If there is something that well defines the insatiability of man, it has to be through money. We can never have enough of it. When money is enough to buy the basics, we need more for the luxuries. When we have enough to buy cars and booze, we need more to buy other things that we do not need- just so we can boast of having them. Truth be told though- no matter how much money you have, every penny saved is always worth.

Imagine the 800/- that you saved today by taking a bus instead of a cab. Add that to the money you saved by ordering from the right side of the menu at Art Café’. Then there is the money you saved cleaning your hair in the house before going to the salon. For some people, this might be too much of a task, but for others, it means more money in the pocket .We came up with a list of options for you to consider, especially if your wallet has been feeling a little bit hard pressed. Better a penny saved than none.

1. Take the bus instead of the cab – You want to be comfortable in your own space, to be picked up at work and dropped right next to your door in the evening. But that really never makes sense if it is going to leave a serious damage to your pockets. Why not just ‘jav’? If you have to take the cab, especially on a night out, splitting the bill with friends is always good for your wallet. If you opt to use public transport, the bus will always be cheaper and sometimes even more comfortable than the ‘matatu’.

2. Leave the Lights Out! – As the famous line goes, would you want someone to turn you on and then leave you…turned on?

3. Carry Packed Food to Work- It will save you that 200/- you use daily on lunch. Take advantage of the microwave in the office.

4. Help the Hairdresser, Do it Yourself!- For the girls who have shampoo in the house, and hot water, there is never a need to pay the hairdresser 200/- extra to do something you can do yourself, unless you want the experience. If you can as well, buy your own hair treatment, nail polish, mani/pedi kit and do it yourself.

5. Cut on the Coffee Meet-Ups- It is cool to socialize and meet people, but if you calculate the money that goes into meeting people after 5 for coffee and a little catch up, you will be surprised. Don’t stop meeting people, just cut it down a bit.

6. Thrift Market for the Ladies - Gikomba, Ngara and Toy Market are not so bad an option.  If your budget does not put you on the Enkarasha way of life, do not push it. These thrift markets actually do have very good items.

7. Turn on the Wi-Fi- Do not quote us, but there is a lot of unsecured internet flying around. You as well ought to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi in the coffee shops and restaurants around Nairobi. Data is too expensive to waste!

8. Schedule That SweetNothings Call For 10 p.m! -  Everyone is tweeting these days. But if have to call, why not take advantage of the Telecomm company offers? Most of them charge less for calls made past 10 p.m. Unlimited SMS’s will also be a smart thing to think about! You are trying to save any penny you can!

9. Have an Indoors Date Instead- Ice-skating at Panari is an excellent idea, but cuddling up on the sofa over the weekend and watching a movie is even a better idea, and less costly.

10. The ATM is Not Your Travelling Partner – The ATM is good for emergencies, but if you can willingly forget it at home, it will save you a lot of impulse spending. You know how much money you use in a day. Put that in the wallet and maybe a little bit extra for the emergencies.

Happy Saving!