July isn’t just another winter month — it’s South Africa’s national call to action for better money habits. Backed by the South African Savings Institute (SASI), this month-long campaign is designed to spark financial literacy, smarter spending, and a renewed commitment to saving.
Let’s be honest: saving money right now feels like a luxury few can afford. Petrol prices swing like a pendulum, grocery bills climb with each swipe, and payday often disappears before you’ve even blinked. But that’s exactly why Savings Month matters more than ever.
In 2019, household debt in South Africa stood at a staggering R1.72 trillion. That was before the pandemic. Fast-forward to today, and many South Africans are still recovering financially, with rising costs leaving little room for saving. So how do we take back control of our finances, one small step at a time?
Enter the R150 Challenge
We challenged ourselves to spend only R150 on everyday necessities or items of value using the bsmart card and document the experience. The goal? To prove that with a little planning, some budgeting wisdom, finding the best price, and the power of cashback rewards, R150 can go further than you think.
Here’s how it went down:
What we bought (and where):
Armed with our bsmart card and a firm ceiling of R150, we headed out to Checkers, one of our retail partners that offers cashback benefits.
Here’s what made it into the basket at the best price:
- A loaf of brown bread – R15.99
- 2L milk – R31.99
- 1kg rice – R26.99
- 6-pack of eggs – R22.49
- Canned beans – R14.99
- Fresh spinach bunch – R11.99
- 500g maize meal – R8.49
- One chocolate bar (because balance!) – R13.99
Total: R146.92
XtraSavings discount: R5.98
bsmart Discount: R1.94
Best Price: R139 (savings more than 5%)
With a monthly cashback reward from bsmart, you’re effortlessly getting a portion of your spend back, simply by using the right card.
More saving hacks from SASI to make R150 go further:
Use the 30-Day Rule
Thinking about impulse purchases? Write them down and wait 30 days. If you still want the item, buy it. More often than not, you won’t.
Budget with purpose
Try the 50/30/20 rule:
- 50% on needs (like the groceries above)
- 30% on wants
- 20% on savings and debt repayments
Open a 32-Day notice account
If you’re serious about growing your savings, use accounts that make it a little harder to dip into funds impulsively.
Track every rand
Apps, spreadsheets, even good old pen and paper, it doesn’t matter how. Just track it. Awareness is the first step to change.
Reflections: What this challenge taught us
- The power of intention. Shopping with a goal in mind helped us avoid the aisle of temptation (yes, we’re looking at you, snacks-on-special).
- Small amounts still matter. R150 might not seem like much, but it’s a reminder that every rand counts.
- Cashback adds up. When you shop with bsmart retail partners, you’re not just spending, you’re earning. That cashback can snowball by year-end, especially if you do all your essentials shopping through bsmart.
- Emotional spending is real. We caught ourselves wanting to “reward” the budgeting effort with takeout but paused to reflect instead. That mindset shift? Priceless.
Your turn: Take the R150 Challenge and WIN!
Think you can make R150 work for you this Savings Month?
We challenge YOU to take the R150 Challenge. Head to one of bsmart’s retail partners, spend wisely, find the best price, and document your shop. Then, visit our Facebook member page how far your R150 took you and at which bsmart retail partner.
Let’s get South Africa saving, one smart shop at a time.