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...
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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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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,...
Previous Articles
Using life cover to leave a family legacy
Every parent would like to be able to leave a family legacy to help their offspring get an advantage in life and have a greater chance of creating real wealth in the family. Leaving an inheritance is one of the main goals identified by retirees when it comes to...
No-deposit home loans
A recent survey in the UK found that young adults are increasingly relying on their parents to help them pay for a deposit for their first home. The survey conducted by mortgage lender Halifax found that the majority of parents believed they would have to help their...
Why retirement may be redundant
If you are 45 or younger, forget retirement. Immortality may be within reach in the next 40 years – or at the very least we will all be living a lot longer than we are now. Viresh Maharaj from Sanlam Employment Benefits says that scientists are working on ways to...
How to talk about money with your partner
An hour before interviewing Carl Richards, author of The Behavior Gap, my husband and I had just had one of those money arguments that all couples invariably have, so as I shook Carl’s hand I blurted out “how do you speak to your partner about money?” It turned out to...
Not all financial planners are equal
Last weekend, I spent my time searching for elusive pieces of paper and trawling my inbox for financial statements. It was a partly frustrating, partly liberating experience as the aim was to get all our family’s financial paperwork together so our financial planner...
Don’t chase market performance
Steven Nathan, CEO of 10X Investments, warns investors not to be influenced by short-term market performance. Every year, legendary investor Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders offers valuable investment advice. In his most recent letter, he reaffirms the...
Are your children wrecking your retirement planning?
Lara Warburton of Imara Asset Management warns of the dangers of putting your children's financial needs before your own. How long should you financially support your children and when do you start looking out for your own future and that of your spouse? It’s a tough...
How to handle joint expenses
When you get married it is not just your hearts that become one, but also your money. Even if you are one of those financially independent couples where ‘his is his’ and ‘hers is hers’, when you live together, have kids together and hopefully retire together, there is...
What should you look for when selecting an asset manager?
Patrick Barker, Private Client Portfolio Manager at Cannon Asset Managers, looks at key factors to consider when selecting an investment manager. Dealing with other people’s money carries a fiduciary duty and responsibility. When making decisions regarding fund...
The cost advantages of index tracking funds
by Mike Brown, Managing Director, etfSA.co.za Warren Buffett, the world’s most famous investor, made the following observation in his letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders in February this year. In his instruction to the Trustee of the Warren Buffett estate, he...