Angry Accounting

17/08/2026

17/08/2026

Emergency Funds Are a Waste of Money

What if your emergency fund is actually holding you back financially?

We are constantly told to save three to six months of expenses for emergencies. It sounds responsible, but there is another side to the argument. Money sitting in a low-interest savings account may be losing purchasing power while inflation quietly eats away at it.

Imagine having R100,000 sitting untouched for years. You might feel financially secure, but that money could potentially have been used to pay off expensive debt, invest for retirement, build a business, or achieve another important financial goal.

There is also a psychological problem. A large emergency fund can create a false sense of security. Instead of improving your income, reducing unnecessary expenses, or protecting yourself with appropriate insurance, you may simply keep piling cash into an account.

But does this mean emergency funds are completely useless? Absolutely not.

The real problem is blindly following a rule without considering your personal circumstances. Someone with stable employment, low debt, insurance, and multiple income sources may need far less cash available than someone with unpredictable income.

An emergency fund should be a financial tool—not a financial religion. Save enough to protect yourself from realistic emergencies, but don't let excessive cash reserves prevent your money from working toward your bigger goals.

11/08/2026

Do you know what your personal net worth is?

Personal net worth is a simple way to measure your overall financial position. It shows the difference between what you own and what you owe. To calculate your net worth, add up the value of your assets, such as cash, savings, investments, property, vehicles, and other valuable possessions. Then subtract your liabilities, including credit cards, personal loans, vehicle finance, mortgages, and other debts.

For example, if your total assets are R500,000 and your total debts are R200,000, your personal net worth is R300,000.

Knowing your net worth can help you understand whether you are moving in the right financial direction. It is useful to calculate it regularly, perhaps once every three or six months. Your goal should be to gradually increase your net worth by saving more, investing wisely, reducing unnecessary debt, and managing your spending.

Remember, building wealth is a journey. Small, consistent financial decisions can make a significant difference over time.

10/08/2026

Tracking your Spending

Tracking your spending is one of the simplest ways to take control of your money. It means recording everything you spend, from major bills and groceries to small purchases like coffee or snacks. These small expenses can quickly add up without you realising how much money is leaving your account.

Start by recording your expenses every day. You can use a notebook, spreadsheet, budgeting app, or banking statement. At the end of each week, review your spending and group it into categories such as housing, food, transport, entertainment, and savings.

Tracking your spending helps you understand where your money is going and identify areas where you may be overspending. It also makes budgeting easier because you are working with real information rather than guesses.

Remember, tracking spending is not about stopping yourself from enjoying your money. It is about becoming aware of your choices, making better decisions, and ensuring your money is working towards your financial goals.

07/08/2026

The Daily 2 Cents - Managing Expenses

Managing expenses is an essential financial skill that helps individuals control spending, save money, and achieve long-term financial goals. It involves tracking daily, weekly, and monthly expenses to understand where money is being spent and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs. By distinguishing between needs and wants, individuals can prioritize essential expenses such as housing, food, utilities, transportation, and healthcare before spending on non-essential items.

Creating and following a budget supports better expense management by setting spending limits and encouraging responsible financial decisions. Comparing prices, avoiding impulse purchases, using discounts wisely, and reducing waste are practical ways to manage expenses effectively. Regularly reviewing financial records helps identify spending patterns and areas for improvement.

Good expense management also allows individuals to build an emergency fund, reduce debt, and increase savings for future goals. Developing disciplined spending habits promotes financial stability, reduces stress, and creates greater confidence in managing personal finances throughout life.

Send a message to learn more

06/08/2026

The Daily 2 Cents - Personal Budgeting

Personal budgeting is the process of creating a plan for managing income and expenses to achieve financial stability and reach personal financial goals. A budget helps individuals understand where their money comes from, how it is spent, and where they can reduce unnecessary expenses.

By tracking income and categorizing spending, people can prioritize essential needs such as housing, food, transportation, and healthcare while setting aside money for savings and future investments. Personal budgeting also helps prevent overspending, reduce debt, and prepare for unexpected financial emergencies through an emergency fund. Regularly reviewing and adjusting a budget ensures it reflects changes in income, expenses, and financial priorities.

Using budgeting tools, spreadsheets, or mobile apps can make the process easier and more effective. Developing and maintaining a personal budget encourages responsible financial habits, improves money management skills, reduces financial stress, and builds a stronger foundation for long-term financial security and independence.

05/08/2026

The Daily 2 Cents - Financial Goals

Financial goals are specific objectives that help individuals manage their money effectively and build a secure future. These goals can be short-term, such as creating a monthly budget, paying off debt, or saving for a holiday, or long-term, such as buying a home, funding higher education, or preparing for retirement. Setting clear financial goals provides direction, encourages disciplined spending, and motivates consistent saving.

Effective goals should be realistic, measurable, and time-bound, making it easier to track progress and stay focused. A well-planned financial strategy also helps individuals prepare for unexpected expenses through an emergency fund and reduce financial stress. Regularly reviewing and adjusting financial goals ensures they remain aligned with changing circumstances, income, and priorities.

By developing healthy financial habits and working toward meaningful objectives, individuals can improve their financial well-being, achieve greater independence, and enjoy increased confidence in making important financial decisions throughout their lives.

04/08/2026

Angry Accounting
The Daily 2 Cents - Financial Goals

Financial goals are specific targets you set for your money and future.

They may include saving for an emergency, paying off debt, buying a home, investing, or preparing for retirement. Clear goals help you manage your income wisely, track progress, stay motivated, and make better financial decisions that support long-term financial security and independence.

30/07/2026

BizNews - www.biznews.com

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has confirmed that National Treasury will release the withheld July equitable share transfers to 69 errant municipalities this Friday.

Catch up quick: Treasury initially drew a hard line. It withheld funds from municipalities that failed to institute disciplinary proceedings or open criminal cases against officials implicated in financial misconduct.

The 30-day deadline came and went.

28 of those municipalities did absolutely nothing during the grace period.

Treasury folded anyway.

Why it matters: These funds are the lifeblood of local governance, largely financed by you - the compliant taxpayer - through VAT, income, and corporate taxes. We are actively bankrolling the 240th worst municipality in South Africa, alongside dozens of others that refuse to hold their own crooks accountable.

The big picture: The reversal sends a dangerous signal: consequence management is negotiable. Treasury claims it is releasing the funds because poor communities will ultimately bear the brunt of service delivery failures if the taps are turned off.

But this creates a moral hazard. If the money flows regardless of compliance, local cadres have zero incentive to investigate their peers.

What's next: Godongwana promises "stricter conditions" for December’s allocations. But the question remains: if the money flows regardless of compliance today, what is the point of the exercise tomorrow? Welcome to the Republic of No Consequences.