We tend to judge how we’re doing financially by whether the debit orders clear and whether there is anything left at month-end. But that can miss the quieter burden of living with little or no margin for error, where every swipe, debit order and unexpected expense becomes a mental calculation.
That pressure is reflected in the latest household debt figures. Nedbank’s September 2026 Personal Finances report, drawing on revised South African Reserve Bank (SARB) data, shows that debt-servicing costs reached 9.4% of disposable income in the second quarter of 2026. In practical terms, households are committing almost R10 of every R100 of disposable income to servicing debt before accounting for everyday essentials such as food, transport, housing and other household costs. When so much of the monthly budget is already committed, there is less room to absorb an unexpected expense, and that lack of breathing room can become a source of ongoing financial stress.
Against the backdrop of Mental Health Awareness Month, it is worth bringing this less visible form of financial strain into the broader conversation about mental health, says Brett Caminsky, Director at Atlas Finance.
“Financial stress can build quietly. Someone may be meeting every repayment, but still spend much of their time worrying about the next bill or whether an unexpected expense will push the household budget off track. The fuel increases just announced add to this pressure. When there is little financial breathing room, even a small financial setback can feel overwhelming.
“The important thing is to recognise those signs early. Coping doesn’t require a flawless spreadsheet or fixing every financial hurdle overnight. Often, the most powerful first step is simply lowering the emotional temperature: taking a calm look at what’s actually coming in and going out, figuring out which commitments need immediate attention, and asking yourself how your budget would weather a curveball.”
Caminsky suggests a few simple ways to take some of the mental load out of managing money:
- Start with a simple money check-in: Rather than trying to overhaul your finances in one sitting, look at what is coming in, what is going out and what needs to be paid before your next payday. A clear picture can be less stressful than avoiding the numbers altogether.
- Use a budget to reduce uncertainty: A budget is not only about restricting spending. It can give you a clearer idea of what you have available for essentials, commitments and discretionary spending, reducing the need to constantly calculate whether you can afford something.
- Stress-test your month: Ask yourself what would happen if an unexpected expense landed this month. Even if you cannot build a large emergency fund, identifying where you could find some breathing room can help you prepare rather than panic when something goes wrong.
- Create reminders for financial admin: Set calendar reminders for debit orders, repayments and other important financial dates. Taking these details out of your head and putting them somewhere you can see them can reduce the mental effort of trying to remember everything.
- Don’t wait until you are in arrears: If your budget is becoming increasingly difficult to manage, speak to a credit provider or seek appropriate financial advice early. Understanding your options while you still have some room to act can be easier than trying to resolve the problem once it has escalated.
When the numbers simply don’t add up anymore, reaching out for professional financial advice or talking to a credit provider early can lift the fog and lay out options you may not have considered.
“Ultimately, financial wellbeing isn’t just about staying out of arrears. It’s about regaining enough clarity and confidence to look your money in the eye, rather than running away from it,” concludes Caminsky.
