1. Set your budget
For simplicity sake, I saved all my slips from the supermarket and included all household items in my budget (cleaning stuff, wine, toiletries etc).  I do have a separate budget for food that I eat out of the house (like takeaway coffees or snacks that I purchase during the day and a separate budget for entertainment including meals out or takeaways).  But you do what works for you.

2. Change your thinking

The biggest step for me was to change my thinking and consequently my habits.  I think this was the hardest part for me.  It took me a concerted, determined effort, and a few months to get used to new ways of doing things.  Remember every penny counts, even if they seem like small savings they all add up.

3. Forget about cash envelopes?
A lot of budgets suggest a cash envelope system (i.e. withdraw the amount of cash in your budget for each budgeted item and put in an envelope at the beginning of the month). When it is spent it is finished until the beginning of next month.

4. Avoiding credit card debt
To avoid overspending and running up a large credit card bill, consider loading money onto your credit card at the beginning of the month in lieu of cash in an envelope.  Having said that, I am well aware that people reading an article on how to budget have most likely already been using their credit cards to purchase groceries and probably already have some debt. 

5. Make use of coupons, specials and loyalty programmes
In the South African context, coupons are relatively rare. I do make use of coupons at the supermarket, if they are available. Keep an eye out for supermarket specials and plan your meals around them, and if there are items that you routinely buy and they are on a special - stock up a bit (I usually buy two if I have space to store it).  Don’t be tempted to buy items that you don’t normally use just because they are on special. 

6. Shop less regularly
I stopped shopping every week and started shopping once every