How a Durban mother's Facebook group empowers 800,000 women to master budgeting and saving
Ncumisa Ndelu is the founder of 1 Family, 1 Stockpile, a Facebook group that educates people about budgeting.
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In a time when the cost of living continues to rise, one Durban mother has turned her personal budgeting habits into a powerful movement that’s helping hundreds of thousands of South African women save money and improve their lives.
Ncumisa Ndelu, a 48-year-old a former journalist and communications professional, is the founder of 1 Family, 1 Stockpile, a Facebook group that started in 2016 and now boasts over 800,000 members. What began as a platform to share smart shopping tips and budgeting strategies has become a nationwide sisterhood rooted in financial empowerment.
“I launched 1 Family, 1 Stockpile because I wanted to help South Africans, particularly women, navigate economic pressures,” said Ndelu. “The group thrives on trust. When we share what’s helped us, it empowers someone else to thrive.”
The online group has become more than just a platform for saving tips. It is a safe space for women to share deals, financial milestones, business ideas, and emotional support. Members regularly post about discounted finds, stockpiling strategies, and how they are managing to stretch every rand.
A key turning point in Ndelu’s own savings journey came after a home break-in, when she ordered security lights from a global e-commerce platform known for its direct-from-factory prices.
“Once I received my first delivery, I was hooked,” she said. “I placed my second order less than two weeks later.”
The platform allowed her to purchase everything from household essentials to art supplies and beauty products at significantly reduced prices. In one instance, she saved more than R5,000 on a single order. “This propelled me towards a research-driven approach to online shopping,” she said.
For Ndelu, saving money is not just about financial survival but about enabling growth. By cutting down on expenses, she’s been able to invest in her children’s education, support their creative pursuits, and continue her mission to feed the homeless. Her budgeting approach has also become an educational tool for her children.
“In my household, the kids ‘pitch’ for what they want the budget to be spent on, learning valuable negotiation and prioritisation skills,” she explained.
From a modest start with just 50 members, 1 Family, 1 Stockpile has grown into a digital haven for women working to improve their financial literacy and take control of their money.
Women in the group often celebrate personal milestones, from paying off debt to buying their first home. “It stands as a vital platform where women exchange savings techniques, share valuable deals and discounts, celebrate their financial achievements, and encourage each other towards better money management,” said Ndelu.
She also shares five budgeting tips with the community:
- Create a dynamic household budget ahead of payday;
- Involve your children in the budgeting process;
- Allow debit orders for essential expenses to run before spending;
- Always include savings and investment items in your budget;
- Reward yourself with affordable treats by seeking out deals and sales.
The group’s influence has grown beyond savings, it is a space where women find empowerment, security, and sisterhood. “This is about more than just saving a few rands; it’s about building a future where women don’t just survive, they thrive,” said Ndelu.