Category: Blog

It’s important when buying an investment property to do your homework so that your property becomes an asset rather than a liability. While astute investors can make good money, there are significant holding costs and initial fees, and a property is not as liquid as other investments. An interesting article in City Press reviews the […]

National Wills Week is from 11th to 15th September 2017 and is a time when participating attorneys in South Africa will draft new, basic wills free of charge. To make the most of this time of year, simply make an appointment with a participating attorney before or during National Wills Week. However, if your circumstances […]

The temperature is starting to climb and it’s almost safe to leave your scarf at home. Spring is in the air and, as flowers bloom and citizens emerge from hibernation, it’s the perfect time to start afresh with some spring cleaning. Once you’re done dusting the shelves, take a look at your finances and see […]

An article published on Maya on Money about the 10 key themes investors must not ignore in 2017 inspired thought about a word that gets used a lot in the world of investments — commodities. The key takeaway from this should be that commodities traditionally move in opposition to stocks, so they can be a […]

When you were younger, did you have any idea what you wanted to do when you grew up? Perhaps you now have children who at some point will need to consider their options and will need guidance, or perhaps you are at a stage in your life when you’re considering a change in career yourself. […]

Before we chat about the current asset allocation environment, let’s quickly roughly describe the term for those of us who may be unsure of what this means. Asset allocations broadly refer to the actual investment options – ie. when you invest money, it needs to go somewhere, and some of these options are called asset […]

Dealing with money matters can feel like negotiating a minefield for many couples, which is highlighted in this article by Maya on Money. Money has been cited to be the biggest reason for divorce, and differing attitudes towards money in any relationship can cause friction. So let’s take a look at some basic ‘money personalities’ […]

We live in uncertain times, so it is natural for many parents to want their children to have financial security, without money worries on top of everything else. Many parents also wish to build their wealth to such an extent that it will be passed down for generations to come, and a recent article published […]

Do you nod along blankly when someone talks about unit trusts, or do your eyes glaze when you hear the word ‘annuity’? Do you wish investment terms weren’t so complicated or full of abbreviations? It’s easy to get confounded by the use of financial jargon if you haven’t been trained in the financial services industry […]

Many South Africans are currently feeling the financial pinch and, as belts tighten, it’s natural for households to review where they can cut back on expenses. It may be tempting during such times to send life cover payments to the bottom of the priority list, but this could have dire financial consequences for your loved […]

Old Mutual Balanced Fund manager, Graham Tucker, explains in an article published on Fin24 how many investors suffer from something he calls ‘inflation illusion’. This essentially means that many people aren’t completely aware about the effects of inflation or how much it will impact their savings over time. For example, the average inflation rate of […]

There is no formula for instant wealth – but for some, it can become a reality overnight and, if not managed correctly, this dream can easily turn into a nightmare. If you happen to inherit an astronomical sum, receive a massive bonus, or fortuitously sell a property for a lot more than you paid for […]

The school holidays are coming and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so many things to remember to do before you go away. But here are five quick and easy pointers that will make your holiday as carefree as possible – and even save you money in the long run – so that you can […]

It’s that time of year again in the southern hemisphere. The days are shorter, the nights are long and cold; dressing gowns and woolly jumpers have replaced sunblock and shorts. Another thing that is common in winter is the flu, so this article published on MoneyWeb seemed particularly apt for the season. According to the […]

Whatever you do, don’t forget Father’s Day, which is coming up in South Africa on Sunday, 18th June. After all that our dads have done for us, the least we can do is show them how much we care. And if your father is like many other fathers – in that he loves to save […]

Creating wealth is a long-term process that requires patience, resilience and a strong strategy that can weather the global investment storm that has been raging in recent times. As you embark, or continue, upon your journey to financial independence, it is important to wholly understand the investment landscape, or have an advisor you trust, in […]

When it comes to investments, it’s important to stay focused on the bigger picture – even though the effect of recent political events in South Africa may have you itching to move your investments out of the market and into cash. The instinct to do this arises from the fact that cash investments are readily […]

It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement, and help is at hand if saving for the future ever feels confusing or overwhelming. The key is to think like a wilderness explorer and always be prepared! Be open to what could happen in your autumn years. For example, if you live to the […]

In the aftermath of South Africa’s downgrade to junk status by two major ratings agencies, it is feared that the country will begin a self-reinforcing downward spiral. Until the end of 2016, Azar Jammine, the director and chief economist of Econometrix, felt that the nation was experiencing a “slow erosion, not a huge slump.” However, […]

A death is often a traumatic enough event, without the added burden of dealing with estate matters. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the costs related to death, especially the smaller fees that quickly add up. Consequently, loved ones sometimes find themselves in situations where they have to sell valuable assets in order to settle the outstanding […]