A budget you will still be using in March
Most budgets fail because they are too detailed. This one has three lines.
Money, explained without the jargon
Get a little better with money, one article at a time
Budgets, savings, debt and tax, written in plain words for people who would rather not read a finance website.
The basics
Start here
Five articles that cover most of what you need. Read them in order if you like.
Your first emergency fund: how much is enough?
Start with one month of needs. Here is how to get there without feeling it.
Tax-free savings accounts, explained without jargon
What they are, who they suit and the one rule that catches people out.
Paying off debt: smallest first or most expensive first?
Two methods, both work. The best one is the one you will keep doing.
What a credit score actually measures
It is not a measure of how much money you have. It is a record of how you borrow.
How we write about money
Four promises that shape every article.
Plain words
If we use a finance term, we explain it in the same sentence.
Nothing to sell
We do not earn commission on any account, card or product we mention.
Checked every year
Tax rules and limits change. Each article says when we last checked it.
Information, not advice
Your situation is your own. For a big decision, speak to a registered adviser.
FAQ
Before you start
What readers ask most.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is general information to help you understand the options. A registered financial adviser can look at your whole situation.
Do you recommend banks or products?
We explain how types of products work. We do not tell you which brand to choose, and nobody pays us to mention one.
Where do your numbers come from?
From SARS, the Reserve Bank and the providers' own published terms. We link to the source when we can.
Got a money question you feel silly asking?
Send it in. Most of our articles started that way.