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...
What is a Power of Attorney and is it Forever?
“The number of cases of dementia is estimated to almost triple by 2050.” (World Health Organisation) Although the actual prevalence per capita of dementia is reportedly on the decline, aging populations ensure that it is becoming more and more of a problem in society...
How to Avoid Fighting Over the House – A Guide for Life Partners
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of bandages and adhesive tape.” (Groucho Marx) It’s a perennial topic of dispute in our courts. A couple lives together, sharing the same roof and everything else in perfect happiness and harmony. Until it all goes south. Then...
Do You Need a Second Will for Your Overseas Assets?
“Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone.” (Pablo Picasso) If you own assets outside South Africa, you may have wondered: Is my local will enough? This is a question many South Africans are asking, and the answer will depend on your...
When Does a Property Defect Justify Cancellation? A Costly Case of Buyer’s Remorse
“Look before you leap.” (Wise old proverb) Imagine sealing the deal on your dream property, only to wake up at 3 a.m. beset by sudden doubts. Thoughts like “Can we really afford it?” or “How on earth could we have fallen in love with that old dump?” haunt you. You may...
How Fit Are You Financially?
“He who has health has hope; and he who has hope, has everything.” (Thomas Carlyle) Doing a financial health check can sound like a daunting idea. But it needn’t be. Just checking a few simple things can give you a good idea of whether you’re financially healthy and...
Why You Should Check That Your Estate Agent is Registered With the PPRA
“All that glisters is not gold” (William Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice) Buying or selling a home could be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. It’s an exciting time – but don’t lose sight of the need to tread with care. A key player in...
Verify Banking Details Before Paying Any Invoice – You’re at Risk, Not the Creditor
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” (Benjamin Franklin’s warning to fire-threatened Philadelphians in 1736) Cases of Business Email Compromise (BEC) fraud continue to surge, and recent High Court decisions have confirmed that it’s up to you to verify...
Does Your Debt Die With You?
When the final note is played, debts become a part of the legacy shared. (Anonymous) Debt’s journey Unfortunately, your debts don’t evaporate when you pass away. But there is a silver lining as they don’t typically hitch a ride to your family either – unless they’re...
From the Horse’s Mouth: “Should You Use AI for Legal Advice?”
“If you didn’t hear it from the horse’s mouth, it came from the other end of the horse.” (Anon) The rapid rise of AI is hard to ignore. DeepSeek’s AI assistant, only launched on 10 January this year, has grown to rival ChatGPT in popularity, making it the most widely...
8 Things You May Not Know About Capital Gains Tax
“I'll tax the street, I'll tax your seat, I'll tax the heat, I'll tax your feet.” (Adapted from Taxman by The Beatles) 1. Why do I have to pay CGT in the first place? Following a worldwide trend, South African authorities introduced CGT in 2001 to broaden the tax...
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...