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Smart About Money - empowering you to make good money decisions

Smart About Money is a not-for-profit initiative providing information to empower you to make informed personal financial decisions.

We do not sell any products and services.

08/11/2026

🏷️ The sale price is R2,000. But is that what you’ll actually pay?

If you buy on credit this Black Friday, look beyond the discount and the monthly instalment.

Before you agree, ask:
• What is the total amount I’ll repay? Include any interest, fees and compulsory cover.
• How many payments will I make, and when are they due?
• What does “interest-free” mean in this offer? Check the conditions and whether any fees still apply.
• What happens if I pay late or miss a payment?
• Can I manage the repayments alongside my existing commitments?

For buy now, pay later offers, check the payment dates and late-payment terms too.

Ask for the costs and terms in writing. If anything is unclear, get an explanation before accepting.

👉 Understand what buying on credit really costs.

https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/debt/working-with-credit/what-does-credit-cost/

06/11/2026

💸 Before you build your Black Friday shopping basket, build your budget.
Your shopping budget starts with what your money needs to cover:

✅ Everyday essentials and debt repayments.
✅ Saving for upcoming festive expenses, including gifts, travel and entertaining.
✅ Saving for January costs that may arrive before your next payday.

Then work out whether there’s money available for Black Friday sale shopping and how much.

If there’s room in your budget, make a list and give each item a spending limit. If there isn’t, skip the sales this year.

Use SAM’s budgeting resource to put your numbers together and work out a limit that fits your finances.

👉 Start here:

https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/tools-and-calculators/budget-planner/

02/11/2026

🛍️ “Only two left!” “Offer ends tonight!” “Spend more to save!”
Black Friday promotions can make a purchase feel urgent & pressure you to spend.

Before you head to the checkout, watch out for:
⏰ Countdowns: A ticking clock can pressure you into deciding before you’ve compared your options.

🏷️ Big discount claims: Compare the actual selling price at other shops, rather than relying on the advertised saving.

🛒 Minimum-spend offers: Adding something you don’t need to qualify for a discount or free delivery still costs money.

Pause and ask: “Do I need it, can I afford it, and is this a good price?”

Tell us! What’s the one thing you do to avoid an impulse buy? 👇

Read more tips on balancing your needs and wants this Black Friday:

https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/planning-for-life/good-money-habits/how-can-i-make-the-most-of-black-friday-without-financial-regret/

30/10/2026

💭 “Could the way I drive affect what I pay for car insurance?”

With telematics, it can.

An app or device records driving information, such as speed, braking and distance travelled. Some insurers use this to assess risk and offer rewards or lower premiums.

Before choosing a policy, ask:
✅ What information will you collect, and who can access it?
✅ How could my driving affect my premium?
✅ Are there device or monitoring fees?

Savings aren’t guaranteed, so compare the full costs and cover.

👉 Get the basics: https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/short-term-insurance/what-is-telematics-insurance/

28/10/2026

🚗 A monthly premium tells you the price. Your policy tells you the protection.

This Transport Month, take a few minutes to check what your car insurance actually covers – and what you may need to pay if you claim.

Here are five things worth checking:

1️⃣ Type of cover – Comprehensive, third-party fire and theft, or third-party only?
They cover different risks.

2️⃣ Your excess – This is your share of a claim.
Check the amount and any additional excesses.

3️⃣ Insured value – Retail, market or trade value?
Ask how your vehicle would be valued after theft or a write-off.

4️⃣ Driver and use – Is the regular driver correctly listed and have you accurately described how the car is used?

5️⃣ Extras and conditions – Check car hire, roadside assistance and tracker requirements.

Save this checklist for your next policy review.

A few minutes spent reviewing your policy now could help avoid an unwelcome surprise when you need to claim.

👉 Find out more: https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/short-term-insurance/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-insuring-my-vehicle/

26/10/2026

💭 “I’ve insured my belongings. Why might my claim still fall short?”

If your household contents are insured for less than their current replacement cost, you could be underinsured.

Where your policy applies an “average clause”, the insurer can reduce a claim proportionately - even when only some belongings are damaged or stolen.

Your next step? Make a room-by-room list of what you own and check today’s replacement costs against your insured amount.

Bought new furniture or upgraded appliances? Include those too.

👉 Understand the risk:
https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/short-term-insurance/why-is-it-a-risk-to-be-underinsured/

23/10/2026

💭 When comparing healthcare cover, what do you check first?

A💰 The monthly cost
B🏥 What hospital care is covered
C📋 The limits and exclusions
D👩‍⚕️ Which doctors and providers I can use

👇 Comment with your letter—and tell us why it matters to you.

Affordability matters. But medical schemes and health insurance work differently, so a lower monthly price doesn’t necessarily mean the same benefits.

Before choosing, compare what’s covered as well as what you’ll pay.

👉 Understand the differences:

https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/healthcare-cover/what-is-the-difference-between-a-medical-scheme-and-health-insurance/

21/10/2026

💬 “My medical savings have run out, but the year isn’t over. What now?”

It’s frustrating to pay medical aid contributions and still face extra bills.

Running out of savings doesn’t automatically mean you’ve used healthcare unwisely - your allocation may not meet your needs.

Before choosing next year’s option:

✅ Review what you paid from your own pocket.
✅ Ask which benefits are available outside your savings account.
✅ Compare the extra cost of another option with the extra benefits it offers.

What would you most like explained: how medical savings work, what happens when they run out, or how to compare options?

👉 Why does my medical savings account run out before year-end? https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/healthcare-cover/why-does-my-medical-savings-account-run-out-before-the-end-of-the-year/

20/10/2026

💭“There are so many medical scheme options. How do I know which one suits me?”

Comparing costs is a start. Understanding what those contributions actually cover is just as important.

An accredited broker can help you assess your healthcare needs, compare suitable options and understand limits, provider networks and waiting periods.

Before your conversation, list:
📝 Your regular healthcare needs.
📝 What you’ve paid from your own pocket.
📝 What you can afford each month.

Ask which schemes the broker advises on and how they are paid.

👉 Learn more: https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/healthcare-cover/how-can-i-get-advice-on-my-healthcare-cover/

16/10/2026

💭 Life changes. Has your cover kept up?

When did you last review your life, disability or severe illness cover?

A 📅 Within the past year
B ⏳ More than a year ago
C 🤔 I can’t remember
D 📝 I haven’t reviewed it yet
👇 Comment with your letter.

A new job, a growing family, buying a home or approaching retirement can change the protection you need.

A review can help you identify gaps, update beneficiaries and check whether your cover still suits your needs and budget.

💬 What life change would prompt you to take another look at your cover?

👉 Find out when to review: https://smartaboutmoney.co.za/insurance/insuring-your-life/when-should-i-review-the-life-disability-and-severe-illness-cover-i-have-in-place/

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