17 Nov Global Assets – Now is the Time
Amid the current backdrop of unsettling noise, there's no time like the present to diversify into global assets. ...
Amid the current backdrop of unsettling noise, there's no time like the present to diversify into global assets. ...
Many South Africans are in a 'local is lekker' investment mood at the moment and who can blame them? ...
Investing money can be an intimidating experience. There are many choices and few certainties in the investment world. ...
Even the most astute investors like Warren Buffet warn of the dangers of emotions in the investment process. ...
The potential investor’s mental biases or emotional make-up may be preventing the implementation of the plan. ...
Diversification helps investors hedge their bets against unforeseen circumstances and reduces exposure to volatility. ...
For most investors, investment markets are quite complicated. However, there are really only four things in which you can invest your money: shares, bonds,...
Few people, if any, can predict the top and bottom of the market with any degree of accuracy or consistency. ...
When it comes to wealth building, long-term investment strategies hold the key to cumulative balance sheet growth. ...
There are many safe investing strategies that aim to take the sting out of a volatile market. Let's take a look at three. ...
Endowments and unit trusts are both popular after-tax investment vehicles, but how can you determine which one is most appropriate for you? ...
Prudent investors may wish to consider an alternative to outright ownership and take advantage of bargains. ...
Medical aid membership should be an important part of everyone’s financial planning. As costs can be significant it's important to join a scheme early. ...
Until recently, members of an RA fund backed by one of the life assurers were in many instances not allowed to transfer to another RA...
Forget about risky and expensive tax-dodging schemes. An RA can be a very tax-effective vehicle for investing. ...
A life cycle fund will provide an outcome without reference to your circumstances, requirements, risk appetite, market conditions or relative opportunities. ...
It is your responsibility to provide your own retirement. Don’t be an ostrich and assume your company pension will be enough. ...
In a country where government funding for retirees is not high on the priority list, personal retirement fund savings need all the help they can...
No longer will employers need to motivate or educate employees about the importance of saving for retirement and contributing to a retirement fund. ...
There is important news for all South Africans who are about to retire as well as those saving for their retirement. ...
Even though inflation fallen significantly over the past few years, it is still most investor’s enemy number one. It can still erode wealth over time....
The purpose of a living annuity is to provide an income for life. It’s up to you to determine the amount you would like to...
After-tax cashflow changes in interest rates can adversely affect your after tax cash flow in differing ways depending on your circumstances. ...
Increased interest rates favour investors who have money market and cash investments as they receive a better interest rate or return on their capital. ...
Pensioners older than 65 who have an appropriately structured financial plan may now earn about R200,000 a couple and pay no tax. ...
Although the intention to leave money to our children is a noble one, the effects of inflation are the biggest enemy to anyone’s financial plan....
For most of the working population in South Africa, the falling interest rate environment offers some relief amidst the financial turmoil. ...
Getting retrenched is never going to be easy. Maintaining a positive mindset is the most important skill to master. ...
It may be easy in theory. However, when the emotional reality hits, coping with retrenchment can knock the stuffing out of you....
If you are unfortunate to be included in cost-cutting exercise, have the presence of mind to carefully consider your exit from your company retirement fund....
In all my time of advising clients, I have not once been sued by a client for advising him or her to put away more...
If you plan to start saving later, later may never arrive. Reasons to delay saving are always readily available. ...
How can examining your spending and saving help if investment volatility over the last 12 months has put your retirement plans under pressure? ...
Shareholders and business owners need to protect themselves as their businesses’ most important assets. The need for business assurance cannot be underestimated. ...
Business owners and entrepreneurs thrive in times of change, yet many fail to plan for the time when they need to hand over the reins...
Business succession planning may not be high on your agenda but retirement is a fact of life for everyone....
The law allows us to deduct any expense incurred in the production of income. Proving the tax deduction with relevant paperwork trips up most taxpayers....
A travel allowance exists when your employer reimburses you for the business use of your own vehicle. ...
Forget about risky and expensive tax avoidance schemes touted to save you tax. My tax saving tip is a bargain and is guaranteed by the...
A trust fund is essentially a collection of assets and liabilities vesting in the trustees to be administered by them in terms of the trust...
