My last article highlighted six main factors that affect the strength of the rand. It’s been really well read and seems to be quite a frequently asked question. Further effects of the exchange rate fluctuations are felt in offshore investments. Today I’d like to take a look at the considerations that a change in currency makes on offshore investment portfolio considerations. In the same article from Discovery’s website, they looked at three investment portfolio scenarios that […]
Continue readingMore Tag
NECESSITIES, NICETIES AND NOT-JUST-YETS…
BREAKDOWN YOUR EXPENSES It’s hard not to notice how fast our current economic landscape is changing. Jobs are harder to get, and harder to keep. Although things may look tough for everyone else, they don’t have to for you! How is this possible?With wise and creative financial planning! I’d like to share with you how you can begin approaching your monthly budget in an objective manner. I call it the Three N’s. Basically you break down your expenses […]
Continue readingMore Tag
END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS
A PENNY SAVED… If you’ve heard this saying used once too many, then you’re not alone! But the truth is, it’s right on the money. The best way to accrue wealth is to save and invest in a combination of short, medium and long-term options. As we mentioned in a previous article, diversification is a key element to a successful investment portfolio, but how do you start to save pockets of money to direct into these […]
Continue readingMore Tag
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE STORM?
Bruce Cameron, finance writer for Personal Finance, recently published an article highlighting the concerning statistics that most South Africans, who are currently employed, may be seriously under-assured for death or disability cover. His opening paragraph reads as follows: “The vast majority of 13 million employed South Africans are ignoring the fact that, if they die prematurely or are permanently disabled, their families will not be able to maintain their standard of living – in fact, most […]
Continue readingMore Tag
DON’T FALL INTO THE DEBT PIT IN THE NEW YEAR
UNNECESSARY LOANS IN JANUARY At the start of a brand new year many South Africans face a long wait for salaries at month-end and overspending during the festive season leads to borrowing to cover small shortfalls, which may quickly snowball into a bigger problem. “Many people think that borrowing money to help them get through the first few months of the year will be a quick fix solution, however, taking out a loan or using credit […]
Continue readingMore Tag
DO YOU NEED A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?
Iona Minton The profession of financial planning is relatively new, the average pensioner will tell you that in their youth financial planning was not even a recognisable term. During and after the Second World War the depression made it virtually impossible for most people to make ends meet, let alone have surplus money to invest. Access to financial advisors was the domain of the super rich. As the world settled down to growth and prosperity and […]
Continue readingMore Tag
THE COST OF CANCER
Every year countries throughout the world dedicate the month of October to raising awareness around Breast Cancer. Cancer has increased exponentially and is, in many cases, treatable – at a cost; making cancer a life, health and personal finance issue. There are very few families in South Africa that have not had one or more members diagnosed with some form of cancer. Recently I read an email from Money Marketing that highlighted some of the statistics […]
Continue readingMore Tag
COMMON FINANCIAL PLANNING MISTAKES | PART THREE
HINDSIGHT IS ALWAYS 20:20 If a person has perfect vision is both eyes, they are considered to have 20:20 vision. Whilst we can not always predict what will happen in the future, it’s always seems to easy to see the things that have happened with great clarity. Hence, when we look back, events seem so much clearer than prior to their happening. As part three of our articles on common mistakes in financial planning, (catch up […]
Continue readingMore TagCOMMON FINANCIAL PLANNING MISTAKES | PART TWO
DON’T PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET Whilst you may not be investing in eggs, this centuries-old wisdom applies wholeheartedly to modern day investments. As part two of last week’s article, let me quickly remind you that whatever your goals, unless you win the lotto, you will not move passed average unless you fully understand the elements that contribute to wealth and abundance. I have a list of 7 common pitfalls in the financial journey […]
Continue readingMore TagCOMMON FINANCIAL PLANNING MISTAKES | PART ONE
LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP. It’s a phrase spoken often to the young and exuberant, but one that we forget still applies as we get older… It is reasonable to assume that you desire financial success for yourself and your family and you may even have your sights set on becoming fabulously wealthy. Some of us dive right in and others keep dreaming. Whatever your goals, unless you win the lotto, you will not move passed average […]
Continue readingMore Tag