RAs: The big one Retirement Annuities (RAs) offer significant tax breaks as contributions to the investments are tax-deductible, and the growth within the funds is tax-free. You can contribute a maximum of 27.5% of your taxable income to retirement funding each...
How to Keep FOMO Out of Your Investment Strategy
“Focussing is about saying no.” (Steve Jobs) What is the point of investing? In simple terms, there are only two reasons to invest: To save for a specific goal like sending a child to university or taking a holiday. These are finite targets with clear time frames. To...
Navigating Inheritance Conversations: Turning Tough Talks into Lasting Legacies
“A life of luxury sounds nice, but generational wealth sounds better.” (Unknown) As the old adage goes: “The first generation creates wealth, the second generation preserves wealth, and the third generation squanders it!” Our goal is to prevent this. If you’re...
Evolving Wealth Part 4: Boomer Bucks, Key Financial Strategies for Your Golden Years
“A big lesson in life is never to be scared of anyone or anything”. (Frank Sinatra) If you were born between 1946 and 1964, you are part of the Baby Boomer generation. This generation is known to be flexible and robust, having lived through many bulls and bears over...
What Will Markets Do in 2025?
What will markets do in 2025? An annual ritual is underway at the major Wall Street investment houses: predicting exactly where the S&P 500 will finish the next calendar year. This mission is impossible — but that hasn’t stopped teams of well-trained strategists...
A Comprehensive Shield: Risk Cover is More Than Just Life Insurance
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” (Jack Kornfield) There’s a common question financial advisers get asked when discussing life insurance: “Why should I give up some of my income when I am alive so that my family can be rich when I am...
Evolving Wealth Part 3: Gen X, Risk Averse but Quick to Adapt
"If you want something done right, do it yourself" – (Unofficial motto of Gen X) Gen X is the somewhat enigmatic generation group wedged between Baby Boomers and Millennials. Born from 1965 – 1980, they’re currently between 45 and 60 years old. What’s in a name?...
Unlocking the Retirement Future: The Pros and Cons of Life Rights Properties
"Risk comes from not knowing what you are doing." (Warren Buffett) Choosing a retirement property involves considering location, cost, amenities, and healthcare services. Often, retirees prefer not to deal with the hassle of property maintenance and opt to stay in a...
Burgernomics: Decoding Currency Values with the Big Mac Index
“The secret of Big Macs is that they’re not very good, but every one is not very good in exactly the same way.” (Joel Spolsky) The concept is straightforward: in theory, the same things should cost the same globally. The Big Mac is a great product to compare...
Evolving Wealth Part 2: Millennials, a Fresh Take on Values, Habits, and Aspirations
“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” (John Lennon) Millennials comprise 25 to 35% of SA’s population, representing various interests, backgrounds, and lifestyles. It’s also helpful to distinguish between older Millennials and...