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...
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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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....
Estate planning around divorce
Experiencing the emotional turmoil of a divorce is bad enough, but going through a divorce when you are financially dependent could make your problems even worse. Angelique Visser, Chairperson of the Fiduciary Institute of Southern Africa and Director, Baraza Wealth,...
Should you fix your interest rate?
With the 75 basis points increase in the prime lending rate since January this year, and analysts predicting further hikes in the interest rate, many people are asking whether they should fix the interest rate on their bond repayments. As with any financial decision,...
The truth about retirement reform
Setting the record straight in terms of how the government's proposed retirement reforms will affect you. Over the last few weeks vested interests have tried to create fear and confusion around the proposed retirement reform. Between unions flexing their political...
Picking trustees for a family trust
Who should act as trustee for a family trust? A family member, a professional independent trustee, or both? This is one of the biggest decisions to be made in estate planning – and it’s a decision which can have massive consequences for the heirs and the estate if not...
Jointly owned bank accounts in the British Isles – pitfalls and planning strategies
By Oliver Charles Phipps, FISA member and Solicitor in England with Lester Aldridge It is quite common for an individual in South Africa to own a bank account which is registered in the British Isles. This may be because he or she originated from the British Isles or...
The greatest possible pitfalls in investment planning
Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers, identifies what he believes may be the biggest hindering factors in investment planning. Investors need to think in terms of taking responsibility for their investments, rather than being...