Beware bad advice at retirement
Many members of the GEPF are being given bad advice by financial advisers, who are telling them...
Video: Five ways to trick yourself into saving
Behavioural scientists have found that we feel loss far more greatly than gain, which is why the...
When debt review works
Going into debt review is like going on a diet: it’s difficult to stick to and the results won’t...
Listen: Creating Generational Wealth
Generational wealth is passed down from one generation to the next. But ultimately it has...
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
Beware bad advice at retirement
Many members of the GEPF are being given bad advice by financial advisers, who are telling them that they should resign from the GEPF before retirement. Members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) are being approached by financial advisers and being...
Video: Five ways to trick yourself into saving
Behavioural scientists have found that we feel loss far more greatly than gain, which is why the idea of cutting back on our lifestyle makes us very unhappy. We feel the sacrifice immediately but only reap the benefits in the future. While it may be a tough ask to...
When debt review works
Going into debt review is like going on a diet: it’s difficult to stick to and the results won’t be immediate, but it can be life changing. While there are serious issues around the way some debt counsellors conduct themselves, for Grace Bekwa, debt review gave her...
Listen: Creating Generational Wealth
Generational wealth is passed down from one generation to the next. But ultimately it has different context for different people. Generational wealth doesn’t have to be the Oppenheimer’s legacy. It could be leaving your children enough money to buy a home, or the...
My Debt
When debt review works
Going into debt review is like going on a diet: it’s difficult to stick to and the results won’t be immediate, but it can be life changing. While there are serious issues around the way some debt counsellors conduct themselves, for Grace Bekwa, debt review gave her...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your interest rate, you can...
Don’t rush into debt review
While debt review can be a lifeline for an over-indebted consumer, it should not be entered into lightly. You need to be aware that once you enter debt review, you cannot apply for new credit, and you cannot exit debt review until all your debts are settled. There is...
Struggling with car debt? Take action now!
According to the Experian Consumer Default Index, repayment of car debt has shown a marked deterioration as the extended Covid-19 lockdown puts South Africans under more financial pressure. Marc Friedman, CEO of car sale platform Weelee.co.za says that to avoid a...
My Investments
The top African tech unicorns worth watching
The experts at CMTrading take a look at some of the African tech unicorns that have reached the $1 billion mark, and what has made them worthy of the title. For those unfamiliar with online trading or venture capital terminology, the term “unicorn” is used to describe...
Listen: Global investing made easy
In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) speaks to Warren Ingram (@warreningram), financial planner at Galileo Capital about his new book Global Investing Made Easy. Warren shares his insights into the investment decisions we make, and those we should be making.
SARS issues guidance on crypto assets
On 27 August 2021, SARS provided further guidance on the correct tax treatment of crypto assets and how this must be declared in people’s tax returns. SARS published a document on its website entitled Crypto Assets & Tax. The publication should perhaps best be...
High-risk land investment leaves angry investors out of pocket
Many South African investors who bought UK property developments through SA-based property marketing company SJ Capital, have seen no returns for over 11 years. Investigations have found that the investment is extremely high risk and that investors were not fully...
My Property
Who will inherit your property?
When a person dies intestate (which means without a will), it can become a legal and financial nightmare. If you have property, it’s important to have a will in place which takes the law into account (such as the type of marriage contract you have), and clearly...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your interest rate, you can...
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...
My Car
Struggling with car debt? Take action now!
According to the Experian Consumer Default Index, repayment of car debt has shown a marked deterioration as the extended Covid-19 lockdown puts South Africans under more financial pressure. Marc Friedman, CEO of car sale platform Weelee.co.za says that to avoid a...
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....
My Insurance
Struggling with car debt? Take action now!
According to the Experian Consumer Default Index, repayment of car debt has shown a marked deterioration as the extended Covid-19 lockdown puts South Africans under more financial pressure. Marc Friedman, CEO of car sale platform Weelee.co.za says that to avoid a...
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....
My Retirement
Struggling with car debt? Take action now!
According to the Experian Consumer Default Index, repayment of car debt has shown a marked deterioration as the extended Covid-19 lockdown puts South Africans under more financial pressure. Marc Friedman, CEO of car sale platform Weelee.co.za says that to avoid a...
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....
My Estate
Struggling with car debt? Take action now!
According to the Experian Consumer Default Index, repayment of car debt has shown a marked deterioration as the extended Covid-19 lockdown puts South Africans under more financial pressure. Marc Friedman, CEO of car sale platform Weelee.co.za says that to avoid a...
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....
MY MONEY
Read up to date articles on Finance, Budgeting and more...
Beware bad advice at retirement
Many members of the GEPF are being given bad advice by financial advisers, who are telling them that they should resign from the GEPF before retirement. Members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) are being approached by financial...
Video: Five ways to trick yourself into saving
Behavioural scientists have found that we feel loss far more greatly than gain, which is why the idea of cutting back on our lifestyle makes us very unhappy. We feel the sacrifice immediately but only reap the benefits in the future. While it may...
When debt review works
Going into debt review is like going on a diet: it’s difficult to stick to and the results won’t be immediate, but it can be life changing. While there are serious issues around the way some debt counsellors conduct themselves, for Grace Bekwa,...
Beware bad advice at retirement
Many members of the GEPF are being given bad advice by financial advisers, who are telling them that they should resign from the GEPF before retirement. Members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) are being approached by financial...
