Options on your RA during Lock Down

Options on your RA during Lock Down

A retirement annuity is an investment for your long term financial future. It is the vehicle which will provide an income for you once you retire. South Africans do not have a safety net to fall into. You are on your own despite the number of years you have paid your...

Warren Buffet Interpreted… through COVID19…

Warren Buffet Interpreted… through COVID19…

Warren Edward Buffett is an American investor, business tycoon, and philanthropist, who is the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He is considered one of the most successful investors in the world and has a net worth of US$88.9 billion as of December 2019, making...

Sell in May then go away? – Revisited…………

Sell in May then go away? – Revisited…………

This has been a strategy applied by investors in the stock market over the years. It is a classic market adage which is also known as the Halloween Theory as the time to re-enter the market is after Halloween. (End of October). The saying dates back to old...

Does this pandemic teach moderation?

Does this pandemic teach moderation?

After more than 60 days in lockdown we have had a long time to think about many things, including money. We’ve seen how important it is to have enough to get by. Those who lost some or all of their income had to learn how to stretch their provisions to meet with their...

After Lock Down…. rent rather than buy a property?

After Lock Down…. rent rather than buy a property?

The traditional approach to sound financial planning is to buy a property as soon as you can instead of renting. The rationale is that you will be better off paying for your property as soon as you can with the rent you are paying to your landlord. However, the COVID...

Repo rate drops 2%…… RSA Retail Bonds?

Repo rate drops 2%…… RSA Retail Bonds?

RSA Retail Bonds are an option for those seeking that little extra interest from their strained savings. Effectively, you are lending the government money on a short term basis of 2, 3 and 5 year options where the interest is fixed and you are guaranteed your money...

3 reasons why you shouldn’t have a trust

3 reasons why you shouldn’t have a trust

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...

How Real is Retirement?

How Real is Retirement?

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...

3 reasons why you will never be financially independent!

3 reasons why you will never be financially independent!

Financial Independence is achieved when your investments reach a point where they can generate sufficient income for you to live off for the rest of your life. It puts you in a space where you don’t need to earn an income any more. It empowers to financial support...

Unit Trusts… the centre of the financial universe

Unit Trusts… the centre of the financial universe

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...

Useful financial websites during Lock Down

Useful financial websites during Lock Down

The lock down will give us plenty of time to explore the internet for useful websites which will give you some practical financial insights.  Here are some sites that I have compiled to help you while away the hours. Investment Planning      ...

Social distancing… an opportunity to save?

Social distancing… an opportunity to save?

Government has been on point dealing with the Corona Virus pandemic. They have rallied effectively mobilising South Africans to prepare for the onslaught of this crisis. Social distancing is the plan. Relief on the way            ...

Use debt to get out of debt

Use debt to get out of debt

Work off your debt The more interest you pay the less you have to save and the more opportunity you lose to compounding your wealth into the future. Money lenders make money out of debt through interest and time.The longer interest is paid over time the more the...

3 big issues from 2019……..

3 big issues from 2019……..

The year was eventful to say the least testing the South African economy to its absolute limits. Reflecting on the past 12 months the main issues which stand out in my mind are somewhat interrelated: Here is a thread: Avoiding the downgrade Moody’s was the last of the...

Did we learn anything from Bitcoin?

Did we learn anything from Bitcoin?

The amazing performance of Bitcoin since 2010 has left many investors wishing they had got involved and others wondering if they should. The cyber currency has been nothing short of amazing as $1000 dollars invested in 2010 would have returned $90 million in 2017. At...

Women on the back foot with financial planning

Women on the back foot with financial planning

There are 3 factors which determine value of an investment.Time investedAmount investedReturn received Women are on the back foot with all three. TimeWomen live longerIn the 1800’s women lived to age 33 and men to 31.Today women live to 83 years and men to 79 years....

The Big South African Squeeze……..

The Big South African Squeeze……..

South Africans are really feeling the heat of the ailing economy. Rising fuel, electricity, rates, taxes, water….all impact on the cost of living. It easy to sit back and blame the economy, bury your head in the sand hoping that things will sort themselves out. Time...

Savings for emergencies is the starting point….

Savings for emergencies is the starting point….

July is National Savings Month. An initiative brought about by The South African Savings Institute -SASI,  creating awareness over the importance of saving for all of us. The starting point is to create a contingency fund for emergencies. This fund makes provisions...

To Dad from Dad on Father’s Day…..

To Dad from Dad on Father’s Day…..

We go back a long way Dad! The role in the family has always clearly been that of protector and provider. We have evolved from the cavemen, to the hunter, to the farmer, to the businessman we have progressed through life and still have the basic role to play...