NEWSROOM

Burgernomics: Decoding Currency Values with the Big Mac Index

The Big Mac Index, created by Pam Woodhall and first published in The Economist in 1986, offers an easily digestible way (pun intended) to assess currency values and the purchasing power parity (PPP) between countries. Comparing the price of a McDonald’s Big Mac in different currencies gives a basic snapshot

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How Elections May Impact Markets in the Months Ahead

South Africa’s momentous elections will impact financial markets for months to come, we just can’t predict how. Even if an investor-friendly coalition is agreed in the next week, you can still expect plenty of ups and downs. Foreign investors may dip in and out based on their risk appetite, but

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Demystifying Retirement Planning Lingo

Being able to retire comfortably is the ultimate goal. But getting there will require familiarising yourself with a few different financial vehicles. What’s the difference between a pension fund and a provident fund? And how will the two-pot system change things?   Read on for a primer on some of

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Why Your Marital Contract Really Matters

It’s normal not to want to prepare an antenuptial contract, as it feels like you’re preparing for divorce – absolutely the last thing you want to think about when you’re caught up in the thrill of planning a wedding.

Read on for an overview of the choices available to you – and their financial consequences.

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WHAT’S COOKING WITH THE THREE-POT SYSTEM?

The much talked about two pot system for retirement savings hasn’t even come into being. And now government’s proposing a three-pot system (although they’re still calling it a two-pot system).
Read on for an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of the pending changes to retirement planning in South Africa.

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What is True Wealth?

When people talk about wealth, they tend to think of material possessions. But true wealth requires a mindset that goes beyond just accumulating money.

Read on to learn how to think differently about wealth and why it is about more than just your finances.

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Why an Endowment is One of the Best Ways to Invest Offshore

The South African economy represents less than 1% of global economic activity and returns on local equity have been average over the last few years.

Investing offshore – over and above the contributions to your local retirement fund – is crucial. A healthy portfolio should be split across regions and currencies to hedge against the depreciating rand, and to gain from higher economic growth in other jurisdictions. But with Regulation 28 blocking the way, what other options do you have?

This month we explain how endowments work.

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Loss Aversion and Lifestyle Creep – How Behaviour Influences Saving

The biggest obstacle to growing your wealth has nothing to do with the stock market – it has to do with you. More specifically, the choices you make about your lifestyle and your saving habits.
Achieving financial freedom is a personal journey that involves lots of little behavioural changes over time.
These small changes can make all the difference in the long run.

READ MORE

Women’s Month: Three Ways You Can Improve Your Money Health

More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of financial wellbeing. Just like it’s necessary to look after your physical health, it is critical to be proactive about taking care of your financial health as well.

In Women’s Month, it’s worth considering why this is a particularly important topic for women. Often, they find it harder to take care of their financial wellbeing because of the different demands on their money and their time.

In this article we look at what makes financial wellbeing for women so important and examine three ways they can move towards a healthier relationship with their money.

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How Relevant Is The 4% Rule of Thumb These Days?

Generations of financial planners have advised their clients to use the 4% rule when planning retirement withdrawals. But is it still relevant today?

This article explains that, while the 4% rule can be a good way to think about how much you will need to save for retirement, it can never replace a proper financial plan.

Like most rules of thumb it’s not completely worthless – but it’s also not the answer to a happy and prosperous retirement. Planning your retirement is probably the biggest financial decision you’ll ever have to make so please do consult a qualified financial planner.

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Estate Planning for your UK and US Assets

Understanding the Tax Implications of investing internationally Investing some of your wealth internationally is becoming increasingly attractive and to a large extent non- negotiable from a diversification point of view. However, it’s important to understand the small print to make sure your assets are protected and that there aren’t any

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Why Your Marital Contract Really Matters

It’s normal not to want to prepare an antenuptial contract, as it feels like you’re preparing for divorce – absolutely the last thing you want to think about when you’re caught up in the thrill of planning a wedding.

Read on for an overview of the choices available to you – and their financial consequences.

READ MORE
WHAT’S COOKING WITH THE THREE-POT SYSTEM?

The much talked about two pot system for retirement savings hasn’t even come into being. And now government’s proposing a three-pot system (although they’re still calling it a two-pot system).
Read on for an in-depth discussion of the pros and cons of the pending changes to retirement planning in South Africa.

READ MORE
What is True Wealth?

When people talk about wealth, they tend to think of material possessions. But true wealth requires a mindset that goes beyond just accumulating money.

Read on to learn how to think differently about wealth and why it is about more than just your finances.

READ MORE
Why an Endowment is One of the Best Ways to Invest Offshore

The South African economy represents less than 1% of global economic activity and returns on local equity have been average over the last few years.

Investing offshore – over and above the contributions to your local retirement fund – is crucial. A healthy portfolio should be split across regions and currencies to hedge against the depreciating rand, and to gain from higher economic growth in other jurisdictions. But with Regulation 28 blocking the way, what other options do you have?

This month we explain how endowments work.

READ MORE
Loss Aversion and Lifestyle Creep – How Behaviour Influences Saving

The biggest obstacle to growing your wealth has nothing to do with the stock market – it has to do with you. More specifically, the choices you make about your lifestyle and your saving habits.
Achieving financial freedom is a personal journey that involves lots of little behavioural changes over time.
These small changes can make all the difference in the long run.

READ MORE
Women’s Month: Three Ways You Can Improve Your Money Health

More and more people are becoming aware of the importance of financial wellbeing. Just like it’s necessary to look after your physical health, it is critical to be proactive about taking care of your financial health as well.

In Women’s Month, it’s worth considering why this is a particularly important topic for women. Often, they find it harder to take care of their financial wellbeing because of the different demands on their money and their time.

In this article we look at what makes financial wellbeing for women so important and examine three ways they can move towards a healthier relationship with their money.

READ MORE
How Relevant Is The 4% Rule of Thumb These Days?

Generations of financial planners have advised their clients to use the 4% rule when planning retirement withdrawals. But is it still relevant today?

This article explains that, while the 4% rule can be a good way to think about how much you will need to save for retirement, it can never replace a proper financial plan.

Like most rules of thumb it’s not completely worthless – but it’s also not the answer to a happy and prosperous retirement. Planning your retirement is probably the biggest financial decision you’ll ever have to make so please do consult a qualified financial planner.

READ MORE