Financial Advice

Crafting a life that balances action with introspection, peace with productivity, is an art form in itself. In moments of stress or uncertainty, turning to …

In a world that often glorifies the “stay positive” mantra, it’s easy to fall into the trap of toxic positivity — the belief that no …

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it’s easy to push aside the administrative tasks that seem daunting or time-consuming. Yet, when tax season …

In the journey of life, courage is often the unsung hero that propels us toward change and growth. It\’s the force that challenges us to …

Change, a constant companion in our journey through life, often becomes a focal point as we transition into a new year. However, its principles are …

At any moment during the year, finding the space to pause and reflect is more than just a breather; it\’s a chance for a transformative …

“He\’s making a list, and checking it twice; Gonna find out who\’s naughty and nice.” You’ve probably heard that line once or twice, right? For …

Life only seems to get busier – no matter how hard we try to slow things down. It’s easy to fall into a pattern of …

In the rhythmic and deceptively unpredictable day-in and day-out of our calendars, there are moments when our wallets feel significantly lighter. The end of the …

Our daily existence is a series of patterns and habits, some as visible as the paths we walk, others as intimate as the thoughts we …

We\’ve all been there: that moment when life throws you a curveball and stress builds up. Your palms might get sweaty, your heart rate spikes, …

Have you ever wondered why some financial decisions are harder to make than others? It\’s not always just about the numbers or the facts laid …

You\’re looking for more than a number-cruncher when seeking integrated financial planning services. This is because you\’re essentially seeking a partner in a very critical …

The Psychology of Financial Planning Have you ever found yourself spiralling down a mental rabbit hole, arriving at a worrying conclusion about your finances without …

Our lives are saturated with information, so it\’s important to scrutinise what we consume, especially when it comes to financial news and our use of …

The lines between personal beliefs and universal truths often blur, and the role of a financial planner becomes ever more critical. As we wade through …

You know how sometimes we tend to procrastinate when it comes to our finances? Yeah, we\’ve all been there. Procrastination can be a major roadblock …

The Real Purpose Behind Financial Planning When we talk about financial planning, what springs to mind? For many, it might conjure up images of spreadsheets, …

Information is at our fingertips, and artificial intelligence continually surpasses human capabilities in specific tasks; the landscape of valuable skills is evolving.  According to Dr …

Trust is a crucial component of any successful financial relationship. Trust plays a huge role in making things work, whether it\’s with your spouse, financial …

In a few recent blogs, we’ve considered our money stories and how we can not only route out false narratives but work towards creating new …

Automatic thought patterns are pervasive and impactful, influencing our moods, behaviours, and even our self-concept. In our everyday lives, we sometimes struggle to recognise their …

Money, it is said, makes the world go around. We use it daily, exchange it for goods and services, save it for the future, worry …

As we journey through life, we often hear phrases like \”seeing is believing\”. But when it comes to our financial health and well-being, there\’s a …

Independent thinking is critical in lifestyle financial planning, and here\’s why. Each person has unique financial needs, aspirations, and circumstances. When you think independently, you …

Money is more than just a tool for transactions; it\’s an emotional force intertwined with our identities, values, and sense of self-worth. Our money story …

Embarking on and sticking to your investment journey requires a solid understanding of financial principles and an appreciation for the emotional roller coaster that comes …

Discussing finances can be a daunting task, especially when emotions run high. It\’s important to remember that there\’s a human element behind every financial decision …

In lifestyle financial planning, striking the right balance between empathy and codependency is essential to building healthy relationships while maintaining personal well-being. A recent tweet …

Our mindset is crucial to our financial success. Dealing with our money can quickly become an obsessive task; either focusing solely on the amount we\’re …

Personal financial planning has become critical in shaping our lives and determining our future. However, many of us need help to make the right decisions …

Have you ever gone for a walk in the garden without shoes on? Remember what it felt like, as a kid, to come home from …

