The Benefits of Renting Amid Economic Uncertainty

The Benefits of Renting Amid Economic Uncertainty

In times of economic uncertainty characterised by high inflation, rising interest rates, and an unpredictable future, renting a property has emerged as a favourable alternative to buying. While homeownership has long been hailed as a symbol of stability, renting...

Your bond repayment just went up again this week

Your bond repayment just went up again this week

As interest rates continue to rise, homeowners with mortgage bonds may find themselves facing increased financial pressure. The recent increase this week by another 0,5% takes the prime lending rate generally charged to bondholders to 11,75%. The rate was at an...

Financial Planning for Youth

Financial Planning for Youth

Essentially, the financial plan for young people follows the same approach as for everyone. It answers the questions:Where am I now?Where do I want to be?How do I get there? The difference in the plan for young people is that it should cater for their probabilities of...

Moving in together is not just about the money……

Moving in together is not just about the money……

The financial benefits of cohabitation play a role in how people live in the US. About 2/3 of people who have moved in with a romantic partner say finances and logistics contributed to their decision and the share is even higher for younger couples. And while the...

Prime Lending rate is now 11.25% and rising…..

Prime Lending rate is now 11.25% and rising…..

The harsh but necessary increase of 0,5% in interest rates by the Reserve Bank this week was harsh and unexpected. It does, however, show how determined the MPC is to bring back inflation into the target range of 3% to 6%.  Dealing with rising interest rates...

Solar tax incentive…. who really benefits?

Solar tax incentive…. who really benefits?

The budget proposals delivered this week offered individual taxpayers a so-called tax incentive for solar installations made in the next tax year commencing 1 March 2023.  When drilling into the detail is it really that much of an incentive considering that we...

The Budget needs a miracle

The Budget needs a miracle

There are three aspects of a budget: Income (GDP) Income into our budget relies on taxes in various forms. VAT( everyone @ 15%) Income tax (only 10% of the population to a maximum of 45%) Customs and excise duties and sin taxes….. All of these pour into a pot to cover...

Households learn from SONA… what not to do!

Households learn from SONA… what not to do!

The State of the Nation Speech which was eventually delivered on Thursday evening presented us with some lessons on what not to do which we should take away to our own households.  Proactive rather than Reactive Eskom (and all other SOEs) are in crisis due to an...

Take Advantage of some tax breaks while you can…

Take Advantage of some tax breaks while you can…

As we enter into the final month of the tax year for 2023 we still have some time to take advantage of some tax opportunities. Even if you don’t have the resources to take full advantage of these any contribution will make a difference to your tax payable. Retirement...

Improve your Personal Balance Sheet

Improve your Personal Balance Sheet

Improving your personal balance sheet is crucial for achieving financial stability and success. A strong balance sheet can help you plan for retirement, save for big purchases, and weather financial setbacks. Here are a few ways to improve your personal balance sheet:...

In Debt after the festive season?…. don’t panic

In Debt after the festive season?…. don’t panic

If you’ve found yourself in debt after the festive season, don’t panic – there are steps you can take to get back on track.  Measure your situation One of the most effective ways to get out of debt is to create a budget and stick to it. This means looking at your...

Stokvels are not exempt from fraud….

Stokvels are not exempt from fraud….

Fraudsters are on the prowl in rising numbers trying everything to get to your hard earned money. Stockvels are no exception and seem to be soft targets as members are easily drawn into the false promises of fantastic yet unrealistic benefits. Here are some ideas to...

3 Big Financial Hurdles in 2022

3 Big Financial Hurdles in 2022

What a year… Looking into the rear view mirror back at 2022, the disrupted global economy has left us with many financial challenges which we will have to carry through to next year. They certainly won’t be going away for a while. The 3 big ones to contend with are:...

So what’s your Side Hustle?

So what’s your Side Hustle?

With the rapid rise in inflation and the consequential rise in interest rates, we are all feeling the pressure of the cost of living and are struggling to get through the month.  If you are on a payroll, it becomes very difficult because income is limited and...

South Africans’ resilience at the test…..

South Africans’ resilience at the test…..

With inflation, running at these stressful levels, and not seeming to come back soon we need to be very aware of how this impacts on our financial future. Quite simply, the higher the inflation rate, the less the value of your money in the future. Thankfully, the...

Financial Planning Week 2022

Financial Planning Week 2022

Johannesburg: Financial Planning Week 3 – 7 October. The Financial Planning Institute of Southern Africa (FPI) is proud to announce Financial Planning Week (FPW) 2022, an ongoing annual consumer initiative organised by the FPI to make financial planning the basis of...