How I Saved for My Kamoka Journey

Hey TeenVestors 👋

This year, I’m heading to Kamoka Bush School—a month-long outdoor adventure that my school sends all Grade 9s on. It's not your average school trip. We live in the bush, learn how to cook, survive, face fears (hello, spiders 🕷️), and grow through teamwork, challenges, and self-reflection.

But before I could go, I had to gear up—literally. And let me tell you, that gear doesn’t come cheap! Hiking bags, sleeping bags, boots, ropes, whistles… it adds up. 😅

Instead of panic-buying everything at once or getting caught in impulse shopping traps, I took a different approach. I planned ahead and saved slowly. Each month, I bought just one or two items. I set a budget, compared prices, and waited for the best deals. I even said no to things I didn’t really need (like that overpriced “aesthetic” water bottle... it can wait 😄).

The best part? By waiting just two weeks before buying my hiking bag, I found the exact same brand I wanted—on sale, saving me R700! That moment honestly felt like a little victory. 🥳

Here’s what I learned from the process:

• Patience pays off – Literally. Discounts come to those who wait.

• Impulse buying isn’t worth it – That “I NEED IT NOW” feeling fades.

• Planning ahead makes everything less stressful – I wasn’t panicking the night before the trip.

• Saving doesn’t mean saying no to everything – It just means choosing what’s worth it.

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So if you're saving for a trip, a phone, or even just trying to manage your pocket money better, start small. Create a checklist. Set a goal. And don’t fall for the “limited time only!” marketing traps. You’ve got this. 💪

Until next time,— Aditi 💚