As salaries struggle to keep up with inflation, and the economy in general continues to deteriorate, many middle- and higher-income earners are now relying more heavily on unsecured loans to maintain their lifestyles. As a result, many more South...
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Listen: Money Makeover – the challenge begins
In the first of our monthly City Press/Absa Money Makeover podcasts, we chat to Absa financial adviser Steven Williamson about how he guided last year’s winner Samke to turn her finances around in just six months. We also hear from his candidate...
Debt levels rise as salaries fall short of inflation
Higher-income earners are tapping into unsecured loans to maintain their lifestyles as their salaries fail to keep up with inflation. Debt Counselling firm DebtBusters recently released their quarterly debt report for the last quarter of 2019, and...
The Money Makeover challenge begins
Each of our six City Press/Absa Money Makeover contestants has been allocated their own adviser and their tasks have been set. We have a diverse range of money challenges, from paying off debt, building a family legacy, and creating cashflow in a...
New laws for expats
By Carla Rossouw, tax lead, Allan Gray The laws around tax for South Africans who live and work abroad have changed and it's important to work out whether or not you are now expected to pay tax on income you earn outside of the country. As of 1...
Listen: Highlights and lowdowns from the 2020 Budget
Listen to the budget speech highlights and lowdowns with Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) – what it means to the ordinary South African as well as the risks building towards a possible downgrade. Maya also chats to Sharon...
Taxpayers off the hook… for now
To say this 2020 Budget Review was a shift in policy would be no exaggeration. After years of tax hikes ‒from increases in personal income tax, higher taxes on investments and a hike in VAT ‒ Finance Minister Mboweni appeared to say “enough is...
Q&A: Retirement
Do I have to purchase an annuity at retirement? When I reach retirement age, must I invest my provident fund in an annuity, or can I just build a unit trust portfolio with an asset manager and draw a yearly “salary” of not more than 4%? Will there...
Listen: Buying a car? Here’s what you need to know
While her current car has been a reliable mode of transport, Mapalo faces the reality that after eight years, it is time to buy a new one. What car should she consider? How does she work out her affordability and should she put down all her savings...
Video: Use your tax deductions before 29 Feb
As this is a leap year, 29 February marks the end of the financial year. All information up to this date will be included in your 2019/2020 tax return. This includes all tax deductions. Top-up your retirement fund You can invest up to 27.5% of your...
Previous Articles
Where are the 2019 #MoneyMakeover candidates?
Next week we launch our 2020 City Press/Absa Money Makeover competition as we take six new contestants through a money boot camp. They have a hard act to follow as last year our five finalists exceeded all expectations. During the six-month Money Makeover competition...
Act now to avoid another ‘Janu-worry’ in 2021
By Rebekah Funk Sjoe, you made it through Janu-worry 2020. Well done. After exhaling that deep sigh of relief, get ready to follow these five time-tested money tips from the experts to ensure you can save more and spend better come the December holidays 2020. 1. Save...
Listen: Drowning in debt? You are not alone
The debt statistics, especially for higher-income earners, are alarming. Figures released as part of National Debt Awareness month show that, on average, higher-income earners have increased their debt by 50% since 2014. In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo...
20 Investment tips for 2020
By Preston Narainsamy, Investment Professional at Marriott Asset Management 1. Establish your financial goals. This will enable you to put together an effective investment plan with an appropriate long-term allocation to stocks, bonds and other asset classes. 2. Start...
Video: Maximise your tax deductions before 29 Feb
The 29th of February marks the end of the financial year. All information up to this date will be included in your 2019/20 tax return, including all tax deductions. So, make sure you have taken advantage of all those tax perks before the end of the month. Top-up your...
Are you getting a good deal with Discovery Miles?
Last month, Discovery announced the introduction of a new e-currency in the form of Discovery Miles, for its ‘universe’ of banking, health and insurance products. Discovery claims that the new rewards system will give consumers more spending power than before because...
Listen: Tips to cut that insurance bill
One of the ways to find that extra cash to start saving is to review your fixed costs, like short-term insurance. In this episode Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) discuss some of the new insurance players in the industry that are using technology to...
Investing in the time of coronavirus
By Izak Odendaal and Dave Mohr, Old Mutual Wealth The continued rapid spread of the Wuhan coronavirus – which goes by the technical name of 2019-nCov – is still dominating the headlines, and markets have predictably been under pressure over the past few weeks. This...
Video: Save your tax refund
Were you one of the lucky taxpayers who received a tax refund from SARS after submitting your tax return? Take a moment to think about what you did with your tax refund last year, or the year before. Do you even remember? What should you be doing with your tax refund...
Feenix: fund your education without debt
By using crowdfunding platform Feenix, students can fund their education without taking on debt, and funders can benefit from a tax deduction. Many black professionals carry the costs of educating the next generation. The upside of this commitment is that the young...