ON SPOTLIGHT BUSINESS NEWS

To help you keep both your spirits and your finances bright, here are a few simple but powerful budgeting tips to help you spend wisely this Christmas and start the new year feeling confident and in control. 🎁 1. Set a Realistic Holiday Budget Before you shop, decide how much you can truly afford to spend. Break your budget into categories — gifts, food, travel, and entertainment — and track each expense. A clear plan keeps you grounded and reduces stress later. 💳 2. Use Cash or Debit Instead of Credit Swiping a credit card can make it easy to lose track. Try to pay with cash or a debit card so you stay within your means. If you do use credit, plan to pay it off quickly to avoid interest charges. 🎄 3. Make a Gift List (and Stick to It!) Write down everyone you’re buying for and set a spending limit per person. This keeps your shopping organized and ensures your spending stays within budget. 🎨 4. Give Thoughtful, Not Expensive Gifts You don’t need to overspend to show...

  Both freelancing and affiliate marketing are great ways to earn online — but they work very differently. Here’s a clear, beginner-friendly comparison to help you choose. 1. Freelancing What it is: You offer a skill or service (writing, admin, design, marketing, virtual assistance, etc.) and get paid per job or per hour. ⭐ Pros Fastest way to make money online — you can earn within 1–2 weeks. No audience needed. Skills grow quickly, increasing your earning potential. Many beginner-friendly roles (VA, data entry, social media assistant). ⚠️ Cons You must do the work yourself. Income stops if you stop working. Requires communication with clients. 💵 Typical beginner earnings R150 – R300 per hour (virtual assistant, admin work) R500 – R2,000 per project depending on the skill 🎯 Best for beginners who: Want quick income Are willing to learn simple online skills Don’t mind working with clients 2. Affiliate Marketing What it is: You promote other companies’ products. When someone buys ...

  Tax-Free Investments (TFIs) are a great way to grow your money without paying tax on the interest, dividends, or capital gains you earn. Let’s break it down clearly — especially for South African investors. 🇿🇦 1. What is a Tax-Free Investment (TFI)? A Tax-Free Investment is a government-approved savings or investment account that allows you to earn returns without paying any tax on them. That means: No income tax on interest. No dividend tax. No capital gains tax (CGT) when you withdraw. It’s designed to encourage long-term savin g and investing. 💰 2. Contribution Limits You can’t just invest unlimited money tax-free — there are limits: R36,000 per year (as of 2025). R500,000 lifetime limit. ⚠️ If you contribute more than these limits, SARS will tax the excess at 40%, so stay within the limits. 🏦 3. Where You Can Open a Tax-Free Investment You can open a TFI account at: Banks (e.g. FNB, Standard Bank, Capitec, Nedbank) Unit trust companies (e.g. Allan Gray, Coronation, Ninety...