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Global consumers are experiencing the adverse effects of over-indebtedness, which impacts their well-being. This study article emphasises the significant repercussions experienced by consumers regarding their welfare due to over-indebtedness. A qualitative research approach was employed to identify a deliberate sample of five registered debt counsellors and financial planners. Semi-structured interviews were employed, and theme qualitative analysis was performed. The results indicate that excessive debt adversely affects consumer well-being and quality of life. Inadequate financial well-being was recognised as the primary catalyst that exacerbated other issues for over-indebted consumers, including deteriorated physical and mental health. Moreover, stress and stigmatisation have been identified as detrimental consequences stemming from financial hardships. This article demonstrates that financial debt is correlated with and adversely affects consumer physical and mental well-being, highlighting the necessity for immediate solutions, including enhanced financial education and more robust laws.   

The research focus was on the link between Personal Financial Management (PFM) and employees' productivity in Botswana’s public sector because this particular aspect remains largely unattended despite being an important gap within African public sector management studies. The research was conducted at the Department of Social Protection and entailed applying a quantitative research paradigm with structured research interviews (n=73). Analysis shows that there was statistical significance with PFM only marginally expanding employees' productivity at 19.3% variance significance level. It was established that marital status and age were not significant factors or interests influencing PFM while education was established as an important predictor variable using multiple regression analysis. It was established that poor PFM practice translates to employees' stress caused by financial problems manifesting at workplaces indicated by employees' lack of focus and related absenteeism. The study proposes specific programs for employees' financial well-being at workplaces.

The study examined financial retirement planning of government employees in Tanzania: Moderating effect of financial decision behavior. The study applied a cross-sectional survey strategy, positivist paradigm and deductive approach. The study collected quantitative data through questionnaire from government employees working in different ministries within Dodoma region in Tanzania. The study examined whether the moderator moderates the relationship between independent variables (computation capability, financial knowledge, financial education and risk attitude towards financial products) and dependent variable (retirement planning). Data analysis was through Smart PLS-SEM path modelling. The study findings were that financial decision behavior had statistically significant positive moderating effect (p=0.013) on retirement planning. Moderating effect of financial decision behavior on the relationship between risk altitude towards financial products and retirement planning found to be a theoretical contribution of this study as it supports behavioral finance advocates who asserts that the theory of expected utility is an incomplete model since it lacks individual behavioral aspects. This study has incorporating a moderating variable financial decision behavior borrowed from the theory of planned behavior, which has indicated a significant moderating effect that has widened the explanatory power of the theory. This study offers pertinent insights for policy makers concerns on reviewing policy guidelines by government regulators and professional bodies, to advocate for employee’s savings and investment behavior, employees access to a range of financial products, regular training on financial products available in the financial market for better investment decision. Lastly, practitioners and academia can use the results of this study for future references.

The study investigates the relationship between financial literacy and savings among individuals in South Africa, utilising data from the National Income Dynamics Study. The theoretical framework highlights the importance of financial literacy, encompassing knowledge, behaviour, and attitudes towards financial planning. Empirical analysis using OLS, Logit, Probit, and Tobit models reveals a positive correlation between financial literacy and savings. Higher financial literacy levels are associated with increased savings propensity, with significant coefficients observed across various models. The findings underscore the critical role of financial education in enhancing savings behaviour, suggesting that improved financial literacy can lead to better financial outcomes and contribute to economic growth. The study’s results have policy implications, advocating for targeted financial literacy programmes to boost savings rates and support economic development in South Africa.

