Ashton

Arcadia Finance - Marketing

I've been diving into online marketing and content creation, with a focus on personal finance and funding. But I'm not about dull finance content – I aim to create material that not only educates but genuinely helps. My mission? "Beyond information, I'm here to inspire!" Let's explore the world of finance together!

SRD Grant

Major Policy Shifts Under Consideration for the SRD Grant

16 January 2026

Significant policy changes are being explored for South Africa’s Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, with the National Treasury actively assessing proposals that could fundamentally ...

Confirmed SASSA Grants and Payment Schedule for February 2026

Confirmed SASSA Grants & Payment Schedule for February 2026

15 January 2026

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has confirmed the grant payment schedule for February 2026, providing millions of South Africans with clear timelines for ...

COVID-19 SRD Grant Remains in Place

COVID-19 SRD Grant Remains in Place, DSD Issues Fake News Warning

15 January 2026

The Department of Social Development has issued a clear reassurance to South Africans who depend on the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant, following a ...

Financial Strain

South Africans Remain Hopeful as They Adjust to Sustained Financial Strain

14 January 2026

South African households are increasingly demonstrating an ability to adjust and recalibrate their finances despite continued pressure from elevated living costs, according to the most ...

New Tariff Threat From the US

South Africa Faces New Tariff Threat From the US

13 January 2026

The United States has issued a new tariff warning that could put South Africa under economic pressure due to its limited but sensitive ties with ...

Interest Rate Relief

Fresh Signs Point to Further Interest Rate Relief in South Africa

12 January 2026

South Africans are increasingly poised to enjoy further interest rate relief in 2026, as global monetary developments, particularly in the United States, create favourable conditions ...

Electricity Price Hike

South Africa Hit With 10.5% Electricity Price Hike

9 January 2026

South African electricity consumers are facing the prospect of a significant new financial burden, with Eskom seeking to recover an additional R76 billion in revenue, ...

VAT-Related Tax Debt Challenge

South Africa Faces Escalating VAT-Related Tax Debt Challenge

8 January 2026

South Africa is grappling with a growing tax compliance crisis, as newly released figures from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) reveal that undisputed tax ...

New Driving Licence Card Set to Launch in South Africa

New Driving Licence Card Set to Launch in South Africa

7 January 2026

South Africa is set to receive a newly designed driving licence card as the Department of Transport continues to manage challenges linked to the country’s ...

Rand Rallies After a Year of Doubt and Volatility

Rand Rallies After a Year of Doubt and Volatility

6 January 2026

Traders appear comfortable with the rand trading at its strongest levels against the US dollar in more than three years, as reflected by subdued volatility ...

Positive Outlook for Interest Rate Cuts in South Africa

Positive Outlook for Interest Rate Cuts in South Africa

5 January 2026

South Africa is receiving encouraging signals on the future direction of interest rates, with expectations that borrowing costs could continue to ease through 2026. Standard ...

NSFAS Non-Payments Leave Thousands of Students in Crisis

NSFAS Non-Payments Leave Thousands of Students in Crisis

2 January 2026

As universities reopen for the start of a new academic year, a growing number of students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) ...

South Africans Facing Record Tax Pressure

South Africans Facing Record Tax Pressure

22 December 2025

South African taxpayers are facing record tax pressure, with Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana confirming that the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio is at its highest level since ...

Seven Bills Awaiting Presidential Signature in South Africa

Seven Bills Awaiting Presidential Signature in South Africa

19 December 2025

President Cyril Ramaphosa currently has seven pieces of legislation awaiting his signature, marking the final step before they become enforceable law in South Africa. These ...

Petrol Prices Rise by 69 Cents Per Litre in South Africa

Petrol Prices Rise by 69 Cents Per Litre in South Africa

18 December 2025

Despite a turbulent year marked by both domestic challenges and international market shocks, South African motorists closed out 2025 only marginally worse off in overall ...

SASSA Grants Payment Schedule for January 2026

Confirmed SASSA Grants & Payment Schedule for January 2026

18 December 2025

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) plays a vital role in supporting millions of South Africans through a range of social grants aimed at ...

New Data Highlights Government Salaries Exceeding R56 000 a Month

New Data Highlights Government Salaries Exceeding R56 000 a Month

17 December 2025

Recent earnings figures from Statistics South Africa’s Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) indicate that certain areas of the public sector continue to offer significantly higher pay ...

Expected Fuel Price Movements for January in South Africa

Expected Fuel Price Movements for January in South Africa

16 December 2025

Mid-month data from the Central Energy Fund indicates that South African motorists are heading into the new year with fuel price relief on the cards, ...

