17 Nov Global Assets – Now is the Time
Posted at 02:44h in Offshore investing
Amid the current backdrop of unsettling noise, there's no time like the present to diversify into global assets. ...
Take a look at our latest articles listed below. If you’re in search of something on a particular topic, click on the category you’re interested in on the right or use the search function on the left.
17 Nov Advice for South Africans on investing offshore
Many South Africans are in a 'local is lekker' investment mood at the moment and who can blame them? ...
17 Nov Investing money advice – 10 simple, sensible tips
Investing money can be an intimidating experience. There are many choices and few certainties in the investment world. ...
17 Nov Personal financial plan: the greed vs fear equation
Even the most astute investors like Warren Buffet warn of the dangers of emotions in the investment process. ...
17 Nov Does mental bias mess with your investment decisions?
Posted at 02:34h in Investments
The potential investor’s mental biases or emotional make-up may be preventing the implementation of the plan. ...
17 Nov Strategic asset allocation: Why diversifying is key
Posted at 02:32h in Investments
Diversification helps investors hedge their bets against unforeseen circumstances and reduces exposure to volatility. ...
17 Nov Spread your assets to manage risk
Posted at 02:29h in Investments
For most investors, investment markets are quite complicated. However, there are really only four things in which you can invest your money: shares, bonds,...
17 Nov Investing – timing the markets
Posted at 02:22h in Investments
Few people, if any, can predict the top and bottom of the market with any degree of accuracy or consistency. ...
17 Nov Long-term investment strategies make good sense
Posted at 02:20h in Investments
When it comes to wealth building, long-term investment strategies hold the key to cumulative balance sheet growth. ...
17 Nov Is there such a thing as safe investing?
Posted at 02:18h in Investments
There are many safe investing strategies that aim to take the sting out of a volatile market. Let's take a look at three. ...
17 Nov Unit Trust Benefit vs Endowment?
Posted at 02:04h in Investments
Endowments and unit trusts are both popular after-tax investment vehicles, but how can you determine which one is most appropriate for you? ...
17 Nov Holiday home investment – beware the pitfalls
Posted at 02:03h in Investments
Prudent investors may wish to consider an alternative to outright ownership and take advantage of bargains. ...
17 Nov Medical Aid – Get Your Cover Early
Posted at 01:56h in Insurance
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. ...
17 Nov Retirement Annuity Fund Transfer – Should You Do It?
Posted at 01:52h in Retirement
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...
17 Nov Top Up Your Retirement Annuity with a Tax Break
Posted at 01:51h in Retirement
Forget about risky and expensive tax-dodging schemes. An RA can be a very tax-effective vehicle for investing. ...
17 Nov Best Retirement Fund Solution?
Posted at 01:49h in Retirement
A life cycle fund will provide an outcome without reference to your circumstances, requirements, risk appetite, market conditions or relative opportunities. ...
16 Nov Will your Company’s Group Retirement Plan give you Enough?
Posted at 12:53h in Retirement
It is your responsibility to provide your own retirement. Don’t be an ostrich and assume your company pension will be enough. ...
16 Nov Changing Retirement Legislation
Posted at 09:28h in Retirement
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...
16 Nov Retirement Fund Interventions Spell Good News
Posted at 09:25h in Retirement
No longer will employers need to motivate or educate employees about the importance of saving for retirement and contributing to a retirement fund. ...
16 Nov New Retirement Funds Rules put Plenty at Stake
Posted at 09:23h in Retirement
There is important news for all South Africans who are about to retire as well as those saving for their retirement. ...
16 Nov Inflation Retirement – No One is Immune
Posted at 09:18h in 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....
16 Nov Managing your Retirement Cash
Posted at 09:15h in Retirement
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...
16 Nov Maximise After Tax Cash Flow when Interest Rates are High
Posted at 09:13h in Retirement
After-tax cashflow changes in interest rates can adversely affect your after tax cash flow in differing ways depending on your circumstances. ...
16 Nov How Rate Hikes Affect Taxation of Your Nest Egg
Posted at 09:12h in Retirement
Increased interest rates favour investors who have money market and cash investments as they receive a better interest rate or return on their capital. ...