Recent evidence indicates that citizens exhibit low involvement in financial activities within formal financial institutions. Therefore, this study explores how Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) influences savings in formal financial institutions. Using data from the Global Findex Database 2021 and the Standard & Poor’s Global FinLit Survey 2014, covering 135 countries, the study applies multiple regression analysis to assess how DFL predicts savings in formal financial institutions, while controlling for various country-level factors. The results show that among the three dimensions of digital financial literacy, financial skills and behaviors positively affect savings. In contrast, financial attitudes like trust in financial institutions and confidence in managing financial matters negatively affect savings behavior. Overall, financial literacy explains 78.8% of the variation in savings at the formal financial institutions across countries, with cross-validation supporting the robustness of the findings. This study contributes to existing literature by integrating several digital and segmented dimensions of financial literacy and enhancing external validity by including a broad range of countries for cross-country generalization in financial inclusion research.  

This study provides an empirical assessment of financial prudence among South African individuals, focusing on savings and investment behaviour. Prior research highlights a positive correlation between national savings rates and economic growth, with countries exhibiting high saving rates often experiencing stronger economic prosperity. However, as of 2023, South Africa's gross saving rate remains around 17%, ranking the lowest among BRICS nations. In contrast, countries like China and India boast saving rates above 40% and 30% respectively, underscoring South Africa's persistent challenge in fostering a robust savings culture. Despite various initiatives aimed at increasing the national savings rate, these efforts have yet to yield significant improvements. This research explores whether financial prudence characterised by conservative spending and careful planning in the face of future income uncertainty—could contribute to higher personal savings rates. To investigate this, an experimental design was employed where participants were presented with a hypothetical lottery payout scenario to gauge their prudence and its effect on saving behaviour. Analysis of the data indicated that while individuals generally displayed a lack of prudence, prudence itself has a notable influence on savings. Based on these findings, the study recommends that financial products and services in South Africa be designed to be affordable, accessible, and suited to the needs of the population. Additionally, it advocates for government investment in small businesses, job creation, and efforts to attract foreign investment to support a more robust savings culture.

This paper examines the financial behaviors of university students in Bangladesh, including gender and academic level. The study, involving a sample size of 416 students, was done at the University of Dhaka using a standardized questionnaire to collect data on financial behaviors, including monthly expenditures, saving habits, and financial decision-making techniques. One-way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests indicated significant gender disparities; male students showed greater spending habits, whilst female students displayed a stronger propensity for savings. Academic levels influenced spending behaviors; first-year students had distinct financial patterns compared to seniors, however, savings habits were rather consistent across groups. The findings emphasize the necessity of encouraging structured saving strategies and financial awareness among university students. Identifying substantial demographic and behavioral insights in this study aids legislators and financial institutions in improving customized financial planning strategies for students. The research highlights the potential for future studies to incorporate private colleges and investigate the impact of socioeconomic issues and digital payment systems on student financial conduct that may mold Bangladesh's orderly and economical student demographic.

This article reports on a study aimed at measuring and characterising consumer over-indebtedness in South Africa, despite the existence of financial regulatory measures and legislation. The study employed quantitative analysis to examine the impact of macroeconomic variables on consumer over-indebtedness. The primary conclusion of the study indicated that the debt-to-disposable-income ratio decreased following the enactment of the National Credit Act; nevertheless, the alterations in debt levels cannot be solely ascribed to the enforcement of regulations and legislation. The study findings indicate that over-indebtedness correlates positively with gross domestic product, consumer expenditure, unemployment, and the debt-to-income ratio, while exhibiting a negative correlation with the interest rate.

The article aims to promote financial literacy among youngsters from low-income backgrounds, encouraging them to engage in cost-effective investments that will enable them to accumulate wealth in the future. The article outlines a novel approach in life skills that entails shifting away from relying on uncertain grants and supports. Instead, it proposes utilizing a straightforward and practical mathematical model to generate money starting from a young age. The authors demonstrate that by utilizing a highly efficient investing option, young children have the ability to generate substantial wealth. To exemplify, we demonstrate the suggested methodology utilizing sequences and summations. Our method/proposal facilitates the enhancement of boundless wealth generation by enabling those who can invest more than the minimum requirement to accumulate greater wealth. The efficacy assessment of the new method is validated through the computation of the smallest investment, which is merely symbolic, yet yields boundless financial outcomes. The study findings, which have the potential to enhance governmental decision-making, can also be utilized for personal betterment. This work is innovative as it presents an alternative approach that imparts discipline, consistency, and honesty. It allows individuals to easily adopt the model with appropriate adjustments, hence facilitating the creation of wealth.