South Africa Plans Major Overhaul of Cash and ATM System

South Africa Plans Major Overhaul of Cash and ATM System

15 December 2025

South Africa’s central bank is preparing to implement the most far-reaching restructuring of the country’s cash ecosystem in several decades, signalling a fundamental shift in ...

Positive Signals for Interest Rate Reductions in South Africa

Positive Signals for Interest Rate Reductions in South Africa

12 December 2025

South Africa is seeing increasingly favourable conditions for future interest rate cuts, as national inflation expectations have fallen sharply following Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s decision ...

South Africa Faces Fresh Warning on the End of Working From Home

South Africa Faces Fresh Warning on the End of Working From Home

11 December 2025

A recent judgement delivered by the Labour Court in South Africa has issued another clear caution to employers who are considering bringing remote working arrangements ...

South Africa Reveals Proposed Minimum Wage Hike for 2026

South Africa Reveals Proposed Minimum Wage Hike for 2026

10 December 2025

The National Minimum Wage Commission has put forward a recommendation that the wage floor for South African workers should rise in 2026 by an amount ...

Major Shift Ahead for South Africans Earning R5k to R20k

Major Shift Ahead for South Africans Earning R5k to R20k

9 December 2025

South Africa has recorded its strongest improvement in consumer confidence for 2025, with the country’s middle-income earners, specifically those receiving between R5,000 and R20,000 a ...

Extended Operating Hours for Smart ID and Passport Services

Extended Operating Hours for Smart ID and Passport Services

8 December 2025

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that South Africans applying for Smart ID cards or passports will have easier access to services during December ...

South Africans Turn to Costly Debt as Loan Sharks Gain Ground

South Africans Turn to Costly Debt as Loan Sharks Gain Ground

5 December 2025

South Africa is witnessing an intensifying shift towards credit reliance as households struggle to keep up with the rising cost of living. This trend is ...

BNPL Surges as South African Debt Hits Record Highs

BNPL Surges as South African Debt Hits Record Highs

4 December 2025

As the festive season promotions intensify across South Africa, the National Financial Ombud (NFO) has issued a warning for consumers to exercise extreme caution when ...

SARS Issues Stern New Compliance Signal to South African Taxpayers

SARS Issues Stern New Compliance Signal to South African Taxpayers

3 December 2025

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) released a draft notice in terms of section 210(2) of the Tax Administration Act, signalling its intention to introduce ...

Another Significant Economic Gain for South Africa

Another Significant Economic Gain for South Africa

2 December 2025

South Africa recorded another encouraging performance in the third quarter, as real gross domestic product expanded by 0.5 percent. This marked the fourth successive quarter ...

Government Pushes Ahead With Plans to Scrap Medical Aid Tax Credits

Government Pushes Ahead With Plans to Scrap Medical Aid Tax Credits

1 December 2025

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has reiterated the government’s position on the future of medical aid tax credits, emphasising that the National Health Insurance (NHI) Act ...

Rising Pressure on Fuel Prices for South African Motorists

Rising Pressure on Fuel Prices for South African Motorists

28 November 2025

South African motorists are facing another difficult start to the month as fresh data from the Central Energy Fund indicates that fuel prices are set ...

Experts Issue Alert as Rand Surges Against the Dollar

Experts Issue Alert as Rand Surges Against the Dollar

27 November 2025

The South African rand has enjoyed a period of noticeable strengthening against the United States dollar over the past year, yet analysts caution that this ...

SARS Outlines Major Compliance Shift for the 2026 Tax Year

SARS Outlines Major Compliance Shift for the 2026 Tax Year

26 November 2025

SARS has informed employers throughout South Africa that they should begin their preparations for the 2026 Employer Filing Season, explaining that several procedural adjustments will ...

South African Salaries Continue to Show Positive Growth

South African Salaries Continue to Show Positive Growth

25 November 2025

The most recent PayInc Net Salary Index reveals encouraging news for South African employees, showing that salaries across the country remain higher than they were ...

Driving Licence Validity Extension Under Fire from Critics

Driving Licence Validity Extension Under Fire from Critics

24 November 2025

The prospect of lengthening the validity period of South African driving licence cards has resurfaced, yet labour unions have cautioned that such a shift could ...

Unanimous Repo Rate Cut Sets the Stage for Anticipated Monetary Easing

Unanimous Repo Rate Cut Sets the Stage for Anticipated Monetary Easing

21 November 2025

Following the South African Reserve Bank’s recent decision to lower borrowing costs, several economists have indicated that South Africans may see additional reductions in interest ...

South Africans Urged to Prepare for Potential Disappointment in the Rates Outlook

South Africans Urged to Prepare for Potential Disappointment in the Rates Outlook

20 November 2025

Many leading economists, financial experts and major market institutions continue to project that the South African Reserve Bank will deliver a 25 basis point interest ...

