“We Didn’t Get Taught in School”: SA Financial Expert Explains 5 Money Accounts and Their Purpose

• A South African financial educator used five labelled cups to explain the purpose of each savings and investment account
• The video tackled TFSAs, retirement annuities, unit trusts, money market accounts, and everyday bank accounts in one simple explainer
• Viewers flooded the comments asking for deeper dives into individual accounts and which companies to invest with

A South African financial educator is cutting through the confusion around personal finance with a video that has resonated strongly with viewers who say no one ever taught them this growing up.

Posted to Instagram on 2 September 2026, the clip features five labelled plastic cups — TFSA, RA, Unit Trust, Money Market, and Bank Account — each representing a different place your money can live, and more importantly, why it belongs there.

What each account is actually for

The educator broke it down in plain terms.

• A tax-free savings account (TFSA) is where your money grows without you ever paying tax on the returns.
• A retirement annuity (RA) is built for long-term retirement saving and can earn you a tax deduction on what you contribute.
• Unit trusts give you access to the investment market without tying your money up until retirement.
• A money market or high-interest savings account is the right home for an emergency fund because your cash still earns interest while it waits.
• And your everyday bank account? Keep only what you need there to cover bills, debit orders, and day-to-day expenses. The educator said in the video:

Read also

"No increase, no votes": Man heartbroken by pensioners protesting for higher grant, SA supports

"No one taught any of this when I was growing up. So follow along if you want to learn about all the things we didn't get taught in school, especially about money."

The message landed hard because it addresses something many South Africans quietly struggle with: not knowing the difference between saving and investing, or why splitting money across different accounts makes financial sense.

Watch the full explainer on Instagram

South Africans in the comments were quick to respond on the page:

@rania_is_:

"Love this explanation"

@felines_and_frills:

"Preach!!!! 👏"

@cindymalaza:

"I truly appreciate your content. Thank you"

@rainbow_tsika:

"Please talk about a preservation fund next."

@8dc_roys_:

"How about I put that money in my pocket"

@oltoltel:

"Love this. Explained nicely. Please do an individual cups explanation and examples of good companies to invest with"

@ilawrencep:

"I'm curious about the money market account"

@devdondidit:

"Could you share more on money markets, please"

@dr_ela_ryk:

"I don't understand these things 😢"

*Briefly News reached out to a Briefly Finance expert for further insight, but no response had been received at the time of publication.

Read also

ANC egg handouts leave Mzansi divided as election campaign heats up

More Briefly News stories on finances

• First-time South African homebuyers may qualify for housing subsidies of up to R169,264 through FLISP, depending on their income.
• SA financial planner Nicola Langridge debunked five common money myths and shared practical advice to help women build financial confidence.
• Pensioners of South Africa (POSA) staged nationwide pickets calling for the Older Persons Grant to increase from R2,400 to R5,000.

Source: Briefly News