In an age of digital storytelling where followers and creators have become like family, digital content creators have also become the go-to people for bargain hunters.
When it comes to plugging clothes with the best shopping deals in town, creators Chelsey Matthys and Kevin McClennan are pros.
Chelsey Matthys (@chelseykayla) said she was no stranger to cutting corners and living life on a budget. Matthys has offered her followers the best spots to shop at, at discounted rates.
The Strandfontein creator said she loved to help others get value for their money because everyone works hard for their income.
“I started sharing all of my saving tips, life hacks and ‘plugs’ to help those out who were feeling the economic pinch of the pandemic,” she said.
“Many had lost their jobs or had their salaries cut, so I wanted to help people stretch their money further.”
On her TikTok account, you can expect to see anything from food to clothing hauls. Matthys said she’d received a lot of excitement and gratitude in response to her videos from consumers and business owners.
“I've made new friends online and my community of followers plug me, too.”
Matthys has 22 000 followers, with her content gaining 314 000 likes since starting her account in March, last year. She described her first viral video as a silly response to a question asked by creator @justjavas that received more than 100 000 views.
Matthys also runs an online store(@koleksi_za) and is doing her master’s candidate in conservation science at CPUT. In future, she would like to co-promote more South African businesses and hot spots.
“I love being a tourist in my own country and I would love to show people how to do so on a budget. I would love to find some of the hidden gems our country has to offer and plug people with how they can experience it.”
McLennan’s (@kevinmclennanza) videos on DIY projects and the best spots to shop were born out of his being a “frugal 20-something in Johannesburg, having to make your budget stretch as far as possible”. From clothes to cosmetics and homeware, his videos have you covered.
McLennan said he spent a chunk of his teens and early 20s searching for clothing and home-ware deals.
“Prices keep going up, but the money we earn doesn’t always match up to it,” he said.
“That's why for me it’s always important to try and get the best deal on whatever you may be buying.
The social media influencer and freelance writer said he wanted to teach people that you don’t need to be rich to have a nice space and be comfortable in it.
“I want them to know that you can have fun and fall in love with the idea of shopping, especially without a big budget,” he said.
“Window shopping and Pinterest can bring about creativity and a sense of DIY that doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.”
McLennan said he enjoyed having an opportunity to show his followers that influencers don’t only have to post new and expensive products.
“If we validate that we shop at factory stores, outlets and thrift stores, people won’t feel as embarrassed about it and can start to feel proud about finding deals and re-purposing items in their home,” he said.
The Johannesburg writer has 64 000 followers, with his content gaining 592 000 likes. His most viral video gained over 700 000 views for comparing prices between Woolworths and Checkers for the same item.
In future, he would like to partner with a brand that would allow him to do room makeovers for his followers.
“I would like to continue to pursue my love for discount purchases and DIYs even further, there is a deal around every corner and I’m going to find it,” he said.