Spending tips for Easter without breaking the bank
· Citizen
Easter is usually a time when families hit the road, gather with loved ones and make the most of the long weekend. This year, however, the picture looks a little different.
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A recent petrol price hike has made travelling more costly, while uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict continues to weigh on the economic outlook.
With budgets under strain, Ester Ochse, product head of Integrated Advice at FNB, advises households to opt for a quieter, more cautious holiday and spend wisely.
Prepare well in advance
It is always advisable, not just for Easter holidays, for almost everything in life, to prepare well in advance.
“Preparation well in advance, even a month or two before Easter, is key to avoiding unnecessary financial stress over the holiday period,” said Ochse.
“The best starting point is to be clear about what you can realistically afford, set a spending limit upfront, and build a budget that accounts for the full cost of the season. By planning early, consumers give themselves more time to make intentional choices and enjoy the celebrations without added strain.”
Smart tips for Easter spending
- Set a clear spending limit early: Decide up front what you can afford and stick to that amount.
- Shop with a list and compare prices: Reduce impulse buying and consider house brands or lower-cost alternatives.
- Budget for the full cost of Easter: Factor in groceries, transport, tolls, meals, entertainment and family commitments.
- Plan ahead for rising travel costs: Account for fuel, tolls and food, and include a buffer for unexpected expenses. Consider carpooling, using loyalty rewards, preparing homemade meals and limiting non-essential travel.
- Use digital tools to track spending: in-app budgeting tools, spending trackers, and account alerts to help monitor your money in real time.
- Be cautious with promotions and bulk buying: Specials only offer value when they apply to planned purchases.
- Be mindful with credit use: Managing credit carefully, prioritising essentials, and exploring alternatives such as loyalty rewards or lower-cost substitutions can help ease the pressure
- Save ahead for seasonal expenses: Even small, consistent savings can make a difference, particularly for households with uncertain or irregular income. Building a buffer, however modest, helps reduce reliance on debt during high-spend periods.
- Turning planning into savings: A family of four planning a road trip from Johannesburg to the Eastern Cape could easily spend R2500 on fuel, R300 on tolls, and another R400 on food and snacks. By budgeting these costs upfront, preparing homemade meals, and using loyalty points to offset fuel costs, the family could save over R500, which can be redirected to other priorities or set aside for future holidays.
Reinforce healthy money habits
Dhashni Naidoo, programme manager for Consumer Education at FNB, said high-spend periods can also be a useful opportunity to reinforce healthy money habits.
“Financial savviness is often built through practical everyday decisions,” said Naidoo. “Whether it is comparing prices, planning before shopping or discussing the difference between needs and wants, these are the habits that help consumers make more confident choices.”
She added that people must remain alert to scams and misleading offers during the holiday period, especially when shopping online.
“High-spend periods can create opportunities for fraudsters to target consumers through fake promotions, pressure-based offers, and email or text message links requesting payment or personal details.
“Consumers should be cautious of deals that seem unusually attractive, verify retailers before making payment, and never share sensitive information unless they are certain the platform is legitimate.”