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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
It is important to understand how your life policy works and what your options are if you find that you are no longer able to afford your premiums. While the outbreak of COVID-19 raised awareness around the need for life cover, especially for those with financial...
The economic lockdown revealed how financially vulnerable self-employed people are. People in formal employment have certain protections stipulated by their employment contracts and UIF, but if you work for yourself, you must create your own financial protection. Many...
When we began 2020, who could have imagined that mortgage rates would fall by almost one-third, decreasing from 10% all the way down to 7% percent. Economists are even predicting further rate cuts this year. While this has been great news for borrowers, it has not...
We often believe that the only way to pay off debt is with a windfall like a big bonus or winning the lotto. But this thinking gets us caught in an anti-wealth trap. We spend on our credit cards all year and use our bonus or 13th cheque to settle the debt, only to...
We should be in the habit of regularly reviewing our insurance cover, but if you haven’t done so for a while, COVID-19 lockdown is the perfect opportunity to make sure you have the correct cover in place and even save on premiums. You may find that the cover you have...
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 light on how critical...
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 mistakes women need to...
We've seen many financial institutions offer their customers a debt payment holiday during these trying times. And while it may seem like a welcome relief, be careful because it might end up costing you a lot more than you realize. According to the Old Mutual Savings...
If you are being retrenched or forced to take unpaid leave due to the lockdown, you may be able to claim from your credit insurance policy. Many people, especially those with short-term debt and even store cards, may have credit insurance without even being aware of...
I always maintain that actuaries never lie, and women on average pay less for car insurance than men, so is it true that women are better drivers? In light of Women's Month, I am speaking to Christelle Colman of Elite Wealth Assets Insurance to explain why women pay...