HOW DETERMINED ARE YOU TO BREAK FREE FROM DEBT?

Most people quietly accept that they will always have debt.

They use their overdraft every month and swipe their credit cards again and again without ever bringing the balances back to zero. It becomes a cycle that feels normal but is actually costing them far more than they realise. Month after month, a large part of their income goes straight into paying interest rather than improving their lives.

If you think about it, carrying debt all the time is like giving yourself a pay cut of around twenty percent for the rest of your life. Imagine losing one rand in every five you earn. This is not because of rent, groceries or school fees but simply because of interest charges. That money disappears into the pockets of credit providers and leaves you working harder just to stay in the same place. Now imagine what it would mean if that twenty percent stayed with you instead.

Think about how different your life could look if your debts were paid off and you no longer owed anyone. You could start saving a little each month and build a safety net for those nasty and unexpected expenses. Instead of panic when the car breaks down or the geyser bursts, you would have the money ready. Over time, you could even start enjoying things like guilt free holidays or fun purchases that you can actually afford (without the stress and without damaging your financial future).

It is easy to feel stuck and hopeless when you look at your debt balances. You may feel as if you are throwing money into a bottomless hole each month as you cover the minimum payments. It can feel like there is no end in sight. But life does not have to stay that way. There are solutions that can help you take back control and work towards a future where your money belongs to you again.

One of the best steps you can take is to speak with a professional debt counsellor who is registered with the National Credit Regulator. They can help you understand your options and guide you through a plan to reduce your debt in a structured and legal way. Debt review is not about shame or failure (it is about taking action and choosing a better future).

The question is not whether it is possible to get out of debt. The real question is how determined you are to make it happen. You have worked hard for your money. Would it not be better if more of it stayed with you and your family instead of going towards interest payments forever?