I had (another) argument with my mother-in-law recently when she stated that it was a “scientific fact that sons are always taller than their mothers” (it helps to know an example where this is not the case). While this may be generally true, it is n
We are about to enter into “RA season”…before you purchase an RA consider the following: A man walks into the client services centre of an insurance company and tells the consultant that he would like to move his RA to another company. The consult
I recently stumbled across a whole world of financial secrets and intrigue. It happened like this… Having been a keen trail runner for a number of years, an injury towards the end of last year forced me to consider some alternate forms of exercise
No fees, commissions…but at a price! RSA Retail Bonds are quite popular among the investing public, and especially amongst older people desperate for income. On the face of it, the yield is quite attractive, especially when compared to money marke
Sometimes it pays to pay a penalty… Let’s face it; RA’s have a bad rap. Hardly a week goes by (in our practice) that we don’t hear someone lamenting the fact that they have an RA that they wish they did not and that RA’s are “rubbish”. Sadly, in m
“By 3 methods we learn wisdom. First, by reflection this is noblest; second by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is bitterest.” Confucius Reading some of the financial literature over the past few months could easily lead
One of my bug bears is bank fees - I can’t believe how many people are over paying each month when there are so many better value options. But it seems that it is not only individuals that are being fleeced by the banks. I read that the justice de
The conventional wisdom around retirement funding needs some serious revision. It is my contention that as a result of the very strict application of Regulation 28 (and the poor systems at most administrators) that people who make use of the (default
•Asset Allocation Strategy
•Investment Research and Selection
•Local and Offshore Investing
•Tax Efficient Planning
