Minnie Dlamini, actress and co-host of SABC1’s Soccer Zone

“I went to a good school and knew the difference between a need and a want. Still, it’s hard to practise it. When I started working at 19, I was still at university, so the money I made was just for spending. I didn’t have to save.

“When I started working full time, I suddenly had rent to pay and groceries to buy. The first time I went shopping for myself, I filled the fridge. Most of it got spoilt because there was no way I could eat it all.

“I’d also blow my salary on expensive clothes and shoes. I admit to this day, I have a terrible shoe fetish.

“But I couldn’t go crying to my parents, so I had to go back to the fundamentals of what is important and what isn’t. I learnt the hard way. I have a credit card, but I don’t use it. Why pay more money for something than it’s actually worth in interest? Rather save up first, then buy it at its real value.

“I have a banker who has worked out a saving system for me. I’m almost finished paying off my house – it took one year because I was paying as much as I could. I want to buy another property, because property is a good way to increase your wealth. Because I don’t have a conventional job, I had to see to my own pension and medical aid and policies.

“My dad is a financial adviser, so I’m lucky. It was scary when I was out of food, not knowing what happens next.”