AI & Us: A Smarter, Smoother Wealth Journey
“By 2045, we will have multiplied the intelligence, the human biological machine intelligence of our civilization a billion-fold.” (Ray Kurzweil) Imagine that your financial planners (that’s us) possess a superpower: the ability to scan global markets in seconds and identify tax-saving opportunities as the deadline looms. While this may sound futuristic, it’s already a reality. […]
Market Update: Do SA Investors Know Something Foreigners Don’t?
While President Trump’s unpredictable trade policies are continuing to create global market volatility, emerging market equities have attracted attention this year as investors embrace them as a welcome diversifier from the uncertainty and volatility of US-centric investments. The MSCI Emerging Market equity index is up almost 18% year-to-date, with foreign investors pouring money into India, […]
The US and You: Why What Happens in America Impacts Your Portfolio
“The markets are like weather; you may not like it, but you have to bear it.” (Rakesh Jhunjhunwala) South African investors don’t need to follow every twist in American politics or economics, but you can’t ignore them either. The world’s biggest economy casts a long shadow, and what happens in the US can ripple across […]
Scam Alert: If it Seems too Good to be True, it Probably is
“Our ability to manufacture fraud now exceeds our ability to detect it.” (Al Pacino) If you’re anything like us, the chances are you’ve recently heard about someone in your circle who’s fallen prey to an internet scam. Enticed by glossy marketing, unbelievable returns, and what seemed to be valid endorsements, they invested their life savings […]
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 […]
Managing the Psychology of Uncertainty in Investing
“Our greatest motivation in life comes from not knowing the future.” (Thomas Frey) Investing is an exercise in uncertainty. When you make any investment, you are taking a bet on the future. This can be a hard thing to do. Markets move up and down, economies shift, and geopolitics can make everything feel unhinged. At […]
How to Keep FOMO Out of Your Investment Strategy
“Focussing is about saying no.” (Steve Jobs) What is the point of investing? In simple terms, there are only two reasons to invest: Investors who understand these goals also understand why fear of missing out (FOMO) gets in the way of a good investment strategy. In both cases, what matters is achieving consistent growth over […]
Evolving Wealth Part 4: Boomer Bucks, Key Financial Strategies for Your Golden Years
“A big lesson in life is never to be scared of anyone or anything”. (Frank Sinatra) If you were born between 1946 and 1964, you are part of the Baby Boomer generation. This generation is known to be flexible and robust, having lived through many bulls and bears over the decades. Whether you’re contemplating retirement […]
Evolving Wealth Part 3: Gen X, Risk Averse but Quick to Adapt
“If you want something done right, do it yourself” – (Unofficial motto of Gen X) Gen X is the somewhat enigmatic generation group wedged between Baby Boomers and Millennials. Born from 1965 – 1980, they’re currently between 45 and 60 years old. What’s in a name? The term ‘Generation X’ was first used in a […]
When Investing, Focus on What You Can Control
“Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us.” (Epictetus) Investing can often feel hard. The keys to success may seem daunting. Is your fund manager making the right decisions? Is the market going up or down? Is the rand strong or weak? These things often play on our thoughts […]
