When it comes to financial planning, risk planning, estate planning and investing, many of us like to “set and forget”. Our lives are full of things to remember, for work, family and the communities in which we’re involved – often, the last thing we want to review is our financial portfolio. As a result, it’s easy to forget why we have some of these financial products in the first place. The complexity of financial planning and […]
Continue readingAuthor: anthonyb@timslatter.com
Switching isn’t always the answer
Switching occurs when an investor decides to transfer money from one investment to another. This process can involve moving money between mutual funds of different strategies, changing to different share classes, or reallocating a portfolio. It can sometimes make sense to take up this option when needs or circumstances change, but we should always take a measured approach when considering switching. It can be tempting to switch between funds in an attempt to improve your returns. […]
Continue reading
Our oft-told money stories
Money isn’t real. It’s just an agreed-upon system of exchange. Have you ever heard that? This is the realisation that many reach when feeling frustrated with tax systems, witnessing social injustice or experiencing the unfairness of life. While money and currency systems may not be real, they represent value and help us form and communicate meaning. Money is interwoven with our stories of life and meaning. “We tell ourselves a story about how we got that […]
Continue reading
The strength of the triangle
The triangle is the strongest shape there is. Any weight placed on one is evenly distributed. Triangles represent geometric sturdiness; no matter how much weight you put on any side, it will not break. It is a shape that has survived the test of time – just look at the pyramids! Financial advisers tend to agree on the golden triangle of long-term wealth. It’s not about how much you earn that makes the critical difference; it’s […]
Continue reading
Win back your weekend
“Where did our weekend go?” Have you ever found yourself asking this question on a Sunday night or a few minutes after hitting snooze for the third time on a Monday morning? If you do – you’re not alone! Studies show that many people struggle with Weekend Anxiety Syndrome (WAS) or the Sunday Scaries… there are a couple of reasons that can contribute to our stress and anxiety over weekends, and these are generally linked to […]
Continue reading
Protecting your income for a better outcome
A few short decades ago, we lived in a world that seemed to have far more security and certainty. The rate of change was slower, and many assumed that if you stuck to the system, the system would look after you. Social security, income security and good health were taken for granted in developed countries. The chance of losing one or all of the above didn’t feature too highly in financial plans. As you’re reading this, […]
Continue reading
Plan to fail
It doesn’t make sense, but we need to have a plan for when things go wrong. People love to say that Benjamin Franklin once said that if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. It’s not a bad quote, but as the world experiences some of the most significant disruptions in recent history, we know it’s only part of the picture. This means: we need to plan to fail. Or rather, we need to […]
Continue reading
How does money make you feel?
There is a great deal of evidence showing that, on average, wealthier people are happier. However, this is qualitative data that we are talking about, and there are lots of caveats and misconceptions that can be construed. Making heaps of cash will not automatically increase our happiness. How we spend, save and think about money will ultimately determine how happy we are at the end of the day. For example, a study done in the UK […]
Continue reading
Offshore shouldn’t be off-putting
“… your money deserves to go places,” Ninety One (dual-listed on both the South African and London Stock Exchanges). Many people who choose to stay in a country feel a sense of pride and patriotism for their local residence. Whether it’s a native birth-right or an adopted sense of nationalism, buying, supporting and investing local is an important priority. So much so that the thought of moving money offshore can be off-putting. But when it comes […]
Continue reading
You say money, I say moolah
Studies in the field of neuropsychology support the notion that people who make the transition from thinking about money in terms of income to thinking about money in terms of assets, are the ones who successfully adapt to wealth, and maintain it. Income is a somewhat abstract term suggesting movement and flow (hence… easy in, easy out). In contrast, asset is a more material word that sounds rooted and concrete. Due to the solid feeling, the […]
Continue reading