Inflation Climbs Ahead of South Africa’s Final Interest Rate Call of the Year

Inflation Climbs Ahead of South Africa’s Final Interest Rate Call of the Year

19 November 2025

Annual consumer inflation in South Africa climbed to 3.6 percent in October, rising from the 3.4 percent level recorded in September, a development that matched ...

South Africans Turning to Overdrafts as Financial Pressures Deepen

South Africans Turning to Overdrafts as Financial Pressures Deepen

18 November 2025

South Africans are increasingly relying on overdraft facilities and various short-term lending options as high interest rates, persistent inflation and sluggish economic growth steadily erode ...

Why the Rand Is Losing Momentum

Why the Rand Is Losing Momentum

17 November 2025

After reaching its strongest levels in nearly three years, the rand has once again slipped above the R17.00 mark against the US dollar, reflecting the ...

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Consolidating Debt

5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Consolidating Debt

15 November 2025

Managing multiple debts can quickly become overwhelming, especially when juggling different payment dates, interest rates and account balances. For many South Africans, debt consolidation offers ...

Positive Developments for Interest Rates in South Africa

Positive Developments for Interest Rates in South Africa

14 November 2025

The financial landscape in South Africa is currently filled with anticipation as the South African Reserve Bank is broadly expected to introduce an interest rate ...

End of an Era as High-Profile Bank Becomes Fully-Fledged Global Institution

13 November 2025

South Africa’s leading digital banking pioneer, TymeBank, which counts billionaire Patrice Motsepe among its major backers, is entering a transformative phase as it evolves from ...

South Africans Stand to Gain R20 Billion if SARS Does Its Job Right

South Africans Stand to Gain R20 Billion if SARS Does Its Job Right

12 November 2025

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has indicated that South African taxpayers could effectively be spared from R20 billion in additional taxes in 2026 if the South ...

South Africa’s Job Market Strengthens as Unemployment Falls

South Africa’s Job Market Strengthens as Unemployment Falls and Labour Data Gets an Overhaul

11 November 2025

South Africa’s unemployment landscape has experienced a notable improvement, with the official jobless rate dropping by 1.3 percentage points in the third quarter of 2025. ...

Rand Shows Remarkable Resilience and Stability

Rand Shows Remarkable Resilience and Stability

10 November 2025

The South African rand has been showing impressive resilience throughout the year, demonstrating that its recent performance is not a mere coincidence. The currency has ...

The Difference Between Debt Restructuring and Debt Consolidation

The Difference Between Debt Restructuring and Debt Consolidation

10 November 2025

Managing multiple debts can quickly become overwhelming when repayments stretch your budget. In South Africa, debt restructuring and debt consolidation offer two distinct ways to ...

Debt Review vs Consolidation Loan: Which Is Right for You?

Debt Review vs Consolidation Loan: Which Is Right for You?

9 November 2025

Managing debt can be a major challenge, particularly when multiple creditors and repayment dates make it difficult to stay organised. For many South Africans, debt ...

Calculate Your Net Salary

How to Calculate Your Net Salary

8 November 2025

Your payslip can look confusing at first glance, but learning to calculate your net salary makes it much clearer. It’s the amount you actually take ...

Bank Loans vs. Fintech Loans

Bank Loans vs. Fintech Loans: Which Is Right for You?

7 November 2025

The rise of financial technology or fintech lenders in South Africa has transformed how consumers and businesses access credit, offering faster, more flexible alternatives to ...

Retailers Offering Credit Should You Take a Store Loan

Retailers Offering Credit: Should You Take a Store Loan?

6 November 2025

Store credit has become increasingly common in South Africa, with major retailers such as Pick n Pay and Woolworths offering customers the option to shop ...

South Africans Braced for Triple Tax Blow

South Africans Braced for Triple Tax Blow

5 November 2025

South African taxpayers who belong to medical aid schemes are likely to face what experts are now describing as a “triple tax” to fund the ...

Is December a Good Month to Take Out a Loan

Is December a Good Month to Take Out a Loan?

4 November 2025

December is often a busy month for many South Africans, bringing extra financial pressure from festive spending, travel costs, and year-end obligations. For some, taking ...

South Africans Feel the Pinch as Medical Aid Costs Climb Sharply for 2026

South Africans Feel the Pinch as Medical Aid Costs Climb Sharply for 2026

4 November 2025

Medical aid members in South Africa are facing renewed financial strain, with one prominent scheme implementing an almost 20% increase in fees for 2026. While ...

South Africa Moves Closer to a Cashless Future as Digital Banking Takes Over

South Africa Moves Closer to a Cashless Future as Digital Banking Takes Over

3 November 2025

The traditional way South Africans have received and handled cash is undergoing a dramatic transformation. Across the country, an increasing number of people are choosing ...

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