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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
SARS presented its plan this week for the forthcoming tax season. Interestingly, the dates for submission have been changed from the normal deadlines. Filing season opens for submissions on the 1st August. If you file online then you can do so from the 1st July....
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...
Mother’s Day is a very important day for most. Mothers are undoubtedly the most important asset in the family. Mothers 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...
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 England...
Towards your retirement years, you may consider giving up your home and moving into a retirement village. it is a huge life changing event and needs careful consideration. Purchase optionsA life rights scheme allows you full use of a property in a village development...
The debate around active and passive performance still rages on with equity fund managers aiming to outperform the indices of certain markets and very few consistently achieving this over time. Active fund managers charge a higher fee aiming to beat an index which is...
Retirement annuity contributions ...
In its 2019 Election Manifesto, the ANC says it will “Investigate the introduction of prescribed assets on financial institutions’ funds to mobilise funds within a regulatory framework for socially productive investments (including housing, infrastructure for social...
Yes, history is a perfect science. We now can clearly see where Bitcoin and other crypto currencies are and have been. The frenzy leading to the peak at the end of 2017 at $20 000 left many in a state of awesome wonder. Wondering whether they should buy, sell or hold....
It’s been a year of turmoil to say the least. Locally and Globally. If you have you head above water at the turn of this year then congrats!!! You been through one of the toughest years in our economic history. There is some breathing space which we have managed to...
Start with your net worth ...
2018 has revealed how unconventional the world has become. In the conventional days one would predict the future with some certainty as past performance was a guide to the future. Economics 101 sets out a principle in economic cycles. In a free market there...
This week was pretty hectic to say the least with the Reserve Bank sneaking in a ,25% interest rate increase whilst inflation is still within the range of 3 to 6%. The timing was pretty harsh just before Black Friday and then only a few weeks before the festive...
Retirement is seen as a stage in your life where you can live off the investments you have accumulated over your working career. In these modern times where people are living that much more longer we need to revalue or financial freedom. It doesn’t have...