16 Nov Tax and Your Retirement
Posted at 09:10h in Retirement
Pensioners older than 65 who have an appropriately structured financial plan may now earn about R200,000 a couple and pay no tax. ...
16 Nov Effects of Inflation on Retirement Capital
Posted at 09:08h in Retirement
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....
16 Nov Low Interest Rates Effect on Retirement Capital
Posted at 09:04h in Retirement
For most of the working population in South Africa, the falling interest rate environment offers some relief amidst the financial turmoil. ...
16 Nov Strategies for retrenchment in South Africa
Posted at 08:57h in Retrenchment
Getting retrenched is never going to be easy. Maintaining a positive mindset is the most important skill to master. ...
16 Nov How to Cope with Retrenchment in a Positive Fashion
Posted at 08:54h in Retrenchment
It may be easy in theory. However, when the emotional reality hits, coping with retrenchment can knock the stuffing out of you....
16 Nov Retrenchment – Be Smart
Posted at 08:47h in Retrenchment
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....
16 Nov You can never save too much
Posted at 08:41h in Financial planning and advice
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...
16 Nov When is the right time to start saving for retirement?
If you plan to start saving later, later may never arrive. Reasons to delay saving are always readily available. ...
16 Nov Spending and saving
Posted at 08:37h in Financial planning and advice
How can examining your spending and saving help if investment volatility over the last 12 months has put your retirement plans under pressure? ...
16 Nov Don’t skimp on business continuity costs
Shareholders and business owners need to protect themselves as their businesses’ most important assets. The need for business assurance cannot be underestimated. ...
16 Nov Leave your business in safe hands
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...
16 Nov Business succession planning: keep your business going
Posted at 08:11h in Financial planning and advice
Business succession planning may not be high on your agenda but retirement is a fact of life for everyone....
16 Nov Tax Deductible Expenses – A Taxing Business!
Posted at 08:04h in Tax and duties
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....
16 Nov Travel Allowance Tax – Driving you To Distraction
Posted at 08:02h in Tax and duties
A travel allowance exists when your employer reimburses you for the business use of your own vehicle. ...
16 Nov Tax Saving Tip – that boosts Retirement Funds
Posted at 08:01h in Tax and duties
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...
16 Nov Trust Fund Basics – Losing Control
Posted at 07:57h in Trusts
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...
16 Nov Trust Funds – Securing your Assets
Posted at 07:46h in Trusts
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...
16 Nov Trusts and Estate Planning
Posted at 07:33h in Trusts
Trusts today perform a crucial role in protecting assets and are frequently recommended by estate planners. ...
16 Nov Financial Estate Planning – Beat Tax on Death
Posted at 07:25h in Wills
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”....
16 Nov Role of Executor – Don’t Burden Your Spouse
Before you appoint someone to the role of executor in your will, you should at least be aware of what is involved. ...
16 Nov Financial Plan Contents – Death is Inevitable so Plan for It
Posted at 06:56h in Wills
Sound financial plan contents should include financial considerations in both your lifetime and personal requirements on your death....
16 Nov Beneficiaries – Choose Who Gets Your Retirement Funds
Posted at 06:47h in Wills
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....
16 Nov Debt management: profit by curbing your borrowings
Posted at 06:25h in Financial planning and advice
While a lack of debt management can be financially crippling, there are certain occasions that require nearly all individuals to borrow money....
16 Nov How can a Retirement Fund Withdrawal decimate your hard-earned capital?
Posted at 06:20h in Retirement
Retirement fund withdrawal can cause unintended negative consequences for your future such as the destruction of your precious retirement capital. ...
16 Nov Retrenchment in South Africa
Posted at 06:18h in Retrenchment
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....
16 Nov Pension and Retirement Planning
Posted at 05:38h in Retirement
One of the most important items on your “to do” list when changing jobs is your exit from your company retirement fund. ...
17 Nov Joint financial planning
Joint financial planning creates an ideal opportunity to focus on turning short term hardships into long term successes. ...
17 Nov Financial planning for beginners
Posted at 03:20h in Financial planning and advice
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....
10 Aug Buying investment property? Sharpen your pencil!
Posted at 02:01h in Investments
When buying investment property there are three different types of property we can invest in, commercial, industrial and residential property. ...
29 Jun Financial planning annual review – 6 items to cover
Your annual check-up with the GP covers certain areas and so should your financial health check with your financial planner. ...
22 Jun Sleep easy with 10 simple steps to peace of mind
These 10 simple steps provide a lifetime guide and can help you better understand your financial goals and financial plan. ...
16 Jun Disability insurance pointers
Disability insurance cover protects your most valuable asset – your ability to earn a living over an extended period of time. ...
01 Jun Finding a financial advisor (and when to fire one)
Posted at 02:51h in Financial planning and advice
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....
24 May Business debt reduction, settlement and debt relief
Posted at 08:08h in Financial planning and advice
The most important aspect of managing business debt in times of strife is to communicate openly and honestly with all your creditors. ...
17 May Teaching money to kids
Posted at 03:22h in Financial planning and advice
According to a recent survey, over 90% of children ranked their parents as their primary financial educator. ...
10 May What is key man insurance?
Posted at 08:09h in Financial planning and advice
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...
04 May Diversify investments across asset classes
Posted at 02:26h in Investments
An asset class is a group of investments that display similar characteristics. The four main asset classes are: shares, bonds, property and cash. ...
27 Apr Active vs passive investing uncovered
Posted at 02:15h in Investments
Index investing (another name for passive investing) is an investment strategy which aims to replicate the performance of a particular index. ...
20 Apr Investment strategy: buy and hold still works
Posted at 02:16h in Investments
The trick to long-term value creation is devising an investment strategy that fits your requirements, and then sticking to it. ...
12 Apr The right financial planning can preserve your assets on divorce
In our experience, a badly drafted divorce agreement can increase resentment levels over time and can result in mutual financial wealth destruction. ...
17 Nov What generation are you? Differences in personal investment decisions
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....
27 Oct Potential perils of a switch to money market
Posted at 02:13h in Investments
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...
19 Jan How to reduce investment risk
The need to reduce investment risk varies from one individual to another depending on your circumstances and goals. ...
31 Aug Don’t let investment costs deter you
Posted at 02:24h in Investments
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. ...
19 Aug A balancing act on the stock market
Posted at 02:30h in Investments
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...
24 Jul Annual review of your company retirement fund
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...
31 May Index investing – is it safe to fly on autopilot?
Posted at 02:21h in Investments
In SA, index investing accounts for about 5% of assets under management in life assurance, unit trusts and retirement portfolios. ...
29 Apr Avoiding the pitfalls of small business shareholdings
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...
22 Jan Your annual investment stock-take
You and your financial planner should do a stock-take of your portfolio of assets, liabilities and investments every year. ...
20 Nov Make sure your life insurance numbers add up before you cancel
Posted at 03:05h in Insurance
When considering a change in life insurance, ensure that you are given and understand a full comparison of the old and new policies. ...
23 Oct Help your financial planner to help you
Successful investors understand that financial planning is a life-long process achieved in close partnership with their financial planner. ...
17 Oct How to tame the wild within and invest your money wisely
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....
09 Oct Life cover – put on your financial armour
Posted at 03:07h in Insurance
Churchill has a famous quote attributed to him about the importance of insurance that for a small sacrifice would secure against catastrophe. ...
25 Sep Financial planning advice is no longer a luxury
Posted at 02:52h in Financial planning and advice
Financial planning is one of the few professions that needs to take a proactive role in the client relationship. ...
28 Aug Hedge fund tactics: Hedging your bets against volatility
Hedge funds offer protection when the market moves down and may be used in your investment portfolio to increase and improve diversification. ...
19 Jun Investment in property: Not just bricks and mortar
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....
21 May Beware the pitfalls of signing personal surety
When it comes to personal surety, the biggest danger to your finances can be your wealth. Here’s how the paradox works. ...
09 Apr Getting Married – Beware the Pitfalls of the Nuptials
Getting married is way more than just the ceremony. It is critical that the un-romantic financial issues are discussed before the wedding arrangements. ...
- 1
- 2