Prime Rate Freeze:
"Don't go on a spending spree!" Justmoney.co.za warns
Today's prime interest rate freeze is good news for cash-strapped South Africans, but http://www.justmoney.co.za has warned consumers to lock up their wallets and not embark on a spending spree in celebration.
Paul Beadle, managing director of http://www.justmoney.co.za, South Africa's online guide to money, says: "The interest rate freeze is good news, but it's just a respite - the economic uncertainty is not over yet. Hard pressed consumers should see the Reserve Bank's decision as second chance for them to get their finances in order, not a sign that things are on the up and they can start spending again.
"There has been enormous pressure on Tito Mboweni not to put up interest rates again for fear that it will push even more people over the edge into over-indebtedness and insolvency. But the warning signs still remain, with the banks giving hints that they are suffering a growing number of defaulting loans.
"So we really are not out of the woods yet, particularly as house prices are continuing to stall and food and energy costs are still up, despite the oil price fall. Consumers need to focus on getting their finances under control, reducing their spending if possible and staying far away from debt - because the next interest rate decision might not be so positive."
www.justmoney.co.za has been created to help South Africans save money by demystifying financial services and helping them to make informed decisions about their money.
Completely independent and unbiased, www.justmoney.co.za also features a host of comparisons, tools and guides, enabling people to search and apply for new products, all online and completely free of charge.