Consumers may switch to property - FNB

The SA consumer could switch some of their expenditure from consumption to home buying‚ FNB strategist John Loos says.

• Household spending set to plunge
• More younger people caught in debt trap
• February inflation accelerates
• Domino effect danger for SA consumers
• Petrol hike will hit indebted hard
• Hands off consumers, Nersa tells Eskom

Debt repayment shock

A Fin24 user is alarmed by an increase of over 50% in his debt review repayments which he is unable to afford.

• More younger people caught in debt trap
• Debt paid up - what now?
• Punished for not having debt
• Know your rights, urges debt body
• Costly judgment removal
• Debt review but no effect

New app makes CPA understandable to all

Want to know you rights? Now there's a free online guide to help you navigate the ins and outs of the Consumer Protection Act.

• The CPA and small businesses
• CPA 'plain language' poser
• Landlords ignore CPA at their peril
• Redressing cellular and the CPA
• Small business and the CPA
• All About the CPA

Know your rights, urges debt body

South African consumers should be aware of their rights when it comes to credit, the National Debt Mediation Association says.

• How consumers benefit from budget relief
• Consumer watchdog to probe meat labelling
• AfriForum welcomes ruling in CPA case

Consumer credit health worsens

Consumer credit health is deteriorating this quarter when compared to the fourth quarter of last year‚ leading global credit bureau TransUnion says.

• Breather for blacklisted South Africans
• SA consumers suffer cash hangover
• Unemployment triggers debt crisis

US consumer confidence falls sharply

US consumer confidence fell sharply in December to the lowest level since August amid uncertainty about the fiscal cliff crisis.

• US labour market gains ground
• US fiscal cliff deal on a knife-edge
• US lobby group shuts down gun control

Breadline basics

Whatever happened to service ethos, laments Adriaan Bester.

• Petrol pain
• What the country needs
• Budget blues
• Brave new world
• Stylish saving
• Managing SA's reputation

US consumers boost economic growth

US economic growth picked up in the third quarter as a late burst in consumer spending offset the first cutbacks in investment in more than a year by cautious businesses.

• US manufacturing data lifts shares
• US CEO confidence hits 3-year low
• US Fed in push to rescue economy
• Bernanke gloomy on US economy
• US auto bailout cost keeps rising
• Fed leans towards more stimulus

Debt minefield

Bruce Whitfield on the curse of unsecured debt.

• Beating the debt trap
• Wedding bells, savings hell
• Voluntary debt mediation contravenes act
• Adra: Not all debt collectors are crooks
• Pay debt or invest?
• Credit Act cracks down on reckless buying

Consumers clueless about credit scores

A survey has found that many consumers do not realise the importance of knowing their credit score, with most of those polled unaware of their ranking.

• Credit history critical for home buyers
• How to fix your credit record
• Debt free - why am I penalised?

New tax law 'may abuse power'

The tax administration bill will have serious ramifications for taxpayers, as it grants Sars the power to search and seize material without a warrant.

• PwC: Gambling tax could squeeze casinos
• Tax rates and investments
• Your shares and Sars

Sarb not alarmed by unsecured lending

The Reserve Bank is not unduly alarmed at the rise in unsecured lending but is monitoring the development closely, Deputy Governor Daniel Mminele says.

• Marcus: CPI limits chances of a rate cut
• Fedusa disappointed by rates decision
• Sarb: Unsecured credit boom not a bubble
• Consumer inflation slows again
• Sarb: Rise in unsecured lending a worry
• Inflation quickens to 6.1%

Mind the gap

As Africa's consumers rise, so do inequities.

• Beating the poverty line
• The outlook for Africa
• Zuma: Use business to uplift Africa
• Renaissance: Forget China, invest in Africa
• AfDB mulls lifeline for African firms
• Brazil looks to Africa

Protect your bonus

Save, don't splurge, warn the experts.

• Eskom boss not ashamed of bonus
• Minister slates big bonuses
• Employers urged to hold off on increases
• Handsome bonus for Woolworths CEO
• Hide the credit card
• Saving for a child's future

Consumers keen on petrol attendants

Most South Africans who took part in a survey by Caltex said petrol attendants provide an invaluable service.

• Motorists hit by another steep fuel hike
• Fuel firms given leeway on sharing data
• Motorists hit by whopping fuel hike

Hide the credit card

Think before spending this Xmas season, urges the SA Savings Institute.

• Steady rates give consumers relief
• SA consumers cautious, bargain hunting
• Walmart uses apps to target shoppers
• Retail sales surge bodes well for sector
• Retail sales growth picks up
• CPI, retail sales data dim rate cut hopes

SA consumers cautious, bargain hunting

Shoppers are approaching the festive period with care and are on the lookout for cheaper items, says a Deloitte survey.

• Retailers bank on spendthrift shoppers
• SA careful with credit cards
• SA opens door for Chinatowns

Will Marcus cut SA some slack?

Consumers and businesses are hoping that Reserve Bank governor Gill Marcus will reduce interest rates this week to further lower the level of indebtedness.

• IMF urges SA to delay rates rise
• Marcus: Monetary policy has limits
• Inflation rises more than expected

SA households spending less

Spending slowed sharply in the second quarter, partly as household consumption eased, but investment is starting to pick up, the Reserve Bank says.

• Sarb: Third quarter off to bad start
• SA's current account deficit swells
• Slower growth boosts case for rate cut

Consumers can opt for debt mediation

Over-indebted consumers with complaints about their credit providers can obtain free debt mediation, the National Debt Mediation Association says.

• Banks give indebted a break
• Speedy help for the indebted
• New drive to explain debt review

Consumer appetite for credit increases

The value of credit taken up by consumers in the last quarter of 2010 increased 11%, says the National Credit Regulator.

• Consumers still mired in debt
• Stable outlook for SA banks
• Demand for credit picks up

Civil debt judgments drop

The number of civil judgments for debt fell by 23% in October compared to a year ago, indicating a decline in the number of distressed consumers.

• Indebted clients face double trouble
• Is there a limit on ballooning debt?
• South Africans starting to save more
• Dip in civil summonses issued for debt
• Debt review: should I go to court?
• New push to clear debt review backlog

US shoppers queue up for Black Friday deals

US shoppers have started searching for deals, as retailers hoped that "Black Friday" would kick off the best holiday shopping season in three years.

• Count your festive season pennies
• How to save money this festive season
• Saving: 'Employers can do more'
• Women better at saving - survey
• Am I saving enough?

Buying into a new buzzword

THE SALES AND MARKETING industry is taking on a new shape as marketers move into laboratories to obtain insight into how consumers make buying decisions. Tim Keys, MD of The Sales Institute, says “Neuroeconomics” is the new buzzword in the industry, especially in developed countries such as the United States and Britain.