“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…
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…
Last year we wrote to you about our commitment to your financial wellness which is a way of re-framing your wealth so that it adds meaning and joy to your life. This process can take years, as it’s not comfortable to divulge all your details, and map and marry your emotions with money. In this…
Some investors may find it interesting to note that South Africa has been one of the globe’s best-performing stock markets for almost 100 years. We have been fortunate to say the least, with returns outstripping inflation by more than 8% since 1926. Global investors have not been as lucky, a relatively low 6% real return…
Alarm bells have been ringing in homes around Cape Town and it’s not about day zero – it’s about the worrying rumour that property prices in our beautiful city are nosediving. Now, before you make any rash decisions as to whether to buy or sell – hang back, take a quiet sip of coffee, and…
Investors and the public at large will note with some anxiety the prospect of ‘land expropriation without compensation’ as a targeted policy by the ruling party. In this article we assess the potential outcomes of this policy on investor portfolios, and where both opportunities and threats may exist. A change to the Constitution The motion…
A large part of our fund research work focusses on trying to understand how a fund manager thinks. While most businesses want you to believe that it’s all about ‘philosophy’ or ‘process’, in reality it is people who manage funds and people who make investment decisions, not processes. Understanding the inner workings of the individual…
2017 was the year ethical failure dominated news headlines – By Fundhouse Cartoonist Zapiro described Jacob Zuma’s long-awaited exit as President of the country as the end of an error. But does this mean that in South Africa we can anticipate the dawn of an ethical era? Time Magazines Person of the Year for 2017…
Why you should never skirt the vital issue of Life Insurance Life insurance may not be a particularly pleasant topic of conservation but ignoring it is far more dangerous. Life cover is the first step towards a successful financial plan and is an absolute must for young up-and-comers. You simply have to ensure that your…
As time goes by, our financial goals evolve and change. When we’re young, most of us focus on specific goals that will help us to accumulate wealth. Then – as our golden years approach – we tend to shift our attention to wealth preservation and, ultimately, the successful transfer of capital to those we love.…
Choosing to downsize your home for retirement is a momentous decision, but it can be a very exciting process if managed well. It’s a financially savvy strategy that also gifts you more time, the greatest commodity of all. Remember that downsizing doesn’t mean downgrading. Lovingly pruning two rose bushes can be just as fulfilling as…
