Sanlam Credit Solutions – a data-driven platform with over one million users – recently compiled a piece of research: the Sanlam Credit Solutions’ 2025 Credit Confidence Index. The index found that 51% of Gen X and Millennial users, the age groups where most mothers fall, are considered high credit risks, with credit scores below 75%. Among them, 165 000 Millennials spend over half their income on debt repayments. The financial strain is real, but so is their response to reducing it.
Encouragingly, 56% of Millennials who are debt stressed are actively engaging with Sanlam’s credit management coaches, turning to tools like debt counselling and personalised guidance to build long-term stability.
Ahead of Mother’s Day on 11 May, Afua Darko, Head of Business at Sanlam Credit Solutions, salutes this quiet revolution: “Moms are our society’s ultimate multitaskers. They’re managing mealtimes, meetings, school runs, and spreadsheets. It’s no surprise that many are also carrying the weight of financial stress. But what’s truly inspiring is how many are also taking bold steps toward financial resilience. This Mother’s Day, we don’t just want to celebrate moms – we want to empower them with the tools they need to turn debt stress into credit confidence.”
Sanlam Credit Solutions offers more than just credit scores. Through personalised dashboards and access to experienced credit management coaches, users receive practical, judgment-free support. In the past four months alone, Sanlam Credit Solutions has conducted 24 000 one-on-one coaching sessions – helping users dispute credit bureau inaccuracies, manage debt, and unlock new financial confidence.
To support moms in their mission, Sanlam Credit Solutions is sharing five practical tips to help mothers break the cycle of debt and raise financially empowered families:
Start with a family budget Know exactly what’s coming in and going out each month. Track every source of income and every expense, from groceries to school fees. Create spending categories and set realistic limits. Most importantly, involve your children in age-appropriate ways – show them how budgeting helps prioritise needs over wants and how small savings can grow over time. Use family meetings to discuss goals like saving for a family trip or a rainy-day fund. Budgeting together builds awareness, encourages transparency, and fosters teamwork across generations.
Pay more than the minimum Paying only the minimum on debts – especially credit cards – means you could be stuck in a cycle of interest payments for years. Even a modest increase, like rounding up to the nearest hundred, can make a meaningful difference over time. Prioritise high-interest debt first and consider using approaches like the debt snowball or avalanche method to stay on track. The debt snowball method focuses on paying off debts according to the size of the balance, starting with the smallest and working your way up. The debt avalanche method, on the other hand, prioritises paying off debts with the highest interest rates first, regardless of balance. Every extra rand paid helps reduce the total interest owed and shortens the time it takes to become debt-free, which frees up future funds for savings and investment.
Check your credit score regularly Treat your credit score like a vital sign of your financial well-being. Make it a habit to review it monthly, just as you would track your child’s academic progress or health check-ups. A strong credit score can unlock better interest rates and financial opportunities. Use free tools like the Sanlam Credit Solutions dashboard to monitor changes, understand what affects your score, and get alerts to potential issues. Staying informed helps you take action early, whether that’s disputing an error or improving payment behaviour.
Teach kids about money early Financial literacy is a lifelong gift. Introduce basic money concepts through everyday experiences – use a piggy bank to demonstrate saving, offer chore-based allowances to teach earning, and encourage saving towards a toy or goal to build patience and decision-making. As they grow older, explain how bank accounts, debit cards, and even credit work – as well as the differences between good debt and bad debt. Let them watch you pay bills or manage online banking to demystify money management. When kids see responsible financial behaviour modelled consistently, they’re more likely to adopt healthy habits of their own.
Get support and professional guidance You don’t have to do it all alone. Reach out for help when you need it. Sanlam Credit Solutions offers free tools, educational resources, and our credit management coaches are available to give one-on-one guidance tailored to your needs. Lean into your community, share strategies with other moms, and attend workshops or webinars to boost your financial skills. Breaking the cycle of debt is easier when you're informed, empowered, and supported.
Darko is encouraging more moms to take that first step. “Our Confidence Rule #5 is that every day is a new chance to build positive financial habits. Start where you are. Check your credit score. Reach out. Our coaches are here to walk the journey with you.”
As South Africa marks Mother’s Day on 11 May, Sanlam celebrates not just the nurturing role of mothers – but their growing financial power. Because in the story of every family’s future, the chapters written by empowered moms might just be the most transformative of all.