How my mother and grandmother taught me to manage money wisely

THIS Mother's Day, I'm reminded that the early money lessons I’ve learnt didn’t come from textbooks or formal training - they came from the women in my family.

- THERÈSE HAVENGA

They didn’t have flashy financial tools or expert advice, but they knew how to stretch a rand until it squeaked. Their approach was simple: Save smart, live frugally, and make the most of what you already have.

Watching my mom in action made it real - her quiet everyday choices shaped a kind of financial wisdom that was practical, powerful, and worth passing on.

My grandmother was the queen of preserving. Canning wasn't just a hobby - it was a way to make sure nothing ever went to waste. She'd bottle anything she could get her hands on.

She taught me that having something set aside (especially something homemade) was a form of security. A quiet kind of wealth.

My mother’s savings superpower was her sewing machine. Growing up, most of my clothes were homemade. Shop-bought outfits were rare, but I never felt I was missing out.

If anything, it gave me a chance to stand out with one-of-a-kind pieces stitched with love.