INVEST for LIFE

Starting the new year with a clear, effective plan sets you up for financial stability and future growth. Here are the fundamental steps, kept simple and practical. 1) Define your goals Short-term: cover monthly expenses, build a small emergency fund. Medium-term: pay...

The idea that retirees can live comfortably on about 75% of pre-retirement earnings is a common guideline, but it’s increasingly less reliable for South Africans. Here are SA-specific factors and why the rule may not hold: Healthcare costs and medical aid: Medical...

Allocating your income wisely is crucial, especially with the 30/30/40 rule. Consider how you spend your money effectively. If you allocate carefully, you’ll ensure you’re living within your means and not overspending. Imagine a car salesman questioning whether a car...

Financial systems tend to create more opportunities for the wealthy Han the ordinary man in the street. Structures and legal frameworks which are only accessible to the wealthy provide super tax advantages. How the Wealthy Benefit. Wealthy people own big, growing...

Many books argue that personal finance is rigged: hidden fees, confusing products, and sales pitches that favor the wealthy. For the lay reader, here’s a straightforward take on what this means, why it happens, and what you can do about it. What the claim is saying...

In recent times gold and Bitcoin prices have found record levels. Intrinsically, they are very different. Gold is tangible whilst Bitcoin is cyber. Both do have an element of scarcity which drives their prices Total gold in the world is 244 000 metric tonnes of which...

South Africa’s shift to a tighter inflation target—from a 3–6% band with a midpoint of 4.5% to a 2–4% band centered at 3%—has meaningful implications for the average household, especially around interest rates and the cost of living. The key idea is that a lower, more...

- What’s happening: Micro lenders in South Africa say the current interest-rate environment isn’t profitable anymore. Their funding costs and risk, plus rules meant to protect borrowers, make it hard to earn enough from small loans. - Why this hurts borrowers: When...

Some scammers in South Africa are getting really good at fooling people with emails. They pretend to be your boss, a colleague, or a trusted supplier, and they almost sound like they’re real. How they trick you - They send fake invoices or payment requests and tell...

From my perspective, several intertwined factors contribute to the financial strain faced by young South Africans today. High Unemployment and Underemployment The job market struggles to absorb graduates, pushing many into low-wage or temporary roles that don’t...

The world is changing at such a pace with the takeover of AI. Many Jobs as we know them, will very soon, if not already, be defunct and or obsolete. My practice in financial planning could be affected. So I turned to AI and asked for a point of view. Here's a summary...

- What changes when you buy in a company   - You own the property through the company’s shares, not in your name.   - The company is a separate legal entity. - Pros (why some choose a company)   - Limited liability: your personal assets are safer if the...

The Problem Fewer South Africans will b# e able to retire comfortably. The two-pot system gives quick relief, but it doesn’t fix the long-term money gap that many face when they stop working. Why the Current Fixes Fall Short - The focus is on getting money now, not...

Since and during the COVID19 lockdown more of us have been working from home. Either for a few days a week out of the office and others fully from home. These working conditions as a part of your employment requirements lead to possible claims for expenses for...

Having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones — but is your will actually valid? Many South Africans assume that once they’ve written and signed a will, the job is done. But if you don’t follow the right legal process, your...

South Africa faces a significant and growing issue of unclaimed benefits across retirement funds, shares, and other financial instruments on the JSE and from various institutions. A sizable portion of the population is unaware that they may be entitled to funds from...

Water is joining medical aid as a major threat to retirement affordability. In 2019, about 31 kL (1kL per day) cost roughly R636. Today, a comparable bill is around R2,267 — more than tripled in under six years. This isn’t just price inflation; tariff structures...

If you win a lottery or inherit big money, you have two simple options to give away cash. Both affect your taxes, but in different ways. 1) Give to friends and family (private gifts) You probably will want to share some of the spoils with friends and family. This has...

- Donations tax (on gifts to non-18A recipients)   - What it is: A tax you pay when you give money or assets to someone who isn’t an approved 18A recipient.   - How it works with your estate: Money or assets you give away during your life reduce what you own...

The recent upsurge of Buy Now Pay Later plans (BNPL) being taken up by South African households clearly exposes a shift in consumer behavior when comparing against the 'lay-by" way of buying. Lay-by vs. Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): what’s the difference and what’s...