“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? The term ‘Generation X’ was first used in a…
“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 because it’s sold in over 100 countries…
“Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us.” (Epictetus) Investing can often feel hard. The keys to success may seem daunting. Is your fund manager making the right decisions? Is the market going up or down? Is the rand strong or weak? These things often play on our thoughts…
“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 younger ones. The older cohort grew up with PCs and video games, while the younger Millennials were raised…
While initial enthusiasm surrounding Trump’s likely market-friendly economic policies drove the S&P 500 index above 6,000 points for the first time, investors are now carefully weighing the opportunities and risks ahead. South Africa’s JSE All Share Index fell behind, moving sideways during the month. Treasury pick calms some market nerves Markets generally welcomed Trump’s selection…
“Excellence is my new habit.” (Dirk Stroda) Athletes know that excelling in endurance sports and building wealth both require more than pure skill. They also demand resilience, patience, and discipline. Here are six habits that top investors and elite athletes share. Read on to find out how to win your race – be it financial…
For many South Africans, the fact that the rand weakens over time against the dollar feels like the biggest reason for investing offshore. When you think that one dollar cost less than R7 in 2011 compared to over R17 today, it seems obvious that having money offshore is imperative. Over long periods of time, this…
“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” (Benjamin Franklin) Born between 1997 and 2012, the youngsters of Gen Z are driving change in the investment world at lightning speed. Unlike the rest of us, they’re totally at home in a tech-driven world. For them, managing money via mobile apps…
Stock markets took a breather in the second half of October in anticipation of the US elections. The S&P 500 flattened out in the second half of October, leaving it less than 1% higher for the month, while the SA All Share Index gained 0.5%. Both markets have, however, notched up healthy double-digit gains for…
“Gold is the universal language understood by all nations.” (George Herbert) Just a few weeks ago, the gold price climbed above $2,500 per ounce for the first time in history. This has once again got South Africans talking about the attractiveness (or otherwise) of gold as an investment. Gold is probably one of the easiest…