The Secret to Solving the Financial Rubik’s Cube? Consistency.
All it takes to excel at something – whether it’s mastering the ukulele, poaching the perfect egg or learning to solve the Rubik’s Cube – is consistent practice and dedication. John Maynard Keynes, one of the greatest economists and risk-taking investors around, took...
Zen and the Art of Financial Planning
“A resilient spirit, coupled with financial knowledge, is an unstoppable force.” (Anonymous) There’s more to this material world than meets the eye. As human beings we are all trying to gain self-awareness and instinctively value compassion, empathy, and open...
Unpacking Diversification: What Really Counts?
“Invest for the long haul. Don’t get too greedy and don’t get too scared.” (Shelby M.C. Davis) In 2021, South African investors could have made a return of 36.9% if they’d been invested in the local property index. That same year they could have made 33.1% in rands if...
Market Update: Will They, Won’t They? The Case for Lower Interest Rates Improved in March.
Light at the end of the tunnel for borrowers – and investors The interest rate hikes central banks implemented over the past two years have been so aggressive that economists have consistently warned central bankers against overdoing it and running the risk of driving...
Property Sales: “Conditional Acceptance” of an Offer is Not Acceptance, It’s Rejection
“The conditional acceptance of an offer amounts to rejection of same and not the conclusion of a contract, but may be a counter–offer.” (Extract from judgment below) A good offer comes in for your property, so you accept it. But you’re not happy with a few of the...
Budget 2024: What it means for you
“Our bigger challenge… is that our pie is not growing fast enough and this limits our ability to generate sufficient revenues to distribute among our priority areas.” (Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana – Budget 2024) Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s third Budget...
The Most Important Part of a Financial Plan: Room for Error
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” (Yogi Berra) A sound financial plan is invaluable. It looks ahead to what you want from your money and gives you a way of measuring how well you are doing in getting there. It gives you a lot of...
Market Update: Initial Investor Vote of Confidence Dissipates in Wake of Budget
Investor sentiment turns sour Investors’ initial vote on the government’s Budget was positive with the rand firming and bond yields declining. But sentiment soon turned negative once the details and ramifications of National Treasury’s decisions were fully digested....
Tax Tip: Must-Do Top Ups in February
RAs: The big one Retirement Annuities (RAs) offer significant tax breaks as contributions to the investments are tax-deductible, and the growth within the funds is tax-free. (No income, dividends or capital gains tax applies.) You can contribute a maximum of 27.5% of...
Why Buyers Should Ask for Building Plans (and Why Sellers Should Supply Them)
“No person shall without the prior approval in writing of the local authority in question, erect any building in respect of which plans and specifications are to be drawn and submitted in terms of this Act.” (National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act)...
A Valentine’s Day Thought for Life Partners: What is a “Universal Partnership”?
“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce” (Groucho Marx) This Valentine’s Day, think about the legal aspects of your romantic relationship. They’re a lot less exciting than the traditional declarations of love backed up by chocolates and flowers, but they’re just as...
Estate Planning: Remember your Pets!
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” (Mahatma Gandhi) For many of us our pets are a central part of our lives, our much loved “fur babies”, our companions, exercise partners, even therapists through the...