1. DO NOT go shopping on an empty stomach!
It is proven that you are more likely to buy things that you don’t need and that are unhealthy for both your body and your pocket when you go shopping on an empty stomach! Grocery stores know the power of the sweet smell of freshly baked goodies. A single sniff can ignite your appetite and send even the toughest shopper down the aisle grabbing for anything that looks good!

2. Make a list before going shopping.
They call it impulse buying for a reason. Most of us have a very tough time resisting the temptation to purchase extras while shopping. Sticking to a well thought-out shopping list will help you cut down on grabbing for things that you do not need. Without a list you may buy items that you simply do not need or worse – you may only realise later that you forgot to purchase what you actually went to the store for and may then have to make another trip and face even more temptation. Make a list and stick to it!

3. Rebates, Loyalty Programs, Coupons – Take Advantage of all of them!
You can save hundreds of Rands a year by taking advantage of product incentives and loyalty programs. Choose stores and service providers that have them! I love this country! You can get paid for just about anything! You can get paid to keep fit, get paid for buying healthy foods, get rewarded for frequently shopping for things that you need (and will spend on anyway even if they didn’t pay you!) so why not take the money?! Take advantage of all the loyalty programs at your disposal and you may cut an average of 10 percent off your budget for each shopping trip.

4. DO try out the Store Brands – You May Like Them!
Does it really matter whether your cereal is made by an international brand or is the store brand? Does it matter if your milk is imported from New Zealand or is packaged locally under the store brand? Companies have worked hard to improve their private-label brands and often the taste is equal to the large national and international brands. Do not be afraid to experiment. Find what works for you and you may save up to 40% off your annual grocery bill.

5. Watch the Scanner.
Yes this may seem like micro-managing and yes it may mean that you need to put down the magazine that you usually read at the till but this is no place to be lax. Keeping your eyes on the scanner as the cashier punches away will not only make the cashier more alert, but will allow you to stop the checkout process if an item is showing the incorrect price too. And yes these ‘incorrect price’ and ‘billing one item twice’ mistakes happens more often than you can imagine. Being alert will save you some valuable Rands!

So 2012 will be all about limitless giving for us!

We will be running a 52 week series documenting what we are up to each week and how and what we are giving away. We will also be featuring some of the amazing work that African women change-makers aka D.I.V.A.s, are doing all over the world.

For more details on how, why and where we are giving CLICK HERE

Follow the week by week giving here:

Week 01        January 1 – January 8: Product Giveaway – Win a copy of Linda’s Guide to Financial Freedom and Abundance 2012

Week 02        January 9 – January 15: Spotlight Giveaway – We shine the light on The WHEAT Trust and the great work they are doing to empower women in South Africa.

Week 03        January 16 – January 22: Discount Giveaway – Get 20% off a Life Coaching or Do What You Love Coaching Package

Week 04        January 23 – January 29: My Time – Win a spot in the small group financial fitness coaching sessions for February. SMS the word “MONEY” to +27832475296 to be entered into the competition

Week 05        January 30 – February 5:

Week 06        February 6 – February 12:

Week 07        February 13 – February 19:

Week 08        February 20 – February 26:

Week 09        February 27 – March 4:

Week 10        March 5 – March 11:

Week 11        March 12 – March 18:

Week 12        March 19 – March 25:

Week 13        March 26 – April 1:

Week 14        April 2 – April 8:

Week 15        April 9 – April 15:

Week 16        April 16 – April 22:

Week 17        April 23 – April 29:

Week 18        April 30 – May 6:

Week 19        May 7 – May 13:

Week 20        May 14 – May 20:

Week 21        May 21 – May 27:

Week 22        May 28 – June 3:

Week 23        June 4 – June 10:

Week 24        June 11 – June 17:

Week 25        June 18 – June 24:

Week 26        June 25 – July 1:

Week 27        July 2 – July 8:

Week 28        July 9 – July 15:

Week 29        July 16 – July 22:

Week 30        July 23 – July 29:

Week 31        July 30 – August 5:

Week 32        August 6 – August 12:

Week 33        August 13 – August 19:

Week 34        August 20 – August 26:

Week 35        August 27 – September 2:

Week 36        September 3 – September 9:

Week 37        September 10 – September 16:

Week 38        September 17 – September 23:

Week 39        September 24 – September 30:

Week 40        October 1 – October 7:

Week 41        October 8 – October 14:

Week 42        October 15 – October 21:

Week 43        October 22 – October 28:

Week 44        October 29 – November 4:

Week 45        November 5 – November 11:

Week 46        November 12 – November 18:

Week 47        November 19 – November 25:

Week 48        November 26 – December 2:

Week 49        December 3 – December 9:

Week 50        December 10 – December 16:

Week 51        December 17 – December 23:

Week 52        December 24 – December 31