buy everything at the same time. "I have also noticed that I pay much less when I buy my cereals directly from the farm," she says. "My food budget mainly comprises of ugali, rice and 'chapati'. I also ensure I buy vegetables and fruits in season since they are cheaper then," she explains. "I was forced to stop buying bread as one loaf could not suffice," says Jemimah.

"Occasionally, very occasionally, I go out with my girlfriends though I have never had the luxury of coffee dates as I had my children very young and wasn't working then," she says. Jemimah confesses that she has been forced to borrow money from mobile apps on several occasions. "It is better than borrowing from friends and I don't feel cheated despite the high interest rate charged," she says. "To beat inflation, find out what best works for you as an individual. Do you," she advises. “I have had to move to a smaller house and do away with the services of a house-help to cut down on my expenses,” confesses Jemimah. “I have also had to move my children from a private school to a public school,” she says.

An online survey in various Facebook groups revealed that indeed, women have mastered the art of getting value for their money. "I buy most of my powdered foods in satchets as it is much cheaper," explained one lady. "I buy my drinking chocolate, coffee, cerelax and washing powder in satchets," she says.

Another lady confessed that she has reduced the number of visitors who come to their home. "It is impossible to feed every visitor that visits, so I have chosen not to be too hospitable," she confesses. Several ladies swore by their home-made air-freshener. "All you need is a spray bottle. Buy fabric softener and pour half a cup into the spray bottle. Top it up with water and you are good to go. Spray everywhere; on your curtains, carpet and sofas. It leaves the house smelling amazing for days!"

Some ladies said that they gang up with their friends and shop in bulk. "We buy bales of 'unga', rice, toiletries and everything else we need, which is much cheaper. We then divide them amongst ourselves. This really brings down my budget," says Bridget. "Also, never shop on an empty stomach as you will be forced to impulse buy," she advises. "To save on gas, I usually boil my cereals and certain cuts of meat on the pressure cooker, which is much faster. I also ensure to soak my cereals overnight before cooking," says Bridget.

Amy buys her electricity tokens between the 1st and 5th of every month, which she swears costs almost half the price. She and her friends shop at Eastleigh as they find it much cheaper. "Most people avoid shopping at Eastleigh because they think it is inconvenient and the things sold there are of an inferior brand. On the contrary, they have good quality stuff," explains Amy.

"Their clothing items are quite affordable and are the same ones we find in town being sold at exorbitant prices," she points out.