Practical money guides for South Africans
Practical guides to budgeting, debt management, credit scores, loans, insurance, and everyday money decisions for South Africans.
In short: Standard Bank’s cellphone banking (USSD) code is *120*2345#. If you’re out of airtime, dial *130*2345# to recharge. You need airtime (not data), a cellphone number linked to your Standard Bank account, and an active transactional account. It only works in South Africa. Help: 0860 123 000. Confirm on Standard Bank. Not financial advice. … Read more
In short: Capfin doesnt publish a separate email me a PDF statement” button in their public FAQ. To see your loan, log into your Capfin profile at capfin.co.za/login with your 13-digit SA ID and the OTP sent to your registered cellphone, then open Your Active Loans / My loan account. For a settlement quote (what … Read more
A resident foreign-currency account is not the same as receiving a SWIFT payment in rand. Ask an authorised dealer. SARB sets the exchange-control rules.
Wondering when you can make another two-pot withdrawal after 1 March? The reset follows the tax year, not the calendar. Here is how the timing works in 2026.
How to dispute a credit report error in South Africa in 2026: the bureau-first process, documents, the 20-business-day timing, and how to escalate to the NCR.
How to get a free credit report in South Africa from TransUnion and Experian, and what the law says you’re entitled to each year.
UIF maternity benefits pay a flat 66% of your capped salary, tax-free, for up to 121 days, roughly four months. You apply once your maternity leave starts and you stop getting your full salary, not before. The legal deadline is six months after the birth, but apply as early as you can once your pay … Read more
You can check your UIF status three ways: log in to UIF Online at uifonline.labour.gov.za, dial 134843# for a free USSD check, or call the UIF Call Centre on 0800 030 007. All three show the same underlying claim, so use whichever is easiest to reach right now. If you claimed before 20 May 2026 on … Read more
UIF pays between 38% and 60% of your capped monthly salary, for as many days as you’ve earned in credit. The cap is R17 712 a month, so even high earners are calculated as if they earn R17 712. Lower earners get the higher percentage. You earn one day of benefit for every four days … Read more
Need a short term loan in South Africa? Compare top lenders, understand costs and requirements, and apply safely in 2026. Plain-language guide for real people.