Allan Gray Kaya Biz

Divorce and your retirement savings

The COVID-19 pandemic has sent global divorce rates soaring by up to 30% over the last year, adding to the life-altering trauma that many families have experienced as a result of the virus. Even though some estimates suggest that over 40% of marriages end in divorce, most couples aren’t prepared…

23 Mar 2021 13 min

Habits that set successful investors apart

With thousands of investments to choose from, many investors unwittingly reduce their returns over time by switching in and out of investments, being swayed by the prevailing market sentiment and letting their emotions take over. Building wealth is a long-term endeavour and those who manage to do it successfully have…

23 Feb 2021 12 min

Are you making the most of tax-free investing?

Set against a backdrop of lower overall returns, it is important to ensure that you are incorporating tax-efficient strategies in your broader long-term financial plan which make the most of the existing vehicles and products on offer. Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail distribution at Allan Gray, joins Kaya Bizz to…

16 Feb 2021 9 min

Understanding your tax liability

The final month of the tax year is upon us, prompting us to review our finances ahead of filing our returns later this year. This tax year has been particularly challenging for most South Africans, and many of us have had to dip into multiple income streams. Whether you have…

2 Feb 2021 10 min

Give your finances a fresh start

Last year was really challenging for most South Africans. We were reminded that life is unpredictable and that our financial circumstances can change at any time, which is why good financial planning is extremely important. The good news is that It’s a new year and we have a new opportunity…

12 Jan 2021 18 min

Be wary of overspending

2020 has been a difficult year for South African households: COVID-19 has meant that many of us have lost some or all of our income, placing additional strain on a country with high levels of debt and unemployment, and a poor culture of saving. As Black Friday approaches, kicking off…

17 Nov 2020 12 min

Are you sitting on savings you could be investing?

While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for emergency savings as a buffer against tough times, it has also created anxiety for investors who are worried about their income security and market volatility. As a result, many investors who have been fortunate enough to retain their income streams during…

3 Nov 2020 11 min

Anaemic rate environment for money market funds

We have undoubtedly entered a difficult period for money market funds. The overnight repo rate of 3.5% is the lowest in South Africa’s history, and offers only a marginal uplift relative to inflation of 3.1% year on year for August 2020. Other market forces are also at work in keeping…

20 Oct 2020 11 min

How to invest to be crisis ready

It is financial planning week – which always serves as a useful reminder to make sure that our financial plans are on track. This year, this task is especially important when we consider that the pandemic has meant that many things haven’t gone according to plan. Investors who are financially…

6 Oct 2020 14 min

How to spring clean your financial habits

Today is the September equinox - the official start of the new season. Over time it’s easy to accumulate bad financial habits and lose sight of your long-term goals, but the fresh season brings with it an opportunity to spring clean your finances, get your financial house in order and…

22 Sep 2020 9 min

Is there a place for real assets in a conservative portfolio?

Today, cautious investors are allocating ever-increasing amounts of their capital to fixed income, including money market, bond and income funds. This is an understandable reaction to a five-year period of poor real equity returns and the increasing uncertainty we face as we live through the COVID-19 pandemic. But is there…

8 Sep 2020 15 min

Why women are better long-term investors

A number of studies have concluded that, in general, women achieve better investment outcomes than men. This is largely due to better investor behaviour. In the spirit of Women’s Month, Allan Gray’s Lettie Mzwinila joins Kaya Bizz to touch on some of the reasons why women may have the upper…

25 Aug 2020 7 min

Should I file a tax return for the 2020 tax year?

In this period of great uncertainty, one thing you can count on is tax. Tax filing season kicks off on the 1st of September, and if you have earned an income during the 2019/2020 tax year, you may need to file a return. In response to COVID-19, the South African…

11 Aug 2020 11 min

Long-term saving mistakes to avoid

As we wind up savings month, it is useful to pause and think about how we plan to approach our personal finances for the rest of the year. Now we know that we are notoriously bad at saving in South Africa. The recent pandemic has reminded us how important it…

29 Jul 2020 15 min

Do you have an emergency fund?

One thing the current pandemic has highlighted is that life doesn’t always go according to plan – and this often means we have to shell out money when we are least prepared for it. These unexpected expenses can have a significant and lasting impact on our long-term financial health. By…

14 Jul 2020 14 min

Ideas to help you prepare for the tough months ahead with Ms Lettie Mzwinila

When last did you have a financial wellness check? With the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic still to come, remaining healthy is naturally top of mind. When prioritising our wellbeing, it is important to also pay some attention to our personal financial health. Tune in to Kaya Bizz podcasts on…

30 Jun 2020 10 min

Approaching investing during COVID-19 and beyond

As we commemorate Youth Day and turn our focus to young South Africans, we are reminded that young people face numerous challenges as they lay the foundation for their careers, aim for financial freedom and map out the path to achieving their investment goals. COVID-19 has thrown many of us…

16 Jun 2020 12 min

Looking after your financial health during COVID-19

With COVID-19 posing a real threat to our health, looking after our physical wellbeing is naturally top of mind. Given the far-reaching effects of the pandemic on our lives and livelihoods, it’s also critical to make sure that our personal finances are in good health. Lettie Mzwinila, Strategic Markets specialist…

2 Jun 2020 14 min

Optimism in a time of distress

Many of us are feeling overwhelmed as COVID-19-related deaths, job losses and financial stress begin to have a real impact on our lives. The data is daunting, the headlines are overwhelmingly negative, and it seems as though things may get even worse before they get better. Given this reality, it…

19 May 2020 12 min

How to stay the course in uncertain times

If you have been keeping an eye on your investments, you may have noted some volatility in your portfolio over the last few weeks as the markets have reacted to our fears around coronavirus, ratings downgrades, Eskom and a host of other issues. While it may be tempting to cash…

5 May 2020 14 min