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When markets get turbulent or headlines turn grim, many people instinctively retreat to cash. It feels safe, predictable, tangible, and readily available. There’s no volatility, no chance of “losing” money overnight. And for certain purposes, cash is exactly what you need. It’s essential for covering short‑term expenses, building an emergency fund, or giving yourself flexibility […]
If you’ve ever looked at your portfolio during a market crisis, like March 2020, you may have noticed something unsettling: everything seemed to fall at once. Stocks dropped. Bonds wobbled. Even “safe” assets felt shaky. It’s a scenario that can leave even experienced investors wondering, “Isn’t diversification supposed to protect me from this?” It’s a […]
Tax season is stressful enough without someone trying to steal your refund, or your identity. Yet every year, as millions of people file their returns, scammers ramp up their efforts to cash in on confusion, fear, and urgency. From Australia’s AI‑powered phishing emails to fake SARS refund sites in South Africa and HMRC impersonators in […]
When markets get choppy, it’s natural to feel nervous. Everyone with a heart (and subsequent blood pressure…) will have a tinge of fear when volatility hits. You might see headlines shouting about “billions wiped off the market” or watch your portfolio dip and wonder if you should pull back until things settle. Again, you’re not […]
When you look at your investment portfolio, it’s tempting to focus on what’s “winning” right now. You might notice one fund doing well and another lagging behind, and think: “Why am I holding on to this underperformer?” That’s a natural reaction, but it misses the point of diversification. In a properly diversified portfolio, there will […]
When markets are stormy, it’s easy to question whether diversification still works. You might look at your portfolio and think, “Everything seems down; what was the point of spreading my money around?” Or during a market rally, you might wonder, “Wouldn’t I have been better off just putting everything in the top-performing stock or fund?” […]
Why don’t we always do what’s “best” with our money? Let’s be honest: most of us already know what we’re “supposed” to do with our money. But we don’t do it. Spend less than we earn. Save consistently. Invest for the long term. Avoid unnecessary debt. So why don’t we always do it? Why do […]
The true cost of a dollar, Rand or pound (or whatever you’re earning in) is not just what you earn. It’s what you give up to earn it. On paper, your salary might seem straightforward. $75,000 a year. £5,000 a month. R250 an hour. But those figures don’t tell the full story. What if the […]
Financial freedom quickly become reduced to a number, a target income, a certain lifestyle, or a retirement account that signals “you’ve made it.” But in reality, it’s more nuanced than that. It’s not just about what you have, it’s about how you feel. It’s about the sense of control, clarity, and calm that comes from […]
Good advice has always been about helping people make wise choices. But in the age of behavioural finance, there’s a new layer to consider: how we help people make those choices. Enter the concept of “nudging.” A nudge is a subtle prompt designed to steer someone toward a better decision, without removing their freedom to […]