{"id":6383,"date":"2026-05-04T17:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T15:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=6383"},"modified":"2026-05-04T18:31:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:31:54","slug":"reduce-stress-by-sorting-out-your-finances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/lifestyle\/finance\/reduce-stress-by-sorting-out-your-finances\/","title":{"rendered":"Reduce stress by sorting out your finances"},"content":{"rendered":"

The majority of parental problems that I see in my practice are exacerbated by stress, and what can be more stressful than sinking into debt. Add to this, a fuel hike that is sure to be a game changer for most. So, here are some tips to sort out your finances and start the new financial year in a less stressful and more kid-friendly way!
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\nBreaking News! Fuel price hike effective 6 May 2026!<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Two Steps to Sort out your Finances:<\/h3>\n

Step One:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The first step in sorting out your finances is to know what they are. Print out your bank statements and credit card statements and make a list of all the income and expenses that you have every month. Most people avoid this simple activity and would rather stay in the dark, but facing the truth is way less stressful than waking up one day to find out you\u2019re bankrupt! So take a deep breath and just do it!!<\/p>\n

Step Two:<\/strong><\/p>\n

You need to know your income and expenses if you are to create a successful budget and stick to it, and this is step number two. Work out your essentials each month and what they come to and always make sure that you are putting some money away every month into a savings account, or some extra money into your bond.<\/p>\n

How to curb your expenses<\/h3>\n

If you find that you are overspending and don\u2019t have any \u201cdisposable income\u201d at the end of the month, relax. Acknowledge this and also that you are not alone \u2013 the majority of parents find themselves in this position. Here are some tips to sorting this out by bringing your expenses down:<\/p>\n

\u00a0Cut up your account cards.\u00a0<\/strong>If you can\u2019t afford something, you shouldn\u2019t be buying it. The time will come when you\u2019ve saved enough and can treat yourself, but as much as possible, never use credit \u2013 and definitely don\u2019t use credit to buy your groceries.<\/p>\n

Put your credit card in a glass of water in the freezer.<\/strong> If you really need it, it\u2019s still there, but you won\u2019t make impulse purchases if you need to wait for it to defrost first.<\/p>\n

Look at the debit orders you have<\/strong>
\nSee if you can decrease your insurance, call your security company and ask them to relook a your monthly fees, cancel any unnecessary memberships. If you haven\u2019t been to the gym in 6 months, make a decision to go or see if you can sell your membership.<\/p>\n

Cell phones! Wow!<\/strong>
\nMy husband and I just halved our phone bills by changing service providers. If your contract is at its end, don\u2019t just automatically upgrade with the same provider \u2013 shop around, look for specials, ask for discounts. And if you\u2019ve already got 5 phones at home, take a contract without a phone \u2013 if you add up the monthly payments and see what you\u2019re really paying for that phone after two years you might want to rethink.<\/p>\n

Beware, too, of getting to the end of your contract and not upgrading or changing, as you are then still paying the monthly amount for the phone even though you\u2019ve finished paying it off.<\/p>\n

Take note of the cappuccino factor.<\/strong>
\nThis is the name given to those little spendings that you do regularly and don\u2019t think they amount to much. Like the cappuccino you buy on the way to work.<\/p>\n

Do this little exercise: Take one thing that you don\u2019t really need but buy regularly \u2013 the coffee out, the cigarettes, the bar of chocolate. Now multiply the cost of this by the number of times you purchase it in a week. Then times that by the 4 weeks in a month, then by the 12 months in a year, and then by 10 years (and that\u2019s not even including inflation, interest etc). You\u2019ll be amazed by how much you could save over ten years just by cutting out that one thing\u2026 who knows, you could even be a millionaire!!<\/p>\n

Awareness \u2013 of your spending habits, your shopping habits, your eating habits.\u00a0<\/strong>
\nLook at your statements and see where the money is going. Are you eating out too much? Could you be shopping at a less expensive store? Are your kids wearing name brands when a regular t-shirt could do?! Shop, eat and live consciously.<\/p>\n

This is quite a task, I know, but it\u2019s very empowering when you get your finances under control. And you, your partner and your kids will benefit in the long run. Think of all those restful nights NOT worrying about the bills!!<\/p>\n

Note: If you enjoyed this article, and would like to stay updated with more, you can:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n