Category Archives: MARKET

(This is the last blog of three about biases and how they impact our financial planning, all published this month.) If you’ve ever walked away from a brilliant webinar or insightful podcast thinking, “Yes! I’m going to make a change,” and then done… nothing, welcome to the club! Change is hard. Not because we’re lazy,Continue reading “Transformation takes more than information”

If financial planning were just about logic, calculators would replace conversations. But as we all know, that’s not how life works. Your relationship with money isn’t built solely on maths; it’s built on meaning. And meaning is shaped by how we see the world, how we were raised, the communities we belong to, and whatContinue reading “Being “rational” isn’t always the goal”

FACT: It’s hard to see what we can’t see… One of the hardest truths to accept — in finance, relationships, and life — is that our thinking isn’t always as clear as we believe it is. We all have blind spots. Not because we’re foolish, but because we’re human. And, we don’t know… what weContinue reading “Blind spots we live with”

When it comes to financial planning, some goals can take decades to come to fruition. Retirement. Paying off a bond. Funding education. Leaving a legacy. Long-term goals matter; they guide our decisions and give us direction. But here’s the catch: they’re also really far away. And without smaller wins along the way, it’s easy toContinue reading “Short-term wins in long-term planning”

Want a better life? Be boring… Why?? Well, it can be argued that consistent, simple choices often lead to the most extraordinary outcomes! Here’s the thing: We don’t often celebrate the word “boring.” In a world that glorifies bold reinventions, dramatic success stories, and overnight transformations, being boring doesn’t exactly spark applause. But when itContinue reading “Is boring the new best thing?”

For many people, the word budget triggers an almost visceral reaction: restriction, rules, red ink, and the end of fun as you know it. It’s no wonder so many of us avoid it, procrastinate on it, or feel a twinge of shame every time it comes up. But what if we’ve been looking at budgetingContinue reading “A budget isn’t a cage – it’s a key”

At first glance, many people often think that diversification is a strategy that focuses on spreading their money around a bit. But it’s about so much more than that; it’s about intentional design, making sure your investments and financial structures work together to support your life goals. And this is where we encounter more complexContinue reading “Spotting gaps and overlaps”

We often hear investors say, “I’ve spread my risk — I’m well diversified.” But when we take a closer look, their portfolios tell a different story. We often find overlapping funds, highly correlated assets, exposure to similar sectors, or a long list of holdings that feel diverse but tend to move in the same directionContinue reading “Are you diversified… or just busy?”

Rebalancing doesn’t get much airtime. It doesn’t come with dramatic headlines or adrenaline-fueled decisions. But behind the scenes, it plays one of the most important roles in long-term investing: keeping your portfolio honest. Think of your portfolio like a garden. You plant with intention — a mix of investments that reflect your goals, your riskContinue reading “Why rebalancing your portfolio matters — and how it works”

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?Continue reading “Waiting for the “perfect” moment”

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 isContinue reading “Rethinking risk tolerance”

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,Continue reading “Diversification beyond investments”

When markets get turbulent or headlines turn grim, many people instinctively retreat to cash. It feels safe, predictable, tangible, and readily available. There’s no volatility, no chance of “losing” money overnight. And for certain purposes, cash is exactly what you need. It’s essential for covering short‑term expenses, building an emergency fund, or giving yourself flexibilityContinue reading “The adversary of cash”

If you’ve ever looked at your portfolio during a market crisis, like March 2020, you may have noticed something unsettling: everything seemed to fall at once. Stocks dropped. Bonds wobbled. Even “safe” assets felt shaky. It’s a scenario that can leave even experienced investors wondering, “Isn’t diversification supposed to protect me from this?” It’s aContinue reading “What if everything goes down at once?”

Tax season is stressful enough without someone trying to steal your refund, or your identity. Yet every year, as millions of people file their returns, scammers ramp up their efforts to cash in on confusion, fear, and urgency. From Australia’s AI‑powered phishing emails to fake SARS refund sites in South Africa and HMRC impersonators inContinue reading “How to spot tax‑season scams”

When markets get choppy, it’s natural to feel nervous. Everyone with a heart (and subsequent blood pressure…) will have a tinge of fear when volatility hits. You might see headlines shouting about “billions wiped off the market” or watch your portfolio dip and wonder if you should pull back until things settle. Again, you’re notContinue reading “Fasten your seatbelt”

When you look at your investment portfolio, it’s tempting to focus on what’s “winning” right now. You might notice one fund doing well and another lagging behind, and think: “Why am I holding on to this underperformer?” That’s a natural reaction, but it misses the point of diversification. In a properly diversified portfolio, there willContinue reading “Why patience is part of the plan”

When markets are stormy, it’s easy to question whether diversification still works. You might look at your portfolio and think, “Everything seems down; what was the point of spreading my money around?” Or during a market rally, you might wonder, “Wouldn’t I have been better off just putting everything in the top-performing stock or fund?”Continue reading “Why diversification still works — even when it doesn’t feel like it”

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 doContinue reading “Behavioural Economics 101”

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 theContinue reading “Cost isn’t just what you pay”

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 fromContinue reading “Dream big, plan better, live fully”

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 toContinue reading “Guided or manipulated?”

