Money worries don't just affect your wallet.

They can affect the way you make decisions.

When you're trying to stretch your salary to cover groceries, transport, school fees and electricity, finding an extra source of money can start to feel urgent rather than optional.

It's against this backdrop that the Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor 2026 found 53% of employed South Africans surveyed said they gamble, while 42% said they often gamble hoping to make money to cover expenses or pay off debt. More concerning, the number of respondents who said gambling had left them in financial difficulty almost doubled, rising from 12% in 2025 to 22% in 2026.

The same research paints a broader picture of household finances.

While confidence in the economy has improved for many working South Africans, financial stress remains high, particularly among people earning less than R30,000 a month. Many households continue to rely on debt to cover everyday expenses.

Why Financial Pressure Can Change Decisions

Behavioural researchers have long found that financial scarcity changes how people approach decisions.

When people are under severe financial pressure, immediate problems naturally demand more attention than long-term planning. That doesn't mean people stop thinking logically. It means the need to solve today's problem can outweigh concerns about tomorrow.

A sports bet, lottery ticket or other high-risk opportunity can begin to look less like entertainment and more like a possible solution, even though the odds remain heavily against winning.

Understanding this isn't about excusing risky decisions.

It's about recognising that financial stress affects real people in very real ways.

What Actually Helps?

There isn't a quick fix for financial pressure, but there are practical steps you can take to improve your options.

• Talk to creditors early. Banks and lenders are often more willing to discuss payment arrangements before you miss repayments.
• Know your numbers. A simple written budget helps identify where your money is going and what can realistically change.
• Protect essentials first. Prioritise housing, food, transport to work and electricity before non-essential spending.
• Seek professional help early. A registered debt counsellor may be able to negotiate with creditors and help prevent debt from escalating.
• Look for additional income where possible. The same Old Mutual research found that more South Africans are earning extra income through side hustles, freelance work and small businesses, rather than relying on a single salary.
• Use rewards and loyalty programmes. Many households are using loyalty points and retailer rewards to reduce everyday grocery and household costs.
• Be cautious of anything promising fast money. Whether it's gambling, scams or unrealistic investment schemes, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Small Steps Can Still Change the Future

Financial recovery rarely happens overnight.

It usually begins with one conversation, one payment plan, one side income or one better financial decision.

Those steps may not feel dramatic, but over time they can make a meaningful difference.

The Bottom Line

Financial pressure is something many South Africans are facing, and there is no shame in asking for help.

The latest research reminds us that when money becomes tight, it's easy to focus on immediate solutions.

The encouraging news is that there are practical, proven ways to regain control. They may not deliver instant results, but they give you something far more valuable than a lucky break.

They give you a stronger financial future.