PayShap is a new payment technology available in South Africa that allows anyone to transfer money into someone's bank account using just a cellphone number. In order to be paid directly into your bank account, you no longer need to share your...
The Money Makeover Challenge is looking for you!
The City Press Money Makeover Challenge is once again open for applications. There are only six places available so only the most committed applicants will be considered. If your debt keeps you awake at night and your money is running out long...
Do you have money regrets?
Young people just starting out on their financial journey can learn a lot from the money regrets of older people. Research commissioned by Sanlam that interviewed more than 5 000 South Africans, found that more than half would advise their young...
Time to analyse your banking fees
If you feel your banking fees are too high, you may need to review your banking behaviour. The recent Solidarity Bank Charge Report rates FNB as one of the best value-for-money banks, with the average middle-class customer able to bank for less...
Property scams to watch out for
Jackie Smith, Head of Buyers Trust, warns that prospective tenants and home-buyers are becoming the targets of increasingly sophisticated property scams. Over the past two decades, internet sites such as Property24, Facebook Marketplace and estate...
Are you invested in a Ponzi scheme?
When an investment promises a guaranteed return above what a cash investment would yield, chances are it's a Ponzi scheme. “Do you think this investment is legit?” That's a question I receive at least once a week. While it's great that people are...
Beware these fraudulent companies
Over the last few months, the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued several warnings against fraudulent companies and individuals that it believes are putting people’s hard-earned money at risk. None of these companies or individuals...
Will foreign talent reforms work?
Will President Ramaphosa's SONA announcement on reforms to attract foreign talent really benefit South African critical skills employers? "We certainly welcome these initiatives as a win for organisations that are desperate to acquire scarce skills...
Listen: Unpacking the annual budget speech
There have been mixed reactions to Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana’s annual budget speech this week. The general feeling is that while the financial manoeuvrings by National Treasury are commendable, there appears very little faith in...
How to manage family demands
National Treasury’s response to Eskom can be a lesson on managing family demands. You get a call from a family member who urgently needs money for some emergency. Your finances are stretched, and you have already provided support to the person. How...
Previous Articles
Why small decisions matter
When it comes to our financial health, small decisions that we make every day can have a big impact. Have you ever wondered why those pants just seem to be getting tighter each year even though you’re not really eating that much more? Or why your credit card balance...
Listen: Proving your tax non-residency status can be tricky
If you want to stop paying tax in South Africa, you need to prove your tax non-residency status to SARS – which is not a simple matter. In this podcast, Maya chats to expat tax attorney Martin Bezuidenhout of Tax Consulting South Africa, about what you need to do to...
Choices and financial freedom
Have we become so caught up in a world of material desires that we've lost sight of what truly brings us joy and freedom? The fear that prevents us from leaving jobs we hate, keeps us holding onto unhealthy relationships, or stops us from taking that leap of faith, is...
Do you have financial PTSD?
While financial PTSD might not be officially recognised by health professionals, it is a reality for many people. Money is an emotional topic for most people, regardless of age, income or profession. Having money in abundance can unlock a world of opportunities, yet...
Understand what debt counselling means
Capitec recently sent out a warning to its customers about false advertising by certain debt counselling companies. The warning stated: “Have you ever been promised immediate debt relief or a payment holiday that doesn’t affect your credit score? If it sounds too good...
The implications of an unsigned will
Only around 30% of people who write up a will actually sign it, but an unsigned will can cause major family dramas. The only things certain in life are death and taxes, as Benjamin Franklin famously said. We will all die at some point, and when we do, our estate will...
Does your husband’s bae qualify for his retirement benefit?
There has recently been some social media chatter where aggrieved wives are complaining that the girlfriend of their deceased husband has been paid out a portion of his retirement benefit. In one case the girlfriend was married to another man yet was being financially...
Check whether that tracing agency is legit
My husband recently received an SMS from a tracing agency to say that there was an unclaimed benefit from his late father’s pension fund. Our first reaction was that this must be a scam. His father had retired from the fund over 30 years ago. But the fact that the SMS...
Don’t become a money mule
TymeBank is cautioning customers and consumers in general not to let other people use their bank accounts, even if they are promised payment in return. If you do, you may be considered a “money mule”. “There’s a risk that you may be helping criminals to commit crimes...
The 12-month financial plan
If you've decided that 2023 is the year to take control of your finances, try this 12-month financial plan to get your financial life into shape. The biggest mistake we make when it comes to our financial goals is that we make big resolutions like “I will pay off all...