Financial Planning – Jamie Hilsdon

Why you need life cover if you have a bond

When applying for a home loan, one vital aspect to carefully consider is life cover or mortgage protection cover. This will ensure that you can continue to provide your dependants with a roof over their head if you pass away, or become disabled and cannot work. If you are the main income earner, but don’t […]

Business assurance matters

It is highly advisable that anyone who runs their own business takes out business assurance, which is a broad term for a range of life assurance products that are designed to cover various scenarios and requirements. Running a successful business often takes considerable financial investment, but many business owners fail to plan for what happens […]

International Day of Families

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 15th May should be observed each year as the International Day of Families. The aim of this annual observance is to increase awareness of family-related issues, and to help countries to tackle these problems with comprehensive policies. The United Nations states that this day “reflects the […]

Life has three constants

Navigating today’s complex world can be challenging, and acting in an effective manner can help you to thrive in our current reality. However, research has shown that many people are not thriving in modern times or feeling fulfilled. Every individual has the potential for greatness but, in order to excel in our environment, we may […]

Working towards a better future

The public holidays just keep on coming this month! From Freedom Day, we have quickly made our way to Labour Day tomorrow, Tuesday, 1st May — and who couldn’t love all these tributes to the human spirit and the notable events that have changed the course of history? Somewhat ironically, to celebrate this International Worker’s […]

8 Behaviours for Financial Freedom

“Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau The opening sentence of The Social Contract, by revolutionary thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau, is still just as pertinent today as it was in the 18th century. The book highlights man’s journey from a state of autonomy to the modern condition, which is arguably […]

Benefits of behavioural coaching and your finances

A Barclays Wealth study found that people improved substantially in investment decisions as they got older. When people are young — and perhaps less secure in their financial situation — a tendency has been recognised to be controlled by emotional biases that can be detrimental to investment habits. Behavioural economists refer to some typical flaws […]

5 tips to avoid making bad investment moves

While no one has a ball of fortune with which to predict the future, there are some common mistakes that many investors make, which can be avoided. The basics of investing can seem relatively simple, but it is important to set emotions aside in order to maintain an objective strategy that will benefit you in […]

In sickness and in health | Disability Cover

A study conducted a few years ago on behalf of the Association for Savings and Investments in South Africa indicated that over 12 million of the country’s workforce were underinsured in terms of life and disability cover. Furthermore, reviews by various insurance companies highlighted that this shortfall fell primarily in the realm of disability cover. […]

Health For All

The World Health Organisation (WHO) was founded on 7th April 1948, and this date is celebrated every year as World Health Day, with the goal of drawing attention to a specific global health concern. Last year, the focus of the campaign was to mobilise action with regards to depression, and the theme for this year […]

Know your rights

Human Rights Day is celebrated annually in South Africa on 21st March, and is arguably one of the country’s most important public holidays. The commemoration of this day serves as a reminder to all citizens of the country’s struggle for democracy, and the sacrifices that were made on everyone’s behalf to attain the basic rights […]

How does income protection work?

Being unable to temporarily – or permanently – work as a result of a serious illness or injury can put a serious strain on your financial well-being. In this day and age, an income protection policy can, therefore, prove vital, as it ensures that you will receive tax-free monthly payments if you ever cannot work. […]

Make the most of public holidays

Arguably, one of the best things about spring in South Africa — apart from the pleasant weather and the abundance of Easter eggs — is the public holidays! Many people in South Africa work very hard. Legislation regarding the Basic Conditions of Employment dictate that employees are entitled to 21 consecutive days of annual paid […]

How to avoid the retirement crisis

South Africa is currently in the midst of what is widely referred to as a ‘retirement crisis’, which could intensify if the issue isn’t addressed properly soon. After a period of excellent investment returns that have, up until recently, somewhat masked the fact that retirees in living annuities haven’t saved enough, local retirement fund members […]

Hooray for RAs

Retirement Annuities (RAs) have been around for a long time, and are basically private pension plans that help you to save for retirement. As we near the end of yet another tax year, we move into a period that is often referred to as RA season, which is a good time to weigh up the […]

Prepare for additional tax increases next year

Towards the end of 2017, President Zuma instructed South Africa’s minister of finance, Malusi Gigaba, to resolve economic challenges after Standard & Poor’s lowered both the country’s long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings by one notch on Friday, 24th November. A statement was released about the measures that would need to be taken to […]

Is a tax-free savings account the best option for you?

Many South Africans have started taking advantage of Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), which were established by the government as an easy and safe way for citizens to increase their savings. When investing in a TFSA, you won’t be taxed on any growth on your investment — you won’t pay tax on dividends, interest or […]

Attainable financial resolutions for 2018

Can you remember what resolutions you made last January? Or for how long you kept them? The trouble with resolutions is that they’re often made half-heartedly, in an annual acknowledgment of our inadequacies and a cursory attempt at self-improvement. Once the hazy days of the holiday season are over and we are faced with the […]

Tread Lightly this Christmas

It’s easy for Christmas to turn into a frenzied flurry of wasteful consumerism, and to find ourselves knee-deep in ripped-up wrapping paper that we discard in a hurry before Christmas lunch. But before you fill black bin bags with gift tags and empty jars of cranberry sauce, pause for a second to think about how […]

Wealth tax for national healing?

Saturday, 16th December is an important day in the South African calendar as it marks the Day of Reconciliation. The significance dates back to two events in history. The first of these was in 1838, when the Battle of Blood River took place, and 470 Voortrekkers (who had the advantage of gunpowder) defeated the 10,000-strong […]

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