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 inContinue reading “What is fear costing you?”

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. InContinue reading “Safeguarding and compliance in your business”

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 howContinue reading “Where we’ve been…”

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 financialContinue reading “Your brain and your money”

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 howContinue reading “Personal values and goals”

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 smallerContinue reading “The law of diminishing returns”

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 beyondContinue reading “Choosing a trusted partnership”

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 outContinue reading “The holistic approach to life cover”

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 areContinue reading “Predictions, Plans, and the Power of Perspective”

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 advisersContinue reading “The cost of trust”

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 choicesContinue reading “It’s not accidental; it’s intentional.”

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 stewardsContinue reading “Raise a millionaire”

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 onContinue reading “Start small. Start today.”

Why do pessimistic views often sound so convincing? It’s an interesting phenomenon—when someone warns of an impending financial crash, we perk up, nod solemnly, and give their words the weight of wisdom. But when someone speaks of growth, opportunity, or prosperity, it can come across as naive or overly simplistic. Why is that? As humans,Continue reading “The pull of pessimism”

When we think about building wealth, running a business, or creating income opportunities, the question of pricing is one we all face. And while it might sound straightforward at first, it’s actually a deeply personal and complex challenge because no two people’s financial situations are exactly alike. Some professionals lean on qualifications and experience toContinue reading “The value of your time”

WHERE DO YOU ‘THINK’ YOU SHOULD BE? Reflecting on our progress is something we all do, but often without knowing it. Whether we’re aware of it or not, several times a day, we measure ourselves against something or someone—be it our past self, others, or some societal ideal. Whether it’s consciously deciding to check inContinue reading “Healthier benchmarks”

A will might not seem like the most exciting thing on your pre-vacation checklist, but it’s arguably one of the most important. Mark Twain once said, “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” It’s a confronting, yet profound reminder thatContinue reading “Sign that Will!”

Have you ever noticed how similar financial wellness is to physical health? Just as we visit doctors for regular check-ups, perhaps it’s time for a different kind of examination – one that focuses on your financial health! Let’s step into this unique doctor’s office together. Patient History Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? –Continue reading “Ready for a financial health checkup?”

You may not know this, but there is a joke in the investment world that October is the worst month in which to invest. It’s easy to get swept up in the seasonal chatter about how this month is supposedly more dangerous for the markets than others. But before diving into these claims, here areContinue reading “Market folklore or financial facts?”

When was the last time you worried about being bitten by a shark? Probably not recently, unless you’re an avid surfer. Here’s a fascinating statistic that might make you smile: sharks bite around 70 people annually, while New Yorkers bite approximately 1,600 people each year. Surprising, isn’t it?? This quirky comparison teaches us something profoundContinue reading “Once bitten…”

Imagine standing at the base of a snow-covered mountain, looking up at the debt that’s accumulated over the years. It feels overwhelming, doesn’t it? But here’s the good news: you’ve got two powerful tools at your disposal to tackle that mountain – the Debt Snowball and the Debt Avalanche.  Let’s explore these methods and seeContinue reading “The Snowball vs. The Avalanche”

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. One day, everything’s running smoothly – you’re hitting your stride at work, the kids are thriving, and you’ve finally started that healthy eating plan. The next day, a single word changes everything: Cancer. It’s a word that sends shivers down our spines, aContinue reading “The C-word”

In the first part of this series, we explored five essential rules for personal finance, inspired by “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated” by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack. The rules in the blog spoke to things like spending less than we earn, paying off credit card debt, save 10-20%Continue reading “Ten Rules – Part 2”

Whilst it’s easy to get lost in a sea of jargon, investment options, and conflicting advice, financial success doesn’t require a degree in economics or hours spent poring over market trends. In fact, according to Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack in their book The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated, everythingContinue reading “Ten Rules – Part 1”

Here’s one of the hardest (or least asked…) questions when it comes to financial planning:  “How much is enough?” It’s a simple question, but one that most people never stop to consider. We’re so caught up in the race for ‘more’ that we forget to ask ourselves why we’re running in the first place. It’sContinue reading “The freedom to live life on your terms”

Change is one of those things that we all know is necessary but often struggle with. Whether it’s a change in our spending habits, our health routines, or our approach to relationships, the process can be daunting. The desire to improve is there, but the path forward isn’t always clear or easy. This is whereContinue reading “Nudging, not judging”

Have you ever wondered why we spend so much time planning, even when we know that life rarely goes according to plan? It’s a curious thought, especially when it comes to financial planning. Carl Richards beautifully encapsulates this paradox: “In fact, the only thing we know for sure about any good financial plan the momentContinue reading “So, why do we plan?”

You know that feeling when you check your bank account and suddenly you’re thinking, “Hocus pocus, I’m brokus”? Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s like one minute you’re feeling on top of the world, and the next, poof! Your money’s vanished faster than a rabbit in a magician’s hat. But here’s the thing: our financesContinue reading “From Hocus Pocus to Financial Focus”