Most short-term debt is simply a lack of planning. So, this year, instead of taking on more credit, plan for those money moments by starting a contingency fund in a high interest savings account. If you are planning a holiday this year, create a...
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How to interpret financial results
You should be able to assess the health of a company by looking at certain key indicators from their financial results. All companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange are required to issue financial results twice a year ‒ interim results...
The great middle-class squeeze
The average middle-class South African has run out of runway, having already depleted savings and now tapping into whatever credit facilities they may have. These are the figures revealed in the 2019 Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor which...
Listen: How to pick a share
Building a long-term share portfolio requires more homework than just investing in the latest hot stock you heard about around the braai. Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) discuss what it takes to make the right investment decision....
Understanding your interest rate
You may have seen an advert for a five-year fixed deposit offering an interest rate of 13.3% on maturity. This seems like a really high interest rate, but what you need to understand is that this is the interest you receive at the end of a...
Listen: Shape your finances as beautifully as you shape those nails!
In this Women's Day feature, Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) talk about how to create a budget that reflects your priorities and values, areas women need to focus on in their financial plan, and how to set up a testamentary trust...
Fighting debit order fraud
A new debit order system will be made compulsory towards the end of the year, but will it make a difference in the fight against debit order fraud? Just last month, organised crime syndicates operating on a massive scale ‒ duping banking customers...
How to give your child the retirement you wish you had
Most parents want to leave their children a legacy, but what if you could leave your children a secure retirement? A retirement that they never have to save a cent towards and that is completely tax free? According to Nic Andrew, executive head of...
Listen: Why a balloon payment explodes your finances
Balloon payments are financial traps to entice you to buy a car you really cannot afford. Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) explain the evils of balloon payments and offer some tips on how to settle that balloon payment hanging...
On-demand credit could morph into lay-by culture
If anyone has made a purchase through online retailer Takealot recently, you would have noticed that you now have an option to finance the purchase through a loan. I don’t need to tell the readers of my website how I feel about this type of instant...
Previous Articles
Listen: The tax implications of cashing in your pension
How much tax do you save by investing into an RA? What is the tax bill when you cash out? Why is it a bad idea to use your pension to settle your debts? If you’re thinking about cashing in your retirement fund or starting one, listen to Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo...
Investments in VCCs no longer looking so attractive
By Doné Howell, Director, Head of Individuals, Trusts and Estates, BDO South Africa On Monday, National Treasury released the draft bills for public comment, which once approved will serve to effect the legislative amendments announced as part of the 2019 Budget...
Listen: Create a stokvel and start investing
From buying groceries to building wealth, Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) discuss the evolution of stokvels and the power of collective investing.
The pros and cons of a business bank account
If you are self employed and working as a freelancer in the services industry, you may be debating whether you should work as a sole proprietor or register as a business. There are pros and cons for each, and the answer is not clear cut. I ran my business as a sole...
How to work out your electricity costs and save
By Michael Franze, managing director at Citiq Prepaid New electricity rates kicked in on 1 July, with municipal electricity tariffs increasing by around 13% to 16%. Understanding how electricity tariffs work is the first step towards taking charge of your spending....
Listen: Does your will reflect your wishes?
Who should you select as an executor and what happens to your retirement funds when you die? Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) unpack what you need to consider when writing up your will. Further reading: What should you include in your will?...
Naspers’s Euronext listing plan – a sting in the tail for retail investors?
Retail investors in Naspers shares will have to decide whether to pay capital gains tax or take on more Naspers shares. While we will have to wait for the prospectus to confirm the details, Peter Armitage and Mike Gresty of Anchor, a JSE-listed wealth management...
#CrazyWaysToSave: Money tips from ordinary South Africans
As part of the launch for Savings Month in July, the South African Savings Institute asked South Africans to share the crazy ways they save. Here are some great ideas. Kgomotso uses the Standard Bank Stash app to save into a tax-free savings account. Stash is an app...
Listen: What really affects your credit score: the myths and the facts
Does shopping around for competitive quotes really affect your credit score? Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) unpack the myths and the facts around what affects your credit score and how you can improve it.
Avoiding the headline investing trap
By Nicholas Hops, Coronation Equity Analyst It is perilously easy for investors to get caught up in the sentiment of the day and buy into ‘story stocks’. Not wanting to miss out on the next big thing, the market often drives up the price of favourably positioned...