Every credit consumer is entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the credit bureaus (TransUnion and Experian). Simply order them directly in the month you were born (click here to learn how you can improve your credit score).

Trying to look rich often prevents one from becoming so! You might impress the cute shop assistant with your gold card, but you?ll be paying much higher annual fees while not getting a great deal more than any other plain ol? card.

Also, according to Mail & Guardian, having a gold card increases your chance of becoming a victim of fraud. These cards are favourite targets for cloning since they usually have a higher credit limit (click here to learn how you can avoid having your card cloned).

Certain credit cards, like the one from Virgin, have no annual fees. Why pay for something you can get for free?

(Click here to learn about South Africa's cheapest credit cards)

Consumers waste billions each year on bottled water even though it's virtually free when it comes from the tap.

South Africa has a decent water system and the tap water in the main metropolitan areas is perfectly safe and healthy.

Documents such as wills, contracts or real estate forms are readily available online. Simply google what you're looking for and voila!

Your baby couldn't care less whether she is wearing designer babygrows, hand-me-downs or an old rag. Within months of being born she'll have outgrown the clothes she was wearing the first few weeks, so does it make sense to pay for it?

You'll probably discover that the moment friends and family find out you're pregnant you'll get offers for just about everything you need.

Check out Gumtree as there is always tons of free baby stuff available.

Babies and small kids don't know the difference between new and used, I suggest also 'shopping' online for free toys.