Category: MARKET

There’s a story many investors tell themselves: “I’ll wait until things calm down.” Or “Let me just see what the market does after the next election.” Or “Now isn’t the right time, I’ll invest when things look better.” It sounds sensible. After all, no one wants to invest right before a downturn. But the reality? […]

Most people think of risk tolerance as a score, something you get from ticking boxes on a questionnaire. Conservative. Balanced. Aggressive. Or a mixed blend. However, the truth is that risk tolerance isn’t static. It’s not a number etched in stone or a label that defines you forever. It’s a living, evolving measure that is […]

When we hear the word “diversification,” most of us think of investments, spreading money across different asset classes, industries, or markets to reduce risk. And for good reason. Diversification is one of the core principles of sound investing. But what if we zoomed out? What if diversification wasn’t just something we did with our portfolios, […]

Why don’t we always do what’s “best” with our money? Let’s be honest: most of us already know what we’re “supposed” to do with our money. But we don’t do it. Spend less than we earn. Save consistently. Invest for the long term. Avoid unnecessary debt. So why don’t we always do it? Why do […]

The true cost of a dollar, Rand or pound (or whatever you’re earning in) is not just what you earn. It’s what you give up to earn it. On paper, your salary might seem straightforward. $75,000 a year. £5,000 a month. R250 an hour. But those figures don’t tell the full story. What if the […]

Financial freedom quickly become reduced to a number, a target income, a certain lifestyle, or a retirement account that signals “you’ve made it.” But in reality, it’s more nuanced than that. It’s not just about what you have, it’s about how you feel. It’s about the sense of control, clarity, and calm that comes from […]

Good advice has always been about helping people make wise choices. But in the age of behavioural finance, there’s a new layer to consider: how we help people make those choices. Enter the concept of “nudging.” A nudge is a subtle prompt designed to steer someone toward a better decision, without removing their freedom to […]

Most of us like to think we’re being practical with our money. We weigh up the risks, run the numbers, and avoid decisions that feel too uncertain. But here’s a thought: what if what we call “practical” is sometimes just fear in disguise? It’s easy to equate safety with staying put. Leaving your money in […]

Let’s be honest, when most people hear the words “compliance” or “safeguarding,” they don’t exactly light up with excitement. These terms might sound like they belong in boardrooms or legal documents, far removed from the day-to-day decisions you’re making about your financial future. But here’s the truth: they matter more than you might think. In […]

HOW IT INFLUENCES YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING Money is universal. But our relationship with it? That’s deeply personal, shaped by a multitude of factors ranging from age and life experience to cultural influences and socioeconomic status. Remember, it’s not just about the numbers. It’s also about who we are and where we come from. Understanding how […]

HOW BIOLOGY SHAPES YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING It’s easy to think of financial decision-making as purely rational. After all, money is all about numbers, right? But what if the way we handle money has as much to do with biology as it does with strategy? What if our brains and bodies are constantly influencing our financial […]

HOW THEY INFLUENCE YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING What would your financial life look like if it truly reflected your values? It’s a question worth asking because, when it comes down to it, money is just a tool. And like any tool, its value lies in how you use it and the purpose it serves. But how […]

We live in a world where more is often seen as better: more money, more investments, more security, more financial strategies. But what if there comes a point where adding more doesn’t necessarily add value? The law of diminishing returns suggests that beyond a certain point, additional effort or resources result in smaller and smaller […]

At first glance, it seems obvious why someone would seek out a financial adviser or planner; to make smarter money decisions! But if that were the only reason, personal finance books and online calculators would have made financial planners obsolete long ago. The reality is that the true value of an adviser goes far beyond […]

When it comes to life insurance, one of the most common questions people ask is: How much cover do I actually need? While the typical rule of thumb suggests between 10 to 15 times your annual salary, the real answer depends on your unique circumstances, responsibilities, and financial goals. Rather than picking a number out […]

If history has taught us anything, it’s that predicting the future—especially when it comes to markets—is an exercise in futility. Every year, analysts, economists, and investment strategists make bold forecasts about where stocks will land, how interest rates will shift, and what geopolitical events will shake the financial world. And every year, those predictions are […]

Financial advice is about more than just investments and returns—it’s about trust. And one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of that trust is how you pay for your financial advice. It’s a conversation that affects every investor, expat, and retiree, regardless of where they are in the world. Broadly speaking, financial advisers […]

No one stumbles into wealth by accident. Even those who win the lottery often find themselves broke again within a few years. It’s also not about trying to cut back on your take-out coffee. Financial success isn’t about luck, and it’s not about making one perfect decision that changes everything. It’s about consistent, intentional choices […]

Raising financially responsible children who may one day become the next “Millionaire Next Door” is less about complex financial strategies and more about small, intentional lessons woven into everyday life. It starts with recognising that children learn more from what we do than what we say. If we want them to grow into thoughtful stewards […]

When it comes to financial success, many people fall into the trap of waiting for the “perfect moment” to start. “I’ll save when I earn more,” or “I’ll invest when the markets feel safer,” are common refrains. But here’s the thing: there’s rarely a perfect moment. Success isn’t built on monumental leaps; it’s built on […]