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!

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Confirmed SASSA Grants & Payment Schedule for December 2025

Confirmed SASSA Grants & Payment Schedule for December 2025

3 November 2025

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) plays a vital role in supporting millions of South Africans through its monthly social grants. As 2025 draws ...

Major Fuel Price Drop

Major Fuel Price Drop Set to Bring Relief for South African Motorists Next Week

31 October 2025

Fresh figures from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) show that October ended with strong fuel price recoveries, paving the way for a petrol and diesel ...

Why Mobile Networks Are Now Offering Personal Loans

Why Mobile Networks Are Now Offering Personal Loans

31 October 2025

Mobile networks are reshaping how South Africans access credit by extending their reach beyond communication into financial services. Using customer data, mobile wallets, and app-based ...

Experts Caution Borrowers as Mashonisa Loans Rise

Experts Caution Borrowers as Mashonisa Loans Rise

30 October 2025

With rising living costs, stagnant wages, and the pressure of the upcoming festive season, countless South Africans are finding themselves in a financial squeeze. As ...

How Fintechs Are Changing the Way South Africans Borrow

How Fintechs Are Changing the Way South Africans Borrow

30 October 2025

The rise of financial technology (fintech) is transforming how South Africans borrow and manage money. Traditional banking, once limited by lengthy processes and strict requirements, ...

Short-Term Lending Surge Raises Caution

Short-Term Lending Surge Raises Caution

29 October 2025

South Africans are being urged to exercise greater caution this festive season as a nationwide crackdown on illegal microlenders intensifies. With the country facing rising ...

How South Africans Are Coping with the Cost of Living

How South Africans Are Coping with the Cost of Living

29 October 2025

The rising cost of living in South Africa has become a major concern for households across the country, affecting everything from groceries and fuel to ...

What to Expect from the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement

What to Look Out for in This Year’s Medium-Term Budget Speech

28 October 2025

South Africa is gearing up for the release of its much-anticipated Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS), with economists and analysts eager to hear Finance Minister ...

Credit Cards vs. Personal Loans for Everyday Expenses

28 October 2025

Managing everyday expenses in South Africa often means choosing between a credit card and a personal loan, each offering distinct benefits depending on your needs. ...

Why So Many People Used Retirement Savings to Pay Off Debt

Why So Many People Used Retirement Savings to Pay Off Debt

27 October 2025

Across South Africa, growing numbers of individuals have chosen to use their retirement savings to settle outstanding debts, often as a way to manage financial ...

New R3.5 Billion Beachwood Coastal Estate Rising Along Durban North’s Coastline

New R3.5 Billion Beachwood Coastal Estate Rising Along Durban North’s Coastline

27 October 2025

A major new residential development valued at R3.5 billion, known as Beachwood Coastal Estate, is currently being constructed along the scenic coastline of Durban North ...

South Africans Set to Celebrate as Petrol Prices Drop Sharply in November

South Africans Set to Celebrate as Petrol Prices Drop Sharply in November

24 October 2025

As South Africa nears the conclusion of October, the nation can look forward to a wave of relief at the fuel pumps in November. The ...

Interest Rate Cut Hopes Fade for South Africans

Interest Rate Cut Hopes Fade for South Africans

23 October 2025

South Africa’s latest inflation figures have delivered an unwelcome surprise for those anticipating early interest rate cuts, potentially derailing expectations of monetary easing in November. ...

Makro Launches Massive Early Black Friday Savings This Week

Makro Launches Massive Early Black Friday Savings This Week

22 October 2025

Makro and Game have officially announced the release of their early Black Friday promotions, unveiling a range of enticing deals that will become available on ...

Major Relief for Solar Users as Eskom Streamlines Approval Process

Massive Boost for Rooftop Solar Users in South Africa

21 October 2025

South African homeowners who have invested in rooftop solar have received a significant boost following a major regulatory update by Eskom. The power utility has ...

South Africans Turn Away from Eskom

South Africans Turn Away from Eskom

20 October 2025

Eskom, once South Africa’s dominant electricity supplier, is facing a dramatic decline in demand as years of steep price hikes have driven customers to find ...

Major Setback for South African Passport Holders

Major Setback for South African Passport Holders

16 October 2025

South African travellers have suffered a notable setback, as the country has fallen out of the global top fifty passports. According to the most recent ...

Expected Fuel Price Movements for November

Expected Fuel Price Movements for November

15 October 2025

Mid-month calculations from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) indicate that motorists in South Africa are likely to see fuel price reductions across all grades in ...

Chinese Car Brands Face New Challenges in South Africa

Chinese Car Brands Face New Challenges in South Africa

14 October 2025

The rapid rise of Chinese car manufacturers in South Africa, once seen as a triumph of affordability and innovation, is now beginning to show signs ...

End of Medical Aid Tax Credits on the Horizon

Medical Aid Tax Credits Could Soon Be History

13 October 2025

The National Department of Health (NDOH) has revealed that it is actively engaged in discussions with the National Treasury regarding proposed changes to South Africa’s ...

The State of South African Households: Findings from the 2025 Economic Survey

The State of South African Households: Findings from the 2025 Economic Survey

12 October 2025

Arcadia Finance conducted a 2025 national survey to understand how South Africans are managing their finances amid ongoing economic uncertainty. The results reveal how households ...

Home Loan Pressure

Home Loan Pressure: Why More South Africans Are Struggling With Bond Payments

11 October 2025

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments most South Africans will ever make, and for the majority, this commitment is made possible ...

Borrow in November

Is November the Right Month to Borrow Money in South Africa?

10 October 2025

November is a period when many South Africans reassess their finances, with year-end expenses and festive spending adding pressure to household budgets. Deciding whether to ...

SARS Fraud Alert Taxpayers Urged to Stay Vigilant

SARS Fraud Alert: Taxpayers Urged to Stay Vigilant

10 October 2025

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued another urgent warning to the public, cautioning taxpayers about a newly circulating scam aimed at stealing money ...

Confirmed SASSA Grants & Payment Schedule for November 2025

9 October 2025

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) provides crucial financial support to millions of South Africans through a range of social grants. With over 28 ...

Major Shift in Interest Rate Expectations for South Africa

Major Shift in Interest Rate Expectations for South Africa

9 October 2025

The latest minutes from the United States Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) September session have reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve will deliver additional interest ...