Finance Articles

SCAM: an illegal plan for making money, especially one that involves tricking people – Cambridge Dictionary

Posted on May 12, 2021May 12, 2021 by Nico

Why do scams survive, without changing much, other than minor details? Here I am again, talking about scams. However, I would like to take a more philosophical view this time. Let us look at how and why people get caught. Again. And (sometimes) again!
I want to state that scams illustrate parts of the Human Condition we may not be too proud of. Added to that the novel situation we find ourselves in with the Coronavirus and the unprecedented acceleration of the Fourth Industrial Revolution has made this worse.

Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage…

Posted on May 5, 2021 by Nico

According to a recent BBC Worklife article, divorce rates are rapidly increasing around the world – whether you live in China, Sweden, or the United Kingdom. This is true of South Africa as well. Since the already slow cogs of justice ground to a halt for months due to the hard lockdown level 5, South African courts face a backlog in the divorce courts, the likes of which has not been seen before.

Help! I need to draw more customers!

Posted on April 21, 2021April 20, 2021 by Nico

Many small business owners have felt the pinch (unless they are toilet paper suppliers) as customers seem to dwindle. You need customers, so that you can get the resources to invest in technology. Do not despair. There are some things you can do that are much cheaper than throwing the money you do not have into the dark…

Compared to the Joneses, how have you faired with managing your debt this season?

Posted on April 14, 2021April 13, 2021 by Nico

The season is turning. Winter is coming. Soon, your hollow-boned teenager will need a new winter school uniform. The world might have been brought to a standstill for months, but it did not stop your kids from growing taller. You may only need half a smart outfit and bunny slippers to conduct your zoom meetings but not so your kids – at least on alternate days.

Some musings on the new Tax strategy of SARS

Posted on April 7, 2021April 7, 2021 by Nico

How does a government increase its income without adding new taxes? After all, there are important local elections this year and reassuring the public that you REALLY will do your very utmost ‘bestest best’ NOT to pull the tax noose tighter, the Government needs more money.

Last Will and Testament: Will your will be done?

Posted on March 31, 2021April 1, 2021 by Nico

I used to be an avid follower of the Wizard of Id. This offbeat comic strip, set in the Middle Ages, appeared in the Sunday Paper. One particular strip bears relevance to this topic. A peasant woman, cradling her cat, approaches the overlord’s official. She says to him; ‘I want to leave my fortune to my cat’. He questions her, saying what you own is not a fortune. Her answer: ‘it is to a cat’.

Money in the bank

Posted on March 17, 2021March 17, 2021 by Nico

South Africans love to hate their banks. Many consider the banking industry to be aloof and hate the long queues that causes acute and a sudden onset of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out in Generation Z speak). Luckily the banks know this. Many are developing digital platforms as a solution.

LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 (AGAIN) – I need a break!

Posted on March 10, 2021March 10, 2021 by Nico

A year has passed since Lockdown became the new buzz/swear word. Here we are, Level 1. Again. I am sure that even the most introverted of us are now struggling with cabin fever. We want to give you some ideas about planning a breakaway without, well, breaking the bank.

PART 2: Investing in rental properties: what is happening in this market in 2021?

Posted on March 3, 2021March 1, 2021 by Nico

Many people may have been wondering if this is the opportune time to put themselves in debt and buy a property for investment purposes. For those who already have rental properties, the question becomes this: with all the economic insecurity people from all walks of life face, is using real estate as a form of passive income still a reliable investment?

PART 1: A mixed response: what is happening on the property market in 2021?

Posted on February 17, 2021February 18, 2021 by Nico

Should we hold on to our properties, no matter what, since it is currently a ‘buyer’s market’? Should we put ourselves in debt and buy a property now? With all the economic insecurity people from all walks of life are facing, is using real estate as a form of passive income still a reliable investment?