How to save when 75% of income used for debts?

Most consumers are cynical about National Savings Month in July, asking how they can even begin to think about saving when they spend 75% of their income to repay debts which are usually the result of borrowing just to survive.

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According to the 2025 1Life Generational Debt Survey, only 41% of workers manage to save each month and even those who do are often not saving enough to build financial security.

A further 36% say they simply do not earn enough to save at all.

The situation is just as concerning among middle- to higher-income earners, as DebtBusters reports that individuals earning R5 000 or less are using 75% of their income to service debt.

People earning R35 000 or more are not much better off, spending 74% of their income on debt repayments.

"Many South Africans are overwhelmed by debt and living pay-cheque to paycheque," says Hayley Parry, money coach and facilitator at 1Life's Truth About Money.