Tag: financial security

Every year during National Wills Week, thousands of South Africans take advantage of the opportunity to have a basic will drafted for free. Yet many still put it off, assuming they will “get to it one day”. The truth is clear. Dying without a will can leave your loved ones facing unnecessary stress, delays and financial hardship if something happens to you.

After a little more than a year into my role as Chief Marketing Officer, I have started to think very differently about death and the business of death. Coming from an FMCG environment, I found the transition to the services sector, specifically funeral and life insurance, significant. However, I also discovered that there are similarities between the two sectors.

The world in which we grew up is changing. The weather is no longer as predictable as we remember. We can no longer set our clocks by an afternoon Highveld storm. We also cannot reliably mark the transition of the seasons. Climate change is real. It brings unpredictable weather patterns and uncertainties that extend beyond the environment and into our financial security.

As South Africans braced for a heavier tax burden, the 2025 Budget Speech delivered a mix of relief and reality. While tax increases were lower than feared, financial advisers will soon need to navigate a complex landscape of regulatory reforms.

The 2025 national budget speech has been delivered. As a result, predictions suggest possible PAYE and VAT increases. These forecasted hikes signal tighter financial conditions for consumers. In response, maintaining a strong credit score has become more critical than ever. It’s not just key for accessing loans. Importantly, it also shapes employment prospects and long-term financial security.

The economic reality in South Africa today leaves many middle-class households grappling with mounting expenses. They also face dwindling disposable income, which makes successful retirement savings increasingly difficult. In addition, there is a persistent inability to save for retirement.

We cannot tax our society into behaving better. No matter how much we would like to believe otherwise, it remains ineffective. Behaviour-adjusting taxes, like sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, have failed to curb excessive smoking or drinking. The sugar tax has placed a heavier financial burden on the working class. However, it has not achieved its intended behavioural change.

Building financial resilience through habit stacking is a practical approach to integrate essential financial and health habits into a daily routine to ensure long-term stability.

Protecting assets that generate rental income is vital to ensure financial security and to avoid unexpected liabilities or losses. Renting out a room, apartment or even an entire home can be a great way to earn extra income.

In many African cultures, the conclusion of lobola negotiations marks a major milestone. It symbolises the formal union of two families. While this deeply rooted tradition is widely embraced, fewer people understand its impact on homeownership.