Why is traditional budgeting advice falling short for South Africans during Savings Month 2025?

Loading player...
GUEST – Samantha Moyana - Debt Counsellor at National Debt Advisors



As living costs skyrocket, many South Africans are finding that traditional budgeting just isn’t enough. Sebastien Alexanderson unpacks why saving has become nearly impossible and what struggling households can do instead.

July is usually a time to talk about saving money, but this year, South Africans are just trying to stay afloat.



Households are being hit hard by rising costs: electricity bills are climbing by as much as 12.7%, water and sanitation charges are up 13.9%, and steep hikes in rates and taxes are sweeping across major metros. And that’s not all—thanks to Eskom’s new Retail Tariff Plan, some households are facing electricity increases of up to 80%, with added daily fees and capacity charges piling on the pressure.
8 Jul 2025 4PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Affordability, Chinese Brands & NEVs: Cars.co.za Report

Cars.co.za’s Alan Quinn breaks down the Motor Industry Report 2026, revealing the biggest behavioural and affordability shifts in South Africa’s vehicle market. From the 72% surge in Chinese brands, to NEV momentum, to the dominance of price and fuel efficiency in buyer decisions — this episode offers essential insights for…
17 Sep 1PM 21 min

How Impact Finance Network Unlocks Entrepreneurial Growth

Anglo American’s Emma Parker breaks down how the Impact Finance Network (IFN) is reshaping access to capital for South African entrepreneurs. With 162 businesses supported, R1.8 billion mobilised, and 46,000 livelihoods sustained, IFN is proving that connection, capability and catalytic capital can unlock real growth. A practical conversation on investment…
17 Sep 12PM 12 min

Momentum’s R7bn Breakthrough: Inside the Record Results

Momentum Group CEO Jeanette Marais unpacks the Group’s record R7.06 billion earnings, delivered a year ahead of target. We explore the improved quality of earnings, the five business units now delivering over R1bn each, the surge in sales to R93.8 billion, and how the Group’s Impact strategy is reshaping performance…
17 Sep 12PM 14 min

ETFSA Navigator: Your Guide to Smarter Retirement Investing

Nerina Visser, Director and ETF Strategist at ETFSA, helps South Africans cut through the noise and make confident long‑term investment decisions. She explains how investor behaviour has changed over 30 years, why choice overload is paralysing many savers, and what questions every investor should ask before choosing a retirement product…
16 Sep 2PM 13 min

PayInc Economic Index: August Recovery, Fragile Outlook

After a difficult second quarter, South Africa’s economic activity improved in August — rising 0.8% month‑on‑month, with July revised upward to 0.6%. But the outlook remains fragile. Independent Economist Elize Kruger joins Kaya Biz to unpack the latest PayInc Economic Index and explain what the data reveals about consumer behaviour,…
16 Sep 1PM 12 min