Don’t Let Your Budget Stand Between You and Braai Day

Braai Day is coming up, and for some of us, budgets can stand in the way of having a good time. But guess what? It doesn’t have to! Debtco Group has put together ways you can still have a lekke braai day, even on a budget: budget groceries and what to do if living expenses are too overwhelming. You guessed it– debt review.

In July, the repo rate remained high at a shocking 8.25%, which subsequently has driven up interest rates. This was because of inflation and the sky-high petrol, oil, and food prices South Africa faces. This made debt repayments higher, loans more expensive and increased the cost of living exponentially. As Braai Day approaches and food prices climb, you might wonder how you can afford to celebrate such an important part of our culture.

Each year, on the 24th of September, South Africans braai like there’s no tomorrow. It’s more than a barbeque or cooking food over an open fire– it’s a get-together, a day to cherish with friends and family while enjoying potato salad, boerewors rolls, chops, or kebabs, and of course, a brandy and coke (or beer, if you drink). This day is a quintessential part of celebrating who we are as South Africans.

So, whip out the boerewors and notepad. We’re about to dive into exactly how you can celebrate the most important day of the year, even on a budget.

Braai Day on a Budget

One of the most effective ways you can afford Braai Day with very little money is knowing where to shop. Forget about Woolworths and Pick ‘n Pay, we’re wandering into where you’ll gasp, “Oh my gosh, that’s so cheap.” Braai on a budget!

The best places to shop if you’re short on cash are Shoprite and your local food market, and if you’re fancy, Checkers.

At Shoprite, you can get a 5-pack of chicken for R55.00, per KG! You can also get a KG of mutton for R110.00. Also, you can get 7 kgs of potato for R85.00 (R84.99, semantics).

You could also hit up your local market to find specials. For example, you can get 5KGs of charcoal for R80 at Bellville market in Cape Town. Or, R3.00 per KG of cut pumpkin. That’s really cheap. You might also try buying in bulk.

If you’re really in a pinch, forget about the brandy. Who says you can’t have fun without alcohol?

What to Do if You’re Over-Indebted

If you can’t afford to make minimum payments or meet living expenses, you’re over-indebted. The answer? Debt counselling, or debt review. This is a legal process where all your debt repayments, even credit card debt , medical debt and car finance, are consolidated into one reduced, easy monthly payment. Our debt counsellors negotiate with creditors on your behalf to reduce interest rates, lengthen repayment periods, and reduce repayments.

You’re also protected from legal action– no one can sue you or put a judgment against your name for defaulting anymore. The process lasts for 3-5 years. After you’ve repaid all your debt, you get a debt clearance certificate that you can submit to the bureaus during credit clearance after debt review, as per the National Credit Act.

After your credit is cleared, you can enjoy a higher credit score and living debt-free.

Considering debt counselling? Get in touch with Debtco Group now to get started.