Tag: personalfinance

From ceasefires to blockades, the world continues to feel increasingly unpredictable. Headlines remain dominated by conflict in the Middle East, rising geopolitical tension and markets reacting in real time. When the world feels uncertain, people naturally ask one question: Should I stay, or should I go?

April’s Financial Literacy Month provides an opportunity to reflect on progress. It also highlights where the next phase of financial inclusion must focus. While access remains foundational, the real challenge lies in outcomes. Specifically, credit must deliver sustainable and positive results for consumers. Over the past decade, South Africa has expanded access to financial services. This progress has strengthened financial inclusion across the country.

Retirement planning is often framed as a question of how much you save. Most people contribute to a Maximising. However, very few understand how to use it strategically. For many investors, retirement annuities function as a routine savings vehicle. People contribute consistently without considering the structural role these products play in a broader wealth strategy.

There is a common misconception that having insurance guarantees a successful claim. However, this belief often leads to rejected insurance claims. After all, policyholders pay premiums every month. They expect the policy to respond when something goes wrong.

With a catastrophic, record-setting fuel increase on 1 April 2026, South Africans face significant pressure. In fact, many households are already bracing for the record fuel hike. This increase will extend far beyond the forecourt.

Geopolitics often feels distant. Many people see it as something that happens far away, involving borders or disputes over natural resources. These events usually take place on the other side of the world. However, the reality is far more personal for the average South African household. This is precisely why geopolitics matters to your pocket.

Understanding the difference between financial advice and holistic wealth guidance is essential for anyone planning their long-term financial future. The discussion in the video explores a common misconception in the financial services industry: many people assume that a professional managing their investments automatically provides comprehensive wealth advice. However, the conversation highlights that this is not always the case.

For at least three decades, South Africa’s financial services industry has raised the alarm about the urgent need to increase consumer savings. Yet little has changed. The elephant in the room is clear. Unless we meaningfully close the gap between product availability and true independent advice, this will not change.

With the end of the 2025/2026 tax year fast approaching, South Africans have a narrowing window to make financial decisions that can meaningfully improve their savings outcomes. Acting before the tax year closes can deliver immediate tax benefits and lasting financial advantages. February ranks among the most important months on the financial calendar.

It starts, as these things invariably do, on a perfectly innocuous Tuesday. The coffee is hot. The cat judges me from the sofa. The world seems, temporarily, to behave itself. Then, you make the fatal error. You check your bank account. There it is. A debit order. But not the friendly, familiar figure that you have grown accustomed to. That one we agreed upon over a handshake, or more likely a shiny tick box on a glowing screen.