A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned: Smart Shopper, Nairobi.

Did you have a piggy bank as a child?
I remember mine, used to be a mabati one (like the one above) with a small hole big enough to put coins, it could also fit notes but those belonged to adults only - they were hard to come by!
I also remember every kid on our block having one and bragging what we thought we had inside by weighing it! We would break them open at the end of year as a reward to buy whatever we wanted. I spent most of my money at luna park riding those go carts - whatever happened?
Do you remember the joy of breaking it?
Man, it was ceremonial, dancing around your piggy and telling the saving coin gods thanks for giving you enough strength not to break it half way in the year! It was magical. I normally did mine in hiding without any interruption, my sister would try to follow me - "to help me count" but i would always lose her..

saving culture

I always volunteered been sent to the shops, partly to make a small hole in the milk to sip on it a little, or untie the sugar to lick a little or do some funny stuff which my mother always discovered, haha in all my "wisdom" (read folly) i could never fool my mum!! Its like she was seeing me! I don't do silly things even to this day because i feel like she watches me! 😊
Mainly, it was the change - the 10 cent and the 50 cent. Anything above that was returned.
Kidogo kidogo hujaza kibaba (little by little fills the measure) this was a vital lesson taught by our parents when we were growing up, it is the reason why every kid growing up in the 80s early 90s can relate to my piggy bank story. We were told that for each three coins got, you were supposed save one, spend one and invest the other it is a lesson we have carried to date that should also be taught to our children.
Today, we open bank accounts and save on their bahalf, but i believe that this is one of those life lessons that are better self taught!

Frugal buying

A close friend of mine has been shopping for a phone, she knew exactly what she wanted, the specifications, the brand and the money she wanted to spend. We've been shopping around for almost 2 months, well, comparing different brands, listening to experts in that particular field and trying to locate a merchant with the best prices. We finally arrived at a decision and got the phone brand new, newly released in the markets! With a warranty and saved almost ks 3000 or $30 not bad! We always know where to buy the screen protector and phone covers saving an extra ks 1000 or $10.

Here we are celebrating the save. The phone takes really nice photos.
Think about it, if we hadn't looked tirelessly comparing and finding us a good deal, we would not have saved the $40! Savings = Money earned. Even though it was our money in the first place, we earned it by not losing it! Get it? Hope so.

So How Do You Become A Frugal Shopper?

1. Always have a shopping list of items you need
2. Always paying in cash and try as much as possible to avoid credit and hire purchase buying.
3. Create enough time to do your shopping - comparing items and prices is not done in a hurry.
4. Looking out for items on promotion, sometimes they come in twos!
5. Brand name items are always not what you think of! But if you really want brand names try the flea market (Gikomba 1st camera)
6. Collect all your change/balance, don't leave anyone with your coins!
7. Most important - Always have a Budget.

Been a frugal shopper myself, keeps me busy looking for budget places to buy items

Let me share with you a few of those places if you are in Nairobi.

food

• cerals go to Nyamakima or Gikomba
• meats go to Ndonyo in Dagoreti or Burma market (beware of Donkey meat )
• Veggies go to Marikiti market or Gikomba
• fish go to Gikomba, beware there's chinese fish on sale
• chicken kienyenji (traditional bred) go to Gikomba same area as fish.
• buying household items in bulk from wholesales
• cooking at home is cheaper than eating out

shelter

Its tricky to advise someone where to live, while chosing a place alot of consideration and emphasis is put on availability of certain amenities namely schools, hospitals, security, proximity to work and the serenity/environment in which to raise your family.
The only advice i can offer is:

• Your house rent should not exceed your week's earning!
• be wary of service charges for some apartments - you buy a house, but the charges feel like you are paying rent all over again!
• employ professionals and build - its better than buying an already constructed house, you save and add a personal touch.
• you can do most house repairs by watching youtube ☺ painting, a bit of plumbing, changing bulbs, installing shower heads etc
• doing what you can on weekends with your family like cutting the lawn, watering the flowers, cleaning etc

clothing

• ladies go to Kamukunji, Eastleigh or Gikomba
• Gents go Kamukunji, Eastleigh or Gikomba.
• Children wear can be bought cheaply at Kamukunji or Eastleigh
• Curtains, Carpets and Duvets can be bought cheaply at Eastleigh
• Shoes can be bought cheaply at Kamukunji, Eastleigh or Gikomba
  Or even look out for end of season or close out sales in brand item shops. They will sell mostly at 50% off.

electronics and electricals

• Brand new at Eastleigh, second hand from expats leaving and online. NB: be very careful when buying online to avoid been conned!
• in town along river road

Prescribed medicines

In town at transchem

beauty products and jewellery

Along river road and Kamukunji

alcoholic drinks

I know of two places in town

• Dubois rd
• along ambasedur area near Double m bus stage

car spare parts

• along Kirinyaga road (be very careful to avoid been conned)
• i personally prefer Impala in town or Westlands area.

please note

1. Always do your due diligence
2. Your money your choice
3. This list is not meant to promote businesses in certain areas
4. And we could always learn from you too, please advise on other areas left out or make additions.
5. Shop wisely.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheers