The practice of storytelling is ubiquitous among cultures all across the globe. Sometimes we seem to forget the power that a story can hold over people. We use stories to make sense of our world and to share that understanding with others. When it comes to something as important as finance it is important thatContinue reading “Don’t spend based on other people’s income”
Category Archives: Blog
What the low interest rate means for you
In light of the difficult times recently, Southern Africa has been awash in low interest rates. When South Africa significantly cut its base interest rate from an already-low 6.25% down to 4.25%, it officially became the lowest interest rate the country has ever had. In late 2019, the Bank of Namibia’s Monetary Policy Committee reducedContinue reading “What the low interest rate means for you”
Ways to save when times are tough
Most of us are chronic under-savers even in the best of times. Yet with the current economic environment, lots of previously hypothetical concepts like ‘what if I’m retrenched or have my salary cut?’ are far more concrete – and, unfortunately, more likely to happen. There’s never been a time when saving is more important, butContinue reading “Ways to save when times are tough”
Cold hard cash
Debt statistics are growing – this is very likely in part to the fact that a vast majority of us today prefer credit cards over cash. The benefits of credit cards are obvious. They are more convenient and offer more security. Cold, hard cash, however, can be the best way to organize your spending. HereContinue reading “Cold hard cash”
Three ways to thrash your debt
Effectively managing your debt is one of the best and most proactive ways of ensuring a sustainable financial future. It is deeply gratifying knowing that you’re doing something right when you see your debt shrinking! The journey of exploring the best ways to manage your debt can improve your attitude and enthusiasm towards settling it.Continue reading “Three ways to thrash your debt”
Are you a savings statistic?
Most Sub-Saharan African countries are chronic ‘dis-savers’. But, you don’t have to be. Before we look at the options, let’s take a snapshot of recent events. Last July, the South African Savings Institute gave the country a wakeup call when it said that the average household rate had fallen from 0.5% per month in 2018Continue reading “Are you a savings statistic?”
The long haul
Saving is not just about a plan – it’s a behaviour. Part of this behaviour is rooted in our mental ability to overcome our own fears. We reduce these fears by mentally preparing for life goals and recognising that we have what it takes to achieve them. Mentally preparing for long term savings is likeContinue reading “The long haul”
Soup’s on ain’t a soupçon!
As the days draw shorter, the sun stays hidden for longer and the colder weather encourages us to hibernate away, coupled with constrained financial conditions, we can be forgiven for falling into the trap of thinking smaller, trying to save both money and energy. When it comes to cooking for the family – here’s aContinue reading “Soup’s on ain’t a soupçon!”
When Rona hits your wallet
Whilst we may try our best to keep our bodies safe from the flu – we may overlook the sluggish money myalgia that can hit us around this time too! You might have financial flu… Every winter our communities are hit by different strains of coronavirus (root of the common cold and flu). COVID-19 isContinue reading “When Rona hits your wallet”
How to emotionally distance when investing in tough times
Current investors have seen more ‘interesting times’, more black swans and market freefalls, than any other generation gone before. From the 2008 global financial crisis, followed by the longest bull run in history, to Brexit, several downgrades for South Africa and then the COVID-19 pandemic, today’s investors have run the gamut. Their emotions have runContinue reading “How to emotionally distance when investing in tough times”
Tips for when markets recover
The last few years have seen more market volatility than anyone could have predicted, with the icing on the cake being the COVID-19 pandemic. But the best and worst thing about markets is their cyclical nature. All markets recover, eventually. We know what to do when there’s a downturn and experience has taught many investorsContinue reading “Tips for when markets recover”
Mid-Year Money Check
Many of us only look at our financial plan when we receive a windfall (this is not often…) or when things go terribly wrong. It could be the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one or another crisis (like a global lockdown…). These aren’t necessarily the best times to make investment decisionsContinue reading “Mid-Year Money Check”
Living annuities and how they affect your living
Oh, the ironies of life… One of South Africa’s most contentious laws regarding annuities states that a retirement fund may not be completely withdrawn in a lump sum, but a minimum of two thirds must be invested into a compulsory living annuity in an attempt to aid preservation of retirement money. Even those who areContinue reading “Living annuities and how they affect your living”
Does your wealth creation strategy need more love?
February is the month of love, but it’s also the first real month of the year for most of us, once we’ve got back into our routines and come back to grips with life after the holidays in January. As a result, you may be thinking of how to get your 2020 goals going, especiallyContinue reading “Does your wealth creation strategy need more love?”
Coffee, makes you think
After owing its name to the mindful Fransciscan monks, the Capuchin friars, many of us overlook our daily cappuccino (or other frothy delight) and how much we spend on these little luxuries in life. One of the best ways to add meaning to our money is to be mindful about how we spend it, andContinue reading “Coffee, makes you think”
The RA-minder
For many, the way in which we save and invest is not a daily conversation, so it’s easy to forget what we have in place AND WHY we have it in place. Here’s a quick reminder! An RA… or Retirement Annuity is one such product that can often confuse many. RAs have been around forContinue reading “The RA-minder”
What you need to know about the new ‘expat tax’
One of the hardest aspects of working with tax and tax law is that the rules change slightly every year – making it tricky dice to roll without an expert on your team. There will be a new law soon that legislates how much tax you as a South African must pay on money youContinue reading “What you need to know about the new ‘expat tax’”
Share the love with your wallet
Is it time for some romance without the rands? You can sweep someone off their feet whilst keeping yours on the ground. Valentine’s Day has gained the reputation of being a Hallmark holiday that promotes Lindt rather than love. Ahead of rushing off to the shops to buy a big bunch of flowers or boxContinue reading “Share the love with your wallet”
What’s the state of your budget?
Each year we are presented with our president’s State of the Nation address and the finance minister’s budget speech around the same time. The SONA is closely linked to how money is spent; it’s a powerful reminder for us to consider the close link between our lives and our budgets! Good finances begin and endContinue reading “What’s the state of your budget?”
Shan Nissiotis 