Gaining control over your financial journey is a process that takes time to develop. We need to find the methods and tools that best suit our financial approach and lifestyle. However, there is one habit that every individual, no matter their circumstance, needs to practice – Saving. Saving is the bedrock of financial stability. As our confidence grows in following a budget, we can create space to build our savings. (Pro tip: The best time to […]
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Four Fresh Investment Ideas
We all want more from life. We want to live a good and meaningful life. This is how we generate hope, by believing that there is something new for us to discover, fresh for us to share and fulfilling for us to experience. Sometimes life will gift us a reward that we haven’t had to work for directly, but for everything else, it is a constant cycle of trade-offs. We have many resources at our disposal, […]
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Is active or passive fund management better?
The first thing to remember when approaching investing is that the best approach is dependent almost wholly on the investor and their desired investment outcomes. While this may sound simple, working out desired outcomes hinges on many factors and conversations and ultimately works out best when a trusted financial adviser guides the investor. In a nutshell (this is a very simple explanation): Active fund or portfolio management is overseen by a team of investment, market and […]
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Regain control – Budget
Last year was somewhat of a financial flurry, leaving many individuals feeling vulnerable. One of our key missions at SFP is to provide our clients with full reign over their financial journey. With that in mind, we are dedicating this month’s blogs to exploring three areas that can be targeted to help regain financial control. This week we will be examining the notorious budget. It has been called everything from dull to boring, but the benefits […]
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Is there more to life than happiness?
There seems to be an increasing drive to pursue happiness; we want to be satisfied and content with who we are and what we do with our lives. Whilst a few people seem to eventually “find” their happiness, many of us are still trying to figure out what would genuinely lift our spirit… and keep it there! The usual assumption is that we’ll be happier when we achieve success, but some successful people think their accomplishments […]
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Divorce and your retirement savings
Recent times have been life-altering for so many, from emotional and health traumas to relational and financial traumas. We’ve all had to encounter a considerable onslaught of ‘stuff’ to process and deal with. It may just be life, but it’s still hard. Divorce is one such trauma that so many have to work through. It has a wide range of social and financial implications, as Lebona Khabo from Allan Gray highlighted in a recent article on […]
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World-class financial planning | Flexibility
What exactly does world-class financial planning look like? We believe that one feature in this approach is flexibility. Flexibility is the ability to bend without breaking (or going broke!) Every financial guru out there will have their interpretation of what it means to be financially flexible. Essentially, it boils down to accessing funds to satisfy a crisis or opportunity. It means being smart about how we use our monthly income and finding ways to make our […]
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Savings Goals
The hardest time to save is when we’re ‘just saving’ with no end in sight. It’s like going to the gym to train; but, train for what? As Lewis Carrol once wrote ‘If you don’t know where you’re going any road will get you there.’ Goals help us set the direction and motivation for our choices, and speak to our integrity and authenticity. Whilst most people want to enjoy a prosperous life, a proper plan for […]
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Tax Savvy Investing
Nothing is certain in life, except for death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin said this almost 300 years ago, and it still rings of truth. The economic and political landscapes are now even more complex and connected than they were in the early days of American politics and free-market exploration. Making money has never been easier, whilst at the same time, it’s never been harder to keep. Saving and investing seem to be things that ‘only the […]
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World-class financial planning | Succession Planning
Have you ever thought to yourself, “What happens when I can no longer contribute to my family in the way that I currently do?” Although it may seem difficult or overwhelming to consider succession planning, it’s never too early to do so. A poorly managed transition can trigger any number of issues, from family tensions to financial losses. Families with more robust governance structures are better equipped to tackle unexpected changes and manage difficult decisions – […]
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