Top 3 Financial News: PayFlex credit score? New SARS Tax Credits & Claim your Free Basic Electricity

READ THE FULL STORIES ON SUBSTACK:Your Buy Now Pay Later habits are about to hit your official credit report, your medical aid tax credit just increased, and free basic electricity could jump by up to six times. Welcome back to Top 3 Financial News Stories This Week, broken down simply so you know exactly how the national economy affects your pocket. If you use apps like PayJustNow or Happy Pay, from 1 February 2027 your payment track record will be visible to every bank, vehicle finance house, and credit provider in South Africa. We also unpack the 2026 Budget changes to the Medical Scheme Fees Tax Credit that could put over R15,100 back into a family budget, plus how to claim your household's Free Basic Electricity allocation before it expires. Grab my book You're Not Broke, You're Uninformed at: 👉 https://yourenotbroke.co.za READ THE FULL STORIES ON SUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@sakhilekaylamah... In This Episode: 00:00 - Introduction: The Weekly Economic Breakdown 01:15 - Story 1: Buy Now Pay Later Hits Your Credit Report (1 Feb 2027) 03:10 - The Incidental Credit Catch: How Default Fees Trigger Loan Rules 05:05 - TransUnion Stats: Thin-File Opportunity vs Invisible Debt 07:20 - 4 Rules to Protect Your Credit Score Before 2027 08:45 - Story 2: Your Medical Aid Tax Credit Just Increased 10:30 - Breaking Down the Math: Saving R15,100 a Year for a Family of 4 12:15 - How to Claim Your Cash: PAYE Payslips vs SARS Tax Returns 14:00 - Story 3: Free Basic Electricity Jumping Up to 4x (200 to 300 kWh) 16:10 - Who Qualifies? Municipal Thresholds & The 8 Million Household Gap 18:35 - Step-by-Step Guide: How to Register Your Meter 20:10 - Eskom's R30.3B Profit, Higher Tariffs & Load Reduction Explained 22:30 - Final Takeaway: Adulting Pro Max & Closing Thoughts Referenced Articles & Sources: Sunday Times / TimesLive: BNPL users face tougher credit checks Business Day: Visibility of buy-now-pay-later could hit credit scores of a quarter of consumers (TransUnion) DCASA: Buy Now Pay Later: SACRRA Roundtable Feedback BusinessTech: Great news for anyone on medical aid in South Africa TimesLive: Budget 2026: Godongwana adjusts tax brackets, medical credits in line with inflation Business Day: Budget 2026: Treasury lifts medical tax credits, resists push for phase-out ✨ ABOUT Sakhile Mahlangu I’m Sakhile Mahlangu, author of "You're Not Broke, You're Uninformed". I write, post, and talk about closing the financial education gap for young South Africans because none of us were taught this stuff in school, but every single one of us deserves to know it. how buy now pay later affects your credit score south africa payjustnow credit bureau reporting 2027 medical aid tax credit increase 2026 rates how to claim medical tax credit on sars efiling who qualifies for free basic electricity south africa difference between load shedding and load reduction eskom Disclaimer: This video is for financial literacy and educational purposes only and does not constitute formal registered financial or tax advice. Always consult an accredited financial advisor or tax practitioner regarding your personal circumstances. Instagram / TikTok: @SakhilekaylaMahlangu