What are they? You get to invest for as little as a few hundred rand into a large investment pool which is managed by a fund manager according to a specific objective. The investment is priced in units (hence the name) based on the value of the fund. There are around...
The magical number 72 in the financial world can help you to get a better understanding of the value of your money into the future. 72 can be used in a very easy way to establish values in the future with extraordinary accuracy. Inflation is a measurement of the...
A tax free savings account (TFSA) and a retirement annuity (RA) are excellent investments as they offer returns which are not taxed. This vastly improves the performance of the investment over time. Understanding the differences between the two will help to make a...
Filing season opened on the 1st July 2018 and it’s too late to do anything about last the tax year. You are on top of your tax return when you know before you complete the return what to expect. Tax planning should take full advantage of all options before the end of...
It’s all about economic independence. Britain being able to sustain a standard of living for all citizens on it’s own without depending on the European Union. It boils down to Britain being able to grow (GDP) on it’s own which will enable it to generate enough income...
With the Rule of 72 you can estimate the future value of your investments with uncanny reliability.. Inflation – the enemy The inflation rate represents the rising cost of living which devalues your money resulting in a loss of purchasing power over time. To...
June 16th – Youth Day – presented an opportunity for young people to focus on their futures reflecting on the past as a foundation to build upon. Youth need to be empowered with a strong belief in themselves that they can become whatever they dream and believe they...
It’s crazy how our retirement age of 65 is laid down for us. An outdated concept which dictates to us when we should give up working and be put to pasture. Over the past century we have improved our life span dramatically making 65 a much younger age than it used to...
Standard and Poors made the decision this week to hold off on the decision to downgrade South Africa to ‘non investment grade speculative’ commonly called ‘Junk Status’. A place every country has to avoid as the consequences are devastating. Getting out of the dreaded...
The Standard Bank Scam is estimated at R300 million involving 14000 transactions at ATM’s in just a few hours over at 7 Eleven stores all over Japan.It was conducted with precision, using “mules” to make the many withdrawals which were just under the right limits...
Recently I came across a very disillusioned sponsor of a student loan who had been paying interest and service charges for 18 months and the outstanding loan was still the same as the original amount. The banks cover themselves from left right and centre with this...
Mother’s Day is a very important day for most. They are undoubtedly the most important asset in the family. They provide, nurture and support with endless commitment giving their all even when they don’t have much left. How do you put a value on them when they are...
You get the sense that the increasing number of Ponzi Schemes (especially the latest MMM) mushrooming in South Africa is directly related to the financial pressures that are induced by our ailing economy. When there are large numbers of people struggling to make ends...
A trust is a useful entity in some circumstances as the assets it owns do not belong to you and are managed for the benefit of its beneficiaries. Here are 3 reasons why you should have one: Long term planning for your family ...
A trust is a legal entity which controls assets on behalf its beneficiaries. It is managed by trustees in terms of a trust deed which details how the assets should be distributed. It helps some but not everyone. Here are 3 reasons why a trust is not that beneficial...
What is inflation? ...
When you have finally succumbed to the fact that you are over your head in debt and cannot cope any further. Here is a way forward which will help to soften the blow. Step one – Open the envelope ...
Unsecured lending seems to be a quick and easy way out of a financial crisis but it’s probably a spade which digs a bigger hole for you. The old saying, “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing you should do is stop digging”, is so applicable to debt. My wife...
South Africa is being reviewed this week by Moody’s rating agency which has a negative outlook on our economy. The probable downgrade to BAA3 will bring it inline with Standard and Poors and Fitch which have already downgraded us to their equivalent BBB-. The next...
Dying without a will has some serious implications for the loved ones that you leave behind. Especially if they are minors under the age of 18.. Many South Africans do not have a will and this means that their estates will fall under the Interstate Succession Act. The...