For the first January in years, the Western Cape is not facing another day zero to prepare for, and this whole drought situation also taught me one of my greatest life lessons. Like most Capetonians, I followed the standard water storage route by installing both a rain water tank and a grey water tank. Trying […]
A few of you might point out that my message this week directly contradicts what I said a few weeks ago. “Don’t bet on last year’s star performers” was right there in the title in September after all, and I pointed out that betting on last year’s winning shares may not always be the best […]
I recently got home from work, only to find my eldest daughter in tears. Upon enquiry as to why she was so sad, she told me that she had a massive university assignment due and that this particular assignment was so huge, that with the time she had left and the quantity of work that […]
Until fairly recently, my youngest daughter competed in the South African XC mountain bike race series. For those of you who are not too familiar with the sport, the easiest way to describe this particular type of race, would be to refer to it as a mountain bike race that takes place on a track […]
We currently find ourselves in a market that hasn’t shown any real growth over the past five years and even the most optimistic investors are now starting to panic, especially those who have already retired. With the cost of living rising rapidly, many pensioners are forced to increase their withdrawal rates to well above the […]
We still find ourselves in the month of July, which also happens to be National Savings Month. In my previous three columns, I discussed the importance of saving both before and after retirement. This week, I would like to touch on something that has recently appeared regularly both in the press and on social media: […]
It doesn’t matter which social media platform you are using, it’s clear that it’s that time of the year when everybody’s off to some or other holiday destination. Some have to book months, or even years in advance to reserve the perfect spot in the Kruger National Park, while others opt for a more exotic […]
Last week I discussed the impact of withdrawal rates on a living annuity’s lifespan and I showed investors how a withdrawal rate of 7.5% and higher can knock both time and value off your income and overall capital over the longer term. However, the withdrawal rate of between 5% and 6% recommended by the Association […]
“`During my years in this industry, I have met countless investors who simply aim too high with their growth expectations and often refuse to invest according to the risk profile recommended for them. Upon inception, they want to invest as aggressively as possible to achieve the best possible growth, until markets take a turn for […]
Do your own research and approach emigration and externalisation of assets with exceptional levels of critical thinking, not based on emotions. South Africans are currently facing the difficulty of making financial decisions in light of worrying new headlines. Many investors are grappling with planning ahead and making thorough capital allocation decisions despite high levels of […]
When I mention the names Floyd Mayweather and Connor McGregor, four words come to mind: Top Arrogant World Champions. Both of them are regarded as some of the best in contact sport. Both of them put on a pair of gloves and get into a ring. Both of them want to see their opponents hit […]
South Africans will need to increase their focus on tax-efficient investment. South Africans received the budget speech gracefully on February 20 2019. Everyone who listened to the speech will, for a very long time, recall our new minister of finance moving with flair, courage and humour. One could hear a pin drop in Parliament and […]
I recently co-consulted a client with another adviser with the aim of addressing the client’s retirement needs. The adviser recommended that the client invests in a retirement annuity (RA). Without a moment’s hesitation, the client said, “I’m not interested. I invested in a retirement annuity 30 years ago and it hasn’t grown in value since. […]
In recent weeks, we have busted a myth or two regarding retirement annuities (RAs), and proved the product’s undeniable benefits to investors. This week, I would like to focus more on the structure of an RA, and specifically on direct shares in an RA for those who feel that an RA does not necessarily meet […]
I’m sure many of you have noticed how we associate nearly every month of the year with something. September is the month of spring, while December brings about the smell of the sea and suntan lotion, accompanied by Boney M in almost every single mall you visit. February brings about tax season, or to some, […]
Considerations when appointing guardians for your minor child. By Richus Nel South Africa certainly is an exciting country to live in, but this excitement comes at a high price in terms of the unpredictability of events, outcomes and developments. The uncertainty this generates in our lives means that we need to consider the position of […]
Biking to retirement: Start with small achievable targets and learn to ride the ‘investment bike’ over many years, long before retirement. As a recreational cyclist, I regard cycling as one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to get around. But while some cycling is for recreation, other times it can be about incremental goal […]
I have made several references to the Matryoshka, or Russian Nesting Doll in the past, because I find it to be such a fitting analogy to describe investment products and the costs attached to them. As its name suggests, it’s a set of hollow wooden dolls arranged from small to large, with each larger doll […]
South Africans like to consider their homes as investments. As with all investments, it is worth revisiting your assumptions from time to time. Currently, there’s a lot of debate surrounding the prices of especially residential properties. The FNB South African House Price Index shows us that house prices have declined by 21% in real terms […]
There is an old saying that goes, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. Of course, the opposite is also true, because you cannot lose anything if nothing is ventured either. As an example, let’s use someone with an extreme fear of the ocean. This person feels that people risk too much by playing in the waves, as […]
