SMEs affected by looting can negotiate with SARS
Jashwin Baijoo, Legal Manager: Africa Tax and Compliance at Tax Consulting SA, suggests a solution...
E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are...
Listen: Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast, Maya (@mayaonmoney) chats to money blogger Brett (@ETFenthusiast) on how blogging...
You don’t need a lot of money to start investing
Many people feel they need to have a lot of money in order to start investing. In fact, the...
Manage Your Money
This site is a collection of articles written by finance journalist Maya Fisher-French as well as other contributors. The aim of Maya on Money is to help you with those day-to-day money decisions related to South African finance matters. Articles cover all those areas that you need in order to manage your money effectively such as budgeting, saving, investing, banking and insurance. Feel free to engage with us on social media.
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Manage your Money!
My Money
SMEs affected by looting can negotiate with SARS
Jashwin Baijoo, Legal Manager: Africa Tax and Compliance at Tax Consulting SA, suggests a solution for SMEs facing difficulties meeting their tax obligations. In the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, riots erupted in South Africa in early July, with mass looting...
E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are charged smoker rates by life insurers, and what you can do about it. For decades now, we’ve known that smoking is bad for our health – the research has conclusively shown...
Listen: Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast, Maya (@mayaonmoney) chats to money blogger Brett (@ETFenthusiast) on how blogging helps keep him on track financially, his plans in working towards financial freedom, and which investments he is using to provide a passive income in the future.
You don’t need a lot of money to start investing
Many people feel they need to have a lot of money in order to start investing. In fact, the opposite is true. Investing small amounts every month actually provides the best risk-return scenario when it comes to longer-term investing. Investing via a monthly debit...
My Debt
Treasury says “no” to pension loan proposal
National Treasury has made it clear that it does not support any calls to allow members to borrow money from their pension funds. This was in response to a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Pension Funds Act. This Bill was put forward by DA MP Dr Dion George as a...
Don’t ignore your credit providers
The Credit Ombud wants to remind consumers that there are ways to ease the woes that come with being unemployed while having debt, and you shouldn’t just ignore your credit providers. If you’ve just lost your job or have had your salary reduced due to the Covid-19...
Listen: Pros and cons of debt counselling
For many people COVID has had a major financial impact and some may be considering entering debt review. In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) speaks to David O’Brien of debt counselling firm Meerkat to explain how debt counselling works and how to choose a good debt...
The best way to settle your car finance
Advance payments on car finance do not work the same as on your home loan, so it’s worth understanding how to make the most of it. Any debt that you pay off sooner than required will save you money on interest. However, you need to understand how advance payments work...
My Investments
Listen: Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast, Maya (@mayaonmoney) chats to money blogger Brett (@ETFenthusiast) on how blogging helps keep him on track financially, his plans in working towards financial freedom, and which investments he is using to provide a passive income in the future.
You don’t need a lot of money to start investing
Many people feel they need to have a lot of money in order to start investing. In fact, the opposite is true. Investing small amounts every month actually provides the best risk-return scenario when it comes to longer-term investing. Investing via a monthly debit...
Retirement planning is not a once-off event
Jaco Prinsloo, Wealth Manager at PPS Wealth Advisory, has some sensible advice around retirement planning. As a wealth manager, I have observed that there are two typical clients. Some dread retirement, while others look forward to it. Those who dread it are the ones...
Four signs that could predict a market crash
Pieter Hundersmarck, fund manager at Flagship Asset Management, wants us to learn from history when it comes to the factors that could trigger a market crash. While the future is unlikely to be an exact repeat of the past, history is full of valuable lessons. These...
My Property
How to save on home loan insurance
When applying for a home loan, the bank will insist that you take out home loan insurance to cover the repayments in the event of death, disability, or retrenchment. Evelyn Doubell, Private Wealth Manager at NFB Wealth Management finds that it’s usually cheaper to...
Pros and cons of a pension-backed home loan
If you're looking at taking out a home loan, it may be worth enquiring whether you can use your pension fund as a guarantee for the loan. A pension fund is permitted by the Pension Funds Act to lend a member an amount of money for the purposes of purchasing or...
Making the home loan process less painful
Buying a home can be a very emotional experience. You’ve found the home of your dreams and imagined yourself living there, and then you take the financial leap of committing yourself to a home loan and years of repayments. Yet the home loan application and transfer...
Online service to value property and vehicles
If you are looking to buy or sell a property, or even just want to find out what the properties in your area are worth, Lightstone Property has introduced an easy, low-cost valuation service for individuals. In the past, the company provided the service to estate...
