Motorists buy less fuel per visit as rising prices squeeze household budgets
Fuel purchases among Discovery Insure clients fell 33% in October, but commuting has held steady as rising prices put pressure on household budgets.
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The rising cost of money
South Africa’s debt outlook is improving, according to the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. But what could higher borrowing costs globally mean for local households, businesses and the public purse?
The more you earn, the more you borrow? Top earners carry biggest debt burden
DebtBusters’ Q2 Debt Index shows that consumers earning over R50 000 a month need more than their monthly income to service debt.
Debt-repayment burden worsens as cost-of-living pressure returns
The latest Money-Stress Tracker finds persistent financial strain alongside changing coping strategies and a growing willingness among some consumers to consider debt counselling.
Consumers fear they are running out of financial breathing room
A Debt Rescue survey suggests many households have little capacity left to absorb higher borrowing costs, adding to concerns about rising food, fuel, and electricity expenses.
Fuel pushed May inflation higher, but the policy-rate outlook has shifted
The SARB still faces risks, although lower oil prices and improving supply expectations point to a less threatening inflation path than three weeks ago.
Salary growth steadied in Q1 – but pressure on pay may lie ahead
Inflation has already erased recent gains, and higher fuel costs risk deepening the squeeze on household budgets.
Debt pressure shifts up the income ladder despite rate relief
DebtBusters data shows repayments still swallow most take-home pay, with pressure shifting upwards to higher earners and credit thinning out for lower-income households.
‘At least one’ rate hike likely if inflation worsens
Fuel-price shocks, sticky services inflation, and global pressures are making it harder for the SARB to keep inflation anchored near its new goal, says Sanlam.
South Africa’s new inflation target gets its first big test
The Reserve Bank is not ruling out more rate tightening after successive fuel price jumps have revived inflation risks.
Fuel relief now, answers later as the government buys time on price shock
A R3-per-litre levy cut cushions April’s fuel spike, but rising oil prices and expiring relief point to steep increases ahead.
Interest rate relief offers breathing space, not a turnaround in household finances
Despite easing inflation and lower borrowing costs, South Africans entering debt counselling use 71% of take-home pay to service debt, according to DebtBusters.
Poly-jobbing is the new normal as young South Africans hustle to make ends meet
Old Mutual reports that 75% of 18-to-29-year-olds earn from two or more jobs, with social-media selling and small businesses playing a growing role in income strategies.
Signs that consumers are becoming desensitized to high debt levels
Nearly half of South Africans dedicate more than 40% of their take-home pay to repayments – and there are indications of ‘savings fatigue’.
South Africans swipe more, save less as financial strain deepens
The SpendTrend25 report reveals how high interest rates and stagnant incomes are pushing consumers towards credit, loyalty rewards, and early retirement withdrawals.
Budget: higher taxes, rising costs, and no relief for households
A phased VAT increase and frozen tax brackets mean South Africans will pay more, while concerns grow over government spending and economic stagnation.
Proposed VAT increase: fiscal necessity or economic catastrophe?
Instead of hiking VAT, the government could fix its tax collection problems, improve state resource management, and stimulate the economy to boost revenue.
