For those who tell you not to worry so much and just invest in anything, no need to do much research, you need only say one word: Steinhoff.
Continue readingSaving cash on the big day – what to do before ‘I do’
Love is always in the air… for someone you know, if not yourself. No matter how strong the bond, weddings can quickly become the bane of many flourishing romances.
Continue readingMother knows best… what moms can teach you about money
It seems fitting that May hosts both Workers’ Day and Mother’s Day… because who works harder than Mom? A mother is always there when needed, always willing to see the best in you and is a constant source of comfort and wisdom.
Continue readingYour starter guide to alternative investments
In the wake of very lacklustre JSE performance and plenty of uncertainty, many investors have started considering thinking… alternatively.In a nutshellAlternative investments are different to the standard stock market approach; investing in assets outside the usual asset classes or in companies outside of the JSE-listed crowd.
Continue readingMindfulness matters: how about a quarterly review?
Earlier in the year we spoke on the importance of mindfulness in our busy, digital world. Unfortunately, many of us have grand intentions at the beginning of the year, eating healthily and meditating and generally trying to get the year off to a good start, but after a few weeks that dedication peters out.
Continue readingThe true cost of load shedding
Load shedding has cost all of us over the past few weeks, but do you know exactly how much?Neither did we, until we did a little digging. Cost to the economy at large
Continue reading… Okay, but what are your parents’ retirement plans?
We often think about our own retirement plans, but these are actually not the ones most likely to hit you first. More urgent is the concept of knowing your parents’ retirement plans.
Continue readingCan finances be a family affair?
Throughout the year there are clusters of holidays and long weekends when family comes to the fore. These moments are often an opportunity to step out of the frenetic hamster wheel of life, we now have long weekends and, for some, religious holidays to spend with those nearest and dearest to us. Which got us thinking – how much does your inner circle feature in your finances?
Continue readingOn the road: the best road trips for the long weekend season
It’s that time of year coming up again when the public holidays flow thick and fast for South Africa. With a country as beautiful as ours, the ideal solution could be a road trip. Here are some of the best to get you out of the city and on the road. Got three days? Enjoy […]
Continue readingTeach your children well
It’s an overwhelming feeling most of us recall vividly – that first job, the first month of rent to pay and the exhilarating yet terrifying knowledge that we have to keep ourselves alive for the rest of the month for the very first time. For those with children in school, a new experience awaits: watching […]
Continue readingWhat Comrades runners can teach you about how to lead at work
In our modern world of convenience, there is something about marathons. People choosing the hard road, putting their physical and mental endurance to the test, is increasingly rare. With the Comrades season coming up soon, a few surprising parallels emerge for leaders. Read on to see what you can learn about excelling at your business […]
Continue readingKeeping the lights on: how to keep overheads down in an unfair environment
There’s no doubt about it, businesses are getting squeezed from every side like never before. With load shedding back, the rand weakening, land expropriation casting uncertainty on the property scene and the price of electricity increasing, it’s tough to try and keep costs down. While you can certainly hope for Eskom to get their comeuppance, […]
Continue readingTracking wheels and meals: have a less stressful tax season next year
Personal Income Tax (PIT) season is often a nightmare rush of catch-up, trying to capture and find invoices, mileage and other expenses! Now that we’re approaching March, start good habits that will make your next tax return that much easier and more rewarding in terms of returns. You’ll be grateful you did… Why everyone hates […]
Continue readingWhat you need to know to set yourself up for offshore
All offshore who are going offshore… Beginning to invest offshore is increasingly looking good for worried South Africans amidst geopolitical turmoil. Depending on your risk appetite investment expectations, it can work for you and need not be an overwhelming or intimidating experience. Here’s what you need to know: Professional help is essential Everyone can invest […]
Continue readingShould I stay or should I go?
After the dismal performance of investment markets in 2018, investors cannot be blamed for feeling anxious. We have experienced one of the worst 5-year periods in the local equity market, going back 25 years. At the same time, cash provided investors with a safe return of 6.8% over the last year, and an average return […]
Continue readingHow retirement savings could be saving you tax
For decades retirement savings have formed the foundation of a financial plan, and for good reason – but did you know that retirement savings can not only help finance your older years, they can save you money on tax right now? It’s a common mistake, but many people forget to declare contributions to their retirement […]
Continue readingHow to have a financially savvy Valentine’s Day
It’s Valentine’s Day this month, a holiday that doesn’t get much love for the way it costs plenty of sensible people a lot of foolish spending. This Valentine’s, why not take a more financially prudent stance? First things first: have the important talks as a coupleThe number of couples who get engaged or take their […]
Continue readingThe number one conversation to have around your finances this year
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 […]
Continue readingWhat to eat for your most productive January ever
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 […]
Continue readingFive ways to improve your productivity
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 […]
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