My Car
Competition will cut car ownership costs
Freedom to have your car repaired by a non-dealer will increase competition and reduce the cost of repairing and insuring your car. A couple of years ago when I was buying a second-hand car that didn’t have a service plan, I discovered what a rip-off my dealership had...
Tips for a successful used car purchase
Ernest North, co-founder of AI-driven insurtech Naked, looks at some of the steps to follow before committing to a used car purchase. Numbers from TransUnion show that South Africans financed around 79 000 used vehicles in the first three months of 2021, with lenders...
Video: The true cost of a fancy car
The decision on how much to spend when purchasing your car is possibly one of your most important financial decisions. In fact, banks say that the main reason they turn down home loan applications is due to affordability, and the main culprit is usually car finance....
When does it make sense to have a travel allowance?
If you are required to travel for work there are several ways to claim for this expense. You can receive a travel allowance or be provided with a company car. In the case of a travel allowance, the employer would normally pay a set amount, for example R5 000 a month....
My Insurance
Competition will cut car ownership costs
Freedom to have your car repaired by a non-dealer will increase competition and reduce the cost of repairing and insuring your car. A couple of years ago when I was buying a second-hand car that didn’t have a service plan, I discovered what a rip-off my dealership had...
Tips for a successful used car purchase
Ernest North, co-founder of AI-driven insurtech Naked, looks at some of the steps to follow before committing to a used car purchase. Numbers from TransUnion show that South Africans financed around 79 000 used vehicles in the first three months of 2021, with lenders...
Video: The true cost of a fancy car
The decision on how much to spend when purchasing your car is possibly one of your most important financial decisions. In fact, banks say that the main reason they turn down home loan applications is due to affordability, and the main culprit is usually car finance....
When does it make sense to have a travel allowance?
If you are required to travel for work there are several ways to claim for this expense. You can receive a travel allowance or be provided with a company car. In the case of a travel allowance, the employer would normally pay a set amount, for example R5 000 a month....
My Retirement
Competition will cut car ownership costs
Freedom to have your car repaired by a non-dealer will increase competition and reduce the cost of repairing and insuring your car. A couple of years ago when I was buying a second-hand car that didn’t have a service plan, I discovered what a rip-off my dealership had...
Tips for a successful used car purchase
Ernest North, co-founder of AI-driven insurtech Naked, looks at some of the steps to follow before committing to a used car purchase. Numbers from TransUnion show that South Africans financed around 79 000 used vehicles in the first three months of 2021, with lenders...
Video: The true cost of a fancy car
The decision on how much to spend when purchasing your car is possibly one of your most important financial decisions. In fact, banks say that the main reason they turn down home loan applications is due to affordability, and the main culprit is usually car finance....
When does it make sense to have a travel allowance?
If you are required to travel for work there are several ways to claim for this expense. You can receive a travel allowance or be provided with a company car. In the case of a travel allowance, the employer would normally pay a set amount, for example R5 000 a month....
My Estate
Competition will cut car ownership costs
Freedom to have your car repaired by a non-dealer will increase competition and reduce the cost of repairing and insuring your car. A couple of years ago when I was buying a second-hand car that didn’t have a service plan, I discovered what a rip-off my dealership had...
Tips for a successful used car purchase
Ernest North, co-founder of AI-driven insurtech Naked, looks at some of the steps to follow before committing to a used car purchase. Numbers from TransUnion show that South Africans financed around 79 000 used vehicles in the first three months of 2021, with lenders...
Video: The true cost of a fancy car
The decision on how much to spend when purchasing your car is possibly one of your most important financial decisions. In fact, banks say that the main reason they turn down home loan applications is due to affordability, and the main culprit is usually car finance....
When does it make sense to have a travel allowance?
If you are required to travel for work there are several ways to claim for this expense. You can receive a travel allowance or be provided with a company car. In the case of a travel allowance, the employer would normally pay a set amount, for example R5 000 a month....
MY MONEY
Read up to date articles on Finance, Budgeting and more...
SMEs affected by looting can negotiate with SARS
Jashwin Baijoo, Legal Manager: Africa Tax and Compliance at Tax Consulting SA, suggests a solution for SMEs facing difficulties meeting their tax obligations. In the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, riots erupted in South Africa in early...
E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are charged smoker rates by life insurers, and what you can do about it. For decades now, we’ve known that smoking is bad for our health – the research has...
