By Lourens Coetzee, an Investment Professional at Marriott Demanding equity valuations and a subdued outlook for growth in South Africa suggest investors may need to increase their offshore exposure to ensure an acceptable investment outcome....
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Why a marriage contract saves you tax
A marriage contract is not just about divorce; it defines what happens to your finances while you are married. Not formalising your relationship could cost you more than you realise. When Melanie and John decided to get married after living...
The high cost of death
Why death is killing us financially “Around 85% of people’s debt problems start with a death in the family,” says debt counsellor Deborah Solomon. Despite a relatively high penetration of funeral policies, Solomon says the cost of death in families...
Should you use tax-free savings accounts for retirement?
South Africans are now able to invest up to R30 000 a year in tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs). The aim of these savings accounts is to encourage South Africans to save for medium-term goals and emergency funding, reducing our reliance on debt and...
Bull market poised to turn bearish
Insight on dealing with a bear market from award-winning active asset manager Rob Spanjaard, of Rezco Asset Management. The bull market has been going for over six years and investment managers now need to moderate their risk in anticipation of a...
Invest for income
By Simon Pearce, CEO Marriott Asset Management Saving is rather like trying to lose weight: it takes effort and willpower, and is entirely up to you. People often ask me how much of their annual income they should save. I tell them that 30% will...
Five steps to sustainably grow your wealth
Middle and upper-class South Africans are earning more than enough to afford comfortable lifestyles, but they need to come to terms with the trade-offs required to ensure that their lifestyles are sustainable well into a long retirement. Andrew...
Tax-free savings options
Companies have been racing to capitalise on the tax-free savings accounts. We sum up what products have come to market so far. Financial product providers have by and large brought out two types of tax-free savings accounts (TFSAs): a basic bank...
Pay back that study loan!
Credit Ombud Manie van Schalkwyk explains why it's vital that students pay back their study loans. Thousands of students rely on study loans to see them through their years of studying at tertiary institutions. Without these loans, many would not...
What to do if you’ve cashed in your pension fund
The continued mass resignations and cashing-in of pension funds by employees belonging to the Government Employees Pension Fund is a concern that has been highlighted widely. The biggest risk in withdrawing your pension fund is the issue of...
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Become your own debt reviewer
By Wikus Olivier, debt expert at DebtSafe Debt is an issue that most South Africans unfortunately find themselves facing for most of their adult lives. Every individual deals with different forms and scales of debt, but for some, their debt spirals out of control....
Tax-free savings – will it work?
South Africa’s declining household savings rate has been of national concern for some time now – in fact this burning issue has found its way into the annual budget speech year after year. But while initiatives have been implemented to try alleviate the problem – such...
Implement Your Money Plan: forum and book giveaway
After nearly 11 years of engaging with readers across many publications, I realised that while there are many books that cover the theory behind creating a financial plan and offer encouragement to do so, what was really needed was a money book that offers practical...
How to stick to your New Year’s resolutions
We know if we want to lose weight we need to eat less and exercise more and we know that in order to grow wealth we must spend less and save more. So why then do we give in and buy the chocolate bar at the counter when we purchase our groceries, or whip out our credit...
Why your education is worth paying for
While borrowing money is generally a bad idea, a student loan is an exception. For individuals who work hard, get their qualifications and manage their loan repayments, a student loan can lead to wealth creation. According to Advtech, within two years of gaining work...
Financial tools to keep you on track in 2015
In today's Internet age, keeping yourself on track financially has never been easier. There are a range of websites, smartphone apps and online financial tools to help you along the way. Track expenses and create a budget Find a way to track your daily expenses so you...
Making sense of interest rates
Last week, consumers received good news from the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) that the repo interest rate would be kept at 5.75%, which means that the retail rate at which consumers are offered credit, would stay at 9.25%. Absa provided this useful infographic...
The JSE: mind the gap
The JSE continues to trade at record levels alongside a depressed South African economy. David Leslie, a director of Belmont Asset Management, explains the logic behind this apparent contradiction. It’s no secret that the South African economy is on shaky ground owing...
All the ins and outs of estate planning
As much as people realise there is a need to ensure they have planned for their family's financial future after their passing, many do not understand the different aspects of estate planning and the negative impact that a lack of planning can have on their family....
Should I pay off my bond with my pension?
If you cashed your pension in to pay off your bond make sure you replace it over time. Sego writes: I have R100 000 from my pension fund which I cashed out last year. I am 30 years old and have a retirement annuity which I took out recently. Should I use the R100 000...