By Sarah Nicholson
Education is still one of the best investments a family can make, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to blow up a household budget when you are already juggling debt.
School fees rarely arrive alone. They bring uniforms, textbooks, stationery, transport, sports costs, extra lessons, devices, and the “small” extras that don’t feel small when they land in the same month.
And right now, many South Africans don’t have the breathing room for surprise expenses.
JustMoney’s recent Money & Me survey found that more than a third of respondents spend up to 40% of their take-home income on debt repayments. That’s money that can’t go to school costs — or to groceries, petrol, and electricity.
The survey also highlights how tight the basics have become: if given R1,000, 75% of women and 67% of men would spend it on groceries, while 15% would use it
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
