Planning Topics
South Africans are increasingly relying on short-term loans to make ends meet as the cumulative impact of inflation reduces their purchasing power, according to DebtBusters’ second quarter 2025 Debt Index.DebtBusters said 95% of people who applied for debt counselling during the quarter had a…
Credit has long had a bad reputation. For years, it’s been associated with financial distress, risky decisions, and debt traps. But South African women are rewriting that narrative. Through careful, deliberate borrowing, many are using credit as a tool for resilience – enabling education…
The Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) has issued a strong warning to South Africans not to engage with a WhatsApp-based syndicate falsely claiming ties to both the FSCA and the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).According to the FSCA, the group, operating under the name A503 Stock Growth…
South Africans with a “do-it-yourself” approach to their finances are in danger of experiencing financial difficulties later in life when they can least afford it. Many assume that contributing to a retirement fund, having life cover, and investments in place are enough for a…
The average nominal take-home pay in South Africa declined in July 2025, according to the latest BankservAfrica Take-home Pay Index (BTPI), which tracks salary payments of roughly 3.8 million earners.“The nominal average take-home pay reached R17 144 in July 2025, 1.1% lower than the R17 339…
Financial literacy is critical for property developers. It can mean the difference between smoother success and having to learn some tough lessons through bitter experience. Crucially, property entrepreneurs need to understand two key aspects of their investment journey: managing interest rate…
Taxpayers, tax practitioners, and the Tax Man must work together to ensure everyone pays their fair share in taxes. When the South African Revenue Service (SARS) collects the taxes rightfully owed, it supports a positive economic growth trajectory that benefits all citizens.This was a key takeaway…
Women are breaking barriers, leading industries, building businesses, and increasingly, heading up households. However, despite the dramatic shift in the narrative of women’s economic contribution, the perception that a woman’s financial future is intrinsically tied to their partner lingers. …
Building a trusted relationship with your financial adviser is key to achieving your financial goals. The intention should be to forge a relationship that is lifelong and continues through generations. To make the most of the services a financial adviser provides, it’s…
Women are powerful architects of society who lead families, strengthen communities, and drive the everyday economy with resilience and wisdom. They stretch rands to last until the end of each month. They find solutions where there don’t seem to be any. And they lead with strength gorgeously…
Whether you are part of the older generation aiming to preserve and pass on your assets, or a younger family member seeking to grow and protect that inheritance, successful intergenerational wealth management requires more than investment knowledge; it calls for open communication, education, and…
When I first heard that the real average retirement age in South Africa is 80, I wasn’t surprised. Most members retire with just 20% to 30% of their final income. That’s not enough. And so, many stay in the workforce, not out of choice, but necessity.What struck me was the value of putting a number…
The transition into retirement often comes with a wave of uncertainty, heightened by the number of interconnected financial decisions that must be made at this stage. Many of these choices will have long-term implications for your financial security, your liquidity, and your ability to leave a…
Many South African families are only one emergency away from financial trouble. With the rising cost of food, fuel, and electricity, even a small, unexpected expense like a burst geyser or medical bill can push a household into debt, according to Yashika Rambujan, FNB Private Banking regional head…
Investing is rarely simple, and knowing where to focus one’s energy can be a challenge. As we know, markets respond instantly to political headlines, economic data, and global events - and it’s easy to get caught up in the noise of the day. But focusing on factors beyond your control is both…
The National Financial Ombud Scheme (NFO) announces a sharp rise in digital banking fraud complaints, with cases surging from 1,436 between January and May 2024 to 2,483 during the same period in 2025, a staggering 73% year-on-year increase. The NFO says while ATM card complaints also increase…
Retrenchment is more than just losing your job. It can be a deeply destabilising experience that affects your income and savings for years to come. For many South Africans, the biggest question is: What happens to my pension fund if I’m retrenched? And just as important: What are my rights in the…
As people age, physical frailty or mental decline can leave them unable to manage their financial affairs. Elderly individuals with diminished capacity are particularly vulnerable to financial exploitation and investment scams. Diminished capacity may stem from conditions such as dementia or…
A debt counsellor has been fined R250 000 by the National Consumer Tribunal after placing a consumer under debt review without proper disclosure or written consent.The move prevented the consumer from accessing new credit. Debt review is intended for those who are over-indebted, restructuring debt…
The executor’s job is to step into the shoes of the deceased and ensure that assets are distributed according to the will, or, in the absence of one, in line with the laws of intestacy. It’s a role that requires knowledge, attention to detail, and the ability to navigate a highly regulated process…