Financial literacy (FL) is a crucial skill set that police officers must possess, particularly in managing their funds during their tenure in the police force and as they approach retirement from their service. The extent of an individual's FL will directly impact the extent of their financial planning knowledge and budgeting abilities required as a police officer, commencing from the initial stages of their career. The primary objective of this study is to investigate the level of FL within the police force, with a particular emphasis on the factors of financial knowledge, attitude, and behaviour. The study employed a simple random sampling technique to gather data from a sample of 68 law enforcement employees stationed in Vosman and Klipfointein. The data was acquired through survey questionnaires. The data were descriptively analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results of the study suggest that police officers often possess low to moderate levels of FL. However, there is a positive correlation observed between the variables under investigation. The recommendation proposes that the government should implement ongoing training and short-term interventions focused on FL, with a particular emphasis on tailoring these initiatives to individuals' income levels and lifestyles. This study utilized intervention and transformational learning theory to support law enforcement professionals in enhancing their financial planning both prior to and following their employment, by means of financial education.

The moderating effect of parental income on parental financial communication and financial literacy is increasingly becoming important. The objective of this study was to determine whether the relationship between parental financial communication of young adults and their financial literacy is moderated by parental income. Financial literacy was measured through financial knowledge, financial behaviour, financial attitudes, and financial decision-making. Quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data among young adults in South Africa. Moderated regression analysis was used to analyse data. Four hypotheses were tested. The results showed that parental income moderated the relationship between parental financial communication with financial knowledge, financial behaviour, financial attitude, and financial decision-making. Therefore, the overall results indicated that the relationship between parental financial communication and financial literacy is moderated by parental income.  This study is amongst the first to investigate whether the relationship between parental financial communication and financial literacy is moderated by parental income. This study concluded by providing recommendations and suggestions for future research.

Recently, demographic factors that influence financial literacy have become increasingly important for policymakers than ever before. The primary purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between demographic factors and financial literacy among adults in a rural and low-income areas of South Africa. The objectives were to determine which gender uses a budget, which age cohort keeps copies of financial documents, which category of education level is saving for retirement, and the correlation between education level and saving for retirement. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used to analysed data. The results showed that males used a budget more than females by a low margin. Adults struggled to keep copies of financial documents; however, adults between the ages of 41-50 kept copies of financial documents the most. Those with matric were better savers for retirement than other levels of education, besides the fact that most adults were not saving for retirement. The study also revealed a negative correlation between education level and retirement savings. Thus, the relationship between demographic factors and financial literacy was negative. The study concludes by suggesting interventions that could help adults improve their financial literacy and manage and sustain their financial well-being.

This study investigated the impact of parental financial socialisation on financial attitude of young black African adults in rural and low-income area in South Africa through quantitative research approach, survey design and self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected from young black African adults in Fetakgomo Tubatse and Intsika Yethu local municipalities, low-income and rural areas in South Africa. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the relationship between parental financial behaviour, parental financial monitoring, parental financial discussion, parental financial communication, and parental financial teaching with financial attitude. The results showed that parental financial communication and parental financial teaching had a significant positive relationship with financial attitude. While parental financial behaviour, parental financial monitoring and parental financial discussion had no significant positive relationship with financial attitude. Therefore, the overall results indicated that parental financial socialisation has no impact on financial attitude of young black African adults in rural and low-income area in South Africa. This study provided recommendations to parents, young black African adults, financial educators, financial services institutions, financial counsellors and the government.

