When it comes to passive income most people think of property, yet a share portfolio can also be used to generate an income – one that is well diversified, tax efficient and does not require any tenant management. When it comes to investing in...
You are Here >
Home >
Preparing for life’s surprises
Our parents’ experiences can teach us a great deal about how we should be making plans for our own futures. My mother, who is now 75 years old and relies on a pension, has seen her food bill increase from R500 per month to R1 200 in just six years...
Don’t let your financial adviser bully you
By Kagisho Mahura, investment and retirement planning specialist at Gradidge-Mahura Investments. I had a discussion with a client a few months ago that has sensitised me to the power dynamics that exists between financial advisers and clients. The...
Too young to get ill?
A person under the age of 35 is more likely to claim for income protection or disability than death. While life cover may not be a priority, protecting your future income should be. When Greg, aged 35, was rushed to hospital after a virus attacked...
Bequeathing property in your will – how it can go wrong
By David Knott of Private Client Trust, the fiduciary services division of Private Client Holdings, and a member of the Fiduciary Institute of South Africa. When it comes to leaving fixed property to someone in your will, unless you have had...
Finding your financial feet after a divorce
Considering that almost three marriages end in divorce in South Africa, and research indicates that women are the hardest hit financially after divorce, finding your financial feet after this devastating event can be one of your lifelines....
How to fund your child’s education
When I was in grade one at a government school in 1984, my school fees for the year were 25 cents. I have the receipt to prove it! When my son started grade one last year though, we had to fork out just under R30 000 for the year. Ouch. We’re...
Financial planning for the “sandwich generation”
by Kagisho Mahura, investment and retirement planning specialist at Gradidge-Mahura Investments. The sandwich generation refers to those people who find themselves supporting both their parents and kids financially. The growth of the sandwich...
Low-cost investing with Satrix
Satrix has released a new range of funds which has reduced the cost of investing Since Sanlam bought out Satrix two years ago it has been implementing some interesting changes which have improved the offering to investors wanting to access low-cost...
Time for the SARB to go on hold?
By Nazmeera Moola, economist and strategist, Investec Asset Management Consumers should be able to sleep somewhat easier in the next few months, as we have most likely seen the last interest rate hikes for 2014. This is partially due to the weak...
Previous Articles
Choosing the right life insurance
You need to ensure that you have the correct type of life insurance policy in order to leave a legacy. In order to make insurance more affordable insurers have introduced age-rated premiums where you receive an initial discount on your life insurance cover with...
Badly worded divorce orders rob women of retirement fund benefits
Russell Anderson, consulting senior policy advisor at the Association for Savings and Investment South Africa (ASISA), says if you are a woman facing divorce, it is critical that you ensure that the wording of your final divorce order does not fail you when it comes...
How much do I need to retire?
Clifford, like many people nearing the age of 50, is starting to worry about his retirement and whether or not his current savings will be enough to provide a decent income in retirement. “I would like to live on R3 million in my retirement. My mortgage bond will be...
Which investment option is best for you?
Beata Carstens, a certified financial planner from Veritas Wealth, explains that deciding on the best vehicle for your hard-earned money ultimately depends on your investment goals. There is such a plethora of investment options available on the market these days that...
Financial tips for the bride-to-be
How the couple handle their finances, bank accounts and budgeting has a far greater ripple effect on a marriage than the perfect dress or the three-tier red velvet cake, writes Citadel Advisory Partner, Kirsten Smit. White dresses, wedding décor, floral decoration,...
Financial planners vs asset managers: who provides more value?
We should be giving more awards for excellence in financial planning than for excellence in asset management. Over a 30-year period, more than two-thirds of your retirement fund costs will go to the asset manager. In fact in the final year of retirement, the active...
Long-term perspective: about more than just investments
Ensure that the “sandwich generation” is only a one-generation phenomenon, writes Kagisho Mahura In 1974, sociologist Dr Edward Banfield of Harvard University wrote a book entitled The Unheavenly City. In it he described one of the most profound studies on success and...
Free financial planning workshops in Cape Town
Financial Planning Week: 25-29 August CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals Craig Torr, Paul Rossouw, Ian Beere and Laverne Slater will be giving four free financial planning workshops in Cape Town on 26, 27 and 28 August, as part of Financial Planning Week in...
The risks of risk profiling
How effective are current risk profiling techniques? Do they achieve their aim (to determine a suitable investment strategy) or are they being undertaken simply to tick the boxes in terms of compliance? Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset...
Lessons learnt from building the “dream home”
As I am about to move into our newly built dream home, someone asked me if I would do it again. My first reaction was “never!” but then I thought about how much I had learnt and how much easier it would be the second time round, having learnt some valuable lessons....