Wednesday, 8th November is National Cappuccino Day in the United States of America. Although this is commonly a time to celebrate the frothy goodness of this popular drink (whose name was interestingly inspired by the colour of the hooded robes of the Capuchin friars in Italy), it’s also an occasion to become aware of our […]
Category Archives: Budget
SA has run out of money. And time. And ideas.
Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba, in his maiden Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) on Wednesday, revealed in an honest and worrying account the extent of South Africa’s fiscal and economic woes. It now seems inevitable that SA will suffer further downgrades, perhaps even as soon as next month when Moody’s and S&P are next scheduled to review SA’s […]
Teach your children about financial goals
Preparing your children for their financial future is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. For many parents, talking about money can be an uncomfortable subject and discussing finances with your children can feel both personal and scary, but they need to learn if they are to make wise decisions concerning their own […]
Drawing up a Budget – Useful Tips
Nowadays, making a transaction can feel somewhat unreal. Just a swipe and a glance at the number displayed on a digital screen. Whilst this seems easy and practical, it poses a big problem that is too-often overlooked. When we stop dealing with physical coins and notes – a mental disconnect occurs between the digital numbers […]
Common financial mistakes in your thirties
Saving in your thirties becomes increasingly difficult as your financial responsibilities increase. However, sound financial decisions during this phase of life can have profound benefits at a later stage. Here are some common financial mistakes to avoid: The first is failing to draw up a budget. A proper budget is the starting point of all […]
Food costs eating through our pockets
Certain provinces have been struggling to keep up with the skyrocketing cost of food. Current data points to an agriculture industry that is struggling, mainly due to the diminished buying power of the rand and a prolonged drought.November 2015 saw the worst drought in South Africa in 23 years. During this time Stats SA released […]
Surviving the weak Rand
South Africa’s weakened Rand is bound to have a negative rippling effect on our economy. The cost of food, electricity, water and imported goods are all set to rise. Now is as best a time as any to take secure control of your finances.Budget According to the National Credit Regulator (NCR), as at June 2015 […]
Back to school budgeting
During this time of the year most of our budgets are understandably depleted, with schools going back in two weeks, we should be mindful of back-to-school expenses that are around the corner.This also affords a great opportunity to chat with your kids about the costs associated with their schooling needs. Involving your children not only […]
TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO WORK WITH MONEY
Every parent wants the best for their children, and the best we can give them is a sure footing in life. One of these areas is intrinsically linked to how they will perceive value in others, value in themselves and the value of things around them. It is hard for children to understand the concept […]
BUDGET 2015 – HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…
“Today’s budget is constrained by the need to consolidate our public finances, in the context of slower growth and rising debt.” said Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene. Giving the budget speech was a far from enviable job in light of the huge government spending deficit that needs to be recovered. The speech was a short […]