South Africans are changing the way they travel, shop and eat as rising fuel prices continue to squeeze household budgets across the country.Consumer behaviour expert Carmen Murray says many families are finding creative ways to survive the growing cost-of-living crisis.
Instead of relying on economists or politicians for answers, ordinary citizens are adapting through community support and practical money-saving ideas.One major trend is known as “one route buying.” Neighbours are now organising shopping trips through WhatsApp groups to reduce fuel costs.
By combining errands and sharing transport, communities are cutting down on unnecessary travel.Murray says South Africans are also becoming obsessed with fuel efficiency. Motorists are comparing petrol prices, discussing which fuel lasts longer and even debating whether using cheaper petrol could damage engines. Small savings that once seemed unimportant are now part of daily survival plans.
Food spending habits are also changing. Many consumers are avoiding takeaways and cooking more meals at home. Families are carefully managing groceries, using leftovers and trying to reduce waste wherever possible. Public transport costs are creating even more pressure, especially for workers who depend on taxis.
Some employees are struggling to afford transport to work as taxi fares continue to rise. This has increased discussions around remote work and flexible working hours.At the same time, payday loans and short-term borrowing are becoming more common as households battle to make it through the month. Experts warn this could create long-term debt problems for many consumers.Despite the financial pressure, Murray says South Africans continue to show resilience.
Small businesses, informal trading and community support systems are growing as people search for new ways to earn money and support one another.She believes the country’s response to the crisis is similar to the Covid-19 period, where communities quickly adapted and found innovative ways to survive difficult times.
