Rent or buy
To rent or to buy is almost as crucial as the age old question - ‘to be or not to be?’
Socially smart
Are you a serial social media user and all the time you spend on social media is eating into other aspects of your life? We've been at home on our phones and devices for more than 6 months now, here's how to ease yourself back to normal and step away from the social media platforms.
bsmart Blog: Retire smart
The National Treasury states that roughly 6% of South Africans are on track to retire comfortably. Are you one of them? You may be thinking “I’m too old to start now”, or “I can’t afford to plan for my retirement right now.” Well think again! It’s never too late to start thinking of your future, and any contribution will make a difference in the long run.
Vegetarianism
Over the past few decades we’ve seen a rise in people identifying and living a lifestyle more skewed towards a plant-based diet. This could be for a myriad of reasons; while some opt for a vegetarian lifestyle for ethical reasons, others wish to reap its many health benefits or to cut down on the monthly budget. If you’re still weighing the pros and cons of vegetarianism, read on to learn about different types of vegetarian diets and which one is best for you.
How to be financially independent
Raise your hand if you’d like to stop worrying about money! That sounds like a dream. Unfortunately, being human, it costs money to live and take up a space in a society. Many of us live paycheck to paycheck or barely make it through the month before school fees and bills are due again, starting the cycle from scratch. Not even to mention when something unexpected happens, like your car breaking down or a throbbing tooth putting you in the dentist chair. This barely gives you a chance to put even the smallest amount of money aside and work on your savings. But how can we break this cycle, become financially independent and stop worrying about money once and for all?
Love during lockdown
Being locked down for a week or two with the one you love sounds like a dream come true, but when weeks turn into months it might start eating at the relationship. We’re not saying every relationship is bound to fail during this time, we’re just saying it is normal to drive each other up the walls a little. Throw in the financial stress of perhaps not being able to work at this time and just the general toll a pandemic has on your psyche, and things are bound to get a little tense.
Be the change
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” - Nelson Mandela
With Mandela Day coming up on the 18th of July, we found ourselves thinking of a way we can help out and be a good citizen. Not only to fulfill our 67 minutes, but to be a better citizen overall. Here are a few ways you can be of service to your fellow citizens and be the change you’d like to see in your community and the world.
Shopping for savings
Earlier this year we called on the expertise of our bsmart members. We wanted to know where you shop to get the best deals on everyday essentials, such as milk, nappies, fruit and veg and anything on your shopping list. Do you shop around? Or do you do all your shopping in one spot?