Writer DS

There is no doubt about it – times are tough and most citizens are barely (or not even close to) making ends meet these days. “Which, leads to South Africans accumulating more debt and making proper financial management an impossible task,” says Matthys Potgieter, spokesperson and debt expert at DebtSafe. This reality goes along with

September is an eventful month as spring is in full swing. Are you already listing the ways you can make the most of the warmer weather? Making it understandable that most of you haven’t given Christmas, and its expenses, one thought – but you should. Many would argue that there is still enough time to

Get rid of your out of season financial habits by trying out these five practices regularly implemented by debt-free consumers: Plan to achieve financial victory “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It is as simple as that,” says Potgieter. Financial experts continually put emphasis on budgeting and planning as well as encouraging

Many South African consumers are unaware of the true state of their debt, and sooner or later the dire consequences will catch up with them. According to Matthys Potgieter, spokesperson and debt expert at DebtSafe, “Consumers’ debt is to such an extent that many of them are not only currently digging their ‘financial grave’, but

Current economic times are tough and uncertain. Citizens face regular fuel and food price hikes/drops, negative fiscal predictions, political agendas are interfering in the economic processes and the country’s downgrade status is slowly showing its effects. Lately, it is no wonder that consumers find it quite challenging to keep their personal finances afloat. But, although

After paying tax, covering rent, and paying those unavoidable bills, numerous consumers feel financially miserable. For some, it seems like bills pile up while money walks out the door. In fact, many consumers are over-indebted because their expenses are exceeding their monthly income. However, debt could be the burning platform that changes lives for the

Have the August grocery winds caught up with you lately – leaving your finances disheveled and wondering where in the world your grocery budget has gone? According to the Pietermaritzburg Agency for Community Social Action’s (PACSA) Food Price Barometer (May 2017), South African households of various socioeconomic backgrounds do not have enough money to buy

Are you a young, twenty-something individual, relatively fresh out of high school, college or university kick-starting your career? This new chapter in your life goes hand in hand with also getting your finances going. You don’t want bad habits or debt to steal your youth, happiness, and freedom. You are indeed capable of becoming a

Who said winter is cold and tedious? It is never too late (or chilly) to apply new financial habits to help you clear old debt. Make the last bit of winter your spending freeze to practice financial fasting by curbing all non-essential expenses. This temporary arrangement can range from a few weeks to a month

Who said you can only set goals every New Year? Not to mention financial goals. No, goals should be a hot topic year-round and that includes financial goals. There is no better way to keep it simple than by keeping it SMART. “S.M.A.R.T. is an ideal framework for setting goals, including financial goals,” says Matthys