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

How Currency Volatility Is Hitting South African SMEs

A new Verto report warns that currency volatility is now a bigger threat to SME margins than logistics. Rumbi Shoniwa from Verto SA explains how FX swings erode profits and the practical steps SMEs can take to protect themselves.
29 Apr 3PM 11 min

Engineering Through Headwinds: Leoka’s 10‑Year Growth Story

Leoka Engineering founder Katlego Makgata reflects on a decade of building a 100% Black‑owned EPCM firm in one of South Africa’s toughest sectors. We discuss OR Tambo’s mission‑critical operations and the digital innovations shaping the next era of African engineering.
29 Apr 3PM 18 min

The New Rules of SME Resilience in 2026

Merchant Capital CTO David Reynders joins us to unpack how South African SMEs are navigating a volatile economy. We explore cash‑flow discipline, cost‑cutting without damaging growth, and why “cash buys you time.”
29 Apr 3PM 13 min

South Africa’s Fuel Relief Extended

The government has extended the temporary fuel levy cut—but what does this mean for inflation, household budgets, and the Reserve Bank’s rate path? PSG Chief Economist Johann Els explains.
29 Apr 3PM 11 min

Easter on a Budget: How South Africans Navigated the Fuel Spike

Lightstone Retail’s Mohit Narotam breaks down new mobility data showing how South Africans re‑engineered their Easter travel plans to beat one of the biggest fuel hikes in years. From early departures to shorter trips and smarter refueling
29 Apr 3PM 12 min