The line-ups are out, the group chat is on fire, and your bank balance is giving a very different energy. Gig and festival season in South Africa is brilliant, and it is also very easy to overspend.
Between the ticket, the petrol or taxi fare, the food and the “just one more round”, a weekend away can cost double the ticket price or more. Here is how to enjoy the music without paying for it until January.
1. Set a gig budget before you buy a ticket
Start with what you actually have to play with, not what you hope to have. Take your pay, subtract rent, food, transport and any debt repayments, and what remains is your fun money for the month.
If you are not sure what lands in your account after tax, a salary calculator will show your real take-home pay so you plan with the right number.
2. Count the full cost, not just the ticket
The ticket is the visible part. Add booking fees, petrol or a lift, parking, food and drinks, accommodation or a campsite, and the T-shirt you will definitely want.
Write it all down. A R600 ticket often turns into R1 500 once everything is counted, and it is better to find that out on a Tuesday than in the queue at the gate.
3. Buy early, but only if you can pay without stress
Early-bird tickets are usually cheaper, and that is a real saving. The catch is that it only works when the money is genuinely there. Setting aside a small amount each payday for the festival you want is far kinder than a big hit the week before.
4. Split the costs with your crew
Lift clubs, shared campsites and a communal cooler box can cut a weekend bill in half. Agree on the numbers before you leave, and pack your own snacks and water where the venue rules allow it.
5. Hunt for free and cheap gigs
Local venues, open-mic nights and early shows often cost very little, and some of the best sets are in small rooms. Keep an eye out for competitions too, like the ticket giveaways you will find right here on Running Wolf’s Rant. A free ticket is the best ticket.
6. Pick one big event, not five
Look at the season’s line-ups and choose the one or two shows you would genuinely be gutted to miss. Skipping the other three is what makes the big one affordable.
7. Know what borrowing really costs
Sometimes the temptation is to cover a gig with a quick short-term loan and sort it out on payday. Be honest about the price first. South African law caps what lenders may charge on a short-term loan of R8 000 or less: interest of up to 5% a month, an initiation fee of R165 plus 10% of the amount above R1 000 (never more than R1 050), and a service fee of R60 a month, all before VAT.
In rand, that means borrowing R1 500 for one month could cost around R350 before VAT at the legal maximum, almost a quarter on top of what you borrowed, for a night out. You can run your own numbers in a short-term loan cost calculator before you decide anything.
If you still need to borrow, for something that matters more than a gig, compare registered lenders rather than taking the first offer, and check that each one shows an NCR registration number on the register at ncr.org.za. Never pay a fee up front to get a loan, and only borrow what you can repay in full on payday.
The bottom line
A concert lasts a few hours. A loan can last until the next payday and sometimes a lot longer. Set a budget, count the full cost, share the bill and chase the free tickets, and you can say yes to the music without saying yes to debt.
Disclosure: MoneyMatcher earns a commission when readers apply through its links or form. This article is general information, not financial advice, and MoneyMatcher is not a lender.
AUTHOR BIO (FOR THE END OF THE POST)
Jaco Steyn writes about everyday money for MoneyMatcher, an independent South African loan comparison service. MoneyMatcher is not a lender and does not give financial advice. Compare lenders, check legal cost caps and use the free calculators at moneymatcher.co.za.
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