The truth doesn’t cost you anything, but a lie could cost you everything. Unknown Your financial situation can be a complex issue to approach. However, the more we talk about it, the more open the conversation becomes and the easier it is to broach uncomfortable subjects. Debt.. life cover.. estate planning.. If you are feeling a bit squeamish right now then maybe it’s time for that chat. Before making any big decisions you should consult the […]
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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 investors some hard lessons with recent stock market crashes. But what about an upswing? What do you do when the markets recover […]
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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 decisions or changes to our financial plans as emotions are often running extremely high during times of transitions and our stress levels […]
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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One of South Africa’s most contentious laws regarding annuities states that a retirement fund may not be completely withdrawn in a lump sum, but a minimum of two thirds must be invested into a compulsory living annuity in an attempt to aid preservation of retirement money.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 are well informed about their retirement money sometimes forget this element of their annuities. Then along came the Coronavirus pandemic with global […]
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A thriving balance
Yoga is not for the flexible, it’s for the willing. Unknown Yoga can seem like a whole lot of nothing doing, but that couldn’t be further from reality. It is grounded with intention, challenging both the mind and the body, and many would describe it as a spiritual experience too. While practicing yoga, practitioners seek to transform positively towards a healthier version of themselves. When it comes to our finances and investment practices, it is equally […]
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Words that will make (or cost) you money
Communication around your finances is crucial if you want to be more mindful and intentional around wealth creation. There are some conversations that will help you ascribe meaning to your money, and these should happen early on in your planning process (and regularly thereafter). Then there are conversations that will facilitate the actioning of your financial plan and will be important when you need to make changes to your portfolio. Here is a quick guide to […]
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It’s a marathon, not a sprint
Everything you ever wanted to know about yourself you can learn in 26.2 miles. Lori Culnane Investing can be a lot like running a marathon. It’s not just about knowing the markets, it’s also about knowing yourself. What sort of risks are you willing to take? How quickly do you expect to cross the finish line? In order to know yourself you need to invest in yourself. Where are your strengths and weaknesses, where can you […]
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Hold onto your life cover
Sometimes it feels like this conversation is a broken record, constantly going round and around on the same track: people the world over are feeling the financial pinch and tightening belts. It’s not just a local issue, and it’s not a new concern. A few minutes on Instagram or Twitter will reveal just how many are building their third, fourth or fifth ‘side hustle’. This is partly because our internet age has made alternative streams of […]
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Finding the fungibility in commodities
Depending on your level of investing savvy, you may or may not be comfortable with the term ‘commodities’. As our global systems currently enter one of the toughest times experienced in over a hundred years, you may hear this term bandied about a fair amount. Essentially, commodities are the basic building blocks of the global economy, upon which most other goods are created. They fall into two broad categories – hard and soft. Hard commodities are […]
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Building a resilient approach
You can keep going and your legs might hurt for a week or you can quit and your mind will hurt for a lifetime. Mark Allen Unforeseen life events create uncertainty within us, which takes its toll on us – emotionally, mentally, physically and financially! It can lead us to feeling like we are trying to cope by any means possible. It makes us feel as though we don’t have a choice in the matter, or […]
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