By Claudia Aires Apicella, Head of Financial Emigration at Tax Consulting SA The announcement by National Treasury and SARS in 2017 that the tax exemption on South African expatriates is set to change, has resulted in the lifestyle of many South...
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Listen: My Money, My Lifestyle
The My Money, My Lifestyle podcast is a new podcast featuring the contributors to the City Press Personal Finance pages. From how to invest with as little as R500 to how to save money by using credit, Maya Fisher-French (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo...
Is The Entertainer still value for money?
The Entertainer is an app that typically gives discounts on spa days and offers 2-for-1 deals on meals, but some consumers are complaining about the service, which demands an annual upfront payment to access these deals. Complaints centre around...
Three shares to add to your portfolio for 2019
By Dr Adrian Saville, Chief Executive, Cannon Asset Managers A bruising 2018 on stock markets has unlocked some excellent buying opportunities. Here are three ideas for shares to add to your portfolio this year. The JSE managed to keep its head...
How to ask (strategically) for a raise
If you’ve worked hard and gone above and beyond for your employer, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t ask for a raise. But there’s timing and strategy involved. It is well known that there is a high rate of unemployment in South Africa, especially...
What happens to your retirement fund benefit when you emigrate?
By Jenny Gordon, Head: Retail Legal at Alexander Forbes Expected changes to the income tax laws in March 2019 will allow people who emigrate before they reach retirement date more flexibility to withdraw their retirement funds when they leave the...
Avoid debt by planning better
Have you ever wondered how much your debt is actually costing you? By the time you’ve included all the interest and fees payable, it’s probably a lot more than you realise. You will find that in most cases you can easily save enough to take care of...
Will there be a brighter outlook for 2019?
Prices always tend to go up when New Year strikes and there are a few things to be jittery about in 2019. But it’s not all negative. We’re always told about the doom and gloom when it comes to our finances, but what many forget to focus on is the...
Sticking to those financial resolutions in the New Year
On New Year’s eve, particularly after a few drinks, we make promises to ourselves that we have every intention of keeping. But time and again we fall short of sticking to these resolutions and just a few short weeks later, they’re forgotten. This...
Four mistakes to avoid when you’re in a car accident
By Sumarie Greybe, co-founder at short-term insurer Naked It’s the time of year for festive-season parties and holiday travel and, along with them, headlines and awareness campaigns about carnage on South Africa’s roads. The average driver in South...
Previous Articles
As cost of living rises, so do informal loans
Annual survey confirms consumer stress but also highlights rise in funeral polices. The recent FinScope SA report, which analyses how consumers are using financial products and services, has revealed a concerning trend around credit extension. It found that the number...
Passive investing gets socially responsible
If you’re looking for a globally diversified, low-cost passive investment, why not be socially responsible at the same time and help save the planet? Old Mutual recently launched two new unit trust funds which should find traction among younger investors who are...
It’s all about taking control
In the last week I have been connecting with our Money Makeover contestants who have been on their money bootcamp for three months so far. What has struck me is how many contestants commented on how taking control of their financial lives is having a positive impact...
Can an insurer refuse to pay out for non-disclosure?
Unpacking the recent controversy over Momentum’s refusal to pay a claim due to non-disclosure. Insurance group Momentum came under fire recently after it rejected a claim when a Durban man was shot and killed. The insurer rejected paying out R2.4 million because it...
Should you take out a building loan?
Mputla wrote to me with an interesting dilemma. He is 32 years old, married with two children. In 2016, he and his wife bought vacant land in a security estate with cash that they had saved for several years. The plan was to build within four years, using that time to...
Understand your medical cover when ‘buying down’
With above-inflation price increases announced by medical schemes, many members may be looking for more cost-effective options when it comes to healthcare. But before making a change, ensure you understand what you are ‒and are not ‒ covered for. Every year our...
Understand your motor plan
Whether you buy a brand-new car or a relatively new used car, you will need to consider a motor plan, warranty and/or service plan. These can offer significant peace of mind, but issues can arise if you do not fully understand what is covered or if you have missed the...
What happens if you don’t pay maintenance?
Lots of parents in South Africa shirk their responsibility of paying maintenance for their children. But these days there are fewer places to hide and the law is on the side of the parent who does provide. Some recent court cases have shown that there’s no benefit to...
Robo-advice drives down investment costs
I recently came across the Nedgroup ‘robo-advice’ site, called Extraordinary Life. This new functionality from the Nedgroup investment house has not been widely advertised, and I suspect they are doing a ‘soft’ launch to test the channel first. The Extraordinary Life...
Play Budget Bingo this Christmas
'Tis the season for overindulgence ‒ and overspending ‒ so avoid the pitfalls of debt and credit shortfalls by calling 'BINGO' instead. Sanlam Personal Finance has created a Budget Bingo game which you can share with your friends and family and start a challenge to...