A large percentage of South Africans don’t know their credit score and aren’t aware that it can impact future borrowing. At bsmart, we want to help our members be financially responsible, and so we’ve looked at what industry experts have to say about credit scores – what they are, why they are important and how to improve them.
Discover where you can expect to feel the effects of the 2019 budget the most, and how you can make the most of your situation:
We humans are simple creatures. We live for the “buzz” – that warm feeling we get from buying a shiny new toy, or that sparkly thing we’ve always wanted. Scientists call it a shopping high, but it’s really just a chemical reaction in our brains that’s not much different to rewarding our pet pooch with a tasty treat every time he sits. It’s the dopamine rush that makes it feel so good. But, you may ask, isn’t that what it’s all about? I work hard to save money for the things that bring me pleasure. I deserve to reward myself, don’t I?
Ah, Black Friday. Who can resist the lure of thousands of insane specials on all those goodies you’ve been eyeballing? We don’t blame you. And the real beauty of it is that it coincides perfectly with your bsmart cashback payout – cash that can be spent at any number of our partners who will be running incredible Black Friday sales.
In our cash-strapped society, which is now also experiencing a technical recession, South Africans are constantly looking for smarter ways to save and spend. With the pressure mounting to get more for less, consumers are becoming increasingly wary of their spending and saving habits.
So many aspects of our daily lives are influenced by the fuel price, not just the money spent on transport. According to Netstar, when the fuel price increases, you’ll be paying more for entertainment, food, service providers’ call-out fees and it can even negatively affect rental prices. Although we can’t help lower costs, we can help you to change your driving behaviour (so you use less fuel) and by paying out cashback for your everyday purchases; moreover, you’ll be safer when you’re behind the wheel. So, what can you do to reduce your fuel consumption?
For the longest time, buying power and purchasing decisions have been left to the male figures in most households. Until now, that is.
While the temperature drops in winter, what goes up are your expenses. Habits change when the weather turns cooler and this usually has an impact on your bank balance. To help you stick to your monthly budget, here are the winter costs you’ll need to prepare for.
