Financial Planning Archives -

I will persist until I succeed!

I remember reading this quote when I started in the financial services industry about 22 years ago and came across it again recently…it’s a timely reminder as we try to make the industry better for our clients. I was not delivered into this world into defeat, nor does failure course in my veins. I am …

A gilded cage is not the answer, Liberty and Discovery

I remember, just after 9/11, listening to Clem Sunter speak about the choices that America had in response to the events that had just unfolded. Essentially, they had two choices, and the choice they made would define their future.

Emotional beings

Let’s face it, we’re emotional beings (thankfully). We laugh at comedy and cry at tragedy. We give money more easily to beggars on cold and rainy days, or to mothers with young children than to single men on the side of the road. We buy things on sale (with money we don’t have) even though …

Financial planning profession in SA – not yet, not even close!

For far too long now we have been talking about financial planning becoming a profession in SA…sadly, we are not even close yet because it still remains an industry dominated by the need to sell products and by the suppliers of those products.

Suck-session Planning

I recently tried to make an appointment to see my doctor for my annual check-up only to be informed that he has left to “take a sabbatical”. Bottom line is that he is tired and has had enough and is going to do something else.

Your greatest financial risk is not financial; it is physics!

Over the years as we have chatted to clients about financial planning we have settled down to the “big 5” risks that everyone faces and the resulting financial (and emotional) risks that they present to the person and their family. Simply put, these are (in no order of importance): Dying too soon Living too long …

The value of advice?

Much has been written about the value of financial advice. There are many people who believe that financial planners offer little value for the fees charged while there are others who believe that the value financial planners add is very significant. Research by Morningstar has revealed that the value of advice (they call it “gamma”) …

One page financial plan

I have just finished reading this excellent book by Carl Richards… The One-page Financial Plan – some notes from the book: “The best financial plan has nothing to do with what the markets are doing, nothing to do with what your real estate agent is telling you, nothing to do with the hot stock your …

Some things can be ignored

Following another bout of load-shedding I noticed that the clock on the clock-radio in our bedroom was flashing on and off (it needs to be reset each time the power goes off). I was too lazy to reset it (again) and decided to ignore it (maybe my wife would do it if I pretended not …

Deceivery Life

I just received an invitation to the Discovery Life financial planning summit…on opening the invitation I noticed a few things: The invite is for a financial planning summit The agenda is dominated by sales techniques – sure there are some other topics thrown into the mix but it appears that the main motive is to …

The Financial Coach