💰SPEND SMART, STRESS LESS: YOUR 2025 FESTIVE FINANCIAL WELLNESS GUIDE

The sales are calling — but your bank balance might not be ready to answer.
While South Africans chase “Black Friday bargains,” too many enter the new year with ballooning debt and money stress.
This is your Solace Financial Wellness Guide — your plan to shop smart, spend safely, and start 2026 debt-free.

1. Festive Spending Reality Check in South Africa

• Average household debt rose to 62.7% of disposable income in early 2025.
• 1 in 3 shoppers used store or credit card debt for Black Friday purchases.
• 41% of festive debt takes over six months to repay.
  Meaning that we are spending more but saving less.

This season, financial protection is self-protection.

2. Lay-byes, Store Credit & “Buy Now, Pay Later” Traps

Festive payment plans sound convenient, but they often cost more than they save.

Here’s what to watch:

• Lay-byes: Are protected under the CPA, but you can be charged a cancellation penalty if you back out — no more than 1% of the purchase price.
• Store credit: Falls under the National Credit Act (NCA) which means the seller must disclose total costs, interest, and penalties.
• Missed payments: Can trigger debt collection and affect your credit record long after the holidays are over.
• Buy-now-pay-later apps: “Zero-interest” or “instant approval” offers are marketing tools — not guarantees of safety.

The biggest Black Friday scam isn’t fake — it’s financial. Every swipe, tap, or sign-up has a long tail.

3. Smart Shopper Financial Checklist

Before you make that purchase — whether online, in-store, or on credit — run through this:

1. Price check it: Has the price recently been inflated before discounting?

2. Read the fine print: Return policies, lay-bye terms, warranties, and delivery timelines.

3. Compare suppliers: Is it a registered South African business?

4. Know your debt limits: If you can’t afford t twice, you can’t afford it once.

5. Keep your proof: Receipts, confirmation emails, and T&Cs are your legal lifelines.

4. Solace Financial Wellness Support

Our Financial Wellness experts help you:

• Build a festive budget that prioritises need over wants.
• Review credit or lay-bye contracts before signing.
• Negotiate with creditors if you overspend.
• Plan for a debt-free 2026.

We don’t just help you manage debt — we help you prevent it.

With Solace, you’re not alone

Holiday joy shouldn’t come with debt hangovers.
With Solace’s expert guidance, you can spend wisely, avoid financial pitfalls, and enjoy peace of mind long after the sales end.

💬 WhatsApp: +27 (76) 412 9990 (type "Hi" to start chatting)

☎️ Call: 0860 765 223

✉️Email: info@solacebenefits.co.za