 This study explored the effects of financial literacy and financial behavior on the financial well-being of 360 academic personnel of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region 1, Philippines. Data were gathered from August 2020 to March 2021 using a self-administered survey questionnaire instrument. This was used to assess the respondents' financial well-being, literacy, and financial behavior, and Pearson’s r was used to test the relationships among the variables. It was found that most of the teachers generally experience moderate financial security rather than financial stress. They were assessed with excellent scores on their financial literacy and most were found to have good financial behavior. It was determined that their financial behavior affected their financial well-being. On the other hand, their financial literacy did not significantly affect their financial well-being. Hence, this study recommends that a financial wellness program tailored for the respondents should focus more on behavior-changing financial coaching rather than financial concepts learning.

Pension funds enable individuals to save over their working lives to finance their consumption needs in retirement, either through a lump sum or through the provision of an annuity, while also supplying funds to end-users such as corporations, other households (via securitized loans), or governments for investment or consumption. The study's goal is to investigate the impact of pension management on economic growth. A desktop literature review was used for this purpose. Relevant seminal references and journal articles for the study were identified using Google Scholar. The inclusion criteria entailed papers that were not over ten years old. The study concluded that contributory pensions have the potential to increase GDP with competent risk and portfolio management by pension fund administrators and custodians (GDP). The findings indicated a positive relationship between retirement pension assets and economic growth. The study recommends that policymakers and pension fund regulators devise feasible methods for investing pension money to benefit the economy while also maintaining the safety of the invested assets so as not to risk the interests of pension fund owners. To enhance economic growth, the study also suggested eliminating pension fund management delays, administrative bottlenecks, and corruption.

In this study, 396 university students in Turkey are surveyed online regarding their attitudes towards financial issues, their level of financial knowledge, and their financial behavior. The latest version of OECD/INFE Financial Literacy Survey (2018) is used in the study. Using SPSS and LISREL. Factor analysis, Cronbach's Alpha, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) are used to analyze the relationship between financial knowledge of the participants with their financial attitude and behavior as well as the mediation effect of financial attitude in this relationship. In line with the common wisdom that the relationship between knowledge and behavior is higher if knowledge is better reflected in the attitude of the individual, the mediation effect of financial attitude strengthens the financial knowledge and financial behavior relationship.

We measure the level of financial literacy in Turkey using the OECD/International Network on Financial Education (INFE) methodology and compare our results with the ones obtained in 14 other countries that has used the same methodology. In our sample, financial knowledge and financial behavior levels are lower than the average of the 14 countries, whereas financial attitude level is around the average. The overall financial literacy score, which is a combination of the three aforementioned aspects, is also lower than the average of the 14 countries. We find that financial behavior is positively related with financial knowledge, female respondents are lagging behind the male respondents in financial literacy, and this lag is bigger than those in the 14 countries. Very young respondents and old respondents are less financially literate, financial literacy score is positively related with income, education, and income stability.

An individual’s attitude toward financial risk tolerance (FRT) is an important preference that influences financial decision-making under uncertainty. FRT involves inter-temporal resource allocation. Accurate and reliable measures of FRT are essential for professionals advising consumers as well as researchers who are trying to predict, and understand consumer behavior. This study explores cross-cultural risk tolerance by comparing random samples from Turkey, and the United States. Similar and distinctive attitudes and patterns regarding FRT are identified. Three subjective measures of FRT are employed in this study: Grable and Lytton (1999), Hanna, Gutter and Fan’s (2001) improved version of Barsky, Juster, Kimball and Shapiro (1997), and the Survey of Consumer Finance’s item on risk tolerance. Data was collected via an online survey that used the above-mentioned FRT measures. There were two versions: the original American English version, and a culturally translated Turkish version. To explore the correlation of FRT among measures, we use bivariate analysis by individually employing Pearson Chi-square test of independence, and cross tabulations analysis to each sample. In addition, by pooling both samples, we conduct cumulative logistic regression. We delineate FRT differences and consistencies between countries across subjective financial risk tolerance measures.