I am joined by Lee Hancox, Head of Channel and Segment Marketing at SanlamConnect, and behavioural scientist Kele Boakgomo, CEO of Yugrow, to chat about the rather interesting findings of the 2025 Sanlam Financial Confidence Index. According to the...
Could that SARS letter of final demand be fake?
Guest AuthorNov 18, 2025
In recent weeks, a number of taxpayers have reported receiving “final demand” letters that appear to come from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). While some of these are legitimate notices requiring urgent attention, others are fraudulent...
How to survive the retail bombardment
Maya Fisher-FrenchOct 28, 2025
The retail marketing machinery is in full swing with the start of Black Friday and the festive season, as we face an onslaught of messaging to make us spend, spend, spend. Every year, it feels like Christmas spending starts earlier. Walking through...
South Africa’s scamming epidemic
Guest AuthorOct 24, 2025
South Africa is battling a relentless and rapidly evolving criminal threat: scamming. Far from being a niche problem, this sophisticated crime has metastasised into an epidemic, inflicting financial devastation on citizens and businesses alike....
SARS makes it official for social influencers
Maya Fisher-FrenchSep 9, 2025
If you’re earning money through social media – whether through sponsored posts, affiliate links, or brand partnerships – SARS has some important news for you. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially recognised social influencers as...
The capsule wardrobe for your finances
Guest AuthorSep 2, 2025
By Rita Cool, Head: Individual Consulting Strategy - Best Practice at Alexforbes I often like to think of financial planning through the lens of a capsule wardrobe – a timeless collection of essentials that can be adapted as your needs evolve. Just...
Choosing a flat-fee financial adviser over your flat white
Guest AuthorAug 5, 2025
Rory Brachner, founder of Doshguide, explains how paying for a flat-fee financial adviser could be one of the smartest investments you make. Most South Africans don’t think that they can afford expert financial advice, but so many of us spend...
Money Bootcamp: From financial chaos to budgeting superhero
Maya Fisher-FrenchJul 24, 2025
Listen to how one mother managed to shift her mindset to transform her relationship with money. When Thokozani first began her financial coaching journey with Mapalo Makhu, her relationship with money could only be described as “poor and...
Can a salaried employee claim home-office expenses?
Guest AuthorJul 8, 2025
Thokozile Kumalo, Tax Consultant at Tax Consulting South Africa, lays out the law when it comes to claiming home-office expenses. As the 2025 tax filing season kicks off, many South Africans working from home are wondering what home-office expenses...
Motivation and money
Maya Fisher-FrenchJun 17, 2025
I recently had a conversation with a friend about the pros and cons of using diet pills and injections. She was arguing that people are using medication – that comes with serious side effects – instead of using self-discipline. It’s easy to talk...

Previous Articles
2025 tax filing season opens on 7 July
Jun 4, 2025
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the official start of the 2025 tax filing season, effective from 7 July 2025. Filing season for non-provisional taxpayers will close on 20 October 2025, whereas provisional taxpayers have until 19 January 2026 to...
Is marriage outdated?
May 20, 2025
A few weeks ago, I posted some graphs about the declining marriage rates in South Africa from the Outlier.co.za newsletter. This set off a robust conversation about why marriage rates were declining. There was a strong feeling that because many more women are now...
Five financial conversations to have with your fiancé
May 6, 2025
Amidst the excitement of wedding planning, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of marriage: financial planning. Metropolitan Gauteng’s General Manager, Queen Malobane, urges couples to have open, practical discussions about money before the big day. “This isn’t...
Common exchange control misconceptions
Apr 29, 2025
To avoid nasty surprises such as frozen bank accounts or getting stranded abroad, South African residents need to understand South Africa’s exchange control regulations. Well over 300 000 South Africans embarked on international trips during early 2024, according to a...
Starting your first job? A beginner’s guide to paying tax
Apr 22, 2025
Starting your first job is a big deal. It comes with new responsibilities, formative learning curves, a regular paycheque, and, unfortunately – tax. Geo Kilian, tax attorney at Hobbs Sinclair Advisory, lays out the tax basics you need to know as you kick off your...
Another WhatsApp investment scam to watch out for
Apr 17, 2025
Old Mutual is warning the public about a highly sophisticated investment scam currently circulating on social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp. The scam falsely uses the names and images of real employees and the Old Mutual company logo to create a...
In times of crisis, it’s worth taking a step back
Apr 10, 2025
The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride as Trump’s policy decisions have given new meaning to uncertainty! The markets have not experienced this level of volatility since 9/11. With tariffs on and then off again, no one is predicting anything, as honestly,...
Will a salary increase leave you worse off?
Mar 25, 2025
Who wouldn’t love a salary increase of over 5% this year? Most employees would be happy with a raise that keeps up with inflation. But in 2025, even an inflation-related increase might not be enough to keep up with the rising cost of living as the taxman is taking a...
Tax avoiders beware: AI is coming for you
Mar 18, 2025
Attila Kadikoy, Managing Partner at Levantine & Co, warns wealthy individuals that tax authorities are increasingly adopting AI to help identify tax evasion. Many investors consider tax as a major contributor to wealth erosion – and rightly so. My advice has been...
New credit penalties for maintenance missers
Mar 4, 2025
Parents who miss maintenance payments may soon find their access to credit affected. Ayanda Ndimande, Head of Business Development at Sanlam Credit Solutions, takes a closer look at new enforcement measures. The Department of Justice has introduced a new policy...










