Do you know how much tax you save by investing in a tax-free savings account? Sanlam Investments did the maths and found that you can save hundreds of thousands of rands. So why pay tax when you can make money? To recap: you can invest up to...
Video: The true cost of cashing in your pension
Maya Fisher-FrenchMar 18, 2021
Do you know the true future cost of cashing in your pension? The long-term consequences are not reversible and will leave many financially destitute when it comes to retirement. This video, as part of a member education series for the Government...
Video: How to grow your side hustle
Maya Fisher-FrenchMar 16, 2021
In any crisis there is opportunity. Lockdown created new market opportunities as customers became open to trying new brands through e-commerce. Research has already identified that post lockdown, people are less likely to return to major shopping...
Video: Make sure you receive your retirement benefits on time
Maya Fisher-FrenchMar 11, 2021
As you enter retirement, one of your biggest risks is a delay between when you receive your final salary and the first payment from your pension. This video, as part of a member education series for the Government Employees’ Pension Fund (GEPF),...
Video: Changes to provident funds
Maya Fisher-FrenchMar 9, 2021
On 1 March 2021 the Taxation Laws Amendment Bill of 2020 came into effect. It contains changes that have a direct impact on the members of provident funds. These changes are part of a process to simplify the retirement fund industry and bring...
Video: How to stick to your money resolutions
Maya Fisher-FrenchMar 2, 2021
Why is it so hard to stick to our New Year resolutions? We know that if we want to lose weight we need to eat less and exercise more. To grow wealth we must spend less and save more. So why then do we give in and buy the chocolate bar when we...
Video: No early pension access for GEPF members
Maya Fisher-FrenchFeb 24, 2021
Members of the Government Employees’ Pension Fund (GEPF) can not “borrow” or withdraw from their retirement savings. Cashing in your pension is “stealing” from your future self! This video, as part of a member education series, explains why GEPF...
Video: Use your tax deductions before 28 Feb
Maya Fisher-FrenchFeb 23, 2021
28 February is a very important date for your finances as it marks the end of the financial year. All information up to this date will be included in your 2020/2021 tax return. This includes all tax deductions. Make sure you have made the most of...
Video: The 12-month financial plan
Maya Fisher-FrenchFeb 16, 2021
If you've decided that this is the year to get your finances under control, try this month-by-month plan so that your finances and admin are all up to date by the end of the year. In January: Update your budget and plan for expenses Write up...
Video: GEPF: Who receives your pension benefits?
Maya Fisher-FrenchFeb 10, 2021
One of the questions I receive most often from retirement fund members is about who has a claim to their retirement funds if they die in service. This video, as part of a member education series for the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF),...
Previous Articles
Video: Why it pays to be a member of the GEPF
Jan 29, 2021
As a financial journalist I am increasingly concerned about misinformation provided to members of the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) by unscrupulous financial advisers. Some advisers use fear tactics, telling members that their funds will be stolen or...
Video: 40 days to payday
Dec 18, 2020
Most companies pay December salaries early, so there is a good chance many of you have already been paid by December 15 While it is a great feeling to receive money early, especially with the financial demands of the festive season, keep in mind that this money has to...
Video: Plan to celebrate
Dec 15, 2020
Most of us are going to feel cash strapped this festive season due to the financial strain of the COVID-19 lockdown. But we also need to have something to celebrate and to look forward to. We can do this if we put a plan in place. Set a budget Decide upfront how much...
Video: Investment scams
Dec 8, 2020
The current economic situation, with job losses, low interest rates and poor market performance, has created the perfect opportunity for scamsters to promote dodgy investment deals to try and lure unsuspecting victims. To tell us more about investment scams, I am...
Video: Prepare for the weather
Dec 1, 2020
The summer rainy season is in full swing in Gauteng. The province has already seen heavy rain, flash floods and hail, and authorities have warned that more extreme weather is on the way. It is not surprising that this is the time of year that property damage due...
Video: Loan scams
Nov 24, 2020
There has been an increase in loan scams as people become financially desperate and see a cheap loan as a way out of a financial crisis. My own inbox is flooded each day with emails from companies claiming to offer really cheap loans. Many of these emails use the...
Video: Investing for your child
Nov 18, 2020
One of the questions we receive quite frequently from our viewers is where to invest for their children’s future. The answer depends on what the investment is for. Saving for next year’s school fees would be a very different investment decision from saving for your...
Video: When to consider debt counselling
Nov 10, 2020
Even before lockdown, many people were finding it difficult to meet their debt repayments and facing the prospect of defaulting. Once you are in default, the collection and legal fees start mounting up. Debt that you were already struggling to repay could easily...
Video: Review your will
Nov 3, 2020
Last week was National Wills Week, which is always a great reminder to review your will. If you don’t have one, make sure you prioritise this immediately. To find out more about what should be in your will and what makes a will valid, I am speaking to Monica Moodley,...
Video: Spring clean your insurance
Oct 27, 2020
Whether you’ve recently made property upgrades or added a few new items to your home, it is time to spring clean your insurance policies to check that you are adequately covered. Your short-term insurance policy is automatically renewed almost every year but it is up...