INVEST for LIFE

Treasury has a proposal on the table allowing limited access to the two thirds portion of your retirement fund. The recent changes splitting retirement funding into two pots allowed for an annual access to the one third savings pot. The remaining two thirds is set for...

Introduction and context - Opening context: In the past year, South Africa announced adjustments to two powerful tools that affect how much you can save tax-free or deduct from your income: the Retirement Annuity (RA) ceiling and the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)...

Taking a look at how global tensions can touch your wallet—from petrol pumps to energy bills—and simple steps South African households can take to stay on track. What’s happening with the world Global tensions, including wars, can push up energy costs and make...

The proposal introduces targeted relief to support households, boost savings, and encourage long-term wealth building through tax and retirement savings reforms. Cap Gains Tax (CGT) relief and thresholds   Residence CGT threshold increases from 2,000,000 to...

Are you a parent worried about how to pay for your child's education? You’re not alone. Many parents feel stressed about school fees, stationery, and all the activities kids want to do. But don’t worry—there are easy ways to get ready and make things less stressful....

A recent News24 article highlights a concerning trend: many consumers are being urged to buy smaller, cheaper cars as debt levels hit new highs and owning expensive vehicles becomes increasingly risky. The piece emphasizes several troubling data points showing how...

How it works now For a long time, South Africa based everyday loans on two rates: the repo rate (set by the SARB) and the prime lending rate (used by banks to charge customers). The gap between them stayed at 3.5 percentage points. When the central bank changed the...

Minimalism isn’t about deprivation; it’s about clarity. When you trim the excess, you reveal what truly matters: stability, freedom, and the ability to invest in your future. A practical plan can turn this mindset into real, lasting benefits—especially when you...

Starting the new year with a clear, effective plan sets you up for financial stability and future growth. Here are the fundamental steps, kept simple and practical. 1) Define your goals Short-term: cover monthly expenses, build a small emergency fund. Medium-term: pay...

The idea that retirees can live comfortably on about 75% of pre-retirement earnings is a common guideline, but it’s increasingly less reliable for South Africans. Here are SA-specific factors and why the rule may not hold: Healthcare costs and medical aid: Medical...

Allocating your income wisely is crucial, especially with the 30/30/40 rule. Consider how you spend your money effectively. If you allocate carefully, you’ll ensure you’re living within your means and not overspending. Imagine a car salesman questioning whether a car...

Financial systems tend to create more opportunities for the wealthy Han the ordinary man in the street. Structures and legal frameworks which are only accessible to the wealthy provide super tax advantages. How the Wealthy Benefit. Wealthy people own big, growing...

Many books argue that personal finance is rigged: hidden fees, confusing products, and sales pitches that favor the wealthy. For the lay reader, here’s a straightforward take on what this means, why it happens, and what you can do about it. What the claim is saying...

In recent times gold and Bitcoin prices have found record levels. Intrinsically, they are very different. Gold is tangible whilst Bitcoin is cyber. Both do have an element of scarcity which drives their prices Total gold in the world is 244 000 metric tonnes of which...

South Africa’s shift to a tighter inflation target—from a 3–6% band with a midpoint of 4.5% to a 2–4% band centered at 3%—has meaningful implications for the average household, especially around interest rates and the cost of living. The key idea is that a lower, more...

- What’s happening: Micro lenders in South Africa say the current interest-rate environment isn’t profitable anymore. Their funding costs and risk, plus rules meant to protect borrowers, make it hard to earn enough from small loans. - Why this hurts borrowers: When...

Some scammers in South Africa are getting really good at fooling people with emails. They pretend to be your boss, a colleague, or a trusted supplier, and they almost sound like they’re real. How they trick you - They send fake invoices or payment requests and tell...

From my perspective, several intertwined factors contribute to the financial strain faced by young South Africans today. High Unemployment and Underemployment The job market struggles to absorb graduates, pushing many into low-wage or temporary roles that don’t...

The world is changing at such a pace with the takeover of AI. Many Jobs as we know them, will very soon, if not already, be defunct and or obsolete. My practice in financial planning could be affected. So I turned to AI and asked for a point of view. Here's a summary...

- What changes when you buy in a company   - You own the property through the company’s shares, not in your name.   - The company is a separate legal entity. - Pros (why some choose a company)   - Limited liability: your personal assets are safer if the...