How do we live today without being careless about tomorrow, asks Pieter Albertyn, Head of Product Solutions at Momentum Investo. In his State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa used the example of a child called Tintswalo to...
How your employer can offer financial assistance in tough times
Many South Africans are experiencing severe financial challenges, and some turn to unregistered lenders for quick cash solutions. However, if you’re employed, your company might be able to provide some financial assistance. We all know that South...
Complaining made easier
The creation of the National Financial Ombud Scheme will make it much easier for consumers of various financial products to find redress. The financial industry has mechanisms for dispute resolution that consumers are often not aware of. These are...
Listen: Navigating the financial waters as a young graduate
Congratulations! You've tossed your graduation cap, landed your first job, and are ready to dive into the real world. But with the excitement of your first paycheque comes the daunting realisation of adult responsibilities: rent, groceries, car...
Five stock market myths keeping you from building wealth
Wendy Myers, Head of Securities at PSG Wealth, looks at some myths that are prevalent among South Africans when it comes to the idea of investing in the stock market. When it comes to the world of investing, many people have no idea where to start,...
TikTok: a cesspool of financial scams
While there is certainly good financial education content to be found on social media, there are also numerous scams and unethical practices, and TikTok is no exception. In fact, the massive increase in TikTok’s popularity has seen a massive...
No change to 2024 income tax tables, but watch out for bracket creep
Beatrie Gouws, Tax Director at BDO, and David Warneke, Assoc. Prof. and Tax Partner at BDO, share their insight into the implications of the 2024 budget for taxpayers across all economic tiers. South Africans breathed a collective sigh of relief as...
Stay away from too-good-to-be-true promises!
MMM Krypto and Tumi Links are two of the latest scams doing the rounds online. Every week I receive an update from the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) warning about scams. Unfortunately, when people are caught out, there is nothing our...
You may be liable for your spouse’s tax bill
What being married in community of property means for your taxes If you are married in community of property you may be surprised to discover that 50% of your spouse’s tax liability from investment income (such as interest, rental income,...
Listen: Unpacking the national budget: where your taxes really go
Every year, the announcement of the national budget grips the attention of ordinary South Africans and experts alike. But what does it really mean for you and me? In this latest episode of the My Money, My Lifestyle podcast, we cut through the...
Previous Articles
A view on the 2024 budget speech
Sanisha Packirisamy, economist at Momentum Investments, picks up on some key focus points from the 2024 budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. Committing to maintaining sustainable public finances proves to be challenging amidst a geopolitically...
Red hearts to red flags: spotting love’s financial warning signs
Farzana Botha, Communications Manager at Sanlam Risk and Savings, and Lee Hancox, Head of Channel and Segment Marketing at Sanlam, present a guide to ‘relationship financial flags’, helping South Africans navigate the complexities of love’s financial dynamics this...
Commit to your financial goals
"Present bias" can lead us to procrastination, impulsivity, and poor decision-making when it comes to achieving our financial goals. Making New Year’s resolutions is a popular way to set goals for the upcoming year and make positive changes in your life. However, many...
Saving for school fees
For most parents, being able to educate their children is one of their most important financial goals. But when it comes to finding the money for school fees or tertiary education, we wish we had made better plans earlier. We are reminded of this every January when we...
Listen: Tax 101 for freelancers
Navigating tax can be tricky, and this is especially true for freelancers. Whether you're a graphic designer, writer, or any independent contractor, you need to understand your tax obligations – this is crucial for financial success and legal compliance. In this...
Surge in fake online shopping sites
Despite the fact that I write extensively on scams, I nearly became a victim in what seems to be an increasing wave of fake online shopping sites. When I shared my story on social media, it became apparent that several well-known brands are being targeted by...
Better money management for 2024
After festive-season overindulgence, many of us need a financial detox in January. Here’s how to attain better money management and revitalise your finances this year. The festive season can strain our finances to breaking point – our December salaries must last for...
Listen: Can we trust the banking system?
In this podcast, I have a frank discussion with David Buckham, founder and CEO of Monocle Solutions, and an expert on the global banking system. We discuss the inherent flaws in the banking system and the reasons behind the erosion of trust across all areas of society...
Tips to help you avoid Janu-worry
Munya Shumba, financial adviser at Discovery Limited, has some great advice for those who find their January turning into Janu-worry. Why is January so often referred to as “Janu-worry”? It’s because in many parts of the world, employees get their salary paid earlier...
The 12-month financial plan
A great way to give your finances a good shake-up this year is to follow this 12-month financial plan so that your finances and admin are all up-to-date by the end of the year. Your 12-month financial plan: Month by month January: Update your budget and plan for...