Budget 2025: How It Affects You and Your Business
“… the economy needs to grow much faster and in an inclusive manner. This is the central objective of the current administration.” (Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana – Budget 2025) The tabling of Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s fourth Budget in February was marked by an unprecedented three-week postponement, following a deadlock around the original Budget proposal […]
When it Comes to Investing, Debit Orders are Your Friend
“The beauty of debit orders is that they make investing a habit, not an afterthought.” (Warren Buffett) We’re all human – which often means being emotional and not consistently disciplined. Debit orders remove the emotion from investing and encourage responsible behaviour. With debit orders in place, you don’t have to choose between contributing towards your […]
Three Ways to Protect Your Finances Against Life’s Curveballs
Life happens. You can never know when something will disrupt your job or your health. But you can, at least, prepare to have the best chance of surviving a major event. Here are three ways to protect your finances against some of the worst that life can throw at you. 1. Have an emergency savings […]
The Big Question: Should You Buy a Home or Rent One?
“Home is not a place; it’s a feeling.” (Cecelia Ahern) Deciding whether to buy or rent your home may be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Ultimately, the choice comes down to a combination of financial variables and personal factors, which, as we know, fluctuate unpredictably. Rands and cents Let’s start […]
Aligning Your “Wheel of Life” – A Beginner’s Guide
As your wheel of life turns, your financial needs, goals and focuses change. When you start working, you’re absorbed by accumulating assets. Later, as you near retirement, your focus shifts to wealth preservation. And eventually, when you’re settled and comfortable in your golden years, the transfer of wealth becomes your number one priority. It goes […]
Why You Should Keep Your Investment Strategy to Yourself
“There is no pebble so small that it won’t make ripples when tossed into a body of water.” (Charles Peck) In a recent blog post, financial writer Morgan Housel made an interesting observation. He wondered what would happen if people invited public scrutiny of the way they went about trying to find love: “Imagine if, […]
Do You Recognise Yourself in Any of These Client Case Studies?
“If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything.” (Claude McKay) Case study 1: Family matters One financial advisor told us about a 68-year-old client who sold his business and worried his children would be ruined by inheriting too much wealth. The advisor created a Family Constitution outlining […]
The Sandwich Generation: How Can You Deal with Family Always Asking You for Money?
“Family is not just important; it’s everything.” (Michael J Fox) Many South Africans are not just working to support themselves or even their immediate families. Given the country’s high rate of unemployment, it’s not unusual for people to find themselves under pressure to provide financially for their parents, grandparents and even cousins, aunts and uncles. […]
Why Emotions and Investing Don’t Always Mix
“Speculation leads you the wrong way. It allows you to put your emotions first, whereas investment gets emotions out of the picture.” (John C. Bogle) It’s tempting to believe we can control our emotions regarding money matters. However, being human means we’re susceptible to emotional biases that lurk silently beneath the surface, influencing our choices […]
Why You Should Treat Your Finances Like Your Health
“A good doctor treats the disease, but the great doctor treats the patient who has the disease.” (Unknown) Most of us understand why it’s important to have regular medical check-ups. We also recognise that, as we get older, what we need from them changes too. While it’s important for babies to have special health and […]
