Build the budget before the loan
Use take-home income and include irregular costs. This is a planning equation, not a lender approval test.
NCR describes affordability assessment as a check of whether a consumer can repay credit without becoming over-indebted. Provide accurate income and obligation information to the provider.
A budget using a published repayment
The loan instalment below comes from Boodle’s published example. The household figures are chosen teaching inputs, not South African averages or a real customer’s budget.
| Monthly item | Teaching example |
|---|---|
| Take-home income | R12,000 |
| Essential expenses | − R8,000 |
| Existing debt payments | − R1,500 |
| Available before new loan | R2,500 |
| Published example instalment | − R1,315 |
| Remaining after these items | R1,185 |
Try your own monthly budget
This subtraction tool gives no approval or affordability guarantee. Check your highest payment if instalments vary.
Put the repayment on your calendar
- 01
Income arrives
Check the date and amount you can rely on.
- 02
Set aside commitments
Reserve essentials and existing repayments.
- 03
Reserve the loan payment
Check the lender’s collection date and amount.
- 04
If a payment is at risk
Contact the provider before the due date and keep a record.
Do not assume a failed debit order changes the due date or stops charges. Read your agreement and discuss options directly with the provider.
Sources & methodology
Sources checked 8 October 2026. Published examples can change; confirm the provider’s current quote. Finoro calculations and teaching assumptions are labelled in the text.