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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

As many consumers may have noticed, July is National Savings Month. It is, therefore, the best time to start afresh and rethink savings strategies. Matthys Potgieter, spokesperson, and expert at DebtSafe, believes in the GROW coaching model to achieve his life goals and his savings goals. The GROW model enables everyday South Africans to plan

A personal financial disaster can happen when you least expect it. Although you may feel that the bank, creditors and every other provider are to blame, a combination of your own bad financial habits can ultimately lead to a debt disaster. It is often the small things that you neglect, like repairs, that push your

RECESSION First South Africans received the shocking blow of being downgraded to junk status, then the fuel price increase was announced and NOW consumers are trying to make sense of a curse, yet crucial, word – recession. Recent news about the technical recession is leaving some individuals feeling a bit topsy-turvy at this stage. Just