Your car costs you more than you realise

A recent News24 article highlights a concerning trend: many consumers are being urged to buy smaller, cheaper cars as debt levels hit new highs and owning expensive vehicles becomes increasingly risky. The piece emphasizes several troubling data points showing how...

From the old prime rate to the new repo-based system

How it works now For a long time, South Africa based everyday loans on two rates: the repo rate (set by the SARB) and the prime lending rate (used by banks to charge customers). The gap between them stayed at 3.5 percentage points. When the central bank changed the...

A starting point for 2026

Starting the new year with a clear, effective plan sets you up for financial stability and future growth. Here are the fundamental steps, kept simple and practical. 1) Define your goals Short-term: cover monthly expenses, build a small emergency fund. Medium-term: pay...

Reframing the 75% rule for South African retirees

The idea that retirees can live comfortably on about 75% of pre-retirement earnings is a common guideline, but it’s increasingly less reliable for South Africans. Here are SA-specific factors and why the rule may not hold: Healthcare costs and medical aid: Medical...