The idea that you can get something for nothing is almost inconceivable for an economist. At least it was, until Nobel Prize-winning economist Harry Markowitz, the father of Modern Portfolio Theory, demonstrated that a diversified portfolio could achieve improved performance and lessened risk relative to individual asset classes. He called diversification “the only ‘free lunch’ in finance.” Sometimes we come across the common misconception that owning a variety of stocks means that you are well-diversified. Instead, […]
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Why we need to be flexible with our New Year’s Resolutions
Towards the end of every year, it is customary to reassess our priorities, take stock of the year that was, and plan for the year to come. The emergence of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and global lockdowns disrupted our daily routine and our lifestyle altogether, throwing most plans and resolutions out the window! Does that mean that planning is no longer helpful? Or does it mean that setting long term goals is no longer relevant? Not […]
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Who’s advice are you taking, seriously?
Times of festivities and celebrations are often paradoxical in that we want to see friends and family, but we find that when we’re with the ones we don’t often see (only for big occasions and end-of-year-bashes), they have opinions that challenge our own and they’re all too willing to offer advice that we haven’t asked for. This is okay – we don’t have to take their advice too seriously, especially when it comes to managing our […]
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Wrap your head around these three gifts
They say it is better to give than to receive. Researchers have found that the act of giving stimulates the same neural networks in the brain that activate when eating a cookie or running warm water over cold hands. It is a deep-seated gratification that makes you feel good before, during and after. How do you feel when you do something for yourself? It is quite rare for us to say that you would give something […]
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Investing: How elections matter
There are three things we should never discuss around the dinner table: money, politics and religion. Ironically, the three things we normally always talk about around the dinner table… are money, politics and religion! One reason for this is because they’re all connected, and they’re all HEAVILY influenced by you, me and everyone that we talk to, work with and interact with on a daily basis. The markets, politics and religion all give us a sense […]
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I’m feelin’ pine
Stress has a major influence over our lives, not that it is necessarily a bad thing. Stress can motivate us to think creatively and act with determination. Good stress is the kind that comes from going on a first date, competing for a promotion or riding on a rollercoaster. It is the kind of nervous pressure that favours performance. Stress is key for our survival, but too much stress is known to have truly detrimental side-effects. […]
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The gift of compounding interest
Every holiday season, the search begins for gifts that keep on giving. From music to cooking classes and other hobby-related courses – scores of us try to find a gift that won’t be tossed onto the pile of unwanted, unused and under-appreciated thingy-me-bobs. We look for things that are ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’ – but ultimately, it’s precisely the same quality that makes a gift trendy that will give it the shelf-life that we’re trying to avoid. […]
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Being responsible means so much more
Festive celebrations will look a little different this year (and possibly every year going forward!). No matter where you find yourself this December, everyone has had a year of heightened awareness around health and personal space. It has not been easy to follow precautions of preventing the spread of Covid-19. Having to wear masks all day and sanitise at every entrance took time to get used to. These experiences have changed the way we look at […]
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Gifts for the cost-conscious
As our finances ebb and flow, we will sometimes face a festive season where we have to think out of the box for holiday gifts. Gifts are a wonderful way to let our loved ones know how much we appreciate and value them, but they can be expensive and out of reach if we don’t give them enough thought. Gifts don’t always have to be a physical, fit-in-a-box, wrappable item – they just have to be […]
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Three wise men-tal health ideas…
It has been a rollercoaster of a year (to say the least). Global events have affected the lives of just about everyone. The problem with constantly keeping a finger on the pulse of international affairs is that we can become outwardly focussed. There is a significant social impact that requires appropriate public investment, but we can lose sight of ourselves within the scope of the goings-on. This causes us to become unbalanced and puts serious strain […]
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