As “Black November” promotions get under way, the National Debt Counsellors (NDC) is encouraging South Africans to shop with the new year in mind, so that November’s bargains still feel like bargains when the repayments on them meet January’s school fees and debit orders.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!This year’s Black Friday, on 27 November, lands on households that are already paying more for credit. The Reserve Bank has raised interest rates twice in 2026, taking the prime lending rate to 10.75% in September, and its final rate decision of the year falls on 19 November, eight days before Black Friday. At the same time, paying in instalments has become part of checkout. In figures reported last December, payment provider Peach Payments said the value of buy-now-pay-later payments it processed over the 2025 Black Friday weekend grew by 753% on the year before.
“Before making a purchase, consumers should consider which future salary will pay for it, and what that salary already needs to cover,” says René Moonsamy, Director at the National Debt Counsellors. “A month of promotions creates opportunities to spend repeatedly. Someone may stay within their limit on each individual purchase, but exceed what they can comfortably afford across the month.”
Moonsamy explains that by the time someone seeks debt counselling, the problem has often grown beyond the original shopping. “There are often two layers of debt – the credit used to make the purchases, and further borrowing used to cover everyday expenses once those repayments begin,” she says. “Take a household with R800 left each month after essentials and existing debt. Over Black Friday, it buys a discounted television on its store account and gifts on an interest-free plan, and by December the new repayments come to R1,500. A loan taken out in January to cover the gap leaves it R300 short every month by February. The discount was real, but the household could not accommodate the combined commitments.”
She adds that new accounts are not the only warning sign. Many consumers open none at all, but run up an existing credit card, accept a higher store-account limit or draw more from an available facility. Others only seek help months later, once savings or further borrowing can no longer cover the gap.
Financing costs can also cancel out a discount entirely. “An item reduced from R5,000 to R4,000 can end up costing R5,400 once it is paid off in instalments with interest, fees and credit insurance, which is R400 more than its original cash price,” says Moonsamy. “Compare the total amount you will repay with the genuine cash price before the sale. If the extra borrowing costs exceed the discount, the saving has disappeared.”
Moonsamy shares four steps to shop for value this November without creating new debt:
- Decide what you need before you browse. Make a specific list and record current prices, comparing the same model, size or quantity across retailers, including delivery charges, so that advertised discounts can be checked against a genuine alternative.
- Set aside the money before spending it. Establish one budget for the whole promotional period using money available after essential expenses and existing commitments. Pay from that allocation using cash or a debit card.Keep funds needed for December and January separate.
- Check the purchase against the plan. Before paying, confirm that the item is on the list, represents a real saving and fits within the money remaining. If it requires a new credit account, a higher limit or borrowing for essentials afterwards, reconsider the purchase.
- Put every instalment on one calendar. Four commitments of R300 become R1,200 when they fall due in the same month, and some plans collect fortnightly, so several deductions may land before the next payday. Interest-free plans can also attract charges if a payment is missed.
- Think twice about festive credit offers. A higher limit, a new store card or a pre-approved loan increases access to credit, not the income available to repay it. A promotional deadline should not decide a commitment that may last for months or years, and consumers can decline an offer even when they qualify for it.
“The desire to provide for family and make the festive season special is understandable,” says Moonsamy. “We would encourage consumers to have those conversations early and agree on what the household can comfortably manage. That might mean fewer gifts, a shared celebration or postponing a purchase. Setting a limit is a way of protecting the family’s needs in the months that follow. If the budget is already falling short before seasonal spending begins, that deserves attention now. Seeking guidance can help someone understand their position and make decisions with greater confidence. People should be able to ask for support without feeling that they have disappointed their families.”
The National Debt Counsellors offers credit and debt guidance to South Africans at all stages of their financial journey. For more information, visit nationaldebtcounsellors.co.za.