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Money guides

Straight answers to the South African money questions the calculators help you decide — each guide links to the tool that runs your numbers.

• First Home Finance (FLISP) 2026: who qualifies and how much

  First Home Finance (formerly FLISP) is a once-off South African subsidy for first-time home buyers on a modest income. Who qualifies, how much, and how to apply.

• Two-pot withdrawal: the tax you'll actually pay

  The two-pot savings withdrawal is taxed at your marginal rate, with no tax-free portion. What a withdrawal really costs you in tax now and in retirement savings later.

• What a 1% repo rate move does to your bond

  When the SARB moves the repo rate, your bond repayment moves with prime. What a 1% change costs per million rand of home loan, with the current 2026 rates.

• Property CGT after the R3 million primary-residence change

  From 1 March 2026 the primary-residence CGT exclusion rose to R3 million. What capital gains tax costs when you sell your home versus an investment property.

• Snowball vs avalanche: which clears your debt faster

  Two ways to clear multiple debts: smallest balance first (snowball) or highest interest first (avalanche). Which saves more, which feels better, and the rand gap.

• How to use the Property Sale CGT calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Property Sale CGT calculator: what to enter, how to read your capital gains tax result, and the inputs people get wrong.

• How to use the Two-Pot Withdrawal calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Two-Pot Withdrawal calculator: what to enter, how to read the tax and the retirement cost, and how to weigh the decision.

• How to use the Landlord Year-Pack calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Landlord Year-Pack: which rental expenses SARS lets you deduct, what to enter, and how to read your rental tax for the year.

• How to use the Property Analyser

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Property Analyser: what to enter, how to read the yields, cashflow and the overall purchase read on a South African rental.

• How to use the Rent vs Buy calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Rent vs Buy calculator: what to enter, how the wealth comparison works, and how to read the verdict and break-even point.

• How to use the Compare Rentals calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Compare Rentals calculator: enter both places' full running costs and the once-off move, and read the break-even month.

• How to use the Airbnb vs Long-let calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Airbnb vs Long-let calculator: what to enter, how short-let costs and tax work, and how to read the break-even occupancy.

• How to use the Bond Repayments calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Bond Repayments calculator: run two scenarios, read the schedule, and see what an extra payment saves in interest and years.

• How to use the Switch & Save calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Switch & Save calculator: weigh a lower bond rate against the real switching costs and read the honest break-even month.

• How to use the Rate Shock calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Rate Shock calculator: stress-test your bond against a rate rise and read the new repayment and the cost over the term.

• How to use the Bank Affordability calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Bank Affordability calculator: the NCA Regulation 23A test for what a bank may lend you, and how to read it.

• How to use the First Home Finance calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat First Home Finance calculator: enter your household income and read the FLISP subsidy it points to.

• How to use the Car Affordability calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Car Affordability calculator: run three affordability rules both ways, count running costs, and read what you can really carry.

• How to use the Budget Splits calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Budget Splits calculator: apply 50/30/20 and three other frameworks to your take-home pay, and see where your car fits.

• How to use the Finance & Balloon calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Finance & Balloon calculator: see the true cost of a car deal, what the balloon really adds, and when you climb above water.

• How to use the Snowball vs Avalanche calculator

  A step-by-step guide to the Money Cat Snowball vs Avalanche calculator: list your debts, set your extra payment, and read which order clears them cheaper and sooner.

• Property transfer costs in South Africa: what you pay on top of the price

  The cash you need on top of the price when buying a SA home: transfer duty, the transfer attorney and bond registration, with a worked example.

• Switching your home loan: does a lower rate beat the switching costs?

  Moving your bond to a lower rate has real once-off costs. How big a rate drop pays, how long break-even takes, and when a switch is actually worth it.

• The 50/30/20 budget, and why South African needs break it

  The 50/30/20 rule splits take-home pay into needs, wants and savings. Why SA bond and fuel costs often push needs past 50%, and the honest fix.