The root of our wealth is not in our income or our spending; it’s in our behaviour. Our habits make us wealthy, not the markets. …

WHERE TRUE FINANCIAL PLANNING STARTS One of the best ways to make any constructive change or difference in the direction of our lives is to …

Some people say that magic isn’t real, but what about the first magic words we’re all taught to say? No – not “abracadabra” or “zimzalabim”, …

Would you consider yourself to be financially intelligent? Depending on how you answer that, here’s another tough question: how much do you trust yourself to …

At the heart of everything, we find relationships. Most of these are unintentional relationships that happen situationally, but some are relationships that stem from our …

If we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything. Essentially, our actions will either result from what we choose, or what is chosen …

We often don’t worry about something until we realise that it’s limited. If we have lots of something, it’s a fortune. If we don’t, it …

Have you ever gone down a rabbit hole on social media? You know, that moment when you see something triggering and you click on it, …

One of the hardest questions to answer when it comes to financial planning is: How much do I need? There are two ways we can …

When we stand together, we can succeed together. We can support and encourage one another. But this only happens in our smaller, more intimate groups. …

Readiness is key to learning something new. If we’re not ready to learn something… it will probably go straight in one ear and out the …

In a recent blog from Marelisa Fabrega, lawyer and entrepreneur, she spoke of 17 ways to be kinder to yourself! It seems like a lot, …

Here’s the quick answer: yes! That’s the easy part. The challenge lies in the next question: How do I change how I feel about money? …

A curriculum doesn’t drive learning; curiosity drives learning. When we consider the learning pattern of those who are outside of schooling systems, it’s curiosity that …

Estate planning, wills and final testaments are not easy processes to navigate. Setting up life cover and considering what will happen to your family when …

We can’t change what happens to us, but we can change how we respond to what happens to us, and within us. Everything ages, but …

Anything in life that is truly worth doing – is not easy. It is easy to forget this when we see others doing really well …

Following on from the previous blog on considering early retirement, the focus of this conversation sparker is to look at five key things that should …

Our concept of retirement is undergoing a metamorphosis. Demographic, societal, and workplace trends have all converged to offer a stage of life—at mid-life and beyond—that …

There are few things worse than lying in bed at night, tossing and turning over financial stress. Lack of sleep only adds to our stress …

In 1988, financial planner and best-selling author Venita Van Caspel wrote in her bestselling book Financial Dynamics for the 1990s: “Our educational system continues to …

There is a thin veneer over everything. When we are distracted by news streams, overwhelmed by direct messaging and tired from keeping up with the …

In every culture and creed, there are traditions and philosophies about how to experience the best that life has in store for us, whilst overcoming …

The sandwich generation refers to working-age individuals who are in the precarious position of looking after their growing children and caring for elderly parents.  They …

A breath of fresh air, the sun on our faces, bare feet in the sand. Spending time outside can provide many small pleasures, which all …

Life is uncharted. Maps can only be made from where we’ve been – not where we have yet to go. The only certainty is uncertainty, …

\”But we didn\’t need it, and we turned out fine.\”  We hear this line more than we should. From tap water to technology, from diets …

Epictetus, the Greek Stoic philosopher, was the first to say it. \”We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as …

From the stoics to the sentimentalists, most have one question in common: What is the meaning of it all? Searching for purpose and meaning helps …

It’s nearly impossible to make it through an entire week without glancing at a blog, social media post or newsletter that reminds us about the …

When it’s a question of money – everyone is of the same religion, or so said Voltaire. Like religion, there are many different perspectives on …

“Where did our weekend go?” Have you ever found yourself asking this question on a Sunday night or a few minutes after hitting snooze for …

It doesn’t make sense, but we need to have a plan for when things go wrong.  People love to say that Benjamin Franklin once said …

All of us have moments in our life when we realise that we have to make a change. Sometimes change is something we choose, and …

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh, not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment as cosy, charming or special. This can happen whether …

