“The markets are like weather; you may not like it, but you have to bear it.” (Rakesh Jhunjhunwala) South African investors don’t need to follow every twist in American politics or economics, but you can’t ignore them either. The world’s biggest economy casts a long shadow, and what happens in the US can ripple across…
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“Our ability to manufacture fraud now exceeds our ability to detect it.” (Al Pacino) If you’re anything like us, the chances are you’ve recently heard about someone in your circle who’s fallen prey to an internet scam. Enticed by glossy marketing, unbelievable returns, and what seemed to be valid endorsements, they invested their life savings…
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“The beauty of debit orders is that they make investing a habit, not an afterthought.” (Warren Buffett) We’re all human – which often means being emotional and not consistently disciplined. Debit orders remove the emotion from investing and encourage responsible behaviour. With debit orders in place, you don’t have to choose between contributing towards your…
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“Focussing is about saying no.” (Steve Jobs) What is the point of investing? In simple terms, there are only two reasons to invest: Investors who understand these goals also understand why fear of missing out (FOMO) gets in the way of a good investment strategy. In both cases, what matters is achieving consistent growth over…
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“A big lesson in life is never to be scared of anyone or anything”. (Frank Sinatra) If you were born between 1946 and 1964, you are part of the Baby Boomer generation. This generation is known to be flexible and robust, having lived through many bulls and bears over the decades. Whether you’re contemplating retirement…
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“Some things are up to us and some things are not up to us.” (Epictetus) Investing can often feel hard. The keys to success may seem daunting. Is your fund manager making the right decisions? Is the market going up or down? Is the rand strong or weak? These things often play on our thoughts…
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“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” (John Lennon) Millennials comprise 25 to 35% of SA’s population, representing various interests, backgrounds, and lifestyles. It’s also helpful to distinguish between older Millennials and younger ones. The older cohort grew up with PCs and video games, while the younger Millennials were raised…
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For many South Africans, the fact that the rand weakens over time against the dollar feels like the biggest reason for investing offshore. When you think that one dollar cost less than R7 in 2011 compared to over R17 today, it seems obvious that having money offshore is imperative. Over long periods of time, this…
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“It is better to be roughly right than precisely wrong.” (John Maynard Keynes) John Maynard Keynes, one of the greatest economists and risk-taking investors around, strongly advised putting investing on ‘autopilot’, and then going out and enjoying your life! The basics Investing can be tricky, even for seasoned professionals who try to buy and sell…
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As your wheel of life turns, your financial needs, goals and focuses change. When you start working, you’re absorbed by accumulating assets. Later, as you near retirement, your focus shifts to wealth preservation. And eventually, when you’re settled and comfortable in your golden years, the transfer of wealth becomes your number one priority. It goes…
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