"The beauty of debit orders is that they make investing a habit, not an afterthought." (Warren Buffett) We’re all human – which often means being emotional and not consistently disciplined. Debit orders remove the emotion from investing and encourage responsible...
Aligning Your “Wheel of Life” – A Beginner’s Guide
As your wheel of life turns, your financial needs, goals and focuses change. When you start working, you’re absorbed by accumulating assets. Later, as you near retirement, your focus shifts to wealth preservation. And eventually, when you’re settled and comfortable in...
The Big Question: Should You Buy a Home or Rent One?
“Home is not a place; it’s a feeling.” (Cecelia Ahern) Deciding whether to buy or rent your home may be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Ultimately, the choice comes down to a combination of financial variables and personal factors,...
Why You Should Keep Your Investment Strategy to Yourself
“There is no pebble so small that it won’t make ripples when tossed into a body of water.” (Charles Peck) In a recent blog post, financial writer Morgan Housel made an interesting observation. He wondered what would happen if people invited public scrutiny of the way...
Three Pot System 101: What You Need to Know Before 1 September
“Change is not a gate we pass through; it is the definition of life.” (Millie Florence) The good Supporters of the change believe that introducing an accessible savings pot can provide salvation for those in financial crises, like the one caused by the Covid pandemic....
Do You Recognise Yourself in Any of These Client Case Studies?
“If a man is not faithful to his own individuality, he cannot be loyal to anything.” (Claude McKay) Case study 1: Family matters One financial advisor told us about a 68-year-old client who sold his business and worried his children would be ruined by inheriting too...
The Sandwich Generation: How Can You Deal with Family Always Asking You for Money?
“Family is not just important; it’s everything.” (Michael J Fox) Many South Africans are not just working to support themselves or even their immediate families. Given the country’s high rate of unemployment, it’s not unusual for people to find themselves under...
Why Emotions and Investing Don’t Always Mix
“Speculation leads you the wrong way. It allows you to put your emotions first, whereas investment gets emotions out of the picture.” (John C. Bogle) It’s tempting to believe we can control our emotions regarding money matters. However, being human means we’re...
Need to Know: Annualised Returns Versus Internal Rates of Return
"Returns matter a lot. It's your capital." (Abigail Johnson) Let’s start at the beginning – Annualised returns The annualised rate of return on investment represents the average yearly return you would have received over a specified period. It expresses an...
Investment Jargon 101: Your One-Stop Primer
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” (Benjamin Franklin) A is for Asset Your possessions are known as your assets, while any debts are called liabilities. If your home’s mortgage is fully paid up, your home is an asset, but if you’re...