Everyone knows that building wealth can help to ensure financial security in the future. Yet, it is a small number of the world’s population who …

We all want more from life. We want to live a good and meaningful life. This is how we generate hope, by believing that there …

There seems to be an increasing drive to pursue happiness; we want to be satisfied and content with who we are and what we do …

The hardest time to save is when we’re ‘just saving’ with no end in sight. It’s like going to the gym to train; but, train …

Last week we looked at why it’s important to become flexible in setting goals. This week we’ll consider how we set flexible goals. Setting personal …

Towards the end of every year, it is customary to reassess our priorities, take stock of the year that was, and plan for the year …

Festive celebrations will look a little different this year (and possibly every year going forward!). No matter where you find yourself this December, everyone has …

As our finances ebb and flow, we will sometimes face a festive season where we have to think out of the box for holiday gifts. …

Tough years lead to leaner budgets and lighter wallets. But it’s important to celebrate and the festive season is traditionally a time to enjoy and …

We don\’t plan because we fear the future. We plan because we realize we can enjoy today more by reducing the anxiety of tomorrow.  Most …

In Western culture we have become very detached from the cycle of life and death. Only those who work in specific industries will be accustomed …

Most of us would gladly jump at the opportunity to have more money. Very few people are likely to say that they would prefer to …

…and medicine be thy food. Hippocrates adopted this philosophy around 2400 years ago! Before fad diets and modern medicine, he recognised that food has the …

The journey of developing your life can be challenging on your mind and overall well-being. Prioritizing mental health can help us build the resilience we …

It is easy to think that the terms Medical Aid, Medical Insurance and GAP Cover refer to the same thing. Although they all serve to …

There is a strange behavioural effect where investors tend to sell winners early and hold onto losers for longer. You would think that investors would …

Whilst October is Breast Cancer awareness month, cancer has become a disease that was touted in 2018 as the second leading cause of death. It\’s …

Time is our greatest investment opportunity – we should invest the time that we have in a diverse portfolio of activities that will provide us …

Spring is around the corner – bringing newness, freshness and invigoration. After a long winter, it\’s easy to find your attitude has iced-over! Here\’s how …

Before we can think of saving, spending and investing – we first need to make money. Almost everybody would accept more money if it were …

The practice of storytelling is ubiquitous among cultures all across the globe. Sometimes we seem to forget the power that a story can hold over …

Debt statistics are growing – this is very likely in part to the fact that a vast majority of us today prefer credit cards over …

Effectively managing your debt is one of the best and most proactive ways of ensuring a sustainable financial future. It is deeply gratifying knowing that …

Saving is not just about a plan – it\’s a behaviour. Part of this behaviour is rooted in our mental ability to overcome our own …

As the days draw shorter, the sun stays hidden for longer and the colder weather encourages us to hibernate away, coupled with constrained financial conditions, …

Whilst we may try our best to keep our bodies safe from the flu – we may overlook the sluggish money myalgia that can hit …

Many of us only look at our financial plan when we receive a windfall (this is not often…) or when things go terribly wrong. It …

Sometimes it feels like this conversation is a broken record, constantly going round and around on the same track: people the world over are feeling …

As the 2020 global pandemic for COVID-19 becomes forever etched in our history, most of us will remember how the term ‘lockdown’ moved from a …

As Nelson Mandela said, once we’ve climbed a great hill we only find that there are many more hills to climb. When you’re looking up …

Do you know what’s going to happen in the markets tomorrow? Neither do we! All we know is that the markets are an opportunity to …

Bad market performance, government lockdowns, global epidemics and loadshedding aren’t what threaten our investing and financial behaviour. Our biggest threat is ourselves. Studies have shown …

When life doesn’t go according to plan, our first response will often be one of fear. Unfortunately, life generally never goes according to plan – …

How you finish your year is a powerful way to create momentum for the new year. How much you achieved (or didn’t quite manage) this …

Whilst the holiday season holds many treats and treasures, one of the most stressful errands is shopping for gifts. Finding the perfect gifts for your …

