Practical money guides for South Africans
Practical guides to budgeting, debt management, credit scores, loans, insurance, and everyday money decisions for South Africans.
Navigating Shorting and Options in South Africa’s Stock Market Complete guide for South African residents Last updated: December 2024 Quick Facts Shorting and options are advanced trading strategies on the JSE You must use an FSCA-licensed broker to trade derivatives High risk – you can lose more than your investment Not suitable for beginners with … Read more
Understanding Penalty Fees on Vehicle Finance in South Africa Everything you need to know about car loan penalty charges and how to avoid them Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts About Vehicle Finance Penalties Early settlement on loans over R250,000 can cost up to 3 months’ interest Late payments can lead to repossession after 75-90 … Read more
Accidents happen to even the most careful drivers. When a motorist accidentally damages another vehicle, they may be unsure about how their insurance works, especially regarding excess payments. If you’re considering filing a claim under third-party insurance, it helps to know what to expect. Imagine this scenario: You’re driving and, by mistake, you hit the … Read more
In recent months, many individuals have experienced significant delays in the bank account verification process for tax refunds. Reports are surfacing that this process is taking much longer than the expected timeframe provided by tax authorities. Typically, the verification period is stated to take around 21 working days. However, some taxpayers have reported waiting over … Read more
Navigating International Bank Transfers from South Africa Complete guide for South African residents sending and receiving money abroad Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts You can send R1 million per year without SARS approval Bank fees range from R200-R600 plus exchange rate costs Alternative services can save you up to 46% on fees All transfers … Read more
Smart Investment Ideas for Your Baby’s Future A complete guide for South African parents who want to give their children a financial head start Last updated: October 2025 Quick Facts Starting early means more time for your money to grow You can invest from as little as R10 per day with some options Tax-free savings … Read more
How to Build an Emergency Fund in South Africa Your complete guide to financial security and peace of mind Last updated: December 2024 Quick Facts You need 3 to 6 months of expenses saved Start with just R50 or R100 per month Best interest rates now reach 11% in 2025 Keep emergency money separate from … Read more
Budgeting Tips for Better Financial Management Complete guide for South African residents Last updated: December 2025 Quick Facts South Africa’s household savings rate is only 0.5% (2023 data) 76% of South Africans who are targeted by scams lose money Interest rates dropped by 50 basis points in 2024, more cuts expected in 2025 Building a … Read more
This guide is for South Africans who need their SARS tax number and cannot find it, have never registered, or are stuck because SARS says their details do not match. Every SARS phone number, SMS code, USSD code and WhatsApp line below was checked on the official SARS website on 29 October 2026. In short: … Read more
In the world of property investment, financing your bond is crucial. Many property owners are faced with the decision of whether to make large additional payments each month or to pay a lump sum at once. This choice can significantly affect how long it takes to pay off your loan. Let’s explore the implications of … Read more