Personal investing
The secret to successful investing lies in your ability to make well-informed decisions and to stay committed long enough to reap the rewards. Here we provide valuable insights into the role you play in your long-term investment success.
Articles in "Personal investing"
Five lessons for investing in uncertain times
“As humans we are not good at predicting what is next, regardless of what anyone tells us. In the absence of a crystal ball, we can focus on what we can...
Endowments vs sinking funds: Which product is better suited for your needs?
Endowments and sinking funds are useful financial products for efficient tax and estate planning. However, they are relatively complex and can be difficult t...
2024 Budget speech update
While South Africans battle with a cost-of-living crisis, rising unemployment and sluggish economic growth, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is faced with t...
2024 Budget: Walking a tightrope
The stage was set for a much-anticipated 2024 Budget speech during an election year.
How to set SMART money resolutions
Many South Africans make money resolutions at the start of the year. But come mid-year, when the optimism of the new year has faded, seeing through these goa...
Timeless lessons on risk, opportunity and living a good life – with Morgan Housel
With 2024 set to be a news-heavy year, investors are speculating about everything from what interest rates might do next, to the outcome of elections around...
Tap into tax benefits this February
The end of the tax year in February presents an opportunity to evaluate the tax efficiency of your financial plan. With many competing financial priorities i...
Investing for education in an inflationary environment
Parents can expect little relief in 2024, with reports suggesting that fee hikes for South African schools will yet again come in above general inflation,...
Offshore toolkit part 4: Beneficiary payments to foreign bank accounts after death
As mentioned in Part 3 of our Offshore toolkit series, the Currency and Exchanges Manual for Authorised Dealers (“the Manual”) governs payments from South...
Offshore toolkit part 3: The lowdown on living annuity income payments to foreign bank accounts
The rules around the payment of proceeds from South African long-term insurance policies to foreign bank accounts can be confusing. Alix Moreillon, legal...
Offshore toolkit part 1: Understanding your tax obligations on leaving South Africa
In part 1 of our Offshore toolkit series, Carla Rossouw, head of Tax, untangles the tax complexities you may encounter when you end your tax residency and...
How to use financial products to enhance estate planning
Felicia Hlophe, legal adviser at Allan Gray, summarises four key estate planning principles and explains how some financial products can be used to provide a...
Principles for successful investing from the world of sport
Nothing quite unites South Africans like a good sporting event. During the months of July and August, South African sports fans were spoiled for choice as tw...
Three golden rules for achieving long-term, real investment returns
Whether you are accumulating capital for retirement, school or university expenses for your children or simply trying to ensure that you have money saved for...
Risk: An essential ingredient for real long-term returns
When it comes to investing, no investor wants to lose money. In fact, as humans, we have a built-in aversion to loss. Unfortunately, by overly focusing on...
Are you ready for the 2023 tax-filing season?
It is important for taxpayers to understand their filing obligations so that they can ensure compliance. Meagan Fraser covers the key dates to be aware of fo...
The cost of waiting to save
Whether you want to save for your retirement, a child’s education or an overseas trip, starting now can significantly reduce the cost of reaching your goals....
How staying the course gives you the long-term edge
In a world where instant gratification is king, it can be hard not to get distracted by the lure of short-term gains. But taking a long-term view of your...
Unpacking the changes to the retirement fund lump sum tax tables
To account for the impact of inflation, this year’s National Budget introduced changes to the retirement fund lump sum tax tables for retirement fund cash lu...
How to plan for an emergency fund in 2023
How should investors approach unexpected expenses in 2023? Gladness Rupare, investment specialist, Sandy McGregor, portfolio manager, and Emily Gray, busines...
2023 Budget: A taxing balance
The 2023 Budget speech was delivered against the backdrop of high living costs, a dismal unemployment rate and intensive loadshedding crippling businesses, a...
2023 Budget speech update
The 2023 Budget speech was delivered against the backdrop of high living costs, a dismal unemployment rate and intensive loadshedding crippling businesses, a...
