How Inflation Is Changing the Way We Indulge

Have you noticed lately that every time you go to the supermarket, the checkout bill is higher? How about at the petrol station? Inflation is rising, and it doesn’t feel like our salaries are keeping pace.

What’s one significant thing that we’re sacrificing? Indulgences. If we’re struggling to afford everyday necessities, how in the world are we going to reward ourselves?

Here’s our take on what’s going on with inflation, the psychology behind indulging ourselves, and some tips on how to indulge, but more affordably.

Inflation and Its Impact on South African Households

In the first quarter of 2025, the news wasn’t great for South African households. Consumer prices rose month-on-month, with housing and utilities up by 4.4%, food and non-alcoholic beverages up by 4.0%, and restaurants and accommodation services up by 4.6%.

Daily life causes us all stress at various stages. Due to the higher cost of living, cost-cutting is an everyday reality for many South African families. Some of us are doing more overtime or taking on a second job as a result. All of this can add to our stress levels.

All of this builds up, and at times, we might feel like we’re on the verge of exploding or imploding. That’s why we need to reward ourselves—which is where indulgences come in.

Why We Need Indulgences

Most of us lead busy lives and have many responsibilities. From providing for our families to dealing with co-workers and management, we often need something by the end of the workweek to take our minds off our daily stressors. Indulgences can be small, like eating our favourite chocolate bar, to extravagant ones like a tropical getaway.

The biggest challenge with rewarding ourselves is the cost. As we’re sometimes struggling to make ends meet, how can we possibly indulge ourselves? We can, but it requires some thought.

These days, deciding what level of reward to give ourselves is akin to playing the high-volatility slot machines at a casino. Do we risk spending that money now for instant gratification, or do we save it up and give ourselves a giant reward once a year?

If the thought of waiting an entire year to get a reward sounds impossible, here are some suggestions.

Indulging Without Breaking the Bank

You may not know this, but value deals are all around us. If you know where to look, you can get significant discounts and still enjoy those much-needed indulgences.

It just takes a little more thought and some planning. Our options are to cut back, seek value deals, or shift to more affordable luxury options.

Cut Back

As drastic as it may sound, cutting back is the easiest way for us to save money on indulgences. Consider this: instead of going out for dinner once a week, try once a fortnight (that’s an average saving of around R600).

Practice delayed gratification. This takes some practice, but it’s a definite savings tactic. We still get to reward ourselves; we just do it less often. In time, this feels even better, as we’ve had to wait for it. It may be a challenge at first, since frequent indulgences may be our old habit, but the change is worth it.

Loyalty Programs

Are you part of the 76% of consumers benefiting from loyalty programs? If not, here are some to check out:

• Checkers Xtra Savings: Get instant discounts on groceries, dining, and travel deals.
• Clicks Club Card: Earn rewards that can be redeemed at restaurants and for entertainment.
• FNB eBucks: Save up to 40% off on selected flights, car hire, and discounts at restaurants like Wimpy, Starbucks, and Kauai.

Discount and Deal Websites/Apps

Two options that can help us all indulge at our favourite places while spending less are:

• The Loyalty Card: A membership-based program offering up to 30% off at a wide range of independent restaurants and service providers nationwide.
• Zapper: A mobile payment app that integrates loyalty rewards and offers discounts at partner restaurants and retailers.

Change the Venue

Going out for dinner is a popular way to indulge, but it can get very expensive. Here’s a suggestion: instead of going to The Grillhouse, switch it up and go to Panarottis instead. This will need a bit of a mindset change. Focus on the fact that it’s still an indulgence—you’re not cooking at home after all—albeit a budget-friendly one.

If your idea of an indulgence is a night in a swanky hotel, instead of a 5-star, switch to a 4-star boutique. You’ll be surprised at how similar it is, just without the inflated price tag.

Indulge at Home

Going to the movies is a fun indulgence, but it can get also expensive. If you’re heading out to Ster-Kinekor, prices start at R130. Add on popcorn and drinks, and you might be broke by the end of the night.

How about this for an idea? Watch a movie at home. Log in to your favourite streaming platform, turn out all the lights to mimic the cinema experience, and settle in. The benefits of this are that nobody is sitting in front of you blocking the view, and there’s nobody behind you rustling a packet of crisps. Popcorn and drinks? That’s sorted too. You can buy Ster-Kinekor microwave popcorn at the supermarket, so stock up beforehand and make it fresh on the night.

We Won’t let Inflation Stifle Our Indulgences

Just because inflation is up, doesn’t mean we have to skip out on rewarding ourselves. If we make some slight changes to our mindset, like reducing our rewards, shopping around for better deals, and being more creative, we can still treat ourselves, but without hurting our wallets.