10 ways to spend less without looking miserable

by Joshua Arimi on October 19, 2009

Everybody is talking of Recession. We all now know that money in our pockets can dwindle gradually until we find ourselves broke. If you don’t believe this ask Mardoff. But you will not find him anywhere in near future anyway. He has to serve 350 years in jail. Basically you will never find him to answer that question.

However, I am ready and I can answer one of the questions that have been in your mind for a while now. I am a mind reader like Derren Brown so I know what you have been asking.

Below are the 10 answers on how to spend less without looking miserable

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1. Don’t buy things you don’t use

Why buy three 5-sitter sofa sets, when you only have one kid.

Buying a fridge by hire purchase for storing milk only is not a good idea. It is increasing your electricity bill as well as CO₂ emissions.

What is the difference between your old cathode TV and the LCD flat screen that you bought through the nose.

2. Don’t pay for unnecessary services

Do you really need all those extra features of your mobile phone?

The other day you bought a HD-ready TV; do you really know what that means? Or was it just for a show. Even if you know, are you utilising it?

That wireless internet card and phone network card in your computer are an extra expense if you only use LAN network card

You bragged that you bought that phone with bluetooth, how often do you use it?

My neighbour once installed landline telephone which was used twice a year and he had to pay standing charges.

3. Avoid unhealthy habits

Smoking will deal you double blows: mess your health and pocket.

A trip to a pub will increase a risk of cancer as well as draining your hard earned cash.

Eating an orange/apple/pineapple is cheaper and healthier that buying that Highland’s/Quencher squash

4. Carry your own lunch

At dinner time, cook enough food for the following day’s lunch. We always pack lunch for our kids. We need to do the same for ourselves. This way we save some bucks and eat healthy and clean food. I say clean, because you are never sure of the cleanliness of that restaurant.

5. Change your shopping location

If you are living or working in Nairobi, avoid upper-Nairobi streets (west of Tom Mboya street). The furthest you should go towards Uhuru high way is Odeon Cinema.

With all due respect avoid Nakumatt by all means. You can get the same product at Tusker supermarkets at lower and friendly price. I know you would like to be seen with those Nakumatt blue plastic bags, but you will pay dearly for the prestige.

For groceries, don’t dare enter a supermarket, shop from Wakulima market.

6. Rent or swap a movie

Instead of a trip to the movie theatre, rent or swap movies with friends.

Instead of buying that DVD, rent it, borrow from a friend or wait and watch the video on the TV.

7. Wait/Delay purchases

Instead of buying that trouser which is on fashion expensively, wait and buy it when the price comes down.

8. Grow your own

Instead of buying vegetable and groceries grow your own. If you are living in urban centres use flower pots.

9. Weekly/monthly bus card

If you travel regularly with bus, it’s cheaper to buy weekly or monthly bus card.

10. Avoid unnecessary electricity bills

Renting a house in Kenya is pegged on whether there is power supply. Nowadays, you double spend on electricity and other lighting systems (hurricane lamps and tin lamps) because of blackouts. Rent in cheaper areas where there is no supply of electricity.

Use energy saver bulbs. I once switched to them and saved my bills by 40%.

Unplug or switch off your TV. Never leave it on standby.

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