Can I afford this?
Check whether a purchase or loan payment still fits after take-home pay, existing debt, and essentials.
The purchase and your month
Empty debt and essentials lines count as R0. This is a short check, not the full leftover worksheet.
Needed to estimate a monthly payment. Optional if you already know the monthly amount.
Zero is allowed if you would pay cash this month.
Take-home pay. If pay varies or includes commission, enter a typical monthly average.
Home loan, vehicle, credit cards, personal loans, store accounts. One total.
Rent, groceries, transport, utilities, and similar must-pays as one total. If you are unsure, use the full Affordability Calculator.
Results
Enter your figures, then press Calculate.
These figures are estimates and guidelines. They are not a formal National Credit Act affordability assessment, not a credit decision, and not financial, legal, or debt-review advice. Speak to an NCR-registered counsellor before you make decisions.
How the estimate works
The formula
Leftover before is net income minus existing debt and essentials. Leftover after subtracts the new monthly payment.
Manageable or may stretch
Manageable if leftover after is at least zero, leftover before is above zero, and the new payment is not more than half of leftover before. Anything else is may stretch.
What this is not
This is not a formal NCA affordability assessment and not a yes or no from a credit provider.
Common questions
Is this a formal NCA affordability assessment?
No. The figures are estimates and guidelines. They are not National Credit Act disclosures and not a recommendation to take on or refuse a purchase.
What if leftover is already gone?
That is a result, not an error. The guideline is may stretch. Treat it as a budget review, not a case for a new purchase.
When should I use the full Affordability Calculator?
Use it when you want leftover after tax, UIF, medical, pension, and a split of essential costs, with a three-way traffic light.
Continue with a useful next step
- Check your full household budget
See what is left after living costs and debt repayments.
- Build a household budget
Use your income and actual spending to plan a manageable month.
- Plan seasonal spending
Set money aside for ordinary bills before making extra purchases.
- Choose another money tool
Find a calculator for interest, spending, savings or repayment planning.