Video: Five ways to trick yourself into saving
Behavioural scientists have found that we feel loss far more greatly than gain, which is why the idea of cutting back on our lifestyle makes us very unhappy. We feel the sacrifice immediately but only reap the benefits in the future. While it may...
MY DEBT
Credit agreements, Debt Review & more...When debt review works
Going into debt review is like going on a diet: it’s difficult to stick to and the results won’t be immediate, but it can be life changing. While there are serious issues around the way some debt counsellors conduct themselves, for Grace Bekwa,...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your...
Don’t rush into debt review
While debt review can be a lifeline for an over-indebted consumer, it should not be entered into lightly. You need to be aware that once you enter debt review, you cannot apply for new credit, and you cannot exit debt review until all your debts...
When debt review works
Going into debt review is like going on a diet: it’s difficult to stick to and the results won’t be immediate, but it can be life changing. While there are serious issues around the way some debt counsellors conduct themselves, for Grace Bekwa,...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your...
MY INVESTMENTS
Saving, Investing, Investment Products & more...
The top African tech unicorns worth watching
The experts at CMTrading take a look at some of the African tech unicorns that have reached the $1 billion mark, and what has made them worthy of the title. For those unfamiliar with online trading or venture capital terminology, the term “unicorn”...
Listen: Global investing made easy
In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) speaks to Warren Ingram (@warreningram), financial planner at Galileo Capital about his new book Global Investing Made Easy. Warren shares his insights into the investment decisions we make, and those we should...
The top African tech unicorns worth watching
The experts at CMTrading take a look at some of the African tech unicorns that have reached the $1 billion mark, and what has made them worthy of the title. For those unfamiliar with online trading or venture capital terminology, the term “unicorn”...
Listen: Global investing made easy
In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) speaks to Warren Ingram (@warreningram), financial planner at Galileo Capital about his new book Global Investing Made Easy. Warren shares his insights into the investment decisions we make, and those we should...
MY PROPERTY
Household, Bonds, Mortgages & more...
Who will inherit your property?
When a person dies intestate (which means without a will), it can become a legal and financial nightmare. If you have property, it’s important to have a will in place which takes the law into account (such as the type of marriage contract you...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your...
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...
Who will inherit your property?
When a person dies intestate (which means without a will), it can become a legal and financial nightmare. If you have property, it’s important to have a will in place which takes the law into account (such as the type of marriage contract you...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your...
MY CAR
Finance, Insurance, Purchasing & more...
Struggling with car debt? Take action now!
According to the Experian Consumer Default Index, repayment of car debt has shown a marked deterioration as the extended Covid-19 lockdown puts South Africans under more financial pressure. Marc Friedman, CEO of car sale platform Weelee.co.za says...
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...
Funeral policy fraud on the increase
When fraudsters access your personal information, they can use this information to take out a funeral policy in your name, and then claim benefits on the policy using a fake death certificate and other supporting documentation. “Finding out you are...
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 INSURANCE
Life, Short-Term & more...Funeral policy fraud on the increase
When fraudsters access your personal information, they can use this information to take out a funeral policy in your name, and then claim benefits on the policy using a fake death certificate and other supporting documentation. “Finding out you are...
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...
Funeral policy fraud on the increase
When fraudsters access your personal information, they can use this information to take out a funeral policy in your name, and then claim benefits on the policy using a fake death certificate and other supporting documentation. “Finding out you are...
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 RETIREMENT
Pre and Post Retirement & more...Beware bad advice at retirement
Many members of the GEPF are being given bad advice by financial advisers, who are telling them that they should resign from the GEPF before retirement. Members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) are being approached by financial...
How tax works on your retirement fund
One of the most common complaints I receive from pensioners is that they pay tax on their retirement benefits. While one can sympathise with the plight of pensioners who often struggle to come out on their retirement income, one needs to understand...
Treasury’s solution to early withdrawal
As part of its ongoing retirement reform process, National Treasury is proposing the introduction of a two-bucket retirement system to provide for shorter and longer-term needs. John Anderson, executive at Alexander Forbes, says it may work along...
Beware bad advice at retirement
Many members of the GEPF are being given bad advice by financial advisers, who are telling them that they should resign from the GEPF before retirement. Members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) are being approached by financial...
How tax works on your retirement fund
One of the most common complaints I receive from pensioners is that they pay tax on their retirement benefits. While one can sympathise with the plight of pensioners who often struggle to come out on their retirement income, one needs to understand...
MY ESTATE
Wills, Marriage Contracts, Life Cover & More...Who will inherit your property?
When a person dies intestate (which means without a will), it can become a legal and financial nightmare. If you have property, it’s important to have a will in place which takes the law into account (such as the type of marriage contract you...
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...
Who will inherit your property?
When a person dies intestate (which means without a will), it can become a legal and financial nightmare. If you have property, it’s important to have a will in place which takes the law into account (such as the type of marriage contract you...
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...
Video: Five ways to trick yourself into saving
Behavioural scientists have found that we feel loss far more greatly than gain, which is why the idea of cutting back on our lifestyle makes us very unhappy. We feel the sacrifice immediately but only reap the benefits in the future. While it may be a tough ask to...
Video: Home loan tips
Buying a home is a major financial commitment. While the rate of interest on a home loan is lower than for other forms of credit, the length of time it takes to pay off the loan means you end up paying a hefty interest bill. By reducing your interest rate, you can...
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