Tag: WealthBuilding

Before your South African Revenue Service (SARS) refund disappears into a holiday or shopping spree, consider how that lump sum could change your financial future. Who doesn't love that little ping telling you SARS has just paid your tax refund into your account? Suddenly, Mauritius is calling, and you can already hear the clinking of ice in your cocktail.

If you're eager to get into the stock market because you've heard it's a fast track to wealth, think again. The reality is that most individual stocks result in losses over the long term. This finding emerged in a recent article by Hendrik Bessembinder, which analysed the investment outcomes of 29,754 common stocks listed on the US public markets from 1926 to 2025.

We live in a world of information overload, and it can be challenging to know what is real and what is not. When it comes to money, social media is littered with "finfluencers" who present information and share "secrets" about managing and growing money. Some of it is real, while much of it is fake. As a result, it can be very difficult to know the difference.

There is a noticeable shift taking place in South Africa's property market. However, it does not follow traditional routes. Owning a home no longer necessarily means living in it. Increasingly, millennials and Gen Z are renting in areas that suit their lifestyle. At the same time, they buy property elsewhere as investment opportunities.

The concept of delayed gratification – resisting an immediate reward or temptation to receive a bigger or better reward later – is not a new one. However, modern life makes discipline harder than ever. We now live in a world shaped by on-demand convenience, algorithm-driven marketing, relentless social pressure and easy access to short-term credit. In this environment, ignoring fleeting trends becomes difficult.

For years, a familiar narrative has shaped our understanding of South African consumers. It suggests they are over-indebted, under-saving and prone to conspicuous consumption. Statistics often reinforce this view. These include low household savings rates, rising unsecured lending and high levels of personal debt. On the surface, the conclusion seems obvious. However, it remains incomplete.

South Africa’s economic environment has rarely felt straightforward. However, right now it feels particularly layered. Global trade tensions, domestic fiscal pressures and stubborn unemployment figures have left many buyers and investors hesitant. As a result, they often wonder whether to act or wait. In my experience, hesitation is often where opportunity quietly disappears.

This is an updated version of Financial Freedom through Property. The first version was published in 2019. The book is a practical, inspiring and distinctly South African road map to building lasting wealth through real estate. In this updated edition of his bestseller, Laurens Boel shares the strategies that took him from a retrenched corporate employee to the owner of over 200 rental units and an R80-million property portfolio.

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.

More people are starting to save for retirement in their twenties, however, many still feel financially unprepared for the future. According to our 2025 Retirement Insights Survey, the average starting age for retirement saving is 27.