Tax tips as we head into the 2023 tax season
The end of February sees the tax year draw to a close – an opportune time to ensure that your tax affairs, and tax details, are up to date, and to consider...
Are you making the most of your tax-free investment account?
Tamryn Lamb and Twanji Kalula unpack the pros and cons of using tax-free investment accounts over the long term and explain how they can be used to complemen...
How to overcome the fear of losing money
Research shows that our brains are hardwired to avoid loss. This behavioural bias can often drive us to make irrational decisions, especially when it comes t...
How to pave the way for better decisions
The decisions we make are a function of the environment that we are in, according to behavioural economists. Put in a different environment, or faced with a...
Who’s right – personal finance experts or economists?
When it comes to managing your wealth, there’s a yawning gap between what personal finance pundits advocate and what economists believe. Who should you liste...
Investing – risky business?
Understanding your investments, and the risks you may face when investing, can go a long way towards helping you successfully navigate trying times. Lydia...
Putting the "personal" back into personal finance
Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail, examines the value that independent financial advice brings to long-term investing success.
Why financial optimism matters and how to find it when the world is a mess
Lise-Mari Crafford, head of ManCo Distribution, discusses why being optimistic about our personal finances matters, and how we can look on the bright side wh...
Get your affairs in order during National Wills Week
It is difficult to confront our mortality, but the fact is that we are all going to die one day and leave our loved ones behind. As a result, it is important...
Five financial lessons for women
In honour of Women’s Month, Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail Distribution, reflects on the top five financial lessons she has learnt along her investment journey.
What happens to your minor children when you die?
While undoubtedly the worst-case scenario to consider, as parents, we need to make sure our children’s needs are accounted for in the tragic event of our...
How not to be a ‘financial nihilist’
According to an article recently published in The New York Times, there is a new phenomenon gaining momentum: Disillusioned by the current state of the...
Lessons for building long-term wealth
Cracking the code to building wealth doesn’t happen overnight, but it can be achieved by taking a series of small steps over time. During a recent Youth Mont...
Are you ready for the 2022 modernised tax-filing season?
As SARS rolls out changes to simplify and shorten tax-filing season, tax specialist Liezl Alberts reviews what has changed this year and outlines who must fi...
Saving in a rising interest rate environment
With interest rates and inflation on the rise, Cedrick Pila, regional manager, discusses how investors can achieve real returns and protect their savings and...
Navigating the impact of world events on your investments
In just two years, major world events have run a terrifying course, from a health pandemic and ensuing market and social distress to a geopolitical threat...
Should I invest 45% of my portfolio offshore?
In the February 2022 Budget speech, the National Treasury announced significant changes to the framework that governs how much of South African retirement...
How SARS has changed tax for annuitants
The South African Revenue Service recently changed the way tax is calculated for living annuitants. Carrie Norden discusses the rationale behind this change...
Should rules of thumb be used to plan for retirement?
There are several rules of thumb that are referred to in investing. Many of them have become widely accepted standards for determining how much to save for...
How to avoid being scammed
Phiko Peter discusses popular investment scams and shares some tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
Contextualising retirement reforms in South Africa
National Treasury has proposed retirement reforms aimed at enabling retirement savers to better balance short- and long-term needs and boosting the governanc...
Making sense of changing tax laws
1 March marked the beginning of the 2022/2023 tax year and ushered in new tax laws pertaining to, among others, retirement fund products and fixed tax rates...
A responsible Budget signalling optimism
The high cost of living, fuelled by rising inflation, significant fuel price increases and a series of interest rate hikes (which are likely set to continue)...
2022 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana delivered his maiden Budget speech on Wednesday, 23 February. He noted that although the easing of COVID-19-related...
How to maximise tax benefits before the end of February
In the spirit of tax season, Carla Rossouw, tax lead at Allan Gray, discusses how investors can make their money work harder using tax breaks. This is always...
