financegro

1. You Can Negotiate Almost Everything > Price, service plans, admin fees, and even extras like mats or tints — it’s all negotiable. They just hope you won’t ask. --- 2. “Admin Fees” Are Often Nonsense > That R3,000–R5,000 “admin” or “delivery” charge? It’s mostly profit. Ask them to remove or reduce it. --- 3. They Make More Money on Finance Than the Car > Dealerships earn commission from banks when you take a loan. That’s why they push financing over cash sales. --- 4. Pre-Approved Bank Loans Are Usually Cheaper > Always shop around with your own bank first. Dealership-arranged finance often has higher interest. --- 5. Trade-In Offers Are Often Low on Purpose > They undervalue your old car to make more margin. Check your car’s real value on AutoTrader or WeBuyCars first. --- 6. They Upsell “Extras” You Don’t Need > Things like paint protection, tracker contracts, nitrogen in tyres, etc., are optional — and overpriced. --- 7. Used Cars Might Be Repossessed or Acciden...

If you’ve ever tried applying for a loan and got hit with the dreaded words “no credit history,” you’re not alone. Getting your first loan without any credit can feel like a catch-22: you need credit to get credit. But the good news? It's not impossible. Whether you're a student, new to the workforce, or someone who's just never had to borrow before, there are legit ways to get approved even if lenders don’t have a credit report to look at. In this post, we'll break it all down in simple language and show you how to get started—even from scratch. --- First Things First: What Does “No Credit History” Mean? Having no credit history means you haven’t used credit in a way that shows up on your credit report. That could be because you’ve never had a credit card, car loan, student loan, or anything else that reports to credit bureaus. While this might seem like a good thing (you’ve never been in debt!), lenders actually see it as risky. They have no idea if you’ll repay what ...

Car insurance is one of those necessary expenses that often feels like a burden—especially when premiums keep creeping up every year. But what if you could slash your car insurance costs without sacrificing the protection you need? In this post, you’ll discover smart, legal, and highly effective hacks to lower your car insurance premiums and keep more money in your pocket. Whether you're a new driver, seasoned motorist, or just someone tired of overpaying, these tips will help you unlock real savings. --- 1. Shop Around Every 12 Months Loyalty doesn’t always pay in the insurance world. Many companies apply what's called “price optimization”—raising premiums slowly over time assuming you won’t leave. Hack: Get quotes from at least 3–5 different insurers once a year. Use comparison tools like Policygenius, The Zebra, or NerdWallet to easily compare rates. > Even if you don’t switch, showing your current insurer a competitor’s lower rate may get you a discount. --- 2. Increase ...

Eliminating Toxic Debt: A Real-World Guide to Taking Back Your Freedom If you’ve ever stared at your bank account and wondered where it all went—or felt that sinking feeling when another payment reminder pops up—you’re not alone. Debt is a reality for millions, but not all debt is created equal. Some debt can be useful, like a home loan or a student loan that leads to greater earning power. But toxic debt? That stuff is poison for your finances, and worse, your peace of mind. So what is toxic debt, how do you spot it, and more importantly—how do you get rid of it for good? Let’s break it all down in real-world terms. --- What Exactly Is “Toxic Debt”? Toxic debt is any debt that has high interest, no long-term value, and keeps you stuck in a financial loop. Think of things like: Credit card debt that grows faster than you can pay it. Payday loans that come with sky-high fees and impossible repayment terms. Store accounts with 24%+ interest that guilt you into buying things you don’t nee...

 Money can be one of the most exciting — and challenging — parts of a relationship. Whether you’re newly living together, recently married, or just starting to think long-term, one of the big questions that comes up is: Should we combine our finances or keep separate accounts? It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, and the right choice depends on your values, communication style, financial history, and future goals. But one thing is certain: having honest conversations about money early and often is key to building a strong financial foundation as a couple. Let’s dive into the pros and cons of joint and separate finances — and how you can find the right balance for your relationship. Why Money Matters in Relationships Before we get into logistics, it’s worth acknowledging that money is more than just dollars and cents. It’s deeply emotional. It can represent freedom, security, control, or even fear — depending on your upbringing and past experiences. In relationships, money tou...

 Let’s be real: tracking your spending isn’t exactly exciting. For most of us, it sounds about as fun as doing taxes or reorganizing the junk drawer. But here’s the thing—you don’t need to become a budgeting wizard to stay on top of your money. You just need a system that feels doable, not overwhelming. If you’ve ever ended the month wondering where all your money went (and thinking, Wait… I swear I didn’t spend that much ), you’re definitely not alone. The good news? There are simple, low-stress ways to track your spending that don’t require spreadsheets, fancy apps, or a complete personality shift. Let’s talk about how to do it—without losing your mind. 1. Know Your “Why” Before Anything Else Before you start tracking every coffee or Target run, take a minute to figure out why you even want to track your spending. Are you trying to save more? Get out of debt? Stop feeling anxious every time your card gets declined? Having a clear reason gives the whole process meaning. It...

Let’s be honest: budgeting gets a bad rap. The word alone can bring up images of spreadsheets, endless receipts, and guilt over your morning latte. But here’s the thing—budgeting isn’t about restriction. At its core, it’s about clarity and control. And when done right, it can actually give you more freedom, not less. If you’ve ever made a budget and abandoned it two weeks later, you’re not alone. Most people don’t stick to budgets because they’re unrealistic from the start. So let’s ditch the perfectionist mindset and walk through how to build a realistic budget—one you’ll actually use, and maybe even enjoy. Step 1: Start with What You Actually Spend Most people start budgeting with what they think they should be spending. Big mistake. Start with reality. Pull your bank statements and credit card history for the last 2–3 months. Categorize your spending into broad buckets: housing, food, transportation, subscriptions, entertainment, etc. You can do this with an app like Mint or...

 Let’s face it—saving money isn’t exactly sexy. For many, it conjures up images of giving up avocado toast, living in darkness to avoid electricity bills, or obsessing over spreadsheets. But here’s the truth: saving money doesn’t have to mean deprivation. In fact, some of the most effective methods are also the most creative and even—dare I say it—fun. Whether you're trying to pay off debt, build an emergency fund, or just feel a little more in control of your finances, here are some creative ways to save money that actually work —no extreme couponing required. 1. Turn "No-Spend" Days into a Game Designate one or two days a week as “no-spend” days. The goal is simple: spend nothing outside of absolute essentials. But here’s the creative twist—make it a challenge. Keep a calendar and mark every successful no-spend day with a sticker, checkmark, or emoji. Turn it into a personal streak. If you have a competitive streak, challenge your partner or friend to do it too. The...