If your debt keeps increasing, then you are spending more than you earn. The first step to financial freedom is to keep track of your spending. Every year, the first task our Money Makeover candidates undertake is to see where their money is going...
Tax refund delays causing frustration
Maya Fisher-FrenchJul 20, 2023
Tax practitioners have been raising concerns about tax refund delays, while SARS says it is dealing with the challenges. While 90% of tax returns are processed without further verification by SARS, those taxpayers who are identified for further...
The upside of high interest rates
Maya Fisher-FrenchJul 18, 2023
While borrowers are struggling with the ever-increasing interest rates, savers are loving the high interest rates currently on offer. Savers are getting better returns on their bank deposits, and for those people who are prepared to lock their...
Listen: Six-month journey to financial health
Maya Fisher-FrenchJul 14, 2023
The 2023 City Press/Absa Money Makeover Challenge has begun. This is the seventh year where I will work together with a team of Absa financial advisers to coach six contestants on their six-month journey to financial health. In this podcast I chat...
Is a R51k salary enough to comfortably afford bond repayments?
Guest AuthorJul 12, 2023
Viral Twitter thread sparks property industry debate Recently, a hypothetical question was posed around what South Africans could afford on a R51 000 net salary. This became a trending topic on Twitter, sparking debates over whether these earnings...
Why the NHI Bill is unworkable
Guest AuthorJul 11, 2023
Jacqui Nel of Aon South Africa looks at some of the issues surrounding the implementation of the NHI Bill. On 12 June 2023, Parliament passed the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill, and many stakeholders in the healthcare industry are concerned...
The Money Makeover Class of 2023
Maya Fisher-FrenchJul 7, 2023
Follow six ordinary South Africans as they take up the City Press/Absa Money Makeover Challenge and undergo a money makeover boot camp. I will be sharing their stories with you and hopefully inspire you to start your own money journey. Meet the...
How banks assess affordability for a home loan
Maya Fisher-FrenchJul 6, 2023
With interest rates at their highest levels in 14 years, many would-be homeowners are finding it difficult to meet the affordability requirements for a home loan. According to the latest statistics from ooba Home Loans, while the country’s average...
Opening an investment account for your child
Guest AuthorJul 4, 2023
Opening an investment account for your child is one of the easiest ways to give them a head start in life. There are many low-cost digital investment platforms available with low minimum investment amounts, so you can contribute as little as R50...
Listen: Discover your money fingerprint
Maya Fisher-FrenchJun 30, 2023
Welcome to the final podcast of the Emotions and Money series, where Maya and Paul Nixon, head of Behavioural Finance at Momentum, delve into the concept of the Money Fingerprint. During the COVID-19 period, South African investors destroyed over...

Previous Articles

Further clarity on the two-pot system for retirement funds
Jun 28, 2023
Over the last few years, National Treasury has been working on introducing the so-called two-pot system for retirement funds. Recent updates to the draft legislation are open for public comment and have provided further clarity on how the system will work and what it...

Investing as a side hustle
Jun 27, 2023
Higher interest rates are putting South Africans under significant financial pressure, and many are looking for an income boost. Luke Martins, Financial Planning Coach at Old Mutual Wealth looks at investing as a side hustle. It feels as if the Covid-19 pandemic...

Choose the right level of life insurance
Jun 22, 2023
When it comes to my investments and life insurance, I often do thought experiments. I ask myself the question: “What would happen if…”. Asking these questions is important to help you understand whether you have a financial plan that meets your needs. For example,...

Young investors: the earlier you start, the better
Jun 20, 2023
Getting an early start is crucial if you want to achieve a comfortable retirement. Adriaan Pask, Chief Investment Officer at PSG Wealth shares nine rules of thumb for young investors who want to secure a strong financial future. Rule 1: Plan to reach your 100th...

Listen: Are you taking the right risks?
Jun 16, 2023
Perceived Risk vs Actual Risk In this podcast, Maya and Paul Nixon, head of Behavioral Finance at Momentum, delve into the subject of perceived risk as it relates to investing, looking at issues such as how much risk you can truly afford to take in order to achieve...

Unveiling the truth about loadshedding insurance
Jun 14, 2023
Are you confused about what your insurance covers when it comes to appliance damage due to loadshedding? Is loadshedding insurance part of your policy? In this article we debunk misconceptions and shed light on vital policy details to help you navigate the intricacies...

Life partnership: new law offers equality, but challenges remain
Jun 13, 2023
While a new bill will give a life partner the same legal rights as a spouse, the precise definition of a life partnership still remains uncertain. Later this year the Judicial Matters Amendment Bill will come into law. The Bill will give partners in a life partnership...

Yima: a website to track scams
Jun 8, 2023
As technology improves, including artificial intelligence (AI), it is becoming easier for criminal syndicates to hoodwink people. Enter Yima, a tool to try and help stem the tide. At a fraud summit recently held by the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service...

Stress and cancer claims on the rise
Jun 6, 2023
Liberty's claim statistics for 2022 indicate an increase in cancer claims as well as claims related to mental health issues. The statistics reveal concerning trends about South Africans’ health, as well as their state of mind. While death claims have fallen...

Listen: The link between tears, trust, and investing
Jun 2, 2023
How your biology affects your financial behaviour In this fourth episode of our "Emotions and Money" series, Maya and Paul Nixon, head of Behavioural Finance at Momentum, discuss the impact of our biology on our financial decision-making, and how we can avoid making...