The ABCs of being financially savvy
Understanding the language of finance can help us to better achieve our financial outcomes. Nomi Bodlani, head of Strategic Markets, discusses why knowledge ...
Save now for your child’s education to avoid future pain
Putting aside money every month to fund your child’s future studies may seem like a huge ask, but it will be worth it in the end, especially in light of...
How to apply “cathedral thinking” in your investment approach
The prolonged stress of the pandemic has heightened many investors’ focus on the now, interfering with the ability to make sound decisions that improve the...
Part 4: The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
Part 3: How to maximise tax benefits before the end of the tax year
The end of February is the end of the tax year – a great time to take a close look at your investments and consider taking maximum advantage of the incentive...
Part 2: How can I earn higher investment returns and pay less tax?
It’s important to understand how taxes are applied in different investment products and how this ultimately impacts your investment returns.
Part 1: How to be more tax savvy
If, like most of us, you would like to see more return in your account and less in the hands of the tax man, it is important to engage with the details to...
Personal finance lessons from Squid Game
Netflix’s smash hit show Squid Game may not be for everyone due to its shock factor and gruesome violence, but it is a relatable story that hits close to hom...
Should you revenge spend on travel this holiday season?
With more countries opening their borders to South Africans, travel opportunities abound. If you’re thinking of splurging on a trip this holiday season, you...
Don’t let December derail your long-term plans
As we approach the proverbial finish line after a long year, most of us are looking forward to a well-deserved break. However, as we focus on making memories...
Savings clubs: A tool to build wealth
Each year, over 11 million South Africans use savings clubs and stokvels to save more than R50 billion. The tried-and-tested benefits of saving as part of a...
Financial advice helps you sail through your investment journey
Have you considered engaging the services of a good, independent financial adviser? Cedrick Pila explains why having a financial adviser is much like going o...
How to do long term
Adopting a long-term mindset sits at the heart of our investment philosophy. But what does it really mean and how can one do this effectively?
Financial words of wisdom for every woman this Women’s Month
During the month of August, in which South Africa observes Women’s Day, it is important to shine the spotlight on some of the difficult conversations that ma...
Overcome impostor syndrome this Women’s Month and own your throne
This pandemic has been a blunt reminder that while we can’t control our environment, there is no time like the present to take control of our journeys, or to...
Understand the new rules around citizenship, exchange control and tax residency
The concept of “emigration”, as recognised by the Financial Surveillance Department of the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), has been phased out, with effec...
How to own your throne
In the spirit of paying it forward, six inspiring women from Allan Gray and the financial advice arena, shares insights on how to take ownership of your...
Unpacking saving and investing
Saving and investing are both important ingredients for building a sound financial foundation, but they are not the same thing. They have different purposes...
Investment lessons for sharing
Money is a polarising topic, yet it is an important subject that greatly influences all of our lives. Opening up the space for money conversations can...
Get your investment questions answered
The pandemic continues to impact all South Africans and has resulted in many of us having to make difficult decisions about money. Some of us have had to tap...
Financial lessons from a father
July is Savings Month in South Africa, an opportune time to share savings and investment lessons. Saleem Sonday, dad to four children between the ages of 8 a...
Savings Month: The first step is critical, the next steps make the difference
Making your first contribution into a unit trust, be it a lump sum or monthly debit order, is a commendable first step on your investment journey, but there...
Do I need to file an income tax return for the 2021 tax year?
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) continues to focus on introducing online and digital services, simplifying the tax-filing process, and making it...
Levelling up your finances as a young professional
As young people, it is easy to make financial decisions that benefit us in the moment at the expense of our future needs.
Five ways to build a solid financial foundation
Most of us start our careers in our early twenties and plan to earn an income for about four decades before reaching retirement age. Along the way we will...
Ease the gateway to adulthood with the gift of an investment
Time is a key ingredient in investing, and our dependants are ideally placed to benefit from its magic. Consider starting an investment in your child’s name...
The dangers of social media financial advice
The recent FinTok craze on social media platform, TikTok, has opened the door for scammers and fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting users who source...
