“Wealth is not about having a lot of money; it’s about having a lot of options.” (Chris Rock)
Being financially literate isn’t about having an accounting degree, making sense of stock charts, or knowing how to decipher economic jargon. In fact, financial literacy has very little to do with high finance at all.
The real test of financial literacy is your ability to make decisions about your money. Do you understand how financial products work, the ways in which money moves through your life, and how choices you make now affect your future?
To gauge where you stand, here’s a simple five-question diagnostic test that highlights key financial ideas that everyone should understand.
1. Do you know the true cost of debt, not just your monthly repayments?
If you have taken out a loan to buy something, do you know what total rand amount you are paying over the life of that loan?
Whether purchasing a new couch or a new home on credit, the number most people focus on is the monthly instalment. This is the figure they use to judge whether it’s affordable or not.
This is not wrong. If you are taking out a loan, you should be sure of how that number fits into your monthly budget. But someone who’s financially literate also calculates what they will be paying over the full term of the agreement, and whether it’s worth it. They understand how compound interest works against them on high-interest credit cards, store accounts, and personal loans.
If you know your loan’s interest rate, initiation fees, monthly admin charges, and ultimate repayment total, you are making truly informed choices.
2. Could your household survive a financial shock without taking on more debt?
We all like to think that it won’t happen to us, but financial setbacks like an unexpected retrenchment, a major vehicle repair, or a big medical expense can hit at any time. Those who are financially literate know this, and prepare accordingly.
They appreciate that there’s a difference between asset wealth and immediate liquidity. Can you access a large amount of cash quickly and without impacting your future plans? You don’t want a sudden R15,000 emergency to force you to rely on a high-interest credit card or personal loan, or to dip into your retirement savings.
Financially literate people have an accessible emergency fund that covers three to six months of essential living expenses, protecting their long-term wealth from short-term disruptions.
3. Are your long-term savings outstripping inflation?
Many South Africans make the mistake of leaving large amounts of cash in savings accounts or fixed deposits because it feels “safe”. But they don’t consider how inflation acts as a silent tax, systematically eroding their purchasing power year after year.
Being financially literate means understanding the relationship between risk, return, and time. It means knowing that to build real long-term wealth, your money must be invested in compounding growth assets such as shares that comfortably beat inflation over time.
4. Are you taking advantage of South Africa’s tax incentives?
It’s not just companies and the mega wealthy that need to be tax efficient. Everyone should be thinking about how they can make the most of the few “free lunches” that the government offers us.
Do you know the annual limit for contributions to your tax-free savings account, and are you using it? Do you understand how contributions to a pension, provident fund, or retirement annuity reduce your taxable income, effectively securing you a tax refund from SARS?
Leveraging these structures ensures you retain and can reinvest more of your hard-earned money.
5. Can you write down the main elements of your monthly cash flow?
Financially literate people know that a high income does not guarantee financial security. Many people fall into the trap of increasing their expenses at, and often above, the rate that their income grows.
Do you know what income you get into your bank account every month after deductions? Do you have a good sense of your fixed obligations like bond payments, insurance and other debit orders and how much discretionary spending that leaves you with? And do you pay yourself first by automating your savings on payday rather than just hoping to save what’s over at the end of the month?
How did you score?
If you answered “no” to two or three of these questions, don’t see that as a failure. See it as a roadmap to improving your financial literacy. This isn’t about a static test that you pass or fail. It’s an ongoing process of developing self-awareness and good financial habits.
Being financially literate doesn’t mean knowing the answer to every financial question. It’s about knowing enough about your own finances to have meaningful conversations with us and to ask questions when you don’t understand something. Our door is always open.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact us for specific and detailed advice.
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