We are officially in the second half of the year - super wild but we gotta journey on.
In this new segment of the blog, I will share things you need to know about a particular month, right at the beginning of each month. I know it’s mid-month now but we move - haha 😅
For July, these are the things you need to know…
Savings Month
July has been termed savings month by the South African Savings Institute (SASI). The aim of this initiative is to create awareness about the importance of savings, to “challenge consumers to strive towards living within their means and to reinforce positive financial behavior”.
If you’ve said “I will start saving as soon as I earn enough money”, or “I don’t have enough left over for savings” before, you are not alone and your sentiments are shared. This is in fact the reality of many people globally.
According to research, South Africans are spending more than saving. In fact, this article from BusinessTech reveals the ripple effect of the country’s low savings rates on retirement plans. Honestly speaking though, times are really tough and most of us are on survival mode. But, it’s important to start saving as early as possible, with the little that you have. Just like with any new habit, the beginning stages will be hard but it’s absolutely doable. I found this amazing platform, FCSA Consumer Education - it has FREE resources to help us out on this journey. For children, Congealed Legacy sells this amazing product through Ethnikids. Do check them out.
International Nelson Mandela Day
Every year on the 18th of July, the world remembers Madiba’s dedication to good works, for all of humanity. Heaps of commemorative events take place around the world on this day. If you haven’t yet signed up for any good works, here are some local events you can check out Mandela Day Walk, Laddles of Love, or Food Forward SA.
Find your own local events or help out at a community project - whatever you do, go out there with the intention to make a difference.
Mental Illness Awareness Month
Mental health is everyone’s business. The annual awareness created around mental illness is aimed at helping us to understand the illnesses and treatments or solutions for each. Creating awareness about mental illnesses is an essential journey we all need to embark on to remove the stigma surrounding mental health. For helpful resources, check the SADAG website.
These three things highlight the importance of a holistic approach to life. When we are worrying about our finances for instance, this can have an adverse impact on our mental health, this leading to mental illness disorders. On the other hand, participating in events or activities that contribute to making a positive impact in our communities releases feel-good hormones which help increase and improve our mental health.
Remember this, throughout the month and strive for integration of the different facets of your life as much as possible.
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