The rate at which the COVID-19 virus has spread globally has left many investors feeling understandably nervous. Equities have fallen dramatically since the start of the outbreak, with the FTSE/JSE ALSI falling 33% in the past 30 days (as at 19 March 2020). Bonds haven’t fared much better either, with the yield on the SA […]
Are you a South African citizen with interests offshore? Perhaps you have a home in Spain? Or a business in Italy? Offshore assets make wills more complicated. This situation calls for careful estate planning with the right people on-the-ground. This Wills Week, David Thomson, CFP Senior Legal Planner at Sanlam Trust, gives insights into estate […]
Having debt can keep you awake at night, regardless of whether it’s the good or bad kind. Although learning about money and financial responsibility is a life-long process, there are some things we may wish we had known sooner. The bank is not your dad: Borrowing money from mom or dad is very different from borrowing […]
Question:- Because the performance of South African equities has been so poor in the past three years, I’ve been putting my savings into cash investments to avoid losses. Should I leave it there? I’m saving for longer-term goals like my children’s university costs and retirement. Answer:- You may be pleased with your decision to have […]
Research shows that parents’ attitudes to finances play a big role in determining how a child will grow up to manage money, so it’s wise to get savvy about the subliminal signals you might be sending. Here are five must-dos for involving your kids in money matters: Start by getting them to understand the concept […]
Most parents want to leave their children a legacy, but what if you could leave your children a secure retirement? A retirement that they never have to save a cent towards and that is completely tax free? According to Nic Andrew, executive head of investments at Nedgroup Investments, this is exactly what would happen if […]
In these uncertain times, investors are faced with a very important decision – whether to stay invested in the markets and bear the brunt of the tough economic climate, or rather to switch to cash? Below, we highlight some of the main reasons to stay invested in the markets as well as some of the […]
When you retire as a member of a pension fund, two-thirds of your savings must be used to buy a compulsory annuity that provides you with an income. You can choose between a living annuity and a life annuity. A life annuity is an insurance-based product that provides a guaranteed income for life. A living […]
You can’t fix a slump – stay with it – because feeling a tad disillusioned by your investment portfolio is a sign of the times. For the best part of five years, investors could be excused for thinking they’ve been hitting the replay button on a bad repeat of bleak market conditions. While global markets […]
There is no doubt that one of our most important responsibilities as parents is to ensure our children have a healthy relationship with money. Why, then, are most of us doing such a bad job – and what can we do to turn it around? Here’s what a couple of top financial planning experts advise. […]