Listen: Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast, Maya (@mayaonmoney) chats to money blogger Brett (@ETFenthusiast) on how blogging helps keep him on track financially, his plans in working towards financial freedom, and which investments he is using to provide a passive income in...
SMEs affected by looting can negotiate with SARS
Jashwin Baijoo, Legal Manager: Africa Tax and Compliance at Tax Consulting SA, suggests a solution for SMEs facing difficulties meeting their tax obligations. In the midst of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, riots erupted in South Africa in early...
E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are charged smoker rates by life insurers, and what you can do about it. For decades now, we’ve known that smoking is bad for our health – the research has...
MY DEBT
Credit agreements, Debt Review & more...
Treasury says “no” to pension loan proposal
National Treasury has made it clear that it does not support any calls to allow members to borrow money from their pension funds. This was in response to a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Pension Funds Act. This Bill was put forward by DA MP Dr...
Don’t ignore your credit providers
The Credit Ombud wants to remind consumers that there are ways to ease the woes that come with being unemployed while having debt, and you shouldn’t just ignore your credit providers. If you’ve just lost your job or have had your salary reduced due...
Listen: Pros and cons of debt counselling
For many people COVID has had a major financial impact and some may be considering entering debt review. In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) speaks to David O’Brien of debt counselling firm Meerkat to explain how debt counselling works and how to...
Treasury says “no” to pension loan proposal
National Treasury has made it clear that it does not support any calls to allow members to borrow money from their pension funds. This was in response to a Private Member’s Bill to amend the Pension Funds Act. This Bill was put forward by DA MP Dr...
Don’t ignore your credit providers
The Credit Ombud wants to remind consumers that there are ways to ease the woes that come with being unemployed while having debt, and you shouldn’t just ignore your credit providers. If you’ve just lost your job or have had your salary reduced due...
MY INVESTMENTS
Saving, Investing, Investment Products & more...Listen: Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast, Maya (@mayaonmoney) chats to money blogger Brett (@ETFenthusiast) on how blogging helps keep him on track financially, his plans in working towards financial freedom, and which investments he is using to provide a passive income in...
You don’t need a lot of money to start investing
Many people feel they need to have a lot of money in order to start investing. In fact, the opposite is true. Investing small amounts every month actually provides the best risk-return scenario when it comes to longer-term investing. Investing via...
Listen: Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast, Maya (@mayaonmoney) chats to money blogger Brett (@ETFenthusiast) on how blogging helps keep him on track financially, his plans in working towards financial freedom, and which investments he is using to provide a passive income in...
You don’t need a lot of money to start investing
Many people feel they need to have a lot of money in order to start investing. In fact, the opposite is true. Investing small amounts every month actually provides the best risk-return scenario when it comes to longer-term investing. Investing via...
MY PROPERTY
Household, Bonds, Mortgages & more...
How to save on home loan insurance
When applying for a home loan, the bank will insist that you take out home loan insurance to cover the repayments in the event of death, disability, or retrenchment. Evelyn Doubell, Private Wealth Manager at NFB Wealth Management finds that it’s...
Pros and cons of a pension-backed home loan
If you're looking at taking out a home loan, it may be worth enquiring whether you can use your pension fund as a guarantee for the loan. A pension fund is permitted by the Pension Funds Act to lend a member an amount of money for the purposes of...
Making the home loan process less painful
Buying a home can be a very emotional experience. You’ve found the home of your dreams and imagined yourself living there, and then you take the financial leap of committing yourself to a home loan and years of repayments. Yet the home loan...
How to save on home loan insurance
When applying for a home loan, the bank will insist that you take out home loan insurance to cover the repayments in the event of death, disability, or retrenchment. Evelyn Doubell, Private Wealth Manager at NFB Wealth Management finds that it’s...
Pros and cons of a pension-backed home loan
If you're looking at taking out a home loan, it may be worth enquiring whether you can use your pension fund as a guarantee for the loan. A pension fund is permitted by the Pension Funds Act to lend a member an amount of money for the purposes of...
MY CAR
Finance, Insurance, Purchasing & more...
Competition will cut car ownership costs
Freedom to have your car repaired by a non-dealer will increase competition and reduce the cost of repairing and insuring your car. A couple of years ago when I was buying a second-hand car that didn’t have a service plan, I discovered what a...
Tips for a successful used car purchase
Ernest North, co-founder of AI-driven insurtech Naked, looks at some of the steps to follow before committing to a used car purchase. Numbers from TransUnion show that South Africans financed around 79 000 used vehicles in the first three months of...
