Invest in Retail Savings Bonds for guaranteed interest rates. Choose between fixed or inflation-linked bonds for low-risk investment. Happy investing! The post Should I Invest In South African Government Bonds? first appeared on // LOCALMONEY ..read more

Investment fees can erode returns: AUM, platform, brokerage, transfer, admin fees, hidden spread costs, selling, cash-out, forex, and tax fees. The post Investing in the stock market: Fees and tax first appeared on // LOCALMONEY ..read more

For novice investors or those seeking an alternative broker, consider EasyEquities or Franc. Both offer value but differ in features and fees, catering to various investment needs and knowledge levels. The post Franc vs EasyEquities: Which one should I use? first appeared on // LOCALMONEY ..read more

nvesting in the stock market offers opportunities for growth but requires understanding basics, setting clear goals, assessing risk tolerance, choosing platforms wisely, and staying informed for long-term success. The post How to start investing in the stock market first appeared on // LOCALMONEY ..read more

Deciding between a fixed or variable interest rate for your home loan gives you the same feeling as your mother-in-law driving down a cliff with your new SUV. You don’t quite know how to feel about it. Each option has its perks and pitfalls, and the decision can have a significant impact on the amount you repay to the bank in the long run. With your bank giving you the option – which is better? Should I fix my home loan or use a variable interest rate? We’ll start out talking about the repo/prime rate, move on to fixed//variable interest rates and then look at scenarios as to why you want to f ..read more

Living in South Africa’s residential areas can be a blissful experience, but when noisy or smoking neighbours disrupt the peace, it can quickly turn into a nightmare. I remember when I was living in a small flat, on the ninth floor, we had a similar issue. Two young guys would drink the weekend after payday – and keep on partying until the early hours of the morning. For those of us who had to work the next day, it was quite horrible! Fortunately, understanding your legal rights and recourse can help resolve these issues effectively. What legislation governs annoying/noisy neighbours? The foll ..read more

Hijacking of sectional title schemes isn’t something found in movies – it’s a real threat. I’ve seen a few cases of these in the last few years and can have devastating effects on the body corporate – both financial and interpersonal. Cases where body corporate trustees abuse their power aren’t an isolated thing. We see this in cases such as The Blyde where Balwin defecated on the heads of all the owners (metaphorically speaking). with a majority shareholding, they were able to force through their agenda. Why hijack a sectional title scheme or HOA? If there’s money to be made – people will try ..read more

As savvy rental property investors, our primary goal is to maximize profitability while minimizing unnecessary expenses. One area where we can significantly impact our bottom line is in managing maintenance costs. Essentially, you want to cut overhead expenses without compromising property quality or tenant satisfaction. Let’s explore some key tactics to achieve this goal. Saving on Finishes and Renovating Costs Good property deals often require some maintenance and renovation. Keeping these costs in check is essential for property profitability. But, not everything is critical or necessary. I ..read more

Build generational wealth in South Africa Browsing the internet for transferring generational wealth, you’ll find answers that will make you involuntarily bleed out of your anus but are important nonetheless. You obviously need to follow the following online advice to build and successfully transfer generational wealth: Create a post-matric fund for your child Invest in the stock market and buy property Start a family business Teach your loved ones about financial management Transferring your wealth successfully I am assuming you’ve already started with the above and want the right structure ..read more

Should I Buy an Investment Property in a Trust in South Africa? Aligning the legal structures of your investment properties is exceptionally important in the long run. This requires careful consideration of legal and tax intricacies as well as your long-term plans with your investment.  But is the trust the right thing for my investment property? Or is it better for a family home or primary residence? How do I get the property into the trust? Let’s chat about all of the above including the tax implications What is a trust and why should I get a trust for my property? A trust is a legal a ..read more