Financial pressure affects not only the ability to cover bills; for many residents of South Africa, worry about debt, job stability, investments, and pensions also worsens their mental state and complicates solving financial difficulties.
Kim Potgiter, Managing Director of Chartered Wealth Solutions, notes that uncertainty regarding money can quickly prompt people to envision the worst-case scenarios, constantly replaying the same fears without approaching a solution. According to her, without receiving new information or taking action, the situation does not change, and anxiety persists.
The scale of financial stress is reflected in the DebtBusters Money-Stress Tracker report for 2026, which surveyed nearly 18,000 subscribers who had not received debt counseling. The results showed that 72% of respondents experienced financial stress, an increase compared to the previous year. Among those affected, 75% reported that it affects their health, 76%—their work life, and 92%—their family life.
The pressure related to debt repayment has also intensified. More than half of those surveyed, specifically 53%, now spend more than 40% of their net income on debt payments, compared to 48% last year. Particular tension is observed among individuals aged 35–44, where three out of four spend more than 30% of their after-tax income on debt—a level described as unsustainable.
When worry becomes difficult to manage
Psychologist Dr. Andrea Kellerman, who analyzed the psychological consequences of the DebtBusters findings, states that prolonged financial pressure can weaken people's ability to make decisions and find ways to improve their situation. She notes that accumulated stress over the past five years has depleted the capacity to make more balanced decisions and think outside the box.
The proportion of DebtBusters respondents who felt stuck increased from 29% to 34%. Kellerman believes that constant stress can cause people to feel hopeless and helpless, potentially leading them to withdraw or avoid solving their problems. This can manifest as postponing decisions, unopened statements, delaying difficult conversations, or refusing opportunities that could help them.
Financial strain does not always mean a person misses payments or falls into arrears. Brett Kaminski, Director of Atlas Finance, says that people can make all payments on time while still spending a lot of time worrying about the next bill or how unexpected expenses will affect the household budget. He adds that financial stress can accumulate unnoticed, and even a small financial setback can seem overwhelming when there is virtually no financial cushion.
Where does the worry come from
Potgiter explains that people's attitudes toward money are often shaped by experiences and beliefs formed long before they started managing their own finances. In childhood, people absorb messages about whether money is abundance or scarcity, whether it causes tension, whether it is discussed openly or avoided, and how family members and those around them save, spend, and feel about it.
When these experiences are rooted in fear, scarcity, or guilt, they can influence financial decisions and a person's sense of security and well-being. Potgiter emphasizes that understanding the sources of this financial anxiety helps separate what is real in the current financial situation from what a person might be carrying from the past. She sees this particularly among people approaching retirement, who may worry for years about having enough funds without defining their actual financial standing.
In some cases, the numbers indicate the need for changes, while in others, people discover they are in a stronger financial position than they assumed. Potgiter concludes that 'knowing is better than guessing.' Although a financial plan cannot completely eliminate uncertainty, it can replace some assumptions and worst-case scenarios with facts, providing people with a concrete basis for action.
Regaining control
Kaminski argues that fighting financial stress does not mean immediately solving all problems. An important first step is early recognition of warning signs. He advises starting with a simple analysis of how much money comes in, how much goes out, and what payments are due before the next paycheck. Furthermore, budgeting can ease the mental burden of constantly calculating what is affordable. Reminders about debits, repayments, and other financial deadlines can reduce administrative pressure on people.
He also recommends that consumers who are finding it increasingly difficult to manage their budget seek advice from a creditor or request appropriate financial consultation before they fall into arrears. Potgiter also advises taking small, practical steps when financial problems seem insurmountable. Such steps may include opening a long-ignored statement, analyzing expenses, increasing investment contributions, or asking for help.