“If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” (Albert Einstein) Every investment journey starts with good intentions. You want to save more, protect your future, care for your family and give yourself the life you want to lead. But intentions alone don’t translate into outcomes.…
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…
“Divorce is the one human tragedy that reduces everything to cash.” (Rita Mae Brown) Your will is a legal document that spells out how your assets should be distributed when you pass away. This is all well and good when you’re married and you want to leave everything to each other. But what happens when…
“It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong.” (John Maynard Keynes) John Maynard Keynes, one of the greatest economists and risk-taking investors around, strongly advised putting investing on ‘autopilot’, and then going out and enjoying your life! The basics Investing can be tricky, even for seasoned professionals who try to buy and sell…
It’s too close to call, so sit tight The race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump is running neck and neck, with Harris seen as slightly ahead after being widely considered the winner of their September debate. A recent CNN poll found Harris leading by a percentage point, coming in at 48% versus Trump’s 47%.…
Most people know that without a Will there’s no guarantee that your intended heirs will actually inherit your assets. Dying without a Will also gives you no control over the administration of the estate, or what happens to the funds if one of your beneficiaries is a minor. What might come as news to you,…
“Home is not a place; it’s a feeling.” (Cecelia Ahern) Deciding whether to buy or rent your home may be one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make. Ultimately, the choice comes down to a combination of financial variables and personal factors, which, as we know, fluctuate unpredictably. Rands and cents Let’s start…
As your wheel of life turns, your financial needs, goals and focuses change. When you start working, you’re absorbed by accumulating assets. Later, as you near retirement, your focus shifts to wealth preservation. And eventually, when you’re settled and comfortable in your golden years, the transfer of wealth becomes your number one priority. It goes…
