“The Motivation I Need”: SGB Teacher Breaks Down Monthly Budget in TikTok Video, Mzansi Takes Notes

• A South African SGB teacher showed Mzansi exactly how she stretches two income streams across a detailed monthly budget
• The educator put her full financial picture on TikTok and did not leave out a single rand from her debt or savings goals
• Her savings section alone covered seven different goals and had South Africans in the comments ready to rethink their own monthly budgets
• Briefly News reached out to Mendy, who opened up about her budgeting journey and the savings advice she has for those just starting out
• Briefly News reached out to Lekkerbroe, who spoke about the creative process behind the clip and where he draws the line with satire

Some people talk about saving money and never actually do it. A South African SGB teacher posted her entire budget online for everyone to see.

TikToker @livingandsavingwithmendy laid out every single rand she earned and spent, and Mzansi sat up straight. On 31 March 2026, she posted a TikTok clip walking her followers through her complete monthly budget.

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The educator covered everything from rent and transport to insurance, debt, and savings goals. She accounted for a total of R15,742, spread across necessities, fixed costs, debt repayments, and multiple savings streams.

Making the most of a modest income

SGB teachers in South Africa are not paid on the same national salary scales as state educators. Their salaries depend on what the school’s governing body can afford, which means earnings vary and benefits are not always guaranteed. That reality did not stop Mendy from building a budget that stretched far and wide.

She tackled necessities first, putting R2,475 toward rent and R800 toward transport. Food received R650, while a Liberty Life policy took R347 every month. Electricity was budgeted at R300. The debt portion included a R1,000 exchange with a neighbour and a R4,645 credit card payment she called the month’s biggest expense.

The savings section that got people talking

Her favourite part of the budget was the savings. A Christmas fund received R1,025, while two separate low-income savings pots got R450 and R200, respectively. The 100 envelope challenge received R1,000, her tax-free savings account got R2,245, and her snowball method closed out the list at R600.

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The 100 envelope challenge has circulated on South African social media for several years now. Each of 100 envelopes gets a different random amount written on it, and savers fill them over time.

Mendy speaks to Briefly News

Mendy told Briefly News that accepting her income was the first and hardest step. She said that her multi-goal savings system, while it may look overwhelming from the outside, is built on one simple rule: she treats savings like expenses and assigns each goal a portion before spending on anything else.

"I decided to be open about my credit card because I didn't want to pretend everything was perfect. Debt is a reality for many people, and hiding it creates shame. By putting it front and centre, I'm holding myself accountable and also showing others that you can face your situation directly and still work towards improving it," Mendy said.

For anyone looking to start saving, Mendy recommends the low-income savings challenge, where you begin with R50 and increase by R50 each month, building up to R3,900 by December.

"It works well for low-income earners, but also for people who are earning and just struggle with consistency when it comes to saving."

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She added that her goal was simply to show that a large income is not a requirement for managing money well.

Watch the budget breakdown in the TikTok clip below:

Mzansi reacts to the clip

Briefly News compiled some comments from the post below.

@JanieM commented:

“Groceries R650? My sister, show me your ways. 😳”

@Natalie said:

“This month, I did my best to budget. I think I need to do the envelope challenge and December savings. 🥹”

@LethaboMaduwe wrote:

“Well done. I am so impressed.”

@Mr_E said:

“I'm following you because I believe you are the motivation I need to save. 🥰”

@𝚘𝚖𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚜𝚎 noted:

“I also spend between R500 and R700 for groceries. 😂”

@bhadela_nonunu asked:

“Where do you buy groceries? 😩”

More about teachers

• Briefly News previously reported that a local woman shared the financial reality of earning a high salary after debt and life expenses left her with very little.
• An American couple shared their experience of moving to South Africa and how it has brought them a sense of liberation and freedom.
• A woman from Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, relocated to South Africa and shared what she spent per month.

Source: Briefly News