Financial Tips & Guides

Expert advice to help you make smarter financial decisions and manage your money better.

responsible borrowing

"I Had Five Loans. Then I Had One." — A Conversation About Debt Consolidation

Nandi was managing five separate debt repayments every month — a store account, two personal loans, a credit card, vehicle finance. Then she consolidated everything into one. She tells us exactly how it happened, what it cost, and what she wishes she'd done sooner.

Romans 09 May 2026 7 min read

responsible borrowing

Should You Borrow to Start Your Small Business? The Real Pros and Cons

Every entrepreneur hits the same wall: the idea is ready, the money isn't. A loan sounds like the answer — and sometimes it is. Here's an honest look at when borrowing to start your business makes sense, when it doesn't, and the questions you need to answer before you sign.

Romans • 08 May 2026

7 min read

responsible borrowing

Risk Policy Explained: What It Is and Why Paying on Time Changes Everything

There's a file somewhere with your financial life in it. Every payment, every skip, every late month — it's all in there. This is what lenders mean by risk policy, and here's why understanding it is one of the most valuable things you can do for your financial future.

RandCash Editorial • 07 May 2026

7 min read

responsible borrowing

December is Coming: Fast Loans for School Parties and Family Summer Trips

The matric farewell is expensive. December at the beach is expensive. And somehow it always arrives before the cash does. Here's how South Africans are using short-term loans to cover the celebrations — and how to do it without making January a disaster.

RandCash Editorial • 01 May 2026

6 min read

responsible borrowing

South Africa Q2 2026: What's Actually Going On Right Now

Repo rate on hold, fuel up 18%, rand at R26/$, and a GNU that's somehow still standing. A ground-level read on South Africa's economic mood heading into mid-2026 — no jargon, no panel of economists, just what it actually feels like to be here.

RandCash Editorial • 27 Apr 2026

6 min read

responsible borrowing

Why I Took a Loan Even Though I Had the Cash

My accountant thought I was mad. R150,000 loan sitting next to R200,000 in my account. Here's why that was one of the better financial moves I made — and the specific SA conditions that make strategic debt worth thinking about.

RandCash Editorial • 15 Apr 2026

7 min read

responsible borrowing

How to Verify a Lender in South Africa: NCR Checks, Red Flags, and Your Rights

Not every lender offering quick cash is legally allowed to do so. Here is how to check NCR registration in under five minutes, what a legitimate lender must provide by law, and the red flags that mean you should walk away.

RandCash Editorial • 08 Apr 2026

8 min read

responsible borrowing

Borrowing Money for an Emergency or a Family Gift: An Honest South African Guide

When your mother is hospitalised, your car breaks down, or your child needs school fees by Friday — should you take a loan? And what about borrowing to give a gift or celebrate a milestone? Here is a clear-eyed framework for both situations.

RandCash Editorial • 07 Apr 2026

9 min read