Absa recently launched the first fully functioning bank card that enables customers to simply tap and pay for low value items. Building on Absa’s PayPassTM technology which is behind the roll out of the My Citi transit card in Cape Town and the BRT...
Borrowing to study
Maya Fisher-FrenchJan 8, 2013
It is that time of year when many students will be selecting their courses for the year. In an ideal world one would have saved enough to pay for one’s studies, but unfortunately this is seldom the case and most students need to consider taking a...
Cost effective investing
Maya Fisher-FrenchDec 11, 2012
A study by international fund rating agency Morningstar showed that the best indicator of outperformance by a fund was low costs. It is however often the cost of accessing that investment rather than the actual management fees that really hurts...
Now is not the time to blow your windfall
Liziwe NdalanaDec 10, 2012
This month some households will experience a financial boost with either a bonus or a tax-rebate. Many South Africans have become used to having bonuses and tax refunds as an expected additional income instead of an ‘unexpected extra’, and...
One in four can no longer afford medical aid
Liziwe NdalanaDec 7, 2012
One in four people can no longer afford to pay for medical aid, a flash survey among users of online financial guide, Justmoney.co.za, has revealed. As the price of medical aid premiums rises by an inflation-busting average of 9.11%*, adding to the...
Free financial advice
Maya Fisher-FrenchNov 27, 2012
In line with its mission to promote good financial planning among all South Africans, the Financial Planning Institute will be offering pro-bono financial advice to South Africans across the country during the upcoming Financial Planning Week, from...
Investment clubs are a good way to learn about investing on the JSE
Maya Fisher-FrenchNov 21, 2012
If you are new to investing on the JSE and are looking for a good way to get your feet wet or you feel more comfortable learning about investing with others than on your, you can start a share club where you research companies and to discuss...
RSA retail savings bonds as an investment
Maya Fisher-FrenchNov 19, 2012
“Are RSA retail bonds still a good choice of investment over a 3 or 5 year period. And what interest rates are the offering at this stage?” writes Peter who is 65 years old. Maya replies: If you are simply comparing interest rates to a bank deposit...
RSA retail savings bonds as an investment
Maya Fisher-FrenchNov 19, 2012
“Are RSA retail bonds still a good choice of investment over a 3 or 5 year period. And what interest rates are the offering at this stage?” writes Peter who is 65 years old. Maya replies: If you are simply comparing interest rates to a bank deposit...
RSA retail savings bonds as an investment
Maya Fisher-FrenchNov 19, 2012
“Are RSA retail bonds still a good choice of investment over a 3 or 5 year period. And what interest rates are the offering at this stage?” writes Peter who is 65 years old. Maya replies: If you are simply comparing interest rates to a bank deposit...

Previous Articles
RSA retail savings bonds as an investment
Nov 19, 2012
“Are RSA retail bonds still a good choice of investment over a 3 or 5 year period. And what interest rates are the offering at this stage?” writes Peter who is 65 years old. Maya replies: If you are simply comparing interest rates to a bank deposit then the RSA retail...
Q&A: Buying Capitec
Nov 19, 2012
"I'm sitting with some cash and would like to invest it so I can get good returns on it. I have no knowledge of the investment game but I am looking at a long term investment. I've noticed the buzz around Capitec Bank and I would like to ask you if it would be a good...
Five tricks to reduce your home loan
Nov 7, 2012
Homeowners can reduce the term of their home loan and the total that they pay in with careful budgeting and clever tricks. A house is usually the biggest asset that you will buy in your lifetime, but it's made affordable by the 20-year term of monthly repayments. Most...
Billions of rands paid out by employee share schemes
Nov 7, 2012
Due to significant increases in share prices, some participants in company share schemes are receiving payouts of hundreds of thousands of rands. If you are one of those lucky individuals, you need to use this opportunity to build your wealth base and also consider...
Medical Aid for individuals earning less than R9k per month
Nov 5, 2012
Unexpected medical costs can wipe you out financially so insuring for hefty medical bills is an important part of your financial plan. Medical schemes are fairly expensive and have been seen as the preserve of higher income earners. Fortunately medical schemes have...
How risk affects your investment performance
Oct 20, 2012
Whenever you read anything about investing you hear words like volatility, risk and growth assets but how exactly does this affect your investment returns? There are two types of investors: one group is very risk averse and prefers to stick to cash-like investments...
Getting your admin in order
Oct 16, 2012
While it is very important to keep track of your day to day expenses as well as your longer term financial goals, you also need to ensure that your financial administration is up to date. If you need to urgently get hold of vital paperwork do you have any idea where...
Money management tools
Oct 14, 2012
One thing all financially savvy people have in common is that they have a good handle on their money. They know how much they are worth, what they spend each month and where their money is going. They have savings goals and they understand their debt commitments. This...
South Africans may soon be able to invest in unit trusts tax free
Oct 14, 2012
In an effort to improve household savings which have declined over the last fifty years from over 6% to a negative 0.05%, National Treasury has made proposals which will allow investors to invest in a range of investment products tax-free. These products will include...
How to halve retirement costs
Sep 24, 2012
By restructuring the way we save for retirement we could halve the cost of retirement savings vehicles. The current model of annual fees and a lack of preservation is unnecessarily driving up retirement costs according to Anton Gildenhuys, head of Sanlam Personal...







