News

Beware of a new fraud scheme targeting the bank accounts of retired and elderly clients

By
Nokwanda Msimang, | 30 July 2024

Recently, a few of our retired and elderly clients became victims of a new fraudulent scheme, targeting their bank accounts.

In this article, Nokwanda Msimang explains how the scheme works and encourages our clients to stay informed and vigilant to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes.

Early inheritance: A tragedy or joy?

By
Elke Zeki, | 29 July 2024

An early inheritance is typically a one-time or infrequent financial gift meant to be part of the child's eventual inheritance. Its purpose is to make a substantial impact, such as buying a home, starting a business, or funding education. This differs from ongoing financial assistance for daily needs.   Both are forms of wealth transfer, but the intent is different.

How can giving and receiving money be joyous and meaningful, yet it can also harm financial well-being and relationships?

How to achieve financial fitness

By
Hayley Walker, | 31 January 2024

Financial fitness goes beyond merely having a stable income. It also encompasses the ability to manage money wisely, make informed financial decisions, and build a secure future. It allows you to feel confident, comfortable and in control – both now and with what life might throw your way in the future.

Planning for Purpose: Finding new meaning in retirement

By
Michelle le Roux, | 30 October 2023

Finding purpose in retirement is as necessary as it is rewarding. While retirement offers more free time, filling that time with activities that give your life meaning and satisfaction is critical.

What can you do to help you discover how you should direct your time and energy once you retire?

Hidden enemies that will derail your financial plan

By
Elke Zeki, | 30 October 2023

In financial planning, there are hidden, yet prevalent, enemies that can undermine our financial goals and well-being. You might think these enemies are volatile markets, economic growth, or inflation, but it's actually far more subtle than this. The enemy is, more often us, specifically, the financial behaviours we practice without even realising it. 

How to help your children make career choices

By
Sunél Veldtman, | 24 July 2023

This may seem obvious, but undergraduate studies are not just to prepare you for a career or to provide you with a means to an end. Undergraduate studies should be the beginning of lifelong learning. Over their lifetimes, current students are likely to need to continue their studies in many fields across many different careers. So rather than think about a first career choice as the ultimate choice, consider it the first of many choices to secure and further your career.

Integrating Health into Financial Planning

By
Hayley Walker, | 24 July 2023

The odds are, your health will change, sometimes unexpectedly. And if current research is anything to go by, protecting your health is more important than ever – especially as we are likely to live longer than before. 

10 Ways to outsmart cybercrime

By
Michelle le Roux, | 28 April 2023

Technology has made the world a smaller place. But with enhanced accessibility comes increased risk. 

How can you protect yourself against cybercrime?

Beneficiaries explained...

By
Hayley Walker, | 28 April 2023

The option to nominate a beneficiary is dependent on the type of investment you choose. Understanding the implications of your decision is central to looking after your loved ones financially.

Topline Quarterly Review: Q1 of 2023

By
Sunél Veldtman, | 28 April 2023

The first quarter of 2023 kept us on the edge of our seats. Globally, tight monetary conditions are starting to impact the stability of the banking sector. Locally, it was shades of grey. First a grey-listing and then more darkness for the country.

What can we expect for our money this year?

By
Sunél Veldtman, | 30 January 2023

At the start of every year, forecasters cannot help themselves. Forecasts for inflation rounded to a decimal, appear like clockwork. We should know to ignore them by now. 

However, and somewhat surprisingly, longer-term trend forecasts are often more accurate.

Does sustainable investing add value? 

By
Hayley Walker, | 30 January 2023

As the world continues to evolve, so should we. And this includes how we invest.

What is sustainable investing, and are you happy with the choices you've made?

Why entrepreneurs should have a holistic financial plan, and not just a tax plan

By
Sunél Veldtman, Thiart van der Merwe, | 28 October 2022

Holistic financial planning, specific to an entrepreneur’s circumstances, provides better results for a client. Even simple organisation, like having the correct documentation in place, can mean the difference between deriving value from your entrepreneurial effort or not.

 

How will my inheritance be treated if...

By
Michelle le Roux, | 27 October 2022

What happens to your inherited assets in the case of a certain event, particularly death or divorce? As with any family law matter, the way you were married sets many of the rules that will apply. 

Clear is kind. Planning for your death.

By
Elke Zeki, | 27 July 2022

We have written various articles on wills and death before.  Why?  Because, as we have seen over the years, it is complex, especially when winding up estates. It is not enough to draw up a will and take out life cover. 

Estate planning requires thought and careful consideration because every family is unique, and each has its own complexities and challenges to address. 

