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 the number you think you earn is hiding the real cost of how you earn it? This is the idea behind a […]
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An overlooked planning tool?
Meaning starts with hope, and hope begins with action. Many of the challenges we face today, such as financial stress, burnout, and indecision, don’t just come from a lack of time or money. They can very often stem from something deeper: a subtle loss of meaning. We don’t intend to lose meaning in what we’re doing and who we are; life simply happens, and if we’re not aware, our meaning evaporates. And meaning doesn’t magically appear. […]
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Dream big, plan better, live fully
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 from knowing your money is working for you, not the other way around. Step 1: Dream big Financial freedom begins with imagination. […]
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When your body says no
(Inspired by Gabor Mate’s book: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress) Learning to listen to your intuition in money matters, matters. Have you ever agreed to something that felt wrong in your gut, only to regret it later? Maybe it was spending more than you intended, investing in something you didn’t quite understand, or lending money you didn’t really have. The head said yes, the mouth followed, but the body whispered no. […]
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Guided or manipulated?
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 to choose. It might be as simple as asking, “Would you like to set up an automated savings plan while we’re here?” […]
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Engaging with your financial plan
Financial planning, like therapy or coaching, isn’t just about solving a problem. It’s about holding a safe space where real change can happen. That space might be a spreadsheet, a conversation, or a long-term plan, but for the work to go deep and stick, it must feel grounded, steady, and secure. As clinical psychologist Jonathan Shedler once said, “The paradox of psychotherapy is that the more secure the boundaries, the more freedom there is within them, […]
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What is fear costing you?
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 in the bank feels secure, after all, you can see it, touch it, and access it at any time. But over time, […]
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Meaningful and secure planning
Real financial planning goes far beyond spreadsheets, securities and stocks. It’s about connecting money to life. And sometimes, the most important questions aren’t just “Can we afford it?”, but, “Is this the right decision for our lives right now?” In a recent conversation with clients, a seemingly simple question was raised: “Can we afford to upgrade to a larger home?” On paper, with stable incomes and good credit, the answer was yes. But digging deeper revealed […]
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Safeguarding and compliance in your business
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. In a world where financial products, advice, and services are becoming increasingly complex, protecting you, the client, has never been more important. […]
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Social and environmental pressures
HOW THEY INFLUENCE YOUR FINANCIAL PLANNING Have you ever bought something not because you really needed it, but because everyone else seemed to have it? Maybe it was the latest smartphone, a fancy car, or even an expensive dinner at the trendiest new restaurant. If so, you’re not alone. The truth is, our financial decisions are rarely made in isolation. They’re deeply influenced by the world around us—whether we realise it or not. One of the […]
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