Families tighten belts to make ends meet

Imagine having to contend with rising electricity prices, school fees, food and bond every year but your salary remains the same for five years?

This is the reality for many South Africans whose living expenses increase every year but their salary stays the same, resulting in them getting more in debt as they resort to loans to make ends meet.

Such is the story of Andile, a 46-year-old project manager from Hammanskraal in Tshwane who had to impose drastic changes in her household to make ends meet.

She lives with her two children and parents.

Andile, who asked that her real name not be used, is the breadwinner of the five-member household and has not had an increase or promotion “in a long time”.

“Our household income has lost value, it has gone down, I am still getting paid the same amount I got paid five years ago,” she said.

“Electricity went up extremely like 30% and food is a very much expensive.

“Cooking oil is expensive. 

“Two years ago I was spending R2,000  but this year I spend close to R5,000 at the shops on groceries. My other expenses is bond which is like R12,000 per month and vehicle finance,” she said. 

She said the family had to look at what cuts were needed. 

“We no longer go on vacations, we don’t eat the same food we used to eat, there have been a lot of cut-backs, especially in regards to entertainment and dining.

“We barely eat eggs these days, we are a big family. We would buy 60 eggs like twice a month, bread was even worse. We also try very hard to preserve electricity as much as possible, sleeping at specific times to switch off lights and plugs, especially the geyser,” she said. 

She added that school fees have also doubled.  “School fees are expensive, they've has doubled if not tripled. I used to pay almost R2,500 five years ago but now it’s like close to R6,000. 

“It’s really not easy, it’s honestly worrying because every month you hope that everything will be paid off and you wouldn’t have to eat from hand to mouth but it’s the same every year,” she said.

“What about retirement? Medical bills come piling in and it’s expensive,” she said.

A 37-year-old consultant based in Centurion earning close to R42,000 a month said he had to start using the Gautrain to save fuel costs.

“I save more actually, at least a R1,000, especially considering I don’t go into the office everyday and the office is a walking distance to the station,” he said.

He said with rent and utilities, he pays an estimate of R16,000 every month. 

“Grocery for two people is a lot, I buy specific brands and buying in bulk helps a lot. For the everyday groceries like your fresh fruit and other items, I would spend around R3,000 a month,” he said. 

He said his biggest concern was insurance and school fees. 

“Medical aid and car insurance, and just other small insurances like devices is around R10,500. I help my parents with their car's insurance. School fees I pay close to R8,000 [and] that doesn’t include the uniforms and the other accessories,” he said.