Tag: unit trust

The rush to enrol at universities and colleges is just about over. But by December, about 60% of the students who enrolled this year will drop out. With the dropout rate will go the career dreams of many, hard-earned savings, and the realisation that student loans will now have to be repaid.

We often hear that South Africans are not saving and investing enough. A report from Genesis Analytics in partnership with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) showed that 90% of South African retirees can’t sustain their standard of living prior to retirement, and two-thirds of members have less than R50,000 in their retirement fund.

While we will all face the inevitability of death one day, many of us find it scary to confront our own mortality. But good estate planning is a critical aspect of broader financial planning; without it, our dependants may be left in a precarious financial position. 

What if we said you could easily retire with 25% more in savings? What if we told you the system is designed so you don’t find out how to do this? People asking for advice on the 'the best funds' for retirement but not questioning the fees they’re paying have their heads buried in the sand.

Many people are often tempted to either draw up their own will or to change an existing will themselves, without the help of a skilled professional. However, there are many pitfalls ready to trap the unwary should you follow this route.

The stock market can be volatile, but it’s a market that many people will delve into at some point in their lives whether directly buying shares or through their employer retirement saving fund. I believe that investments should form a core part of any financial planning, even during uncertain times.

As the year unwinds and we head into the holiday season, I know what you are thinking. Now is the time to spend and spoil yourself for a year of hard work - however this time of the year gives you a chance to take a moment and think about savings and ways you can invest your hard-earned money.

Many of us would like to put money aside for saving and investing but struggle to remain committed and disciplined each month. Being part of a savings club is a great way to reach your financial goals. Saving can be difficult on your own, but South Africans have always been creative when it comes to solving problems. To help us get into the habit of regular saving, over 11.5 million of us have joined savings clubs and stokvels.

The rise of new technologies and fin-tech has made investing simpler, more transparent and cheaper than ever before, leading many to adopt a DIY-approach to their finances. So, in a world where investing is as easy as ordering take-out, what are the dangers of self-managing your investments, and why should you consider seeking professional financial advice?

The close of the tax year is drawing near, meaning those wanting to make use of the tax-free savings account allowance have their last opportunity on February 28 to put money away in the current tax year.