Money Management

"How can I build wealth?"   I hear this question (or some variation of it) a lot. And while I'm happy to provide answers and advice, there's something I've noticed about most people who ask this question.   They don't take action on the answers. They don't follow the...

The choice between buying and leasing has often been a tough call. On one hand, buying involves higher monthly costs, but you own something in the end. On the other, a lease has lower monthly payments, but you get into a cycle where you never stop paying for a...

Net worth is an oft-misunderstood term.   I’m talking about your wealth generating Net Worth.  Not the ridiculous Net Worth calculation done by banks to lend you money. And lull you into thinking your financial well-being and future is all hunky dory and based of...

Have you ever thought about the difference between being rich and wealthy. Is there a difference? If so, what is it? And how do we become wealthy? There some interesting findings in the Charles Schwab survey about what being rich meant for people. Spending time with...

Many people have had to look at their finances with new eyes. The coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on people's budgets, income, and financial stability.   The truth is, the odds of another financial crisis in your personal life is inevitable. Negative financial...

Everyone knows there are certain subjects you just don’t bring up in conversation, whether it’s religion, politics, or marital conflicts. But if there’s one thing people can agree on, it’s that money is the most taboo topic of all. Asking about salary or diving into...

Managing your money is a challenge. At some point, most of us have struggled with debt, and getting on track financially means taking control. When you feel in control of your money, it’s a lot easier to make smart financial decisions. This is easier said than done....

Money. Who couldn’t use a little bit more of it? Whether you’re saving for a down payment on your own home, planning a wedding, or trying to pay off debt. Or putting some money aside for a rainy day, a little bit of extra cash can go a long way.   Your day job might...

Is your dwindling bank account giving you a lot of stress? Do you have so many financial responsibilities and not enough money to sort them out? Is your day job not earning you enough money? Have you been thinking of ways to earn an extra income? All great reasons to...

What we are experiencing is unprecedented. No-one knows where we are headed or what sort of world we will emerge into. But what we do know is that this will end at some point and we will emerge.   As we adjust to this new situation, we should make sure we aren’t...

When it comes to renting versus buying a house, there is always a debate about which makes the most financial sense. Both sides have valid points, so it can be a bit confusing   There are pros and cons to renting versus buying a house. Both options have their own...

"Every month by the middle of the money I'm broke." Payday is cool, but it’s disheartening to look at your bank account only to see you’re in the same place you were two weeks ago. Living from one paycheck to the next makes peace of mind an elusive goal. A lot of...

  Do you seem to never have any money at the end of the month and always ask yourself, "why am I broke?" No one likes being broke. And it’s stressful, uncomfortable, and counterproductive to achieving your financial goals. I know what it feels like. I spent most...

You popped into the shop on your way home, as you walk in you are greeted by a holiday song. Yes its that time of the year. 13 days to Christmas. What with the holiday spirit and all the specials you may be finding it difficult to Control Your Holiday Spending.   Does...

  How do you handle your money more intelligently, so you can have more, give more and get the life that you want?   Here are some things you can do to start managing your money now.   Revisit your belief When I say "Rich people" what does that bring up for you?...

One of the biggest challenges in personal finance is figuring out how to lower your monthly bills. And one of the best ways to do that is to cut down on your monthly expenses. Some of our regular bills might seem small on their own, their cumulative effect can be...

  So you want to be rich?   Why aren't you?   When you’re not doing as well as you want to be financially, it’s not the lack of money that’s the problem. A lack of money is a symptom of what’s going on underneath. What’s the root cause? Bad habits are preventing...

How big is yours? What are you thinking? I'm asking how big is your paycheck is.   Now that I have your attention my next question is: what is money?  It's a question we are never asked because we think we know. But do we?   You use it every day. You die for it. You...

  With so many demands on our time, I'm sure you want Quick Ways to improve Your Finances.. We all know demands on our time is one of the biggest challenge to achieving our money goals. Set aside a few minutes to complete these small tasks that can lead to big...

Clearing clutter out of your home can make you more organized and can simplify your life. Clearing away any unnecessary items can also help you find happiness. The same concept goes for your finances. By clearing out financial clutter, you can decrease financial...

Impulse buy, we’ve all done it! We go to the store for one or two inexpensive items and end up throwing a few extra things into the trolley. They look appealing or seem to a great deal. These impulse buys can drive up the amount you pay at checkout. And we often kick...

Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a magic formula or one easy trick that made it so you never had to worry about money again? If you’re tired of feeling stressed out about money it’s time to get a hold on your personal finances. The realization of being broke at the...

  It’s interesting that most people think about money all the time and don’t know much about how it works. Let’s think about it for a moment… You trade your labor (mental, emotional, or physical) for money. And then you take that money and you trade it for the...

The holidays sneak up on us faster than the sudden emergency.  So it’s important to start planning for them now.   As the holiday season gets underway, fine-tuning your budget may be a top priority. When you have a firm spending plan in place, it becomes easier to...

    Habits are the regular tendencies we have that are hard to break. They are the things we do over and over without even thinking about. Our habits shape our lives – both for the good and the bad. Even if you have the best of intentions, you can still find...

  If you want to go with the flow, live in the moment, wind in your hair kind of life, you need a forward thinking prepared for anything kind of plan. The news is out – South Africa is in a technical recession meaning you could be getting a lot less bang for your...

  If you are trying to change your financial picture, you need to track your expenses each month. This allows you to know what you have spent and where. It is important to balance your cheque account and credit cards to the bank statement each month. It is a bit...

  I don’t know about you, but when I was growing up, I was not taught how to manage money at school.  I never learned how to, invest money to make more money.  How to budget and manage my money in order to have a balanced lifestyle,  or how to spend money wisely...

Forget January—where do you see yourself next December? Resolutions fizzle out, but a year-long financial plan can have a longer payoff. Fitness resolutions usually top the list, but personal finances come in second. Money resolutions can run from starting or sticking...

<   For Entrepreneurs struggling to balance the books it would be wise to set regular forecasts, invoice quickly and make it easy to pay. Cash flow is the most important thing to the financial health of any small business. Making sure you have the right amount...

Dear Reader, Why you need to take control now. More women are now the family breadwinner. Many though still tend to pass the buck on important money matters, such as investing and retirement. Today's women have more earning potential than women of previous...

  Let’s be honest, New Year’s resolutions are inevitably broken. This is why I plead that your finances don’t fall on the dreaded list. Your personal finances should always get the attention they deserve. Often with a new year comes changes in life; new job,...

  With imminent interest rate hikes and the rising cost of living, 2016 is expected to be a difficult year for many consumers financially if they don’t currently have a system in place. Regardless of whether someone is earning R5 000 a month or R5 million, it is...

Dear Reader, You wouldn’t believe what holiday is coming in next month…CHRISTMAS!  The consumer driven, debt inducing holiday season that drives us all. Even though it’s still too early to get in the holiday spirit, it’s not too early to start sounding...

Two hundred and fifty million people in the wealthiest country on the planet are barely making it. I am not talking about the people on food stamps or unemployment; I am talking about people making an average annual salary. Consider that almost 75 percent of all South...

Dear Reader, Spring, with new life popping up everywhere, is the source of many an impulse to start afresh. Before you rush out to wine, dine and book tickets and accommodation, remember that most people spend more money between November and February than they do in...

  Dear Reader, If you have a lump sum of money to invest or have budgeted to start a monthly debit order read this before you go any further. Before you launch into buying that unit trust you heard someone talking about at that dinner party. Stop. Did you know...