Money Moves (Extended): Ground-Level Financial Strategy for South African Women
Now that we’ve uncovered the truth about what God’s Word says about our finances and worked through building a solid foundation and belief system surrounding financial abundance, let’s dive a little deeper into the how.
The Word says in Proverbs 21:5, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”
That means abundance starts with a plan. And whether you’re earning a full-time income or scraping together coins from couch cushions, you can start making money moves — today.
This guide is real, relevant, and ruthlessly honest. It’s broken down into three categories based on where you’re at financially:
SECTION 1: If You’re Starting from Rock Bottom
No job. No income. No savings.
Just anxiety, deadlines, and that red bank app notification.
Let’s breathe — and begin.
1. Get Real About Your Financial Position
You cannot fix what you won’t face.
• List all debts, account balances, and bills due.
• Audit your skills – formal or informal. Can you braid? Clean? Write? Bake?
• Identify your resources – a smartphone, WiFi, supportive family, unused items you can sell.
• Reach out early – ask for extensions on payments, speak to your landlord, or ask for help transparently.
Proverbs 27:23 – “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds.”
This means: Know your money. Know your situation.
2. Find Emergency Income — FAST
Survival mode is not glamorous, but it’s sometimes necessary.
Try:
• Selling clothes on Yaga, Facebook Marketplace, or IG stories.
• Offering R50–R150 services: CV typing, babysitting, laundry, cooking.
• Joining Facebook groups like “Freelance South Africa” or “Work from Home SA”.
• Offering local errands for working people (drop-offs, grocery runs, laundry pick-ups).
Free, low-barrier digital gigs:
• Transcription (e.g. Rev.com, GoTranscript)
• Virtual assistant tasks
• Social media scheduling
• WhatsApp biz management for small brands
Ecclesiastes 9:10 – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
3. Budget the Little You Get With Purpose
Even R100 deserves a plan.
Spend it like a future CEO.
• Buy data, airtime, basic food, and keep R5 for emergencies.
• Pay one non-negotiable bill if you can (Upwork/Fiverr subscription, transport, etc.).
• Skip looking rich to feel better. Looking rich while broke = staying broke.
Also, stop guilt-tripping yourself for being behind — just get on the board.
4. Build a Micro-Hustle — Even If You’re Scared
Start where you are. Examples:
• Find a product to sell - something people in your area want (pre-order only, no stock needed)
• Homemade skin/body products
• Simple sewing or beadwork
• Sell “digital” goods like courses in what you are skilled in or creatve templates
• Offer services: loc retwists, braiding, press-ons, tinting wigs
Start with what you have. If God can multiply 5 loaves and 2 fish, He can multiply your side hustle.
SECTION 2: If You Have a Salary or Steady Income
If you have a salary, you have seed. What you do with it matters more than the amount.
1. Budget Like a Steward
You’re not just managing your money — you’re managing God’s provision.
• Try using 22Seven or an Excel doc. Don’t just guess your spending.
• Use a “grind budget” if you’re building: rent, savings, investment, food — skip luxury.
• Budget your time too. Netflix isn’t helping you build.
Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
2. Emergency Fund First
Start with R200/month in a separate account (Capitec has “pockets,” TymeBank has GoalSave).
This is your “peace of mind fund.” You’re not saving for a rainy day — it’s already raining.
3. Fund a Side Hustle with Your Main Job
Turn your salary into your startup capital.
• Buy tools: sewing machine, camera, tripod, ring light
• Invest in a domain or Shopify for your biz
• Pay someone to design your logo, e-book or labels
Side hustle ideas:
• Wig services, styling, revamping
• Teaching online or creating a paid class
• Blogging or freelance writing
• Product reviews/UGC for SA brands
Proverbs 31:16 – “She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.”
4. Learn Money Before You Spend It
Free education:
• Stokvel Girl SA (YouTube)
• The Lazy Makoti Money Diaries
• Clever Girl Finance (e-book/PDF)
• Download Digify Africa digital learning resources
SECTION 3: If You’re a Student (NSFAS or Bursary Life)
You may feel broke, but you’re sitting on a goldmine: Time + Network + Campus.
1. Budget Your NSFAS Like a Salary
• Use an envelope system: data | food | personal care | printing | savings
• Don’t blow it on fast food & cheap clothing hauls.
Luke 14:28 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost?”
2. Monetise Student Life
There’s money in your res, class, and WhatsApp groups.
Campus hustle ideas:
• Do hair, nails, or braids in res
• Sell tupperware meals or baked goods
• Start a wig wash or glue install service
• Sell summaries or “exam survival kits”
• Sell secondhand textbooks
God gave you your environment on purpose. Use it wisely.
3. Learn Something You Can Monetise
Courses:
• Coursera/Google/Meta certificates (FREE!)
• Digify Africa (South African youth skills)
• Skillshare (ask for login, or trial)
Online side gigs:
• Design slides/notes for other students
• Start a content page and offer promo posts
Final Word: Faith and Finance Go Hand in Hand
3 John 1:2 – “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.”
God doesn’t delight in our suffering. But He will use our low points as training grounds.
Financial empowerment is about stewardship, not obsession. You can honour God while building wealth.
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ACTION STEP:
Write a 3-line money manifesto:
1. Where you are now
2. Where you want to be
3. One action you’ll take this week
Example:
- I’m earning R3,500 per month.
- I want to build a side hustle and save R2000 per month.
- This week, I’ll list 3 services I can offer and design my Instagram highlight.”
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Ladies, the time to wake up and rise is now.
The same phone you use for TikToks and Reels can become your gateway to income, knowledge, and opportunity. While many of us are navigating real, pressing financial challenges, others are building, earning, and thriving in the very same economy — with nothing more than data, discipline, and a decision to start.
Remember: “Knowledge isn’t power until it’s applied.”
So grab your journal, your pen, and your faith — and let’s get this journey started.
Disclaimer:
The content in this blog is for informational and inspirational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, medical, or professional advice. Always seek the guidance of qualified professionals before making major financial or lifestyle decisions. While biblical references are included, they are interpreted through the lens of personal belief and not intended to replace your own study or spiritual counsel.
© 2025 Amani Hair Couture (Pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.
No part of this article may be copied, republished, or distributed without written permission from the author. Sharing the link with proper credit is encouraged — plagiarism is not.
Author Bio:
Written by Nadia Ntuli, founder of Amani Hair Couture (Pty) Ltd — a hub for affordable luxury, human hair accessories, self-care accessories, and faith-based lifestyle content for modern South African women. Through her blog series “Becoming Her - The Proverbs 31 Project”, Nadia shares transparent, practical guidance on identity, growth, and financial empowerment — rooted in biblical truth and the real realities of being a woman in South Africa today. When she’s not crafting luxury wigs and Sankofa Wraps or building digital hustles, you’ll find her journaling in the sun with a strong cup of tea and a bold dream in her heart. Follow her journey on TikTok @ nadianandi or shop the products at www.amanihaircouture.com.