It’s a time of year focussed on gratitude, giving and new beginnings. But, did you know that studies have shown that people who regularly practice giving thanks are happier and healthier?According to a psychology professor at the University of California at Davis, people who regularly practice feeling thankful have an advantage when it comes to health and maintaining a positive attitude.Some of these studies, along with studies from the University of Utah, suggest that grateful people […]
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Crafty Gift Ideas
When it comes to gifts they say it’s the thought that counts. While it’s great to receive the latest gadget that you’ve been eyeing for a while, it won’t be nearly as heartfelt as a one-of-a-kind handmade gift.You can save money and creatively tackle your gift list this year with some crafty gift ideas. The best thing to do is to upcycle “junk” into something useful and valuable.Paint dipped kitchen utensilsFor customized kitchen utensils that are […]
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Fun things to do for around R50 (or less!)
The holidays are the perfect time to get outside, spend time with the family and do something out of the ordinary. It’s best to find activities that are both financially and family-friendly otherwise the costs start piling up!That’s why I’ve put together this list of fun things to do in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban for R50 (or less!). So whether you’re staying put or heading out of town, you’re bound to find something of value.CAPE […]
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Online shopping in South Africa
I find it frustrating when I can’t think of a gift to give someone who is difficult to buy for. The situation is only made worse when it’s the busiest time of the year at the malls. Luckily for me, online shopping in South Africa is growing at a phenomenal rate.Not only does this mean I don’t have to brave hordes of people, but the gift selection process is more streamlined with suggestions and sorting. Here […]
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Run your personal finances like a business
Many finance professionals and journalists agree that managing your finances as you would a business is the key to prosperity. Even the best business ideas can fail if the capital and revenue are not carefully monitored. Similarly, if you mismanage cash on a personal level you could find that you’re short of money by the end of the month.Many similarities can be drawn between how a successful business owners operates their company and how a financially […]
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Do you need a buy-and-sell?
This unfortunate situation plays out time and again in businesses around the world. The death of an active business partner places undue stress on both the business and the surviving partners.Business owners must be prepared for any eventuality that might affect their businesses, including the sudden departure of a business partner. Disaster can be avoided if business partners have an up-to-date buy-and-sell arrangement in place.A buy-and-sell arrangement consists of two parts:First, a buy-and-sell agreement, which is […]
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Easy tax-claim tips to keep you ahead!
Bank statements, municipal bills, phone bills, petrol slips, receipts, the list goes on. It’s that time of year again, when you have to forage through stacks of paper for everything that you need to fill in your tax return.Not everyone is great at admin… and there are piles of things to keep track of; it starts to mount up if you don’t have some sort of system in place.Here are some basic tips on how to […]
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ANIMAL SAFETY FOR GUY FAWKES
Studies show that interactions with therapy animals can decrease stress in humans. Playing with or petting an animal can increase levels of the stress-reducing hormone oxytocin and decrease production of the stress hormone cortisol. With 5 November around the corner I thought I would share some safety tips for pets and animals to reduce their stress on Guy Fawkes night. Remember that firecrackers are dangerous and safety is essential. Crackers should only be used outdoors in […]
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TIPS TO SAVING FOR YOUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
Investing in your child’s education is often one of the most important yet challenging saving endeavours you can undertake and as a parent you don’t need any reminding of the urgency to start planning and saving today.Having a baby has financial implications and most new and future parents need to start saving straight away if they want to be financially prepared to fulfil the dreams they hold for their children. Many new parents, however, neglect to […]
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HOW TO SURVIVE CHRISTMAS
Christmas is almost around the corner. If you want to survive the holiday season without sapping your bank account, now is the time to start planning. The number one rule for spending money is this: Have a plan, but don’t just have a plan – stick to it!Draw up a budget If you’ve read my blog before then you know that I swear by the budget, this time you’ll need two. One for gifts and the […]
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