“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” (Winston Churchill) We often look at numbers when planning our finances: how much do we earn from investments, how much have we saved, and when will we be able to retire? These are very important for making the…
“The biggest problem with communication is the false belief that it has happened.” (George Bernard Shaw) Navigating casual financial conversations isn’t about avoiding the subject altogether. It’s about handling it with purpose and grace. The point isn’t to pore over every aspect of your finances around the braai. It’s to keep your peace and your…
“The bluntest pencil is better than the sharpest mind.” (Unknown) The Festive Season is traditionally a time for giving, and it seems a pity to have to mention the hard realities of the law right now. But, as a recent High Court dispute confirms, things can go horribly wrong if the people involved have different…
Economist and analyst JP Landman has written an insightful article on Project Vulindlela, South Africa’s major economic reform initiative. The article explains how the project is opening up key sectors including electricity, water, ports, and visas and fostering partnerships between government and private business. If the project continues successfully, it could significantly boost South Africa’s…
“Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant.” (P.T. Barnum) It seems strange. A man with more money than he could ever spend – a wealthy investor, entrepreneur, or heir – still often says, “It’s a waste of money.” He longs to see his children overseas, yet he won’t fly to them because he…
“Marriage is the chief cause of divorce.” (Groucho Marx) Retirement savings typically account for a substantial portion of a person’s wealth. When a marriage ends, these savings can become a serious bone of contention. The good news is that, starting 1 September 2024, the definition of pension interest will be standardised across all retirement funds.…
“The number of cases of dementia is estimated to almost triple by 2050.” (World Health Organisation) Although the actual prevalence per capita of dementia is reportedly on the decline, aging populations ensure that it is becoming more and more of a problem in society – for older people, their families and caregivers. If you or…
“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…
“Obviously crime pays, or there’d be no crime.” (G. Gordon Liddy) It’s an unfortunate reality that you can’t be too careful with your money these days. For all that modern technology has done to enhance our lives, it has also sadly made it easier for criminals to operate. It’s no longer necessary for the bad…
Phishing – or the fraudulent distribution of emails/SMSs/WhatsApp’s from what appears to be a reputable source – is on the rise. Through SMSs, messaging apps or by telephone, fraudsters use phishing scams to persuade you they are from a credible organisation, for example your bank or investment platform. They will ask you to reveal confidential…