Insights
Making the Most of Your First Paycheck
Earning a first paycheck is a big step in anyone’s life. The value of that money in your bank account goes well beyond just the financial. It’s a significant psychological shift. It is a moment of great opportunity, but also one fraught with challenges. In this article we look at how to navigate your first salary and to optimise it for your future like a seasoned financial architect.
The Highest Return on Investment May Not Be Financial
We all know investing is about building wealth over time. By saving consistently and investing prudently, we aim to lay the groundwork for long-term financial wellbeing. But the most fulfilled people are not always those who have accumulated the greatest amount of wealth. More often, they are those who feel that their skills, resources and experiences have become part of something larger than themselves.
What Does Financial Planning Look Like if You Don’t Have Kids?
For generations, financial planning followed a familiar script: build a career, buy a home, raise a family and, eventually, pass wealth on to the next generation. While that path still resonates with many, modern lives are far more diverse. The reasons for not having kids may differ, but the financial question is often the same: if your wealth is not destined for children, how can it best enrich your life, reflect your values and leave a meaningful legacy long after you are gone?
The Ultimate Gift: Maximising Your Child’s TFSA from Day One
They say that nothing comes for free, but for South African investors there is an exception. Tax-free savings accounts give investors tax-free growth on their money, making them a powerful wealth creation tool.
They are most powerful when they are given time to work their compounding magic. In this article, we examine just how incredible the results can be if you open one for a child the day they are born.
Why South Africans Are Better Investors Than We Think
With all the turmoil in South Africa, you could be forgiven for thinking it’s not the best place to be an investor.
On the contrary, the qualities developed here often translate remarkably well into investing. South Africans tend to think practically. We are adaptable, emotionally resilient and generally capable of functioning through changing circumstances without completely losing momentum. Read on to feel good about yourself.
Markets Are Easy to Access. Wisdom Isn’t
Advances in technology have opened financial markets up to anyone who owns a smartphone. But easy access does not necessarily translate to stellar investment outcomes.
While online platforms have made investing easier than ever, long-term success still depends on discipline, structure, and avoiding costly mistakes. Much of the value financial advisors add comes from helping investors stay focused on long-term goals.
Higher-for-Longer: Navigating Inflation, Interest Rate Uncertainty
The uncomfortable reality is starting to sink in. Interest rates are going higher, not lower as expected earlier this year, and that the era of cheap money is not returning any time soon.
As Warren Buffett has pointed out, the government can’t print oil. That means investors need to consider how inflation may affect their portfolios, without panicking.
What if You Live Longer Than You Thought You Would?
We spend our whole lives planning for retirement. While nurturing our nest egg, we worry about short-term risks. Things like wars, elections, interest rates, leaking roofs and tax breaks.
But how many of us stop to consider the prospect of living to 90 or 100? People are living longer than ever before. But most of us don’t pay enough attention to longevity when planning for retirement. Read on for some tips on how to have a long and happy retirement.
Climbing a “Wall of Worry” on an Unstable Footing
Global markets are currently climbing a classic “wall of worry”, stubbornly rising against a persistent backdrop of uncertainty.
However, this rally is increasingly viewed as fragile, driven more by positioning and narrative than by a fundamental assessment of the real risks arising out of the Iran war.
Why Every South African Also Needs a “Digital Will”
Estate planning in South Africa has followed a well-trodden path: we draft a will, appoint an executor, and ensure our physical assets – the house, the car, the Krugerrands – are accounted for.
However, in an era where our lives are increasingly hosted in the cloud, a significant portion of our estates is becoming invisible. Without a “digital will” or a comprehensive folder, your heirs may find themselves locked out of your financial, sentimental, and professional life.
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