Discover practical steps to improve your financial literacy and take control of your money with this essential guide for South Africans.
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For many South Africans, money isn’t a neat spreadsheet or a long‑term plan; it’s a daily source of pressure. It’s juggling debit orders, worrying about unexpected costs, and hoping nothing goes wrong before payday. If managing money feels harder than it should, or like something other people have figured out, you’re not alone.
According to the 2025 DebtBusters Money Stress Tracker, 70% of South Africans experienced money stress, and nearly all of them felt it at home, at work, and in their health. That's not a personal failing, just a shared reality.
Financial literacy isn't about having a finance degree or knowing every clause in your policy documents. It's about small, steady habits that help you stay in control of your money, and your peace of mind.
Here's where most of us can start:
Know what's coming off your account
Set aside ten minutes this month to go through your bank statement. Look for debit order collections you don't recognise or no longer need. You might find a subscription you forgot about, a stop order that's been running past its purpose, or a transaction that simply doesn't look right. Catching these things early is one of the simplest ways to take back a measure of financial control. It will also give you an idea of what is going on in your account; sometimes that’s the best place to start. The one-minute win: Scroll back exactly 30 days in your banking app; if you see a name you don't recognise, that's your starting point.
Read before you sign
Whether it's an insurance policy, a credit agreement, or a phone contract, take a moment to understand what you're agreeing to. You don't need to read every line of the fine print, but knowing the key terms: what you're covered for, what the cost is, and what happens if you miss a payment. It makes a real difference when you actually need that information.
Stay intentional about how you pay online
Digital banking is a tool, not a trap. More of us are managing our finances digitally, from internet banking to payment apps. That convenience is worth holding onto, but it also means staying alert. Check that you're on a secure site before entering your details and look twice at any payment request that feels unfamiliar. Staying aware isn't about fear; it's about being present in your financial decisions.
Permit yourself to not know everything
Perhaps the most underrated financial habit is this: asking questions. Whether that's talking to your bank, your financial adviser, or someone you trust, reaching out when you're unsure is a sign of financial maturity, not a gap in your knowledge.
Financial well-being isn't built in a day, and it doesn't require perfection. It's built through small, consistent steps: a statement checked, a debit order collection cancelled, a question asked.
* Jennings is the chief executive at glu.
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