If you haven’t contacted your insurer lately, you’re probably paying too much for your insurance. When I moved home I contacted my insurer, MiWay, to inform them of the change of address and that my car would no longer be in a locked garage. They...
By Sanisha Packirisamy, economist at Momentum Asset Management. It is clear that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) remains aware of the potential negative local effect of a rise in US rates should the US decide to hike rates this year. In the...
If you haven’t specifically taken out cover for power surges you will receive a nasty shock when your electronic goods are fried during load shedding, as one of my readers discovered. “I have faced a huge financial setback with my gate motor, alarm...
Debt is the main reason people withdraw their retirement benefits when changing jobs, according to key findings of the 2015 Sanlam Benchmark Survey, a comprehensive annual review of South Africa’s retirement industry. After interviewing thousands...
Taxpayers have been pushed too far. South Africans are becoming more belligerent about tax amid growing concerns at the apparent waste of taxpayers’ contributions through highly controversial government spending. Some commentators have speculated...
It was only when Patricia received a call from Wonga’s head of communications that she realised she had been the unwitting victim of a phising scam that has so far conned over 200 people into parting with their money. Two weeks ago Patricia...
For most people, cost is a primary consideration in almost every purchase decision. Except, it seems, when it comes to critical financial decisions, such as buying a savings or investment product. Many South African retirement investors therefore...
If you can no longer afford your car, it's time to take action. Here are your options. Lucky wrote to me to find out whether or not he should sell his BMW for a loss as the cost of the car is having serious consequences on his other financial...
The inefficient structure of existing life insurance products impact value and sustainability of cover for clients. BrightRock’s needs-matched life insurance addresses these shortcomings by pricing cover correctly for the term and trajectory...
Cellphones have become an indispensable part of our lives. Unfortunately, those cellphone bills can become all too costly, all too quickly. Here is a basic summary of some good options to help keep those costs down. Looking at cellphone contracts...
By Shaun Ruiters, head of Retail Strategy and Solutions at Sanlam Investments. The first quarter of 2015 was once again dominated by strong returns in the equity markets, both locally and globally. Locally the FTSE/JSE All Share Index delivered stellar returns of...
There may be very good reasons to postpone starting a family, but it’s also important to consider the potential financial implications when you make this call, says Karin Muller, head of Growth Market Solutions at Sanlam. People are delaying having children for...
As people’s budgets come under increasing pressure, the number of people who can afford to buy new cars is dwindling fast. With banks financing two used cars for every new car purchase, the second-hand car market is booming. If you want to sell your car privately,...
You may spend your holidays thinking about owning coastal property, or maybe you're considering increasing your property portfolio with a number of buy-to-rent assets. Dale Peckover, wealth manager at AlphaWealth considers whether it's a better idea to just buy into...
Too much month at the end of your money? It might be time to start really paying attention to your loyalty programmes so that you can get the best value for your money. Recently FNB announced that eBucks members had earned R5 billion in eBucks since the inception of...
David Leslie, a director of Belmont Asset Management in Cape Town, takes a look at the concept of intergenerational wealth management. Intergenerational wealth management is an approach to wealth management that spans different generations within a family. We often...
You have a complaint against a financial services company and you are frustrated beyond belief. So, you find their Facebook page and post your tale of woe along with all the relevant information. Stop. Have you thought about the full implications of doing so? Most...
Consumers in Gauteng and the North West who are not able to pay their debts and who are being taken to court by credit providers can now request the magistrate to refer the matter to court mediation. Magistrates will also encourage parties to go for mediation on any...
While many professional women earn impressive salaries and contribute towards corporate pension requirements, Citadel Advisory Partner Kirsten Smit says that it's important to build wealth outside your job. Many women believe they can only become as wealthy as their...
Lindi wrote to me looking for advice regarding her car repayments. She had fallen behind on her repayments to BMW Finance as her business was in financial difficulty. She wanted to find out if she could hand back the car to the financial institution and what the...