Debt Solution for IT specialist
Mr M is a 32-year-old IT specialist who lives in Cape Town with his wife and two children. Mr M earns R17,200 monthly, while his wife earns R9,000. Therefore, their total household income is R26,200.
As they felt financially secure, the married couple decided to subscribe to a vacation club. But as the cost of living increased, they began to struggle. They were also over-spending on entertainment and leisure. Accordingly, they couldn’t afford their debt repayments and fell into arrears.
‘Taking out a debt consolidation loan… tipped them into over-indebtedness.’
It was at this point that they decided to consolidate their debts by taking out a debt consolidation loan. They believed that this would increase their cash flow. But this decision was a big mistake, as it tipped them into over-indebtedness.
Below is a table outlining what the M family earns and spends on a monthly basis.
| Mr M’s Salary: | R17,200 | |
|
R9,000 | |
| TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME: | R26,200 | |
| Expenses: | ||
| Vehicle maintenance | R400 | |
| Vehicle Fuel | R2,500 | |
| TV License | R100 | |
| Clothing | R1,000 | |
| Food & household goods | R3,000 | |
| Contingency | R1,000 | |
| School fees | R2,000 | |
| Bank charges | R200 | |
| Rent | R5,200 | |
| Electricity | R750 | |
| Water | R150 | |
| Cell phone | R600 | |
| Vehicle insurance | R500 | |
| Entertainment & leisure | R6,300 | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE: | R23,700 | |
| Available for debt: | R2,700 |
As you can see from the table above, after expenses, Mrs and Mr M only had R2,500 available for debt repayment. However, the table below shows that they in fact owed R5,778 on a monthly basis.
| Debt | Contractual interest rate | Contractual instalment |
| Vacation club subscription | 15.50% | R779 |
| Clothing account | 22.65% | R199 |
| Consolidation loan | 30.90% | R4,800 |
| TOTAL: | R5,778 | |
‘This debt solution would improve their cash flow and protect them from legal consequences’
To provide the family with debt relief, National Debt Advisors suggested they apply for joint debt review. This debt solution would improve their cash flow and protect them from the legal consequences of unpaid debts.
Below you will see the lower interest rates and instalments NDA proposed to the couple’s creditors, who accepted these debt restructuring terms.
| Debt | Proposed interest rate | Proposed Instalment |
| Vacation club subscription | 0.34% | R248 |
| Clothing account | 23.75% | R63 |
| Consolidation loan | 30.90% | R1,528 |
| TOTAL: | R1,839 | |
‘Mrs and Mr M could focus on raising their two children without stressing about money.’
As a result, Mrs and Mr M were able to afford their debt repayments and their monthly expenses. Moreover, their credit providers stopped hassling them for payments. This put their minds at ease. As such, they could focus on raising their two children without stressing about money.
See the rest of our case studies, including debt solutions for a bachelorette, teacher and more.