How to entrench positive COVID-19-enforced changes
Few have escaped the devastating loss of lives and livelihoods wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, but many have also made positive changes, particularly to...
2021 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered the Budget speech on Wednesday, 24 February. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Budget was more...
2021 Budget signals hope for SA taxpayers
Minimal tax measures aim to bring relief to taxpayers and bolster economy.
What can we expect from the 2021 Budget?
It is that time of the year again, we are holding our breath to see what the 2021 Budget speech will deliver against a backdrop of the devastating loss,...
Investing with tax benefits in mind during uncertain times
Amid the extreme uncertainty brought on by COVID-19 and the ongoing lockdown restrictions, investors are tasked with looking beyond the current crisis and...
Habits that set successful investors apart
When investing, sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing. Having the ability to block out the noise, and look through the cycle, are some of the...
Your questions answered
As you embark on your investing journey, you’re likely to have a number of unanswered questions. In the final instalment of our 6-part Personal investing 101...
Understand your total tax liability if you have multiple sources of income
If you have multiple sources of income, you must ensure that the correct tax rate is being applied by your employer and/or annuity provider – or you could be...
Ready, set, invest
Starting a new long-term investment is less daunting when you follow a methodical approach. In the fifth instalment of our 6-part Personal investing 101...
Get serious with your online security
Fraudsters will pull out all stops to impersonate Allan Gray, such as replicating Allan Gray emails and forms and even posing as Allan Gray representatives o...
Understanding investment accounts
Making sure that you choose appropriate investment accounts for your various financial goals is an essential part of the investing process. In the third of s...
Choosing an investment manager
South African investors have access to a wide range of investment managers with different styles and areas of expertise. Narrowing down your options can be a...
Are you sitting on savings you could be investing?
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people's finances in very different ways. While it has highlighted the need for emergency savings as a buffer against toug...
Investing unpacked
In the first of six webinars in the Personal investing 101 series, Gugulethu Mfuphi chats to Allan Gray’s Faizil Jakoet, Chris Tisdall and Nomi Bodlani about...
Has your risk perception changed as a result of the market crisis?
Historically, deep economic shocks have prompted significant changes in investment and saving behaviour. During times of uncertainty, investors scramble to...
Money lessons from the arcade
Throughout Heritage Month, South Africans are encouraged to celebrate their culture and the diversity of their beliefs, histories, and traditions. In the...
Building a legacy: Part 2
Successfully building a legacy for our loved ones hinges on the strategies we put in place to achieve our financial goals. In the second of a two-part Zoom...
How to spring clean your financial habits
Whether you celebrate spring on the first of September or on the 22 nd of the month to coincide with the September Equinox – the official start of the new...
Building a legacy: Part 1
Achieving financial freedom and building a lasting financial legacy is a goal for many South Africans. In the first of a two-part Zoom webinar, hosted by...
Look in, reach out
Internationally acclaimed life coach, author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, Valorie Burton, explores how we can develop strength and resilience...
Looking at the woman in the mirror
The current pandemic may have thrown things out of kilter, but it has also provided us with an opportunity to reflect on all the aspects of our lives,...
Lessons from lockdown
It is often said that challenges enable us to discover things about ourselves that we didn’t know. If this is true, 2020 has undoubtedly been a year of...
Should I file a tax return for the 2020 tax year?
In response to COVID-19, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has tried to simplify the tax filing process for individual taxpayers and remove the need t...
Personal finance mistakes to avoid in your 20s
Nomi Bodlani reflects on common personal finance and investment mistakes investors tend to make in their 20s. If you can avoid these, you can better position...
What advice would I give to the 30-year-old me?
Your 40s are known to be a challenging decade financially, typically balancing the demands of lifestyle costs, children and their education, ageing parents a...
When the reality of saving for retirement sets in
As you approach your peak earning years and start to reap the rewards of the time and effort you have invested in your career, saving for retirement takes on...
