Soaring subscription bills may indicate subscription fatigue in SA households

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GUEST – Doret Jooste - Standard Bank’s Head of Money Management and Advisory



Wi-Fi and data have become everyday essentials in many South African households, providing connectivity to the world through entertainment, social media, and global news. For many, these offer relief from daily stress – but they’ve also fuelled a surge in household subscription costs.

Standard Bank data shows subscription spending has risen sharply, eating into disposable income.



“We all deserve to spend a portion of our incomes on things that bring joy and comfort. But as incomes rise, so do expenses – often unconsciously. This 'lifestyle inflation,' including growing subscription costs, can shrink disposable income and delay emergency savings,” says Standard Bank’s Head of Money Management and Advisory, Doret Jooste.
20 May 2025 2PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

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