E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are charged smoker rates by life insurers, and what you can do about it. For decades now, we’ve known that smoking is bad for our health – the research has...
How to save on home loan insurance
When applying for a home loan, the bank will insist that you take out home loan insurance to cover the repayments in the event of death, disability, or retrenchment. Evelyn Doubell, Private Wealth Manager at NFB Wealth Management finds that it’s...
MY INSURANCE
Life, Short-Term & more...E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are charged smoker rates by life insurers, and what you can do about it. For decades now, we’ve known that smoking is bad for our health – the research has...
How to save on home loan insurance
When applying for a home loan, the bank will insist that you take out home loan insurance to cover the repayments in the event of death, disability, or retrenchment. Evelyn Doubell, Private Wealth Manager at NFB Wealth Management finds that it’s...
Tips for a successful used car purchase
Ernest North, co-founder of AI-driven insurtech Naked, looks at some of the steps to follow before committing to a used car purchase. Numbers from TransUnion show that South Africans financed around 79 000 used vehicles in the first three months of...
E-cigarettes and your life insurance policy
Clyde Parsons, Actuarial Executive at BrightRock, explains why regular users of e-cigarettes are charged smoker rates by life insurers, and what you can do about it. For decades now, we’ve known that smoking is bad for our health – the research has...
How to save on home loan insurance
When applying for a home loan, the bank will insist that you take out home loan insurance to cover the repayments in the event of death, disability, or retrenchment. Evelyn Doubell, Private Wealth Manager at NFB Wealth Management finds that it’s...
MY RETIREMENT
Pre and Post Retirement & more...
Retirement planning is not a once-off event
Jaco Prinsloo, Wealth Manager at PPS Wealth Advisory, has some sensible advice around retirement planning. As a wealth manager, I have observed that there are two typical clients. Some dread retirement, while others look forward to it. Those who...
Make the right choices from the start
The great thing about getting your first paycheque is that you have the opportunity to do the right things before the bad habits kick in. The day that first paycheque hits your bank account you feel like you have finally arrived. But how you manage...
Listen: How to decide on the right retirement village
We all go through the aging process, and one of the big decisions we have to make ‒ for ourselves or for our parents ‒ is whether (and when!) to downsize and move into a retirement village. This is not an easy decision and can be further...
Retirement planning is not a once-off event
Jaco Prinsloo, Wealth Manager at PPS Wealth Advisory, has some sensible advice around retirement planning. As a wealth manager, I have observed that there are two typical clients. Some dread retirement, while others look forward to it. Those who...
Make the right choices from the start
The great thing about getting your first paycheque is that you have the opportunity to do the right things before the bad habits kick in. The day that first paycheque hits your bank account you feel like you have finally arrived. But how you manage...
MY ESTATE
Wills, Marriage Contracts, Life Cover & More...
Unmarried couples and death – how to protect yourself and your partner
David Knott of Private Client Trust explains how unmarried couples can protect themselves in the unfortunate event that one partner dies. Many unmarried couples mistakenly believe that they are protected as “common law” spouses. However, South...
How your marital regime affects estate planning
Christel Botha, fiduciary services manager at Alexander Forbes, looks at the impact that various marriage contracts have in the event of the death of a spouse. The month of love has arrived, and many couples will be getting married, or planning a...
Video: Review your will
Last week was National Wills Week, which is always a great reminder to review your will. If you don’t have one, make sure you prioritise this immediately. To find out more about what should be in your will and what makes a will valid, I am speaking...
Unmarried couples and death – how to protect yourself and your partner
David Knott of Private Client Trust explains how unmarried couples can protect themselves in the unfortunate event that one partner dies. Many unmarried couples mistakenly believe that they are protected as “common law” spouses. However, South...
How your marital regime affects estate planning
Christel Botha, fiduciary services manager at Alexander Forbes, looks at the impact that various marriage contracts have in the event of the death of a spouse. The month of love has arrived, and many couples will be getting married, or planning a...
Video: The true cost of a fancy car
The decision on how much to spend when purchasing your car is possibly one of your most important financial decisions. In fact, banks say that the main reason they turn down home loan applications is due to affordability, and the main culprit is usually car finance....
Video: Set goals for money success
The key to achieving our money goals is to use psychology to set us up for success. When it comes to our money goals, behavioural economist Erik Vermeulen says we need to set specific long-term goals, but also have built-in intermediate success measures to make our...
Maya on Money Youtube Channel