What I wish I knew about personal finance and investing when I started working
A first pay cheque tends to mark the start of adulthood and, with a bit of discipline, can mark your first tentative step towards financial independence. Phi...
Investment challenges older investors face
Older investors face a host of challenges entirely different to those faced by their young selves. Sandy McGregor offers a wise perspective for those of this...
Do you have an emergency fund?
By proactively building emergency reserves, you will be able to respond to life’s crises without compromising your financial standing, or taking on expensive...
Take charge of your finances during COVID-19
As we think about the day-to-day impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our families, friends, colleagues and communities, it’s easy to lose sight of our long-te...
Part 1: Staying future focused amid a global pandemic
As world leaders grapple with the broader challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become apparent that the socioeconomic consequences will...
Part 2: How to recalibrate your budget in the wake of COVID-19
As we all long for the life we had before COVID-19, are there any adjustments from the life that’s been thrust upon us that should be incorporated? Tamryn La...
Part 3: How to be a resilient investor
To be a successful investor, you need to understand what you are getting yourself into upfront, make sure you are comfortable, and then buckle in for the rid...
Part 5: Why every investor needs an independent adviser right now
Investors are panicked and who can blame them? The market volatility has persuaded some to run for the hills and never look back, while others may be tempted...
Look after your financial health during COVID-19
With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading across the globe, remaining healthy is naturally top of mind. While we are all prioritising the health and wellbeing of...
Optimism in a time of distress
As we pull together as a nation struggling to come to terms with the health and financial crises we face, is there any room at all for optimism? Lise-Mari...
Avoid "hot thinking" when it comes to your investments
The markets have plunged in the face of COVID-19. The temptation to disinvest and wait on the sidelines for things to improve is real. But is this a form of...
Managing your portfolio through COVID-19
In just a matter of weeks our world has changed dramatically. In an attempt to make sense of it all, we look for information that will provide us with a sens...
How to cope with the trauma of the COVID-19 crisis
And so the three-week lockdown is underway. While it feels like surely this must be a bad dream from which we will soon awake, it is our new reality.
New tax laws for expats
The laws around tax for South Africans who live and work abroad have changed and it’s important to work out whether or not you are now expected to pay tax on...
2020 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered the Budget speech on Wednesday, 26 February. In this document we highlight some of the 2020 Budget tax proposals that...
2020 Budget: Stuck between a rock and a hard place
A revenue shortfall of R50bn was announced in the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS) in October 2019, and this sets the scene for the 2020 Budget....
Making the most of personal tax incentives
After spending decades nurturing their careers, most people hope to enjoy the fruits of their labour in the form of a sustainable income in retirement. Makin...
Beware of recency bias when making investment decisions
Over the past year, we have seen local investments streaming towards bonds and cash – the top-performing asset classes for most of 2019. Are investors chasin...
Make the most of your tax benefits
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has put several tax incentives in place to encourage us to save more for our retirement and other long-term goals. Y...
The top four mistakes to avoid when saving for education
As parents, we all want the best for our children, and this often includes being able to give them the best education that we can afford. In the journey to...
Facing the facts around retrenchment
With the latest GDP growth figures showing that the economy contracted 0.6% in the third quarter, SAA heading into business rescue, and the problems at Eskom...
Avoid being scammed this festive season
Aware that most of us are less vigilant as we ease into the festive season, scammers will be pulling out all the stops to line their pockets with our...
How to implement your New Year’s resolutions
As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to reflect on resolutions committed to in earnest back in January and take stock before the resolution...
How not to break the bank this festive season
The end of 2019 is fast approaching and with many looking forward to downtime during the festive season, this shouldn’t mean breaking the bank, according to...
What can we learn from the Springboks when it comes to setting financial goals?
Rassie Erasmus took over as Springbok coach with 618 days to the Rugby World Cup. At the time the state of Springbok rugby was dire, with the team having los...
Q&A: What’s on your mind about the Allan Gray business?
We field a lot of questions from clients and advisers each week. Earl Van Zyl offers some answers to questions that are coming up frequently.
