Thinking, feeling, and acting are interrelated processes that shape our behaviour, and they often become so habitual in our busy lives that we are no longer mindful of them. We lose control of being intentional about the direction our lives are taking – and this often shows up in our finances. Therefore, it is important to be aware of our thoughts and feelings and how they influence our actions, especially concerning financial behaviour. Essentially, thinking refers […]
Continue readingAuthor: Fanie Nel
Are you ready to reduce digital distractions?
Do you often reach the end of your day and feel like, regardless of how busy you’ve been, you still don’t feel productive? It’s all too easy to begin our day in our emails and allow all the interruptions of ‘urgent messages’ to run our entire day. These digital distractions can seriously affect our productivity. The constant notifications and easy access to social media and other websites can lead to procrastination, reduced focus, and decreased efficiency. […]
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Five tips for investing this year
People have a wide range of feelings and perspectives regarding investing. Some view investing as a way to grow wealth and secure a financial future, while others may view it as too risky or complex. Some of us are confident in our investment knowledge and feel comfortable making decisions independently, while others prefer to seek guidance from financial advisors or investment professionals. Still, others may feel nervous about the stock market and prefer to put their […]
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Discovery Vitality 2023 summary
Vitality Health is a program that offers a range of benefits for its members, including discounts on gym memberships, healthy food, and sports gear, as well as rewards for reaching fitness goals. This article will provide an overview of the benefits, costs, and the value of being a Vitality Health member in 2023. Rates for 2023: Single Member: R 329.00 Member + 1: R 399.00 Member + 2 or more: R 465.00 Important to note: Only […]
Continue readingSuper Jan
The best way to possibly start the year January was an exceptional month, with the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) experiencing growth of more than 7%. Despite the challenges posed by load shedding, rising food prices, high unemployment, and struggling small businesses, the JSE still performed well, reaching record levels of over 80,000 points and showing improved bond performance and interest rates. The reasons for the growth in the JSE can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, […]
Continue readingThink like an Insurer
Sun Tzu’s famous quote “If you know your enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles” can also be applied to being a responsible policyholder with your insurer. It is important to understand how insurers view claims and policyholders in order to maintain a positive relationship and avoid negative consequences such as higher yearly increases, higher excess on claims, and contract cancellation. To be a responsible policyholder, consider the following: […]
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Two ways to reduce anxiety
Our minds are extraordinary. The human brain has evolved to solve complex problems and successfully manage unexpected situations, and yet, coping is less about what is happening in the world and more about how our senses decipher the situation. Perception is everything; this is why coping mechanisms focus on managing, reframing, or avoiding how we perceive triggers and stressors. Suppose our inability to cope is hindering us from enjoying a full life, achieving our goals, or […]
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Small things achieve big results
Vincent van Gogh is quoted as saying: “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” This quote highlights the idea that even the smallest actions or details can contribute to the creation of something significant. Focusing on and taking care of the small things can achieve big results over time. Essentially, this is about being productive. In the moment, we might think that it’s just a small action or an insignificant choice, […]
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Investment year 2022 – What happened?
2022 – A year to forget A year ago we were still very optimistic about 2022. It is ironic that the international markets peaked on 1 January and have been trending almost exclusively in one direction ever since. What went wrong? In a word – EVERYTHING. Inflation, war, China’s zero-covid policy, and painful interest rates were some of the main culprits. This has wrecked the markets. A well constructed portfolio is diversified. In 2022, all assets […]
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When you are on leave, your cover might cease
If you are planning a longer holiday, will your insurance still cover you? Let us go through the different categories. Home Insurance Insurers are allergic to higher risks and it is your duty to inform the insurer of any significant changes to your risk. If you are away from home for more than 30 days, it is important that you inform your advisor or insurer. In the worst case scenario, you will not be insured against […]
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