“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…
In this post we wish to share some of our favourite financial product solutions and strategies. 1. The Power of Rand-Cost Averaging – Drip-feeding money into an investment to get a better average price and smoother return Basically, instead of braving the virtually impossible task of perfectly timing an entry into the markets, an investor…
In these tough times we hope that the following medicinal tips offer some comfort. The COVID-19 Crisis has been likened to the market crash caused by the 9/11 attacks, albeit on a wider scale. There is no doubt that the virus itself will be beaten and subside, but what the pandemic has unveiled is the…
With Coronavirus causing turmoil in investment markets globally we have seen significant market moves across asset classes over the past week. With such an event it is extremely difficult to estimate investment outcomes, however one trait is reasonably certain: our human bias for loss aversion, which is heightened when fear like this spreads. This fear…
In this newsletter we aim to demystify the term “formal emigration”, as there seems to be much confusion. Some brief points on formal emigration First, it is important to know that residency from a tax perspective (as defined by SARS), a citizenship perspective (as per Home Affairs) and residency from the Reserve Bank perspective (according…
You can reduce the tax you need to pay and also earn tax free returns if you make use of the tax efficient tools available to you. In order to maximise the benefit, you need to invest before February 29th 2020. Here is a brief list of what’s available and the major benefits: Retirement Annuities…
An integral part of the financial adviser’s role is helping retired clients to draw a rising income from their investment portfolios. Most clients want to know that they will be able to live a dignified and independent retirement without sacrificing on the quality of life they grew accustomed to during their working years. However, the…
Financial planning isn’t only about facts, figures and market returns. It’s a process that we follow to give you financial wellness which re-frames your wealth and perceptions to add meaning and joy to your life. Financial wellness provides you with a sense of security and very significantly, freedom of choice. Here are some of the…
Sanlam has created a series of beautifully crafted videos on Life and Retirement. Do enjoy Conversation no 1 with Yourself which highlights the significance of all the little decisions we make along the way. It emphasizes the impact of choices such as ‘time off to find yourself’, the purchase of an overly expensive car and too much…
Why is life so expensive? In our last newsletter, we discussed the importance of investing consistently from the very start of our careers to ensure a comfortable retirement. This time around, we look at why this is becoming increasingly difficult in South Africa. We also offer some handy tips on how to combat the uncomfortable…
As citizens of the western world, we all highly value our independence. We’re taught from an early age to be determined, educated and strive for individual success. So, when life deals us a few rough hands, which it often does, it can be very disappointing if you end up needing to depend on your family…