Are you financially resilient?
Most of us know what it means to build resilience in the context of health and wellness: eat healthily, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and manage stres...
To file or not to file a tax return
The South African Revenue Service’s (SARS’) 2019 tax season for non-provisional individual taxpayers officially started on 1 August 2019, with those filing v...
Seek financial advice to help you meet your financial goals
The spotlight falls on the importance of having a financial plan during Financial Planning Week, taking place from 7 to 11 October 2019. With this in mind,...
Savings clubs: A great way to invest
Many of us would like to put money aside for saving and investing but struggle to remain committed and disciplined each month. Being part of a savings club i...
How bias can sink your investment success
Everybody has biases. We make judgements about people, places, and of course, the markets. It is almost impossible not to allow the filters which are created...
Spring is here, it’s time to spring clean your finances
The year is flying by, but don’t let it pass without taking stock of your financial decisions, writes Lettie Mzwinila.
The benefits of independent financial advice
Many investors underplay the importance of financial advice to the detriment of the performance of their portfolios over time. A good financial adviser can...
National Wills Week: Time to review your will
National Wills Week, which takes place between 16 and 20 September, is the perfect opportunity to review your will, or get a will drafted for free.
Avoid common behavioural biases when investing
Poker is known as a wicked environment: a setting that is dynamic and uncertain; where things are hidden, and you don’t always have all the information on...
How poker taught me to make better decisions
Psychologist, bestselling author and professional poker player, Maria Konnikova, recently inspired delegates at the Allan Gray Investment Summit 2019 to make...
Don't let your hard-earned savings go unclaimed
According to reports, more than R17bn lies potentially unclaimed in unit trusts and policies. Tim Molloy explains how you can ensure this doesn’t happen to...
Should you take investment advice from family and friends?
Your friends and family may offer you financial advice with good intentions, but you should be wary of basing your investment decisions purely on stories...
Can you save more?
Whether you are just doing a regular check up on your long-term investments or evaluating your monthly savings plan, it is a good idea to review your financi...
How to get into the habit of saving this Savings Month
If you have tried to kick the sugar habit and eat only healthy food, or give up cigarettes and replace the habit with going to the gym, you can probably atte...
Steps to improve your investment decision making
Deterred by the large number of investment options available, many would-be investors fail to make the most important decision: the decision to start. Becomi...
CASE STUDY 2: Long-term investing for your child’s education
Meet parents Wayne and Makgabo van Niekerk from Johannesburg. They are paying for Ceana (six) and three-year-old Amber’s early education (crèche and primary...
CASE STUDY 1: Investing to pay school fees upfront for the year
A Johannesburg mother saves on fees by taking advantage of the discount offered by some schools to settle the year’s fees in full at the beginning of the yea...
PART 5: The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
PART 4: Investing offshore to finance international education
It’s hard to make space for saving in our already-stretched budgets, but what about those of us who have children aspiring to spread their wings by studying...
PART 3: What are the best investment options for education savings?
With the cost of education soaring, relying purely on your salary to finance your children’s education is becoming increasingly difficult. Consider saving fo...
PART 2: Saving for education – later is still better than never
When it comes to paying for the best education for your child, making small sacrifices early on and taking a long-term approach to investing is the smart thi...
PART 1: How to overcome the growing cost of education
Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought of how you will finance your children’s education? You are not alone. We all want to empower our children by giving th...
Ready… set… invest
Investing is not a complicated activity only for rich people. It’s a great way to create financial security and everyone – even you – should get started,...
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Over the last two decades advances in digital technology have changed the way we shop, bank and manage our investments. In the spirit of empowering millennia...
Can you live your best life and save for the long term?
Here’s something you don’t often hear about millennials: We are better money savers than our elders, but does that translate into long-term wealth?
Grow your wealth by attending the Allan Gray Investment Summit
After successfully bringing together renowned investment experts from all over the globe for two consecutive years to sold-out audiences, the Allan Gray...
