Developing good money savings habits has always been a challenge for me. I have to remind myself on a regular basis that the key to wealth, is living within my means and being disciplined about saving. But, if I’m honest, the world of finance alludes me. I find it challenging (mostly because I don’t understand it) and unsexy. However, I know that I need to re-examine my relationship with money so that my spending today doesn’t impact my ability to live my best life in the future.
Now, give me a tool that combines fashion, function and finance, and my interests will be piqued.
For those of you who don’t know, July is National Savings Month, and Sanlam have joined forces with trailblazing fashion designer, Laduma Ngxokolo, to equip us with a tool that enables us to save as freely as we normally spend. I know, it sounds too good to be true, but read on.
Laduma Ngxokolo (also, can we just take a minute to marvel at that exquisite dress on the right!!!)
For those of you not familiar with Laduma Ngxokolo, he’s an award winning fashion designer who’s gained worldwide acclaim for his stylish and very unique contemporary knitwear, inspired by Xhosa culture. It’s a dream of mine to own just one of his incredible pieces (guess I better start saving, cos’ they don’t come cheap!)
In collaboration with Sanlam, the limited edition Mna Nam by Laduma is the designer’s first foray into accessories and the world of wearable tech. This fashion forward accessory will not only up your fashion ante, but also enable you to scan and save as freely as you would normally swipe and spend. I swear, saving has NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD!
Worn around the wrist, the Mna Nam is made from acrylic and fuses Laduma’s signature bold patterns with clever technology. The Mna Nam is embedded with a QR code that’s linked to WeChat Savings Wallet powered by Standard Bank. This allows you to simply scan and save. Wearing this fashionable accessory effectively serves as a very stylish visual reminder to save – effectively putting the power of financial fitness in your hands.
This is how my new favourite new fashion accessory works:
- If you don’t yet have the WeChat app, download it onto your mobile.
- Next, click “+” in the top right to scan the Mna Nam QR code, and tap follow.
- Click “Save” to get started and link your debit card. If you don’t have the WeChat Wallet, follow the prompts to set one up (it’s SO easy)
- And now you can start saving to your WeChat Wallet every time you click “Save”
Then, it’s up to you to choose the amount you want to save.
Fashion is traditionally associated with spending, but the Mna Nam serves as a subtle, yet stylish enabler of more conscious saving decisions. The more you use it, the more valuable it becomes – I love this concept.
I was in JHB on Sunday and had a plan (and budget of R400) to do some beauty product shopping. My plane was delayed to JHB, and store was closed when I finally got to Sandton City. That R400 then went straight into my Mna Nam – and what a feeling, I tell you. Yesterday, while waiting to board my flight back to Cape Town, I decided to skip my regular Wimpy Hamburger, shake and chips. That saving of R196 went into my Mna Nam. As I write this, I’m super stoked that I’ve saved R596 IN JUST TWO DAYS! This stylish saving thang is becoming addictive! How much can I save today?
Rocking my Mna Nam
Interested in owning your own Mna Nam? There’s a form on www.mnanam.com that allows you to register your interest. If you do so, you may stand a chance of winning one. And even if you don’t win one, there’s a QR code on the website that you can scan to set up your Mna Nam account on WeChat. There is also a downloadable PDF within the form section that you can click on to print and keep in your wallet so you can scan whenever you want 🙂
Here’s a video that explains exactly how the Mna Nam works.
*This blog post is sponsored by Sanlam*
GIVEAWAY
I’m SO excited to announce that I have two iconic Mna Nam fashion accessories (one black, one white) to giveaway to two lucky readers. To stand a chance of winning one, leave a comment in the comments section below this post telling me which financial institution Laduma has collaborated with to bring us the Nma Nam (making it easy, guys). Please ensure you include your email address (only I can see it) so I can contact you, should you be a winner. I’ll announce the winners name on an In My Bag Facebook post (Follow HERE) next week Tuesday 25 July.