How to know if endowments are for you

By
Thiart van der Merwe, | 27 July 2022

An endowment policy is not a one-size fits all approach. It should be carefully considered, taking your specific needs and circumstances into account.

What is an endowment, and does it make sense for your investment portfolio?

Do I really need an offshore will?

By
Michelle le Roux, | 27 April 2022

Who gets the precious family heirloom, or the offshore investment that you worked so hard to protect and grow? How do you ensure that it ends up where you intended?

Let’s take a deeper dive into this practical element of estate planning, namely having an offshore will.

Why you should think about your work

By
Sunél Veldtman, | 27 April 2022

In the past financial planning has focussed on helping people protect and save their income or investments. We assumed a steady inflation tracking income in our retirement models and insured against disasters. However, we can no longer assume straight-line careers that will produce steady incomes. We must start to plan for frequent career changes, much longer working years and include discussions about career planning in our financial planning.

Musings | 10-year celebration letter

By
Sunél Veldtman, | 03 March 2022

10 years ago, Elke and I launched Foundation Family Wealth.  It was a summer morning, and we had two laptops, a license, and a dream. Read more here.

What’s the story with prescribed assets?

By
Michelle le Roux, | 08 October 2020

For a while now, we have been reading with great interest about how the government wants to be able to control how our retirement savings are invested. This is usually referred to by its short name, “prescribed assets”, and advocates on either side of the argument have been keeping us glued to...

The truth about divorce

By
Michelle le Roux, Sunél Veldtman, | 20 September 2020

If your future depends on it, you should know about it. The lockdown has probably challenged most marriages. Some have been broken. Divorce attorneys are already dealing with the fall out as they report up to a 20% rise in divorce applications. The current economic climate will make these divorce...

Top tips to reduce your tax rate

By
Thiart van der Merwe, | 18 February 2020

“As investors, we often try to limit the taxes paid and look for products and opportunities that are less tax intensive. Although this is a major part of investing, it is not the only thing to consider."

Time to reframe risk

By
Elke Zeki, | 21 November 2019

Risk is something that can be measured, and we, regardless of understanding the measurements, use it to make investment decisions. The problem is, we think we are concerned about risk, but we are not. Humans are much more concerned about uncertainty!

Prescribed assets: by the numbers

By
Thiart van der Merwe, | 21 November 2019

Is it still worthwhile to invest in a retirement annuity, pension or provident fund with Prescribed Assets on the cards? Our numbers conclude that the tax benefit outweighs the negatives, even taking a big capital loss into account.

2017 and the case for a low return environment

By
Thiart van der Merwe, | 07 December 2017

-By Thiart van Der Merwe - A prolonged, low-growth environment and no real returns from our market were the main talking points as we entered 2017. With constant negative press on corruption and a deteriorating political landscape, one can understand the inclination to be pessimistic. Up to the midway point the pessimists were right. The stock market surprised ...

The Good News You’re Missing

By
Sunél Veldtman, | 08 September 2017

-By Sunél Veldtman - Recently, I have noticed how many conversations about the world lead to a conclusion that the world is a mess. We seem anxious and insecure about the future. If I look at my social media feed, it is no wonder. Bad news abounds. Korea is angling for war. Trump plans to block immigration. ...

US Presidential Election 2016

By
Thiart van der Merwe, | 10 November 2016

We haven’t paid much attention to US elections in the past…Democrats, Republicans, Bush, Clinton or Obama – there has been a broad acceptance of neo-liberal capitalist policies supported by globalisation. Yesterday, that changed.

What’s going on with world growth?

12 September 2016

Despite years of unprecedented stimulus from authorities all over the world, the global economy is sluggish. Global growth expectations are continually adjusted downwards and are still well below long-term averages. This year the World Bank adjusted its global growth forecast downwards to 2,4% from 2,9% in January. So, what’s happening with economic growth and why is ...

The United States, a Declining Power or the “Indispensable Nation”?

03 March 2016

PortfolioMetrix’s Brandon Zietsman wrote an interesting piece on the possible shift of power away from America to the likes of China, and whether you should look at size in isolation or is there more to a power shift than just the production numbers of a country. An interesting read. American exceptionalism has defined the way Americans ...

Significant tax changes finalised in Taxation Laws Amendment Act

27 January 2016

Earlier this month, the Taxation Laws Amendment Act was passed in parliament. The Act included significant retirement reforms. Although these reforms follow years of negotiations, it has still been met with resistance especially by labour unions. What do these reforms mean for high net worth individuals and families? We believe these changes go some way to simplify ... Read more