Don’t be afraid to reach out

Debt is not something to be ashamed of, because for many South Africans, it’s not irresponsibility or financial recklessness that gets them here. Months or years of rising expenses can cause debt to build slowly. The cost of living keeps rising, but your income hasn’t. You’re trying to stretch every rand, but it’s not enough. One day, you realise that debt is now dictating your whole life.

If you’re too tired or embarrassed to speak with friends and family about your financial woes, what you need is a professional ear that doesn’t judge. SA debt counsellors understand how quickly things can spiral once you start falling behind and how hard it is to stop that slide without help. They will never sell you a quick fix. Their job is to sort through the mess with you and stop things from getting worse.

That first conversation will give you the space to talk through everything, not just numbers. What are you afraid of? Which of your debts are the most unmanageable? What have you already tried but didn’t work? Are creditors starting to call your phone and even reach out to your employer or family?

Based on your income and your financial reality, SA debt counsellors can help you decide what to do next.

Stop the calls, messages, and threats

If you’re already behind and unable to keep up with your repayments, debt review might be the right option. This is a formal, legal process that stops creditors from harassing you and restructures your debt into one affordable monthly payment.

From the moment your creditors are notified, they’re no longer allowed to contact you directly. That alone can be a relief.

What does debt review mean, and how can it free you from debt?

When you go under debt review, your SA debt counsellor works with each of your creditors to set up a new repayment plan based on what you can realistically afford. You make just one single, simple payment each month through an authorised Payment Distribution Agency, which then pays your creditors directly.

You’re still responsible for repaying what you owe, but this time, you have some breathing room. And once your debt is paid off, you get a clearance certificate. Your credit record is updated, and you can finally move on.

Take someone like Lindiwe, who owed R48,000 across credit cards and store accounts, plus a short-term loan. After her income dropped because of a retrenchment at her company, her monthly repayments of R6,200 became impossible. She couldn’t borrow more, and her phone didn’t stop ringing.

That’s when Lindiwe decided to reach out to SA debt counsellors and enter debt review. For four years, she stuck to a plan that cut her monthly payment in half and made it possible to cover essentials again. She made steady progress, and today, her debt is cleared. Lindiwe finally achieved debt freedom through small but consistent steps. You can do the same!

We’re here when you’re ready

At FindBetter, we work with NCR-registered SA debt counsellors who put people first. They follow strict rules to protect your rights and make sure you’re not trapped by unfair lending.

You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need to start. Whether you’re trying to restructure your debt or just want to understand your options, we’re here to help you figure it out.

See what your repayments could look like. Try our 1-minute Debt Savings Calculator and take the first step toward something easier.