The stupidity and corruption of the Trump administration knows no bounds. Out of the litany of assaults on the great values and cultural institutions of the United States it is the “trade war” with China which warrants the most concern from an economics perspective. The open handed slap at Huawei, does nothing to aid in […]
Cars are keeping you poor
Since the boom of the automotive industry of the 1950s the car has become an integral part of South African society. People will always want to own cars, but that’s the issue, a car is a depreciating asset. Your car loses value the moment you drive it off the lot and continues to lose value […]
The importance of a TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account)
Every so often, the government gives you a tax break. It doesn’t happen very often, so it’s all the more reason to take advantage of it when it comes your way. As part of National Treasury’s goal to improve the poor savings culture in South Africa, they introduced a special savings product that is free […]
Top South African Personal Finance Blogs
Overwhelmed with the number of blogs that are supposed to help you manage your money? We’ve culled the list for you. Combining visitor, search and social metrics with in-house expertise, Platinum Wealth identifies the most read, most discussed and most influential names in the South African personal finance blogosphere. Dividend Tycoon (View Blog) Ross currently […]
Dow 30 Futures – Finding method in the madness
It has been a tumultuous couple of months for the DOW. Starting from the beginning of 2018, the market has not seen such volatility in recent history. Looking at the chart below, there is a stark difference between the price action from a number of previous years and the price action starting in February 2018. There have […]
Cash is king: Why cash flow matters more than profits
Improving cash flow is a smart move for any business. It doesn’t matter how great your business model is, how profitable you are, or how many investors you have lined up. You won’t survive if you can’t manage your company’s cash. In fact, one study found that 82% of businesses fail due to poor cash […]
SARS’s stance on the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will continue to apply normal income tax rules to cryptocurrencies and will expect affected taxpayers to declare cryptocurrency gains or losses as part of their taxable income. The onus is on taxpayers to declare all cryptocurrency-related taxable income in the tax year in which it is received or accrued. […]
How to Build an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund should be set up before you start investing. Use a 32 Day Notice Account + Credit Card if possible. Do not use a TFSA for emergencies, ever. Share your emergency fund strategy with us here. What Exactly Is an Emergency Fund? An emergency fund is simply money you’ve set aside for unexpected […]
How to Invest: A Tutorial For Beginners
The only way to attain financial independence is by saving and investing for the long run. The goal is to put your money to work for you through a diversified collection of investment vehicles. Starting a successful investment journey and structuring a long-term plan requires that you should at least know the basics of investing so you […]
Budget 2018: VAT increase to 15%
The Minister of Finance announced the value-added tax (VAT) rate increase in his budget speech on 21 February 2018. The standard rate of VAT will change from 14% to 15% with effect from 1 April 2018. This means that from 1 April 2018, all taxable goods or services supplied by vendors, goods imported, as well […]