With all the treats at the social gatherings, watching both your budget and your diet during the festive season can be a challenge. Whether we’re …

One of the less-pleasant facts to face about life in your 60s, 70s and 80s is the fact that you’re more likely to have health …

It’s a well-known and accepted fact that the best time to plant a tree was twenty-years ago! It’s easy to look back and wish we’d …

When it comes to building your wealth, it’s not about how much you make, it’s about how you work with what you have. You do …

A lot of people are quite financially stressed right now. It’s understandable – it’s been a hard few years for most of us, and the …

Most of us know someone who has emigrated, or is about to emigrate. After several hard years for our nation, it can sometimes seem like …

The ancient philosopher Aristotle came up with a single word for what every person wants: ‘Eudaimonia’. Eudaimonia means happiness but more than that it alludes …

A lot of people misunderstand the term ‘dread disease cover’… and with that name, it’s enough to take the smile out of anyone’s day. But dread disease or CI (critical illness) insurance is a powerful tool to ensure that health emergencies don’t trip up your financial dreams or weigh heavily on your family.

What you think you can do and what you can do are not the same thing. What would you try with your finances if you couldn’t fail?

When it comes to the things we want in life, most of them are inextricably linked with our finances.

It’s not for nothing that cyber crime and hacking was considered 2019’s number one “major risk” by the world’s largest insurer, Allianz, in their latest Risk Barometer Survey. These days, it’s not if the security of your electronic identity and assets will be tried by a criminal, it’s when.

Are you the type of person who puts in a little petrol here, a little petrol there, or enough to last you the week based on calculations you’ve done of what you need, or are you someone who fills your tank up every time you visit the garage?

‘Tax season’ elicits in most people the kind of shudder you’d imagine ‘open season’ to elicit in hunted animals. We all hate doing our taxes and, because of this, we often postpone the inevitable, sometimes with horrible consequences like penalties and waiting hours at SARS.

Last month we talked about interest rate risk – the risk of your investment devaluing and you losing money due to changes in interest rate. In a sense, this is about an investment’s possibility of flailing due to macroeconomic conditions. This month, we’re going to look at credit risk.

It’s a cold world out there this June. As the thermometer temperature drops, the price of fuel and cost of living keep rising… but it’s not all doom and gloom.

It’s Father’s Day time, and we would like to honour the men, and the women too, who have been parents to us. Our dads.

… And by ‘Dad’ we don’t necessarily mean our fathers. Ever seen the Omo Father’s Day advert that went viral on YouTube? It showed a little boy reading a Father’s Day card, with all the important things dads do listed in it like providing financially and teaching right from wrong, to his grandmother. She was his ‘Dad’.

One of the most important reasons to save throughout our working life remains retirement. It’s shocking how few people afford themselves the ability to live with dignity and independence, without sacrificing a huge drop in standard of living.

With tough economic times all around, a lot of us are trying to cut unnecessary expenses. Be that as it may, we still need to …

Love is always in the air… for someone you know, if not yourself. No matter how strong the bond, weddings can quickly become the bane of many flourishing romances.

It seems fitting that May hosts both Workers’ Day and Mother\’s Day… because who works harder than Mom? A mother is always there when needed, always willing to see the best in you and is a constant source of comfort and wisdom.

Earlier in the year we spoke on the importance of mindfulness in our busy, digital world. Unfortunately, many of us have grand intentions at the beginning of the year, eating healthily and meditating and generally trying to get the year off to a good start, but after a few weeks that dedication peters out.

We often think about our own retirement plans, but these are actually not the ones most likely to hit you first. More urgent is the concept of knowing your parents’ retirement plans.

In our modern world of convenience, there is something about marathons. People choosing the hard road, putting their physical and mental endurance to the test, …

There’s no doubt about it, businesses are getting squeezed from every side like never before. With load shedding back, the rand weakening, land expropriation casting …