“I can calculate the motions of the heavenly bodies, but not the madness of people.” (Sir Isaac Newton, after losing a fortune in the South Sea Bubble, 1720) Newton’s post-South Sea Bubble lament in the 18th century feels timely again. This week, market historian Edward Chancellor warned in a Reuters column that the 2021 “Everything…
Retirement planning is usually about making sure you have enough money to last. You build a nest egg, work out how much you can safely withdraw, and try to protect your income against the uncertainties of markets, inflation and longevity. But what happens when things go better than planned, and your portfolio grows rather than shrinks? Then it’s time to push the fears aside and seize the day…
According to a new study, South African families are largely underprepared for the administrative implications of the death of a loved one. The results are deeply concerning. In this article, we look at what goes into estate planning, why it matters, and how to make sure you are prepared.
Mention the word “budget” and enthusiasm tends to go up in a puff of smoke. The B word suggests fewer dinners out, cheaper holidays and the uncomfortable business of working out where last month’s money went. Budgeting is usually presented as an exercise in cutting back. But used properly, a budget can reveal how much is going towards things we barely value anymore … Often at the expense of things we would much rather be doing.