Just a quick follow up on the post about Fundisa – I just received my transaction SMS from them…so far I have invested R1200 of my own money…the transaction statement reads as follows: The balance at 04 May is R1,209.56 (investment) and R518.00 (grant). Nedgroup Investment…i.e. there is currently R1727 in the account that would be paid to a tertiary education institution… Not too shabby!

There are few things that bug me more than seeing people being ripped off by insurance companies. I have just come across an advert for an education plan by one of the large SA insurance companies…for just R150 per month for 10 years…blah blah blah…stay far away from these policies – they are expensive and restrictive. As far as I am concerned people who want to save for their children’s education should first get rid of...

All the while that this debate has been going on the market has risen…for anyone who invested at the low in Nov/Dec last year there has been a 22% return from the ALSI already… I think there is a danger of throwing the baby out with the bath water here…equities are the most likely asset class to give you real returns over the long term…but they can be very volatile in the short term…and so the best way to think...

The first article in the “financial planning for dummies” series identified the 5 most common risks people face, namely: Dying too soon and leaving debt or dependents. Living too long (insufficient funds on which to retire). Disability (over a short or extended period). Funds for short term emergencies. Debt! This article looks at the second of these risks; Living too long – the risk here is that of outliving your funds. From a...

It’s so easy to save money! One of the “compulsory” forms of insurance that people with bonds have to have is Home Owners Insurance – this is insurance that covers the cost of replacing the building if it is destroyed through things like fire and floods. Usually the bank that provides the bond also very kindly arranges this insurance and the unsuspecting home owner signs the policy document. There are at least 2 huge problems with...