Did you know that a trust is not simply: a trust? There are many different classifications of trusts in South Africa, such as ownership trusts, bewind trusts and curatorship trusts. Trusts can either be created during a person’s lifetime, which is known as an inter vivos trust, or set up according to a person’s will after they die, which is known as a mortis causa trust. Different trusts give beneficiaries different rights, depending on how much […]
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Don’t Underestimate your Will Power
Avoid the heartache and headache! This year, National Wills Week is from 17th to 21st September, and is a time when participating attorneys in South Africa will draft basic wills for free. If you haven’t already written a will, this presents the perfect opportunity to do so before it’s too late. Writing a will could make an enormous difference to your family in the future, and it is an easily achievable goal that will give you […]
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6 Estate Planning Tips
In the wake of the 2018 budget, there are recent changes that could affect your estate, especially with regards to paying VAT, Master’s fees and estate duty. Here’s a quick snapshot! The good news is that executor’s fees remain at 3.5% of your total assets, plus VAT. However, as you’re likely all too aware by now, VAT has increased from 14% to 15%, which means that if your executor has registered for VAT, you will feel […]
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Severe illness cover
Each year, about a million people need to stop working due to an illness or a debilitating injury. Yet, according to an article published in The Times, only 10% of people have severe illness cover. A severe illness is a medical condition that prevents you from leading your normal life, and the life industry covers a wide range of these dreaded diseases and health conditions, from Type 1 diabetes to Parkinson’s disease. However, the ‘Big Four’ […]
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Avoid crippling your finances
It is highly likely that one of your biggest assets is your earning power. It is vital to protect this asset and ensure you maintain a steady salary until you have reached your financial goals. Many people take a head-in-sand approach when it comes to income protection, believing that they’ll never be inflicted with a disability, or assuming they can find a quick resolution if they are. However, this doesn’t necessarily equate to positive thinking, but […]
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Your health is your wealth
“It is health that is your real wealth” — Mahatma Gandhi Many entrepreneurs and ambitious people are concerned with climbing the career ladder and building their wealth. However, as you get older or suffer bouts of illness, you will start to appreciate the true value of your health and not take it for granted. Although achieving your goals is understandably important, you don’t need to completely abandon your health in your pursuit of success. It’s simply […]
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Females and Finance
This Thursday, 9th August is National Women’s Day, which marks the historic moment on 9th August 1956 when 20,000 South African women of all races showed that they would not be intimidated by unjust laws when they marched to Pretoria’s Union Buildings to present a petition to the prime minister against the carrying of passes. It was one of the largest demonstrations staged in the country’s history and, to commemorate the event, the first National Women’s […]
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Retirement 101
Creating your long-term saving goals (this is retirement for many people) is not something that you can simply decide on the spot – and often, these goals may change over time. Before you even get into some of the technicalities of long-term saving strategies, as we will cover in this blog, you need to know why you’re saving – and what you’re saving for. When you know the why, the how is much easier. This should […]
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Financial lessons from Rich Dad, Poor Dad
In his bestselling book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, the author, Robert Kiyosaki, explains the fundamental differences in the way his two fathers thought about money — his real father who was ‘poor’ and the father of his best friend who was ‘rich’, despite both earning a good salary. From studying their journeys, he realised that your wealth can depend more on your actions than the money you earn. He surmised that it is, therefore, important to […]
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The urgency of an emergency fund
An emergency fund is a lump sum of money that is important to set aside to cover any financial surprises, such as car breakdowns, medical requirements, home repairs, vet bills, or sudden unemployment. These unexpected emergencies can be stressful, costly, and they often demand immediate payment. You can financially manage these unanticipated disasters by ensuring you have an emergency fund to fall back on when the need arises. Insurance can play a big part in financing […]
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