It is a common question. Should I lump sum invest or dollar cost average? – For most of us, it is moot, as we dollar cost average in line with earning an income. For many, it is likely that at…
Category: Wealth
Are Medical Savings Options an Accepted Scam for the member?
Probably the most “clickbaity” title I’ve ever used. Potentially still very accurate though. It is only based on my anecdotal “research” and primarily on four different plans across two providers. I returned to South Africa two years ago and six…
Relative Pricing – Active Rebalancing across Asset Classes and Factors
I went to buy some fruit the other day. I found myself questioning whether it was expensive, cheap or fairly priced – I came to realise that things are only expensive relative to something else. – Relative to what I…
The Markets are Mad – Time for a Fundamental Strategy change
I have been on a simple path to wealth. But with the markets going mad, I’ve done the biggest revision of my investment philosophy in 10 years (when I decided to get one). I’ve decided on a broadly diversified asset…
Planning to Emigrate from SA in the next 5-10yrs – you should probably max your RA contributions
Tax can be complicated and it changes. I am not a tax expert either, so I have no idea if the tax interpretation is accurate. I do like financial models and I’m pretty good at them (of course they can…
The Hierarchy of Assets – A simple journey from Cash to Equity
It can be confusing to understand the financial system. To help, this is a conceptual financial journey, there will be exceptions. Before we start: We pay a premium (extra) for certainty Risk – Risk is that we get something other…
Should I Rent or Buy? – What does the maths say
When I moved back to South Africa last year, I couldn’t understand the fixation on buying property. With mortgage rates around 10%, it just didn’t make financial sense. There is of course the ill-informed – “paying someone else’s mortgage” argument,…
The New Car Trap – Too Many People, Too Often – make this crucial financial mistake
This week’s guest post is from Jack Atlas – the nom de plume of a fellow aspiring Financial Independence seeker. He has kept things frugal and focused during his early financial journey which has allowed him to build a tidy…
Building a Property Portfolio in South Africa – Personal Tax, Endowment or PTY?
I generally subscribe to the Simple Path to Wealth. My strategy is generally equity based, with the highest likely return over time. The over time being crucial, it is no where near as consistent in terms of cash flow. In…
Contribute more to a Retirement Annuity or go Offshore and pay CGT? – Why a South African RA isn’t for me on my journey to FIRE
I started this post with the intention of explaining why an RA isn’t for me. I’ve been skeptical for a while now that it’s advantages outweigh the constraints for disciplined investor. So, I built a model to prove my point.…