Food, fuel, cars, accommodation and black tax. That's what middle income earners are spending 80% of their salaries in five days on.
They're not being reckless, they tell Drum.
This week, FNB released statistics stating that middle income earners spend 80% of their salaries in 5 days. This group earns between R15 000 and a bit over R40 000 per month.
A few Drum readers give a breakdown of their monthly expenses, showing how they use up their salaries in a matter of days because the cost of living is very high.
'MY NET PAY IS R20 000'
Puleng Cele* who is a teacher at a TVET college says her salary does not even last a day.
"By the end of the day on payday I have no money left. Sometimes I even take sleeping tablets on pay days because it is stressful.
"I do not go shopping or live an extravagant life. I don't even have a weave. I have an afro and I sometimes do braids. I have too many problems to have hair that needs to be maintained for R500 at a time," she says with a laugh.
Her take-home is R20 000 and this is a breakdown of her expenses:
Rent
R5 000
Nanny
R1 700
Groceries
R3 000
Child’s transport
R400
School fees
R1 300
Medical aid
R2 600
Policies and insurance
R3 000
Own transport
R600
Toiletries and food
R2 400
MY NET PAY IS R13 600
Amanda Moses* who is an admin clerk is in a similar position and says she does not have children to care for because things can get too much.
"I don't even have money to go have a sitdown meal at Nando's. I don't even know how people who drink survive," she says.
Her take-home is R13 600 and she has noted that it doesn't matter which shop she does her groceries at, it's still expensive.
"Whether I go to PnP or Woolies it's the same, really. We have so many responsibilities, it would be unfair to make it sound like we are being reckless with our salaries," she says.
Here is her breakdown:
Rent
R2 300
Car instalment
R5 000
Car insurance
R1 800
Cellphone contract
R250
Clothing accounts
R1 100
Mama
R600
Sisters’ kids
R500
Funeral policies
R1 200
Food, cosmetics and electricity
R4 000
She says fuel, DSTV, hair and nails are not accounted for because she is already well over budget.
"It's not that we don't know how to spend money or we don't know the importance of saving, but there is a lot. I have a mom and elderly grandma that I have to take care of. Then my unemployed sisters' children also then have needs I have to take care of."
Amanda says she has funeral covers because should the worst happen, she would not have money readily available to bury any of her relatives.
"I would rather suffer now and pay all these monies now than have to deal with the pain of the loss and worry about money to bury them too," she says.
'MY NET PAY IS R25 000'
Busisiwe Khumalo* is a government employee and says stokvels are the only way she can afford to do anything.
She has no debt and she is a single mother of two.
"I don't have a social life so luxuries are not even in my budget. Once a year, I get to take my kids on vacation and that is through one of my stokvels. I have cut down on things like DSTV and I can account for every cent that goes out of my account."
Busisiwe drives a 2009 car because she wants to be frugal.
"Thankfully, I am comfortable in my own skin and I don't conform to societal standards. I am focused on the bigger picture and my long-term goals."
Her income is R25 000 and this is her breakdown:
Education plans
R1 000
Insurance
R700
Life policies
R200
Funeral Cover
R500
Building insurance
R500
Cellphone
R600
Internet
R600
Food
R3 000
Fuel
R2500
Stokvels
R8 200
Water and lights
R1 500
Clothing account
R200
School fees
R2 000
Kids’ transport
R2 000
Step class
R300
'MY NET PAY IS R24 000'
Unathi Green* works for a government entity and takes home R24 000 but even with her business of making curtains, things do sometimes get tough.
“There is no money for luxuries. I have not even changed my bed in years even though it makes my back sore because there are always other pressing matters that need to be attended to.
"It's not fair to judge people for spending money quickly, we are really doing with best we can,” she adds.
This is her breakdown
Bond
R6 500
Rates and taxes
R500
Levies
R1 300
Car
R3 500
Insurance
R1 200
Fuel
R2 000
Electricity
R500
Cellphone and data
R750
Laptop
R600
Funeral Cover
R800
Food
R2 000
Clothing account
R400
Gym
R400
Mom
R1 000
Credit card
R1000
*Not their real names
