In a world that emphasises the skills typically associated with youth – innovation, speed and ingenious problem-solving – we can easily overlook the slower, more deliberate advantage that comes with age and experience: the impact of wisdom.
We now know that fire is necessary for the survival of many species, but too frequent fires can also endanger them.
Similarly, difficult times of loss or challenge can be times of reflection, rebirth, and reconnection in our lives.
But just as frequent fires can destroy fynbos, frequent hardship can also destroy us
Helping children to navitage life in their mid-twenties is difficult. Many thought, by now, we would have successfully launched adults into the world. Yet, somehow, we are still in the thick of it, helping them navigate early adulthood
We remain sceptical. And we have reason to be. We’ve been burned.
Our scepticism, while understandable, can sometimes stand in the way of progress, too.
Today’s financial planning is driven by empathy, innovation, and a commitment to enhancing client outcomes while building lasting trust.
Where financial talks take place can make all the difference. Public spaces like hotel lobbies might seem convenient, but they can dilute trust and intimacy. Private, secure settings unlock deeper conversations and better financial planning. The right space is key to transforming financial advice into something truly impactful.
Preconceived notions can skew our perceptions, whether in dealing with bureaucracy or managing money. Observing with curiosity rather than judgment revealed a clearer, more positive reality.
While gathering financial resources is important, it means little if you have not gathered community and even less if you have no purpose to live.
Like the coming and going of tides we should expect market declines. Yet, we speak of them as if they are an anomaly in a period of growth. It Is natural to want to talk about the markets with directional certainty. It gives us a reason to act or even to prevent loss. However, even the professionals fall for the temptation of creating the illusion of certainty.
Does the sound of your phone direct your attention away from the conversation in front of you? Do you sometimes pick up your phone, only to resurface minutes or even hours later? Do you switch back and forth between e-mails and important work? If you can relate, you know digital distraction – the wandering of our attention away from the conversation, or the task in front of us.
On Women's Day, I would like women to know that they are capable and acceptable, have the power to make good decisions for themselves, and can learn to achieve financial security. You have the strength and ability to do all this and more.
Sharing stories deepens our connections. It doesn’t matter that we don’t have answers. Sometimes, in sharing, we find answers, but even if we don’t, connection lightens our load. This connection is important and essential on a personal level and when navigating the complexities of life and money.
We have an inherent negativity bias. Although it developed as an evolutionary necessity, this bias can skew our view of reality and limit our opportunities for growth and innovation.
It’s easy to see why investors have moved towards less risky assets: the most recent returns. The rationale, it seems, is that it has not paid to take risks in South African investments over the last few years. But is this a move in the wrong direction?
Sunel discusses how to refuel ones ideas tank when it is running dry (or when you just need an extra boost of energy). New ideas come from switching off, “unfocussing”, which allows our brains to tie together concepts in novel and interesting ways. Today, we often conflate this unfocused mode with distraction, seldomn allowing our brains to enter this vital mode, which is not only necessary for creativity but also for productivity.
As part of the sandwich generation: people in their mid life who are simultaneously responsible for caring for their own children and their ageing parents, Sunel recognises that many of her clients are similarly straining themselves financially and emotionally during this phase of their lives. Sunel reminds us that talking about the challenges we face with others can help us to find solutions, which lighten loads that feel too heavy to carry alone. It is also essential to take care of ourselves, in order to continue taking good care of others.
Waiting is not something that fits with our human design and need for certainty. It’s important that we recognise our own coping mechanisms because dealing with uncertainty and waiting is one of the most important skills for the future when uncertainty will double down to test us.
The recent economic uptick may be a sign that South Africans are moving forward despite the political messiness. All around us there are examples of individuals and businesses who have harnessed creativity and innovation to create better lives for themselves in spite of their circumstances. Sunél’s key message is one of encouragement: to make the conscious choice and effort to create and live our own good life.
What I would want my daughter to know is that there is no perfect way. I’d like her to believe in herself, to trust herself, and to have faith that whatever happens, she has the resources and resilience to make it work.
Many of us are struggling to keep up with and navigate the chaos of the post-pandemic world. You are not alone in feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. Leaning into the unknown, embracing diversity, flexibility and empathy can protect more than just our portfolios.
Luck plays a role in the financial outcomes of individuals. Your base case financial plan should never hinge on only one asset, one should always diversify against the impact of luck.
It is not unusual for people in midlife to rethink their lives. In my experience, it has become the norm rather than the exception. There are many reasons for this phenomenon. Few people last in corporate beyond fifty due to the high (and often unreasonable) demands. While some can afford to retire, others need to reinvent themselves and do something else for another decade or two.
Investments are the easy stuff. Although there is a lot of skill involved in good portfolio construction. As regulations change constantly and present us with ever more disorientating and bewildering arrays of product offerings available to clients; Sunel believes that the most value she can add is by helping clients focus on what they can control. Helping clients navigate sometimes painful life choices, which can ultimately affects their portfolios.
The masterful conducting of a beautiful symphony can be likened to the process of holistic financial planning. A good conductor and composer must know enough about music and individual instruments to produce a symphony. Much like a successful financial planner who needs to have the ability to look at client’s affairs holistically, while considering all the distinct aspects of financial planning, which requires complex problem solving skills and a working knowledge of many different financial fields.
Many push attending to important issues and relationships, such as family, friendships and health, to the end of their lives because they believe they will have more time and money to deal with these matters later. Do not put living meaningful and good lives on hold because of the assumption that there is life ahead of us.
Don’t bank on a future, before you live fully because that future may not be guaranteed.
Despite the evolution of women’s roles in the workforce, they continue to encounter obstacles in attaining financial security, largely because they must balance caregiving duties with their careers, often without sufficient support. It is time to renegotiate women’s contract with society and create a more equitable environment where men and women share caregiving duties and have equal access to financial security.
Sure many financial decisions should induce a certain level of anxiety as they involve risk-taking, but with sound financial habits and advice, it is not necessary to persistently feel insecure about your money and your financial choices. Feeling secure requires a lot emotional labour to identify and uproot the roots of our feelings.
In this week's blog, Sunél highlights the evolving trajectory of retirement in the 21st century. Retirement planning has shifted from the goal of an abrupt fixed age retirement to determining personalised approaches for a more gradual transition out of the workforce. Tailoring retirement plans to individual needs and aspirations is essential for navigating the changing dynamics of work and retirement.
Sometimes, it seems that talking about the allocation of financial resources is treason to the idea of romantic love. But, if we do not pay attention to the financial aspect of marriage, over time, resentment can set in.
Understand what is important to you. This sets out your unique parameters. Then rely on evidence of repeatable performance information to understand how the information fits your parameters.
Protecting our inner landscape translates to taking breaks from the news, deliberately making time for fun and family away from the fear and turmoil. Even further, making time for silence, stillness and solitude – time to retreat to refocus and refresh...and diligently practise graditude.
You can only feel you’re falling behind when you measure yourself against a preconceived idea of what a path to success looks like. But such a comparison makes us lose sight of our individuality. How can we all follow the same path when we are uniquely shaped by our DNA, gender, race, culture, religion, geography, privilege, and histories?
Fun helps me keep my energy up for work and other serious aspects of my life. And thankfully, one doesn’t stand in the way of the others – fun helps create a successful life.