Who wouldn’t love a salary increase of over 5% this year? Most employees would be happy with a raise that keeps up with inflation. But in 2025, even an inflation-related increase might not be enough to keep up with the rising cost of living as the taxman is taking a bigger bite out of your

In my latest podcast episode, I chat to tax expert Andre Bothma about the complexities of the South African tax system and how recent proposals could affect personal finances. We also have a broader discussion about the current tax landscape and whether our legislation is keeping up with changes in the working environment, with so

As a single mom, planning for your child’s future is essential, especially if you’re not on good terms with the other parent. In this article, David Thomson, Senior Legal Adviser at Sanlam Trust, provides insights on guardianship and estate planning to help any single mom make the best choices for her child. A will is

The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster ride as Trump’s policy decisions have given new meaning to uncertainty! The markets have not experienced this level of volatility since 9/11. With tariffs on and then off again, no one is predicting anything, as honestly, no one has a clue. Added to the global chaos, we

For most of us, long-term insurance is one of our biggest assets, yet we spend very little time understanding it. Am I over-insured? Does my company provide life insurance and how does that work?  What is my premium pattern? Am I going to be able to afford my premiums in ten years’ time? This week’s

Old Mutual is warning the public about a highly sophisticated investment scam currently circulating on social media and messaging platforms such as WhatsApp. The scam falsely uses the names and images of real employees and the Old Mutual company logo to create a misleading sense of credibility. The scam is positioned as a high-return, AI-powered

Starting your first job is a big deal. It comes with new responsibilities, formative learning curves, a regular paycheque, and, unfortunately – tax. Geo Kilian, tax attorney at Hobbs Sinclair Advisory, lays out the tax basics you need to know as you kick off your career. When we recently welcomed a new group of first-year

The low 2.9% GEPF pension increase has created an outcry among GEPF pensioners. Many point out that the National Treasury used an annual inflation rate of 4.4% for the budget. So why are pensioners only receiving 2.9%? I wrote an article in News24 explaining how pension funds use the inflation rate and how the date

To avoid nasty surprises such as frozen bank accounts or getting stranded abroad, South African residents need to understand South Africa’s exchange control regulations. Well over 300 000 South Africans embarked on international trips during early 2024, according to a Stats SA International Tourism report published in May 2024. With so many South Africans travelling abroad

SARS has unearthed a new source of tax revenue collection – cryptocurrency trading and investing! SARS has confirmed that it is able to receive information directly from local crypto asset exchanges, which means that non-compliance is both difficult and costly for taxpayers. It does not stop there for taxpayers engaged in the crypto business, as

Amidst the excitement of wedding planning, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect of marriage: financial planning. Metropolitan Gauteng’s General Manager, Queen Malobane, urges couples to have open, practical discussions about money before the big day. “This isn’t just about setting a wedding budget; it’s about ensuring that your partner’s financial habits align with the

Fulufhelani Mashapha recently published her book Mind Your Cents – A Practical Approach to Financial Freedom. Fulu had asked me to read her draft copy and to write the book’s foreword, and I took the opportunity to interview her about her experiences as a young professional navigating the world of money. What I really love

If you hold crypto assets, you need to understand crypto tax — how the South African Revenue Service (SARS) taxes your investments and trades. SARS has provided some guidance on how it handles the taxation of crypto assets, but many people still make mistakes that can result in penalties or non-compliance. Christo de Wit, South

Many of us believe that if we simply earned a bit more money, all of our financial issues would disappear. Yet so many South Africans who are considered high-net-worth individuals, are struggling with debt. They earn very good salaries, yet still have serious money problems. In this episode of the My Money, My Lifestyle podcast

The student loan application process can be complex, so do your homework and don’t get caught short. Rising tuition fees have resulted in rising demand for student loans. Standard Bank has noted a surge in student loan applications, including for post-graduate studies. Tshiamo Molanda, Head of Youth and Mass Market Clients at Standard Bank, encourages

Did you know that nearly half of employed South Africans engage in side businesses? In this episode of the “My Money, My Lifestyle” podcast, I chat about the growth of the side hustle with my guest, business coach and mentor Willem Gous. Willem is the author of Side Hustle Success , which is packed with