For many of us, the first conversation any one has with us about our financial planning is around retirement. Either retirement is too close and is a tad on the stressful side to chat about (particularly if we’re a little behind in our investment strategy) or it’s just far enough away for us not to […]

If ever there was a universal cheat-meal week… it must be the week between Christmas day and New Years day. And that’s for the most diligent – if we’re honest, most of us view it as a two-to-three week cheat… Everyone could use a boost of healthy eating come January! Here, we’ve rounded up the […]

If your to-do list is stressing you out now that the holidays are over, worry no more. Sometimes productivity is not about trying to squeeze even more things into each day, which is still stubbornly refusing to be any longer than 24 hours, but rather about working smarter. Not harder – especially so soon after […]

We’ve all done it – made New Year’s resolutions and never fulfilled them. This January, why not get some little helpers instead? These apps will make 2019 a breeze. The ‘be more mindful’ resolution substitution: Kyō Most productivity apps help you try and cram more into your already busy day, but Kyō does the opposite. […]

When 1 January rolls around, most of us are a little worse for wear: we’ve overindulged, under-exercised and are more than a little tired. It’s the same with our finances – many of our wallets take a financial overindulgence through the festive season. Fear not – with a few simple commitments, you can get keep […]

It’s a terrible misnomer, but the festive season – which is all about cheer and goodwill to all in various religions – is one of the most wasteful of the year. There are piles of present wrappings, tons of unwanted toys and lots of leftovers – but it doesn’t have to be that way. To […]

December should be a time of rest and relaxation – but for South African investors, the month comes with ominous memories. ‘Nenegate’ and Zuma’s infamous cabinet reshuffle, the Steinhoff collapse and several other rand-slaughtering incidents occurred in the month of the year when everyone was hopefully on holiday; plus the ANC elections occur next December […]

It’s that time of year again, when loved ones begin asking: ‘what do you want for Christmas?’ Your PA is also going to look at you with expectant eyes in terms of what gifts to order for clients, seniors in the company and such. Answering ‘nothing’ is not going to get you very far with […]

A change is as good as a holiday, and a holiday is a good place to start a positive change. For those lucky enough to be going away at the end of this year, we’ve rounded up some of the books the world’s brightest sparks are raving about to get you feeling excited about 2019 […]

Various factors, such as employment prospects, family situations, lifestyle choices and investment goals, come in to making the decision about whether to buy or rent a home. In any market, there are different reasons for why you may choose to do one or the other, as there are good arguments for both renting and buying […]

A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that finances, operates or owns real estate that produces an income, and is a way for investors to have a liquid stake in the real estate market. According to Nareit, which is the representative voice for REITs, more than 225 REITs were trading on an American […]

According to recent statistics, 5.5 million South Africans travelled abroad in 2016, showing that travel has become a part of many people’s lives — be that for business or leisure. A vacation can be an enriching experience that allows us to step away from our daily lives to relax and, enjoying it with added peace-of-mind […]

Many South Africans choose to take advantage of the public holidays and the warm weather by visiting loved ones or going on an adventure over December and January. However, expenditure over this festive season can quickly add up if you’ve planned a well-deserved break. It, therefore, can be worth renting out your house for the […]

Although the demand for holiday homes in South Africa lost some momentum at the start of last year, according to the FNB Holiday Town House Price Index for February 2018, a renewed year-on-year growth acceleration was demonstrated in the results of the last half of 2017. In fact, the demand for holiday homes in South […]

Good health care is not always easily obtainable and quickly becomes a costly experience. Many people who have health cover policies sometimes expect to have more cover than their policy actually includes, and they are saddled with high shortfall bills; they land up paying the difference between the medical cover rate, and the cost of […]

Towards the end of every year, many medical schemes announce their annual contribution increases for the following year. This makes these last few months of 2018 the perfect time to review your cover and make any necessary amendments, as, until the start of December, most medical aid providers will allow you to change plans or […]

“Without mental health there can be no true physical health” – Dr Brock Chisholm, the first Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Brock Chisholm was a psychiatrist who asserted the notion that mental and physical health are linked, and an increasing amount of evidence highlights the impact that mental illnesses — particularly depression […]

Understanding how your (or your loved one’s) possessions and wealth are treated when you pass away is crucial to how you plan for what will happen to them. This blog is aimed at breaking down an incredibly paper-heavy, jargon-filled process! When a taxpayer dies, all their assets are placed in an estate, which is commonly […]

Death can be an expensive affair and it is easy to underestimate the costs involved, especially as some unconsidered fees can quickly add up. As well as the funeral expenses, those left behind can be liable to pay mortgage bond cancellation costs, appraisement costs, Master’s Office fees, legal fees, costs of realisation of assets, bank […]