PICTURE: PEXELS/TIMA MIROSHNICHENKO
Spring is often seen as a season of fresh starts, making it a good time to reassess more than just your wardrobe and home. Your finances could also benefit from a reset.
Also see: Top 5 money habits that quietly keep you broke
With South African households continuing to face pressure from debt and living costs, developing healthier money habits can help you feel more in control of your finances. The South African Reserve Bank reported that household debt rose to 62.2% of nominal disposable income in the first quarter of 2026, up from 61.8% in the previous quarter.
Here are 10 money habits worth starting this spring.
1. Spring-clean your budget
Start by taking an honest look at your income and expenses.
According to Nedbank’s financial education guidance, a budget compares your income with your expenses and helps you track and manage your spending. It also recommends reviewing your budget regularly and adjusting it when necessary.
Go through your bank statements and identify expenses that could be reduced or eliminated.
2. Track every rand you spend
Small purchases can easily slip under the radar.
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) recommends keeping track of expenses and updating your budget regularly. Tracking your spending can help you identify patterns and see where your money is actually going.
For one month, record everything — from groceries and transport to takeaways and impulse purchases.
3. Separate needs from wants
Before buying something, ask yourself whether you actually need it or simply want it.
The FSCA’s budgeting guidance recommends avoiding impulsive purchases and giving yourself time before buying something that is not essential.
Try introducing a 24-hour cooling-off period for non-essential purchases.
4. Review your subscriptions
Spring-cleaning your finances should include your monthly subscriptions.
Check your streaming platforms, apps, memberships and other recurring payments. If you are paying for something you rarely use, cancelling it could free up money for savings or other priorities.
Nedbank similarly recommends breaking down expenses such as entertainment subscriptions when creating a detailed budget so you can identify where costs can be reduced.
5. Make saving automatic
Instead of saving whatever happens to be left at the end of the month, treat saving as one of your regular financial commitments.
According to the FSCA, building savings habits is an important part of improving household financial resilience. Set up an automatic transfer on payday, even if the amount is initially small.
6. Build an emergency fund
Unexpected expenses can quickly derail your budget if you have no money set aside.
Nedbank’s financial education material notes that savings can be used for emergencies, unexpected opportunities and short- to medium-term financial goals.
Start with a manageable target rather than worrying about reaching a large amount immediately. The important thing is to establish the habit.
Also see: National Savings Month: How families can build better money habits
7. Give your debt a spring clean
List your debts, interest rates, outstanding balances and monthly repayments.
According to Nedbank, keeping debt costs as low as possible is an important part of managing debt effectively.
If you have expensive debt, consider prioritising repayments while avoiding taking on unnecessary new debt.
8. Plan for expenses before they arrive
Some expenses may not happen every month, but you know they are coming.
Birthdays, school-related costs, annual insurance payments, holidays and festive-season spending can all put pressure on your finances when they are not planned for.
The FSCA recommends setting aside money ahead of time for known future expenses rather than going into debt when they arrive.
9. Create specific savings goals
Instead of having one vague goal to ‘save more,’ give your money a purpose.
You could create separate targets for an emergency fund, holiday, home deposit, education or another major purchase.
Nedbank’s financial education guidance recommends saving for specific goals and distinguishing between money needed for emergencies, short-term goals and longer-term investments.
10. Make financial education a habit
Your financial spring clean should not end after one month.
The FSCA says financial literacy can help consumers make better and more informed financial decisions, while its consumer education programme covers areas including saving, debt, financial goals and investing.
Make a habit of learning about budgeting, saving, debt and investing before making major financial decisions.
Also see: Top money habits to teach your children
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