Reflecting on this year, tumultuous comes to mind. I’m sure I do not have to remind you of everything that happened this year. There is always change, but 2022 really tested our limits.
What is discernment? It’s an old-fashioned word, which means the ability to judge well. It’s more than intuition or insight.
There is no scenario where return comes with scant attention, time, or energy.
Our children fear their future because of our actions, and now our inaction. Our failure to change our behaviour fast enough to stop the existential threat will cost our children a secure future.
There is a lot that is unsettling about the world right now. War. Cost of living increases. Rising interest rates. Economic slowdown. Political uncertainty. Currency fallouts. Financial market declines.
How to we conserve our energy during these times?
Multiple events have presented this year that threaten our financial security. It has been particularly brutal for our investments, to the extent that even safe investments like bonds have let us down.
What is our response, or more accurately, what should our response be?
I have been watching people grapple with big life decisions. Should I accept that disappointing offer on my property? Should I move closer to my children? Should I walk away from my life’s work because my values have changed? Should I end my long-term relationship?
It has been interesting to see how people engage with these decisions.
If we want to thrive in this country, we must get perspective. It is not perfect elsewhere. Our problems are not absolute, they are relative to the same problems elsewhere or different problems in other parts of the world.
One of the most surprising discoveries in financial planning, has been observing how people react to unexpected financial hardship. The unexpectedness of the change is often as hard to come to terms with as the actual hardship.
A change in financial situation often coincides with life transitions. When it becomes apparent that someone must scale down their standard of living, the reactions vary widely.
The media plays a significant role in how you experience your own life. But are you perhaps living a reported experience rather than your own present experience? Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate whose voice and experience you are listening to.
This week we marked Foundation’s 10th anniversary with our Johannesburg clients. I was grateful for the opportunity to pause and reflect on the journey.
Sometimes we change our minds. I did.
Good fortune is not just money in the bank. It can be much bigger than that and far more rewarding in your daily life. It all depends on your perspective. It was a lesson I re-learned this week.
What is best for the individual in financial planning is not always what is best. Particularly when gender stereotyping has a role in it.
Wordle, game strategy, dopamine and winning. What does it take to succeed at this internet sensation? And what lessons might you take forward?
August is women’s month in South Africa. It will be a month where we will see much advice given to women on how to improve their financial security. It will be good advice, well-intended. But it is advice that is symptomatic. We need to be looking at the root.
Have you ever noticed the exact order of your actions when brushing your teeth? And have you ever tried to change this routine without conscious thought?
How about your routine money beliefs, and how is this behaviour harming you?
In a few short weeks, the world has altered. Events have again reshaped the political and social landscape. The changes we have and continue to experience are relentless and unsettling. What can we do?
Retirement planning takes time and thought. Without it, you run the risk of being at sea once you stop working. Not just financially, but within yourself too.
A well-managed portfolio or bank account does not protect us from disaster. We are not financially secure because we have those in place. Yes, knowing our numbers helps - for many reasons - but it doesn’t stave off the impact of a disaster. So where then should our financial security comes from?
Death is a certain event. However, the financial planning for death is often plagued by difficulties. Why? For the simple reason that a will is not actually signed. Understanding the procrastination behind an unsigned will may help you take the step and sign it.
Expectations can either lead to disappointment or satisfaction. Keeping them hopeful but realistic is key for life and your investment profits. Read more
The post-credit crisis party is over. Easy money and spending has come with a price. What does this mean for your own money? Where should your focus be? Can life still be good? Read more.
Receiving feedback is not easy. Responding to feedback is even more challenging. But it is an important skill to grow and thankfully, we can. I had some practise this week. Read more.
Mothering can feel like an endless giving. And too often, a role that becomes self-sacrificial. While we can appreciate the gesture behind Mother’s Day, perhaps we need to ask ourselves what the day really means? Read more.
The collapse of a well-built bridge is unlikely. But it can, and does happen. What life lessons can we learn from it? Read more.
Loneliness impacts humans negatively. Research, both pre and post-pandemic show us this. Our physical health, mental well-being and even our finances suffer. What does it take to remedy it? Read more.
Trading EFTs, cryptocurrencies and NFTs sound exciting, especially to a 16 year old. But is it the cleverest thing to do? Read more.
The sunk-cost bias impacts our decisions without us even being aware of it. Learning how to counter this effect can lead to greater happiness and reduced anxiety. Read more.
The changing season is worth noticing. Yes, for the refreshing beauty of it, but also for the gentle reminder it gives us. Read more.
There’s something we need to talk about. The state of many in midlife. Denial. Choices. Courage. Read more.
The drought and rain cycle in the Karoo is perhaps a good lesson in how we should approach investing and geopolitical dramas. Read more.
I had a conversation this week that made me ponder on the nature of why I am in the business. Technical knowledge and experience are a part of what I do, but it’s not what makes the magic. Read more.
We may feel that we have seen the worst of the pandemic and that we are ready to move forward. But none of us are unscathed and we may need to have that SOS kit ready. Read more.
At the beginning of every year the financial press spend an extraordinary amount of energy on forecasting what the financial year ahead looks like. These are at best, wild guesses. And they come with a price. Read more.
The weather has never been more important or more deserving of our attention. That is, if we want to survive as a species. Climate change is increasingly real and increasingly the responsibility of not only corporates but individuals too. And it also impacts our money. Read more.
I want to start this year by wishing you a happy 2022. A good 2022. We know all the reasons why it can’t possibly be a good year, but maybe we need to open ourselves to the goodness. Read more.