I want to add the following to my previous tips on surviving the current hard times…

• Get debt counseling. One of the roles of a Debt counselor is to inform creditors a client is under debt review. The client may not incur any more debt, but also cannot be prosecuted for bad debt in the 60 days after the notification is issued. This gives you breathing room to come with a plan.

• If you are struggling to pay school fees, contact the school immediately to formulate a plan. Make monthly provision for school fees instead of hoping you can make the payments when due each term.

• Arrange payments by stop order at your bank. Avoid debit orders executed by your creditor. Debit orders are difficult to stop and if not met are treated as dishonoured cheques. Most banks have the facility to set up payments by internet. Budget and arrange automatic payment of debts when you know there will be money in your account. Even if you cannot meet your full obligation, the automatic payment of an amount is in your favour when negotiating debt relief.

• Arrange a monthly limit to your cellphone with your service provider or change your contract to top up or prepaid. I have a Vodacom business Top-up that cost me R325/pm and gets me R335 prepaid minutes that I can add to with vouchers if it is used up. The call rates are excellent. I use my cellphone mostly for business and often don’t get through my initial R335.

• Internet bank as much as possible and use your debit card in the shop. ATM transactions can be a killer. Rather pay with a debit card than draw cash. Use the debit card for fuel payments as well. The banks charge high cash withdrawal rates at an ATM and from a teller. Study your bank statements carefully to see what you are being charged. This is usually in a separate column in brackets next to your transaction.

• When possible, pay more than the minimum owed on cards and accounts. When not possible, pay at least something.

• Supplement your income with extra work. As I’ve said before, put your pride on hold. I do 3 separate jobs to stay alive, starting with my job as a driver at 6am every morning and evening. Not always fun, but it keeps us going.

• Don’t underestimate your kids, my youngest has a gift for seeing a sales opportunity. I encourage it while keeping and eye. He has built up a customer base supplying biscuits he buys from Cape Town and resells in a three block radius from our house.