Thinking of moving to Australia? Bear these numbers in mind
As the adage goes, the grass is always greener on the other side. Right now, Australia may seem like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But don’t make any rash decisions until you’ve digested the facts and figures below. The perils of perception Before we...
How a ‘Safe’ Fixed Deposit Might Still be Risky
Whenever you put money into a fixed deposit you probably think that it is perfectly safe. And as long as that deposit is running, you are probably right. If, for example, you invest in a in 36-month fixed deposit, you are guaranteed a certain interest rate for those...
Invest With FIRE and Never Look Back
Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials: much to live on and much to live for. (Anonymous) As the economy struggles to get back on its feet, many clients have approached us to ask how they can save better and invest smartly. So, we thought it was a good...
Why too Much of a Good Thing Can be a Bad Thing
What would you do if you were given R2 million and told you had to invest it in property? You might think of buying a nice flat in Cape Town’s southern suburbs that you could rent out to students. That should give you an attractive yield in what seems like a good...
Why an Endowment is One of the Best Ways to Invest Offshore
We live in a globalised society. Your microwave comes from Korea, your fridge from Germany. Your car is Swedish (although most of its parts are made in China), and your favourite restaurant is Italian. Of course, you’re also proudly South African on a Saturday...
Is Money Stress Taking a Toll on You?
According to a survey of 14 000 people by Debt Busters last year, a significant majority of South Africans are feeling financial stress. It found that 70% of us are stressed about money in some way. More than half of the participants said that they are worried about...
Should You Top Up Your Retirement Annuities Now?
With the end of the tax year approaching, talk to a professional about whether you should top up your retirement annuities (RAs) this month! Remember that all contributions into an RA reduce your taxable income, and therefore the amount of tax you pay. You can...
Budget 2023: The Minister of Finance Wants to Hear from You!
“Finally, we pay tribute to the millions of South Africans, whose resilience and courage during these times of pandemic and economic hardship, is an inspiration to all of us who have the privilege to serve in the public sector.” (From the 2022 Budget Speech) Finance...
Living Wills: 6 Myths Busted
Health issues and mortality are facts of life, no matter how remote they may seem at the moment, nor how distressing they are to contemplate. For your family’s sake as well as for your own, make sure that you have a Living Will (or another form of “advance healthcare...
Four Simple Steps to Start the Year on the Right Financial Foot
“Remember that small steps can create giant leaps over time, so never think of any financial or spending matter as a small one.” (David Bach) The start of a new year is always a good time to take stock. So why not give your finances a check as a new year’s present...
Discover the Freedom of a Tidy Portfolio
“I'd like to tidy up the entire planet. I would go anywhere if there were something that needs tidying.” (Marie Kondo) There’s nothing better than ripping out a bunch of weeds and revealing a flourishing garden in the process! While most of us are able to maintain a...
Why Lottery Winners End up Broke: The Importance of Your Financial Context
Many of us imagine how life changing it would be to win the lottery. After all, a few million rand would leave anyone better off, wouldn’t it? Unfortunately, the rather alarming answer to that question is actually “no”. Research from the National Endowment for...