Unravelling your residencies – exchange control, tax and citizenship
South Africans who live and work abroad are not currently subject to income tax on the income they earn outside of South Africa, provided they spend more tha...
Investors need to block out 'noise' ahead of elections
It is understandable for investors to feel jittery in the run-up to the national elections, but giving too much air time to market noise is never a good idea...
Have you chosen the right unit trust?
It’s a good idea to review your investments about once a year to make sure that things are on track. But what if they aren’t? How can you tell if “this, too,...
Diminished mental capacity: What happens to a person's investments?
Investors are generally unaware of the consequences of impaired mental capacity, resulting from neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, when it...
How you can influence your investment outcomes
After an undeniably tough 2018, the local market staged a turnaround during the first quarter. But the atmosphere in the country is blowing hot and cold: As...
2019 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered his maiden budget speech on Wednesday 20 February. In this document we highlight some of the 2019 Budget tax proposal...
Budget 2019: Focus shifts to restoring credibility
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s maiden Budget Speech didn’t deliver any major punches such as 2018’s surprise 1% VAT hike, but instead sought to acknowledge...
Is there any tax benefit in saving over the annual tax deductible amount towards retirement?
One of the key benefits of investing for retirement using a retirement fund is the generous tax deduction for contributions, subject to a maximum of 27.5% of...
The trouble with switching
During periods of underperformance, even the most experienced investors get tempted to switch funds in search of better returns. However, switching funds in...
Give your finances a fresh start
The first few weeks of a new year can feel like a clean slate: Past imperfections are relegated to history and you can redefine what you want to achieve in t...
The rules for making good investment decisions
People are prone to making predictions about everything from the weather to the economy. However, relying on predictions when investing can thwart your...
How to approach your finances this festive season
In the hive of festive activity, it’s easy to forget your financial goals and spend more than you planned. Next thing you know, it’s the New Year and the lon...
Give yourself the gift of balance this festive season
The festive season is upon us and as much as we all relish letting go, balancing spending and other indulgences with a bit of discipline can go some way to...
Make sure divorce doesn't cost your savings
Going through a divorce can be extremely tough emotionally, but it can take a huge toll on your finances as well.
Why retirement contributions don’t reduce your taxable capital gains
You may be aware that every tax year you can make a pre-tax contribution to your retirement fund of up to 27.5% of the higher of taxable income or...
What does the price of a unit trust mean?
When you buy a product or a service, the price you pay for that item tells you something about it. An apple that costs R50 (suspiciously expensive) or an App...
Get advice to be more money savvy
Reports show that as a millennial investor you have a savvy attitude towards cash and you want to be in-the-know about how to grow your money. The value of...
How to select your asset manager
Past performance is often the first, and sometimes only, consideration investors make when selecting an investment manager. However, performance is just one ...
Prioritise your dependants and loved ones during National Wills Week
It’s National Wills week from the 17-21 September 2018 – consider taking advantage of the offer from a participating attorney to get your Last Will and...
How to select a unit trust that’s right for you
There are over 1 500 unit trusts available in South Africa – what criteria should you apply to select one (or more) that best suits your needs and...
Don't get caught short this tax season
With the tax season deadlines brought forward by a month this year, it’s time to get your supporting documents ready and to do your return. Uncertainty actin...
How to thrive in choppy markets
This year has been characterised by increased volatility and concern about the global risks – from trade disputes to inflation. After a strong start to the...
Ride out volatility and maximise returns
Market fluctuations are an expected and necessary part of investing. While market volatility often presents good opportunities for value investors like Allan...
Employer-assisted savings can help fix SA's dire savings rate
July is National Savings Month in South Africa. Is there more you can be doing as an employer to help your employees save towards their future financial...
Go on, take a financial wellness day off
July is National Savings Month, an ideal time to take a ‘personal financial wellness day’ off – a growing corporate trend in the US.
