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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Recent change to TFSAs

A National Treasury regulation that came into play on 1st March 2018 now provides South Africans with more flexibility when it comes to investing their money in a tax-free savings account (TFSA). According to an article published on Business Tech, South Africans will be able to switch as much as they want of their money […]

Investing Offshore

July is National Savings Month in South Africa, which is an awareness campaign spearheaded by the South African Savings Institute (SASI). The objectives of the campaign are to promote discussion about saving, raise awareness about the benefits of financial planning, and motivate consumers to be proactive with regards to their savings. The country’s weakened currency […]

Transfers of Tax Free Savings Accounts from 1 March 2018

From 1 March 2018, Section 12T(8) of the Income Tax Act will allow for transfers of Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) between product providers, in part or full, without incurring a reduction of your annual (ZAR33,000) and lifetime (ZAR500,000) limits. Previously, if you wanted to transfer your TFSA from one provider to another, it would […]

Tax Free Savings Accounts – Why TFSAs are a no-brainer for kids

Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) have been part of the investment landscape in South Africa for a few years now, and while they can be a powerful savings tool, they don’t always make sense for adult investors. For minors however, investment options are limited, especially those offering tax benefits to parents. Traditionally these would take the […]

SARB allowances: Don’t be caught napping!

Exchange Control Regulations dictate how much an individual may transfer out of South Africa each calendar year via a system of allowances.  The year end is fast approaching and we are now in the final weeks of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) annual allowances for 2017 which will expire on 31 December: Single Discretionary […]

What taxes do I pay when I invest offshore?

Investing offshore allows you to diversify and benefit from a broader universe of investment ideas, but what about the tax you may have to pay? As with any other investment, it is important to get the full picture before you make any decisions. When you invest offshore, the tax you may be required to pay […]

Trouble in Paradise?

Another week, another leak! This time 13.4 million confidential financial documents dubbed the Paradise Papers from the Bermuda-based law firm Appleby, which also has offices in the British Virgin Islands, the Isle of Man and Guernsey. What do these island economies all have in common? Well to some they are all Offshore Financial Centres, but to […]