Why Your Financial Plan Should Cater For Possible Dementia
“It is not the load that breaks you down. It’s the way you carry it.” (Lena Horne) Dementia 101 It’s common knowledge that life expectancies are on the up, but few people realise that this also means a significant rise in cases of dementia. Studies show that the...
Rules of Financial Planning for a Special-Needs Child
"I wouldn’t change you for the world. But I would change the world for you.” (Anonymous) Don’t leave things to chanceA budget is key to any good financial plan, and in the case of a special-needs child, it’s even more crucial. Start by plotting an expense timeline...
Five Things to Check when a Loved One Passes Away
At a time of loss, no one wants to concern themselves with details. Yet, often, making a few simple phone calls can make this period a lot easier. Following the death of a loved one, many people neglect to consider the built-in support and relief provided by many...
Meet our Office Mascot – Kyfie
Yes, there is a new mascot at O'Hagan Attorneys and his name is Kyfie! Irene rushed to the rescue of this little mousebird when she noticed something dangling from her cat’s mouth. Kyfie was about 1 month old when he was found and has been nursing in our offices until...
New Ruling on Divorce Assets: How Does it Affect You?
“…the inequality at hand is caused when, after the conclusion of the marriage, a distortion is caused by the fact that one spouse contributes directly or indirectly to the other's maintenance or the increase of the other's estate without any quid pro quo.” (Extract...
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...
How Relevant Is The 4% Rule of Thumb These Days?
The basics If you’ve never heard of the 4% rule, now would be a good time to acquaint yourself with it. The rule of thumb states that: If you withdraw 4% from your retirement portfolio annually (adjusted for inflation), your savings will last for 30 years. (Assuming...
Stay Calm When the Bear Prowls
"Courage taught me no matter how bad a crisis gets ... any sound investment will eventually pay off." (Carlos Slim) Hold onto your chips when the market dips When stock markets fall, it’s very natural to want to sell your shares and invest in less risky assets like...
Five Things to Think About as Interest Rates Rise
When people talk about interest rates, they often talk about “cycles”. That is because central banks, like the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), tend to move rates only in one direction – up or down – for extended periods. At the moment, rates are heading up. After...
The Miracle of Investment Debit Orders
"Time is your friend; impulse is your enemy." (John Bogle) Debits orders create savings discipline You know how easy it is to spend money on your credit card because the payment is automatic and the pain deferred? The exact same logic applies to investing via debit...
Financial Products: The Less You Understand, the More You Pay
“Life is not complex. We are complex. Life is simple, and the simple thing is the right thing.” (Oscar Wilde) Unit trusts are meant to be simple. They should be a straightforward and cost-effective way to invest in financial markets. Unfortunately, however, the...
Quote of the Month: Challenging the Rejection of an Insurance Claim
Mtho Maphumulo at Adams & Adams: 'Insurance policies are generally worded in a complex manner and consist of various legal terminology and principles. This is unsurprising given the fact that these policies are drafted by lawyers. 'Rejection of claims may be based on...