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Tools
Nine free tools for working out where you actually stand.
Calculators, register checks and our own published research — all free, none of them ask for an email address, and every calculator shows you how your numbers compare to real debt review applications.
What makes these different
1 174
real debt review applications
Any calculator can divide your debt by your income. Ours tell you where that number actually sits — against 1 174 people who really did apply for debt review, measured over June – August 2026.
DS4U publishes its own data. No other debt counselling practice in South Africa does — which is why no other calculator in this market can tell you this.
All nine — go straight to one
The benchmark, live
58.4%median share of income
already going to debt
Every calculator marked SAFPI benchmarked plots your own figure on this scale. The base is people already applying for debt review — not the South African population.
Calculators
You supply the numbers, they work something out. All free, all in your browser.
- What is my debt-to-income ratio?Debt-to-income calculatorWork out the share of your income already committed to debt, and see where that sits against real debt review applicants.Open →SAFPI benchmarked
- Do my repayments still fit my income?Debt pressure checkThe National Credit Act's minimum living-expense norms applied to your month, to show whether your instalments fit inside what is left.Open →SAFPI benchmarked
- Roughly what could debt review change?Debt review savings exampleA worked illustrative example of how restructuring can change a month — with every assumption stated on the page. Not a quote and not your figures.Open →
- Where does my money actually go?Budget calculatorBuild your month line by line and see what is genuinely left, measured against the Act's minimum expense norms.Open →
- Which debt should I clear first?Debt payoff plannerSnowball against avalanche on your own debts — which order clears them soonest, and which costs least in interest.Open →
- What would a two-pot withdrawal cost me?Two-pot withdrawal calculatorEstimate the tax on a savings-component withdrawal before you make one, and what it does against staying in debt review.Open →
Checks
These look something up about you — the NCR register, or your credit record.
- Can I get a loan, and should I?DS4U Loan CheckReads your credit report and your monthly budget with your consent, then shows what options may be available. A check, not an offer.Open →
- Am I already listed?Am I under debt review?Check the National Credit Regulator's register against your ID number and find out what the status code actually means.Open →
Our own research
The data every calculator above measures you against. Nobody else in this market publishes it.
What none of these can tell you
Your actual restructured repayment. That depends on which credit agreements you hold, their interest rates, and what each credit provider accepts — none of which a web page can know. Any calculator that prints one is applying a fixed assumption and calling it your figure. Ours shows that arithmetic as a labelled worked example instead, and a registered debt counsellor produces the real number from your agreements during the free assessment.
Questions about the calculator
How does the debt review calculator work?
You enter your income, your living expenses and what you pay towards debt each month. The calculator works out your debt-to-income ratio and shows whether that points to over-indebtedness under the National Credit Act. It does not print a restructured instalment, because that depends on your actual credit agreements and what each credit provider accepts — a figure produced without those is a guess dressed up as a quote.
Are the calculator results accurate?
The results are estimates based on the information you provide. Actual debt review savings depend on your specific creditors, interest rates, and the negotiation process. A registered debt counsellor will conduct a thorough assessment to provide accurate figures for your situation.
What does over-indebted mean?
According to the National Credit Act, you are considered over-indebted if, after paying all your monthly debt obligations, you do not have enough money left to cover your basic living expenses. A debt-to-income ratio above 50% is a strong indicator of over-indebtedness.
How much can debt review reduce my payments?
Debt review can reduce your monthly repayments by up to 50% by negotiating lower interest rates with your creditors and extending repayment terms. The exact reduction depends on your specific debts, creditors, and financial circumstances.
What happens after I use the calculator?
The calculator gives you an estimate of your situation. For an accurate assessment, you can start a free DS Chat assessment with DS4U or submit your details for a debt counsellor to contact you. The assessment is free, confidential, and comes with no obligation.
Want the real number?
A calculator works from what you type. A registered debt counsellor works from your actual credit agreements. The assessment is free and commits you to nothing.
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