With criminals constantly trying to access our personal information, we should behave as if our identity is compromised and act accordingly. In late August, credit bureau Experian notified the public that there had been an incident involving a...
Consumers’ biggest complaints
The Consumer Goods and Services Ombud recently released its annual report. Over the past year, it resolved over 8 600 complaints of which 65% resulted in a favourable outcome for consumers. The average turnaround time was 42 days. The CGSO is not...
Borrowing from days already worked
A salary advance could be an attractive alternative to a traditional payday loan. A few years ago, I came across an article about how Walmart in the US allowed its workers to access a portion of their already-earned salary before month end. For...
Video: Start that emergency fund
Most of us know that we should have some emergency cash stashed away for a rainy day, but how many of us actually do it? With the COVID-19 pandemic came job losses and salary cuts for many South Africans, and this in turn is shining a very bright...
Video: Money mistakes for women to avoid
There are many money mistakes we all make that prevent us from reaching our financial goals and we could all learn better money habits. However, there are specific money issues that relate directly to women. To chat to us about the key money...
Listen: How to invest for your kids
Whether you are saving for your child’s education or investing for their future, it's tough to know where and when to invest. When is a tax-free investment appropriate? Should you invest in your child’s name? And where should you save for those...
Video: Your UIF questions answered
There’s been a lot of controversy and debate around the rules and regulations of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) since the beginning of the national lockdown. With more retrenchments and job losses looming, many people are wondering what...
Be careful when claiming home office expenses
By Darren Britz, Admitted Attorney, and Laurence Mbokwane, Tax Consultant, at Tax Consulting SA Many South Africans who had to start working from home due to the national coronavirus lockdown imposed on businesses will not yet be able to claim home...
Listen: Women’s Day: Own your financial destiny
Is money really gender neutral? Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) discuss why women face more financial challenges and how important it is for women to take control of their financial destiny. Click here for more posts on this topic.
Don’t fall for a WhatsApp get-rich-quick scam
The WhatsApp stokvel scheme that has been around for a while has now morphed into a “WhatsApp gifting circle”, but it is the same get-rich-quick scam, just under a different label – and just as dangerous and illegal. People are recruited to join a...
Previous Articles
Video: Retrenchment
66% of people surveyed for the Old Mutual Savings and Investment Monitor said they feared losing their job. It is important to understand what benefits you have if you are retrenched. Accepting a voluntary retrenchment package provides the same retrenchment rights and...
Financial stress on the rise
Financial stress has soared as a result of the Covid-19 crisis, with savings dropping and debt levels rising. 58% of households across South Africa are facing high or overwhelming financial stress, according to the latest Old Mutual Savings & Investment Monitor...
Video: How to prioritise those bills
Lockdown and the economic fallout will affect different people in different ways. Some are fortunate enough to still be receiving a salary but according to the recent Old Mutual Savings and Investment monitor, over 50% have experienced a pay cut. Now is the time to...
Protect yourself from cyber criminals
Cyber criminals are taking advantage of the anxiety around lockdown. Manie van Schalkwyk, Executive Director of the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service (SAFPS) provides some insight into what scams to watch out for. The world is currently a very scary place....
Check before you press pay
If you accidently pay into the wrong account, there is no guarantee you will receive your money back. I recently received two complaints from readers who had accidently paid money into the wrong account, highlighting the risk of electronic fund transfers (EFT) and how...
How to save for your goals to avoid debt
One of the main reasons we have a credit crisis in South Africa is that we never plan and save towards our goals, because it’s just easier to borrow. Change your dependency on credit by planning for those money moments and start saving for your short-term goals in a...
When SARS unlawfully help themselves to your bank balance
By Jashwin Baijoo, Tax Attorney at Tax Consulting South Africa Everybody knows SARS is under collection pressure and they have grown rather fond of appointing third parties, such as banks, to recover outstanding tax debts directly, which leaves taxpayers stunned....
Listen: How do you know if you are getting good advice?
In this podcast Maya (@mayaonmoney) and Mapalo (@womanandfinance) each discuss an event in their week that made them reflect on the way we engage with money. A negative experience with the way financial products are sold makes Mapalo question whether people are...
Is the outrage over food prices justified?
Have you been shocked at the rapid price increase of some of your regular food purchases? City Press/Absa Money Makeover candidate Peter has been keeping a close eye on his grocery bills and has seen certain items increase, such as tinned tuna, cheese, Bakers Toppers...
How to start that emergency fund
If you follow my articles, podcasts or videos, you will know that I talk a lot about emergency funds. The concept of an emergency fund was really drummed into me when I edited Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover for South African readers. I always say that you cannot...