Tax law revisions have meant that trust funds are less attractive than they have been in the past. Despite this fact, they still have a...
Trusts today perform a crucial role in protecting assets and are frequently recommended by estate planners. ...
Why is financial estate planning important? Well, there is truth in Benjamin Franklin’s saying “In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes”....
Before you appoint someone to the role of executor in your will, you should at least be aware of what is involved. ...
Sound financial plan contents should include financial considerations in both your lifetime and personal requirements on your death....
The trustees of your retirement fund are obliged to ensure that your dependants are beneficiaries of your retirement savings in the event of your death....
While a lack of debt management can be financially crippling, there are certain occasions that require nearly all individuals to borrow money....
Retirement fund withdrawal can cause unintended negative consequences for your future such as the destruction of your precious retirement capital. ...
If you are unfortunate to be included in the cost-cutting exercises, have the presence of mind to consider your exit from your company retirement fund....
One of the most important items on your “to do” list when changing jobs is your exit from your company retirement fund. ...
Joint financial planning creates an ideal opportunity to focus on turning short term hardships into long term successes. ...
Breaking in to the 'adult' world is a scary journey when you are first confronted with the reality of providing for your own financial needs....
When buying investment property there are three different types of property we can invest in, commercial, industrial and residential property. ...
Your annual check-up with the GP covers certain areas and so should your financial health check with your financial planner. ...
These 10 simple steps provide a lifetime guide and can help you better understand your financial goals and financial plan. ...
Disability insurance cover protects your most valuable asset – your ability to earn a living over an extended period of time. ...
There is much to be said for receiving quality written advice from a CFP®, but you should also know when it's time to move on....
The most important aspect of managing business debt in times of strife is to communicate openly and honestly with all your creditors. ...
According to a recent survey, over 90% of children ranked their parents as their primary financial educator. ...
A company usually takes out key man insurance on the life of an employee with the proceeds going to the company in the event of...
An asset class is a group of investments that display similar characteristics. The four main asset classes are: shares, bonds, property and cash. ...
Index investing (another name for passive investing) is an investment strategy which aims to replicate the performance of a particular index. ...
The trick to long-term value creation is devising an investment strategy that fits your requirements, and then sticking to it. ...
In our experience, a badly drafted divorce agreement can increase resentment levels over time and can result in mutual financial wealth destruction. ...
Understanding the mindsets and characteristics of different generations may go a long way to helping us figure out why people do the things they do....
While it is human nature to try to avoid losses, we usually do more harm than good when switching from equities to cash/money market in...
The need to reduce investment risk varies from one individual to another depending on your circumstances and goals. ...
In recent years investment costs and product fees have come under the spotlight with a move towards more transparently costed and easier-to-understand products. ...
Last Friday the JSE all-share index fell 4.02% resulting in panic among stock market investors. However, it’s crucial that this drop should be seen in...
In the light of changes in the legislative framework surrounding retirement funds and lump-sum benefits, it is important to review the structure and benefits of...
In SA, index investing accounts for about 5% of assets under management in life assurance, unit trusts and retirement portfolios. ...
Many people's ownership interest in a business is usually in the form of a shareholding in a private company, or a member’s interest in a...
You and your financial planner should do a stock-take of your portfolio of assets, liabilities and investments every year. ...
When considering a change in life insurance, ensure that you are given and understand a full comparison of the old and new policies. ...
Successful investors understand that financial planning is a life-long process achieved in close partnership with their financial planner. ...
Human beings may be the only species that invests money, but the way we conduct our financial affairs often bears close resemblance to animal behaviour....
Churchill has a famous quote attributed to him about the importance of insurance that for a small sacrifice would secure against catastrophe. ...
Financial planning is one of the few professions that needs to take a proactive role in the client relationship. ...
Hedge funds offer protection when the market moves down and may be used in your investment portfolio to increase and improve diversification. ...
History has shown us that in the medium to long term, investment in property and equities offers the best returns of all the asset classes....
When it comes to personal surety, the biggest danger to your finances can be your wealth. Here’s how the paradox works. ...
Getting married is way more than just the ceremony. It is critical that the un-romantic financial issues are discussed before the wedding arrangements. ...