Whenever Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) releases the consumer price index (inflation) figure, I always wonder whose basket of goods they are using, because I can assure you that my living costs are increasing well above the 5.2% CPI recorded for...
There is much to be said for renting when it comes to electronics, appliances and even furniture. When I was young, everyone rented a TV, most of them from Teljoy. In those days, TVs were simply unaffordable and credit was not as easily available...
According to statistics from antivirus software provider McAfee’s Global Cost of Cybercrime report, cybercrime costs the South African economy about R5.8 billion a year. In light of Safer Internet Day celebrated on 9 February 2016, Candice...
How you manage your wedding budget will have a serious impact on your financial future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJu_uQ68CHE&feature=youtu.be – Video supplied by BrightRock Welcome to the Change Exchange, where we're discussing rings and...
RSA Retail Savings Bonds are an attractive option for savers. For those who are looking to save for the medium term and don’t plan on touching the money for at least two years, the RSA Retail Savings Bond, offered by National Treasury, is an...
By David Warneke, Director and Head of Tax Technical at BDO South Africa The Tax Administration Laws Amendment Act of 2015, which was promulgated on 8 January 2016, states that in future SARS will not be permitted to entertain so-called ‘requests...
Hlakanyane asks: I am a 52-year-old man and currently contributing R2 500 per month in a tax-free savings account with a bank. This is invested in cash and standing at R15 000 thus far. Is it better to leave it in the bank, to invest with an...
The recent student protests have highlighted the high cost of tertiary education. For many, the cost of registration alone is enough to shut the door of opportunity. The South African Institution of Race Relations has reported that only 5% of South...
In episode 14 of the Change in your Pocket series, we examine how best to go about discussing money with young children. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoBHYWeKvGY&feature=youtu.be – Video supplied by BrightRock Welcome to The Change Exchange...
Evans writes: I am 30 years old and work as a contract worker, which means my salary is not fixed and ranges from zero some months to R8 000 in other months. I currently contribute R750 a month towards my retirement annuity and I also contribute...
Chantel has been married for almost two years and was caught slightly off-guard recently when she realised she was pregnant with her first baby. “Even though my husband and I are both extremely good at saving, we didn’t have a specific budget for a baby and didn’t...
Don't fall into the trap of taking on unnecessary consumption debt in a misguided attempt to build up your credit record. Far too many 20- and 30-year-olds are struggling to meet monthly debt repayments, impacting their ability to break the dependency cycle and create...
I recently required surgery to my ankle after sustaining a serious injury quite a while back. Thanks to this ongoing ankle saga, if I ever want to be able to hike and run again I am going to have to commit to some serious rehabilitation work which involves spending 20...
In this podcast we search for the truth behind credit cards – are they really a good thing to have in your wallet? We chat to Chris Labuschagne, CEO of FNB credit card and we asked him how many of their customers pay off their cards in full at the end of every month,...
Regard Budler from Momentum explains how much of your year-end bonus you can add to your company retirement fund for maximum tax benefit. For those fortunate enough to receive a year-end bonus, the burning question is: “How do I spend this money?” Shopping spree,...
What's your child's money personality? Natural saver or spender? In episode 13 of the Change in your Pocket series, we give you tips on how to teach your child to save. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpp9L7_Q_JU&feature=youtu.be – Video supplied by BrightRock Welcome...
Technology gifts and beach holidays come out tops, while most of us keep mum when we get gifts we don’’t like. A snap holiday survey conducted by Visa in South Africa has revealed what South Africans want most for Christmas gifts, where they want to travel and those...
By Vickie Lange, Institutional Best Practice Specialist at Alexander Forbes Last year the tax changes to all retirement funds and the retirement benefit changes to provident funds (together known as T-day changes) which were originally scheduled for 1 March 2015 were...
Episode 12 of the Change in your Pocket series looks at pocket money, and how you can use it to teach your children about the value of money and how to manage it. https://youtu.be/dFstCrhEcN0 – Video supplied by BrightRock Welcome to The Change Exchange where we are...
Absa is the first bank to allow customers to reverse unauthorised debit orders online. Debit order fraud is on the increase in South Africa. Syndicates are obtaining a database of accounts illegally, and hitting these accounts with small amounts. According to the...