Grocery Saver Planner

What you will need

• People you feed (people)
• Monthly food budget (R)
• How often you shop: monthly bulk | twice a month | weekly
• What you actually spent on food last month (from statements or slips) (R)

How it works

per_person_per_day = food_budget / household_size / 30. gap = current_spend - food_budget. Plan: split budget into staples (maize meal, rice, samp, beans, oil, sugar, flour) ~40%, protein (eggs, pilchards, chicken pieces, soya mince, beans) ~25%, vegetables and fruit ~20%, other ~15% (guide). Checklist of savers: plan a 7-day meal list before shopping; buy staples in bulk once a month, fresh items weekly; compare unit prices (per kg); use store loyalty rewards; buy house brands; share bulk buys through a grocery stokvel; cook once for two meals; avoid shopping hungry; check prices at a nearby wholesaler or spaza before a long taxi trip (count taxi fare in the cost). If food_budget per person is very low or the member reports skipping meals, show the 'Cannot afford food' first aid.

What you get

• Budget per person per day
• Suggested split
• Over or under last month

What it means

• You spent more than planned; a list and a weekly cash limit usually close this gap.
• If your household is going without food, support is available; see Money First Aid.

Next step: Want help interpreting this? Talk to a money coach.

Runs on the device. Nothing is saved unless the member chooses.