Skip to main content

Featured

Best Student loans in South Africa in 2026-Including interest rates

Looking for an institution to further your studies is hard and very competitive. But not as hard as trying to source funding for said studies.  Here’s a clear and up-to-date look at the best student loan options in South Africa and their typical interest rates — so you can plan your education funding with confidence in 2026.  1. NSFAS – Government-Backed Student Funding Best for: Students from low-income families attending public universities or TVET colleges.  Key features Interest: Very low (typically around 80% of the repo rate , which is much lower than bank loans) — if you qualify for a loan rather than a bursary.  Repayment: Only starts after you graduate and are earning above a set income threshold (often around R30 000/year). Bonus: A portion becomes a bursary (no repayment) if you pass your modules!  Coverage: Tuition, accommodation, meals, and learning materials.  Why choose NSFAS? This is typically the most affordable option — especially...
Read more

Cash Envelope System: How to Budget using Cash Envelopes

 

Nothile Writes cash stuffing for beginners. Nothile finance cash stuffing budgeting guidelines.

A cash envelope system is a budgeting tool used by many. It is a way to track exactly how much money you have budgeted for each expense category for the month and tuck the cash away. You essentially categorise your expenses and then put money in an envelope labeled with that category.


The advantages of using Cash Envelope Systems

  • Keeps you on track with your spending

  • It enforces discipline and holds you accountable

  • It limits you and helps avoid overspending

  • Forces you to plan ahead

  • You will not have overdraft fees and credit charges

  • You will also avoid impulse purchases.

Steps on how to use Cash Envelope Systems

  1. Create a unique budget every month

You need to tailor your budget according to your needs (and wants) for that particular month. Make it as accurate as possible.


  1. Choose what budget categories to use with a cash envelope system

You already know your monthly bills. You just need to create categories for them. For example, you can have a groceries category, utilities category, entertainment category, etc. You know your expenses better than anyone. Just categorize them and viola!


  1. Label your envelopes

Label your envelopes according to the categories you have created. Each category of expenses should have an envelope. 


  1. Withdraw cash for your envelopes

After you have created a budget you know how much your expenses add up to. You need to withdraw cash for each category you have created above. 


  1. Stuff your cash envelopes

Put the money you budgeted into each labeled envelope.  


  1. Use the money for that category only

You can only use the money allocated for each category. The categories do not overlap. For example, you should not use the money for groceries or utilities.


  1. Stop spending when the money runs out

In this step, you need to stop when the money runs out of your envelope. You can only use the money for the allocated expense. If one envelope runs out while the other still has money, you do not borrow from the other.


  1. Keep track of your spending

Make sure you keep all the receipts for your purchases and bills. Know exactly where your money went.


  1. Reflect

In this last step, you reflect. You look back on your spending and analyse your financial movements. In which category did you overspend and run out of money? Which category did you over budget? How can you do better next month?


I hope you found this article helpful. Budgeting can be tricky but you’ve got this. Personal finance is a journey with bends and turns but you will strive. It takes patience and dedication to achieve financial freedom.


sources: Dave Ramsey's envelope systems