Calm needn’t be the focus

We often think that financial peace or calm is the ultimate goal when it comes to managing our money. We hear phrases like “financial peace of mind” or “calming the storm of debt” and we think, “Yes, that’s what I want. I just want everything to be calm.” And while there’s nothing wrong with seeking […]

Ten Rules – Part 2

In the first part of this series, we explored five essential rules for personal finance, inspired by “The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated” by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack. The rules in the blog spoke to things like spending less than we earn, paying off credit card debt, save 10-20% […]

Spending with intention

In her thought-provoking book “The Year of Less,” Cait Flanders shares a powerful insight: “Every time you make a purchase, you’re voting with your dollar for the kind of world you want to live in.” This simple yet profound statement invites us to reconsider our relationship with consumption and its impact on our financial well-being. […]

Interest rates are in the news again……..

Interest rates were hiked to fight inflation and now after the task of stemming inflation seems to be complete, interest rates are on a downward trend for the medium term. Debates will rage as to why rates were kept so high for so long, and whether stopping inflation was done at the cost of economic […]

There are more questions than answers……

There are more questions than answers…… ……as the old song goes, I remember singing it to my daughter when she was at the “why?” stage. The new two pot system seems simple enough, but listening to a group discussion yesterday on a two-day webinar on the future of retirement planning organized by Allan Gray, it […]

Ten Rules – Part 1

Whilst it’s easy to get lost in a sea of jargon, investment options, and conflicting advice, financial success doesn’t require a degree in economics or hours spent poring over market trends. In fact, according to Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack in their book The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated, everything […]

A missing link between money and happiness

What if you found out that your current financial plan might be working against you, not for you? That despite all your careful budgeting and saving, you’re missing a crucial element that could make or break your financial well-being?  It might be time to talk about values-based financial planning – the missing link between your […]

The freedom to live life on your terms

Here’s one of the hardest (or least asked…) questions when it comes to financial planning:  “How much is enough?” It’s a simple question, but one that most people never stop to consider. We’re so caught up in the race for ‘more’ that we forget to ask ourselves why we’re running in the first place. It’s […]

The gap between our income and ego

Is money linked to our ego? It’s a question that invites us to reflect on the deeper motivations behind our financial decisions. Morgan Housel, in his thought-provoking way, suggests that “savings is the gap between your income and your ego.”  This statement can be confronting, especially because it challenges us to consider the extent to […]

Nudging, not judging

Change is one of those things that we all know is necessary but often struggle with. Whether it’s a change in our spending habits, our health routines, or our approach to relationships, the process can be daunting. The desire to improve is there, but the path forward isn’t always clear or easy. This is where […]