Introduction The financial advisor in me gets concerned on Black Friday because I know how recklessly people spend. This isn’t to say Black Friday is bad. In fact, it can be a great time to buy quality items on sale that you had BUDGETED to buy full price. This, however, requires ignoring the hype, planning, and spending intelligently. Let me illustrate this by explaining how I bought a new a new TV for R779 on Black Friday. The Process 1. Save ahead of time Financially astute people avoid impulse buying and save for big purchases. As such, my wife and I saved and set aside money for a ..read more

Introduction The financial advisor in me gets concerned on Black Friday because I know how recklessly people spend. This isn’t to say Black Friday is bad. In fact, it can be a great time to buy quality items on sale that you had BUDGETED to buy full price. This, however, requires ignoring the hype, planning, and spending intelligently. Let me illustrate this by explaining how I bought a new a new TV for R779 on Black Friday. The Process 1. Save ahead of time Financially astute people avoid impulse buying and save for big purchases. As such, my wife and I saved and set aside money for a ..read more

Introduction One of the biggest buzzwords around business and entrepreneurship is ‘Hustle’. Heck, I have used the word on more than one occasion. It’s one of those words that gets you fired up to take action and perform. It feels really good to say you’re a ‘hustler’. There is something thuggish and rebellious about it. It feels like you are walking in slow-motion in a suit with a steely expression on your face, backlit by a massive explosion as the word HUSTLER boldly appears at the top of the screen. It implies you are taking names and getting sh*t done. But, unfortunately, with the hype aro ..read more

Introduction Many people believe that the greatest asset you possess is your ability to earn an income. The reason is that the work you are able to do and the decisions you make regarding your money, career, and investments, etc. determine the amount of income you are able to generate which then determines the lifestyle you are able to have. So, if the ability to earn an income is your greatest asset, then why is it not seen as a priority to protect? Most of us have insurance to protect our cars, so why don’t we protect our income the same way? Think about it like this, if you were to lose you ..read more

Introduction With Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent announcement extending the COVID-19 lockdown, taking the total lockdown period to 5-weeks, many of us are worried about work, our jobs, and the financial implications thereof. The world has never seen anything quite like this before and there is no history to draw from telling us what the outcome will be. Yet despite these uncertain times, history does prove that we are capable of adapting and showing strength in times of adversity. Despite the many things we can’t control, there are still things we can. In this article, I will outline a few ways in w ..read more

Introduction Welcome to a glimpse of an apocalyptic world! With the Corona virus rendering everyone housebound due to the lockdown imposed by the South African government, many of us may find ourselves working from home for the next 21 or so days. As good as the whole “working from home thing” may sound, it does come with its own set of challenges; motivation being the biggest one. As someone who works from home fairly often, I am going to share some of the tips I have learned along the way to help you work from home effectively. 1. Get out of your Pajamas It may be tempting to stay in your pa ..read more

Introduction Every single one of us has, at some point or another, developed a bad habit or two. We are human after all. And while some bad habits may not seem like a big deal on their own, if we aren’t careful, collectively these habits could seriously impede us from living our best life and stop us from achieving our long-term goals. At the end of the day, if we want to perform at our optimal we need to assess our lives and ourselves. We need to identify the positive habits that will align with our goals and help us become the best version of ourselves. So without further ado, these are pote ..read more

Introduction If you haven’t had your head in the sand for the last day or two, then you would know that South Africa’s Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni delivered his 2020 budget speech on Wednesday (26 February 2020). I don’t expect many of you to have watched the full thing because let’s be honest unless you have a vested interest in it, it can be long and boring filled with confusing financial jargon. So, I am going to break it down into bite-sized pieces starting with how the changes to the Taxable Income Tables for Individuals will affect you. 1. What is Income Tax? Income tax is the normal ..read more

Introduction With dodgy service providers looking to take advantage of poor, unsuspecting victims, and the internet able to provide information at the click of a button, it can be tempting to take the matter of your financial planning into your own hands. While the prospect may seem inviting, there are a couple of things you should probably consider before choosing this path. 1. The Learning Curve The financial services industry is a complex one, with numerous aspects to examine. If you are not someone who enjoys numbers or reading about investing, stocks, and finance, then keeping up-to-date ..read more

Introduction The thought of starting a new enterprise can be an exciting one as there is a certain appeal to doing something you are passionate about. Being in control of your own destiny offers the promise of great riches, rewards, and personal satisfaction. And while many may envision a prosperous journey of taking an idea from seed to fruition, what often isn’t realized is how tough it really is. This lack of preparation may explain why many small businesses don’t survive past two years. So, whether you are a visionary with an idea to change the world or someone who is unwavering in their s ..read more