Greetings, and welcome to the 33rd edition of the Wallet Wellness Newsletter - your midweek source of practical financial tips to elevate your money management skills!

We hope you got a chance to read last week’s edition, where we discussed how to plan for your child's school expenses this August holiday. This week, we shift gears to practical ways to cut your child's expenses this season.

As always, be sure to check out the Concept Corner below for a deep dive into the money concept of the week.

Let’s dive in!

MONEY254 TIP OF THE WEEK

Practical Ways to Cut Your Child’s Expenses This August

With schools closed for the August holidays, many parents are already feeling the financial pressure that comes with kids being at home full-time. 

The shift from a daily school routine to keeping kids at home often brings a surge in spending on food, activities, and utilities. But with a few smart strategies, you can reduce these child-related expenses and make the most of the holiday.

So, how do you cut costs and ensure that your children have a quality time?

Taming the Food Budget

• Make a meal plan and shop smart: Instead of buying food on the fly, create a weekly menu with your children. This not only involves them in the process but also helps you create a precise shopping list, preventing last-minute, expensive purchases. For example, if you plan to make ugali with sukuma wiki and eggs for lunch on Tuesday, you'll know exactly what to buy.

• Embrace bulk shopping: Buy staples like maize flour, rice, and beans in bulk to take advantage of lower prices. You can also visit your local mama mboga for seasonal fruits and vegetables, which are often cheaper and fresher than in supermarkets.

• Snack better: Instead of buying processed snacks like crisps and biscuits, which can be expensive, prepare your own if you can bake, or settle for fruits. For example, a single packet of crisps might cost Ksh80, but you can buy a whole bunch of bananas for Ksh100, which will last much longer and is healthier.

Retrim the Entertainment Budget

Keeping kids occupied doesn't have to mean costly trips or camps. Get creative with free or low-cost activities.

• Outdoor Adventures: For instance, if you are in Nairobi, visit Karura Forest for a hike, bike ride, or picnic for a small entry fee of around Ksh50 for kids. 

• Creative at Home: Turn your home into an activity hub. Host a family board game tournament or get the kids involved in cooking and baking. This not only saves money but also creates lasting memories.

Reduce Household Expenses

With everyone at home, utility bills such as electricity costs are bound to increase. Small changes can make a big difference.

• Be mindful of energy use: Get the whole family involved in conserving electricity. Turn off lights when leaving a room and unplug chargers and appliances that aren't in use. Teach kids to take shorter showers to save both electricity for the water heater and water itself.

• Cook efficiently: When cooking, use a slow cooker or pressure cooker, which are more energy-efficient than a conventional electric cooker. 

Prepare for School Reopening Now

August is not just for fun; it's a critical time to prepare for the new school term, which starts in September.

• Shop early: Don't wait until the last week of August to buy school supplies and uniforms. Prices for these items often spike just before schools reopen. Make a list of everything you need, from stationery to new shoes, and buy them now to avoid inflated costs.

• Build a school fees fund: If you haven't already, use this month to start saving for school fees. Automate a standing order from your salary to a separate savings account.

• Consider secondhand: Don't be afraid to look for mitumba shoes or textbooks. This can significantly reduce your reopening costs.

Final Thought

The August holiday doesn’t have to drain your wallet to be memorable. With a bit of planning, smart food management, and creative activities, you can keep the kids entertained without overspending.

CONCEPT CORNER

Infrastructure Bond

This is a type of debt instrument issued by a government or a corporation to raise money specifically for funding infrastructure projects. These projects might include the construction of roads, stadiums, among other projects. Returns from infrastructure bonds are tax-exempt; hence, they attract many investors. Read on. 

Money Tips & Career Advice

MONEY254 #MONEYTOK

Top 10 MMFs by Their Net Returns for July 2025

Money Market Fund returns continued to dip in July 2025, following a trend seen throughout the year. GulfCap led with a net return of 10.97 percent, followed by Cytonn at 10.69 percent and Lofty-Corban at 10.19 percent. Others in the top ten included Kuza, Etica, Nabo, GenAfrica, Arvocap, Orient Kasha, and Old Mutual.

The drop in returns is linked to the CBK's decision to cut the base lending rate to 9.75 percent in June and maintain it through July. This pushed down T-Bill yields, where most MMFs invest, leading to lower earnings for investors.

@money254hq

𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝟏𝟎 𝐌𝐌𝐅𝐬 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 Money Market Fund returns continued to dip in July 2025, following a trend seen throughout ... See more

That's it for this edition of Wallet Wellness. We hope these financial tips have added some energy to your hustle. Stay tuned for more practical insights in our next edition of "Wallet Wellness" next week, and watch out for Money Weekly in your inbox this Friday.

Also, don’t forget to download the Money254 App on the Google Play Store, and remember that we can help you compare over 300 loans, savings accounts, current accounts, and more if you’re thinking about your next product.

Cheers to your wallet's well-being!

Money254 editorial team.