The 2018 Budget speech created a lot of hype against the backdrop of major political change in our country for the better….. without question. From my point of view I found the budget proposals pretty clinical and distant from the current situation which South Africa...
Using your credit and debit cards more efficiently can save you a lot if you get to understand them a whole lot better. Debit Cards ...
The rand has recently strengthened extraordinarily against our weak economic conditions. The strength points to changes on the political front which are more promising for South Africa’s future. Investors like certainty. By weeding out corruption and presenting...
Working hard for your money needs careful consideration over how to use your income effectively. If you allocate carefully you will ensure that you are living within your means and not above them. Does a car salesman ever question whether the car you purchase is too...
The beginning of a new year is a great time to update your personal balance sheet.The exercise is invaluable in your personal financial planning as it creates a snapshot of your actual worth in relation to what you own and what you owe. Your so called “Net Worth”. OWN...
2017 was certainly a year of uncertainty from which many questions were asked. Here are three of the biggest questions asked from my desk. Should I invest in Bitcoin? ...
Our Rand continues to surprise Just when you think the rand is heading in a particular direction it turns the corner and surprises. A while ago just after Minister of Finance Nene was fired the rand easily weaken to nearly R17 to the US$. We all then assumed it would...
S&P Global Ratings downgraded South African local currency debt to “junk” territory on Friday, citing a further deterioration in the country’s economic outlook and public finances, sending the rand tumbling. Essentially the downgrade points to the risk investors...
If less than 10% of South Africans at 65 end up with sufficient capital to retire, then retirement is an illusion for the remaining for most of us. So what are the options? Depend on your familyThe problem is that families are under financial pressure to make ends...
On its own advice is just advice and probably not that effective. Let’s consider a retirement annuity, for example. In isolation the product has many features and benefits which provide many reasons to investIn one. A main advantage is the tax deductibility of...
In these tough times when households are under pressure to make ends meet, perhaps it time to have a closer look at loyalty programs to unlock some value to help get through. The more successful loyalty programs help you to change towards lifestyle behaviours which...
Short term solution in the current environment As our economy is technically in a recession investment options are very challenging. A great place to invest in the short term is the money market. Accounts can be opened at all financial institutions such as your...
Don’t forget dependents ...
The most powerful tool in the financial world is that of compounding. It is a phenomenon which even amazed Albert Einstein who was said to call it the 8th Wonder of the World. So what is it all about?Essentially compounding is reinvesting the returns you make on an...
Endowments are policy contracts which commit you to a minimum investment period of 5 years after which the proceeds are tax free. They basically provide a so called “wrapper” around various funds of choice which may be invested in various assets, such as, equities,...
Gold has always been a storage of wealth. The lustre of gold has attracted investors for centuries. Over the best part of the last decade, however, it seems to have lost its shine. Peaking at levels just under $1800 and ounce a few years ago in 2012 to around $1100 of...
As we are still on the precipice of a downgrade relying on one ratings agency – Moody’s to keep us from falling into ‘Junk’ status we should be we’ll aware of the possible outcomes of losing our investment status. This situation is in the hands of our leaders and we...
The investment horizon is never really certain. However, the current global economic climate is definitely more uncertain than before. Economies throughout the world are battling to create employment and dig themselves out of the debt. Doubt, fear and worry loom. Yet...
Our Minister of Finance announced in the budget proposals this week an increase in withholding tax on dividends from 15% to 20% which further erodes the returns you receive from being invested in shares. This gives you even more reason to be invested in a tax free...
The road to financial independence is a journey. You know you have arrived when you find the stage in your life where you work, live and do the things you really want to because you are not reliant on being on a payroll. Imagine the freedom to do what you want to...