Bump up your savings with a tax-free investment
Have you taken the plunge and started your own business, but sacrificed some (if not all) of your savings to do it? Mthobisi Mthimkhulu suggests using a...
True rewards take time
Allan Gray’s advertising strategy has always been built around the characteristics of the firm and continues to tap into human truths that connect with our...
How to become the next Sylvia Bloom
A recent New York Times article took many investors by surprise: A frugal legal secretary, who worked at the same firm for 67 years until she retired at the...
Investment Summit brings together 10 of world’s top investment experts
The Allan Gray Investment Summit will bring together over 3000 investors who will gather to listen to investment experts from around the world. From where t...
How are companies governed?
When you invest in equities – either directly or through a unit trust – you become the part-owner of the business. Nadia van der Merwe explains the role of a...
Thinking about your view of risk
Our primary concern as an investment manager is creating wealth for clients. To do this, we need to balance investment performance for clients with the risk...
Let SARS help you pay for retirement
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wants to help you pay for your retirement. The way in which they do this is by offering generous tax deductions when...
Don't let good news headlines thwart your savings plans
Positive sentiment in the country is being fuelled by a change in political leadership, the stronger rand, a higher-than-expected GDP growth rate and a more...
Cashing in on your tax refund
Between April 2017 and February 2018, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) paid out more than R205 billion to taxpayers. If you are lucky enough to have...
VAT increase unavoidable
The Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba was a careful step in the right direction in an environment where hard decisions are...
2018 Budget speech update
The Minister of Finance announced amendments to tax and other legislation that may affect investors. These changes come into effect on 1 March 2018...
How to maximise tax benefits before the end of the tax year
The end of February is the end of the tax year. Carla Rossouw explains why this is a good time to take maximum advantage of the incentives the government has...
The simple answers to investing
Is the very thought of planning a barrier for you when it comes to investing? Or are you guilty of overanalysing and underacting? Wanita Isaacs investigates...
How to make better investment decisions in 2018
Investment experts, economists and industries are more prone to making predictions during the New Year, given the renewed sense of focus and excited...
How to prevent a financial hangover this festive season
If the festive season sends you into a panic and sees you mentally tallying up added expenses, such as gifts, getaways and groceries, you may need a financia...
How to tame temptations
A survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania a few years ago asked respondents to rank their strengths in 24 different skills. Self-control ended up ...
PART 8: The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
Bad predictions and good decisions
“Most of us view the world as more benign than it really is, our own attributes as more favourable than they truly are, and the goals we adopt as more...
The four fundamental skills of all investing
We are excited to introduce guest contributor Morgan Housel, a partner at the Collaborative Fund (US), and an expert in behavioural finance and investing...
PART 7: How to make money from investing - your role
Take control of your emotions! Your behaviour is the wildcard when it comes to making money from investing...
PART 6: Where can I invest my money?
There are so many investment managers to choose from, how do I figure out where I can invest my money...
PART 5: What should I invest in?
Tax and law are wrapped around every investment product. Knowing the rules can help you choose the right product for your needs...
PART 4: How do I start investing?
The first step is often the most difficult to make, but it does not have to be so with investing. Follow these tips to start off on the right foot...
Tax season: Your top tax investment questions answered
Confused about how to report on your investments to SARS? With the 2017 tax season in full swing, now is the time to get your documents ready.
PART 3: When should I start investing?
Time is of the essence when it comes to investing. Start now and benefit from the magic of compounding...
Should you see a financial adviser?
With World Financial Planning Day happening on 4 October, there is no better time to get your financial house in order. If you have never sought the help of ...
PART 2: How do I overcome the barriers to investing?
Not sure how to save money? Follow these five easy steps...
PART 1: Why you should invest
There are many reasons to invest. Start now: small sacrifices today can make a big difference over the long term...
Five things to consider when drafting your Will
It is said that the only certain things in life are death and taxes. Why is it then that so many of us fail to plan for when these inevitable things meet? In...
Investment success: Don’t be your own worst enemy
The biggest risk which investors face is themselves, because the mistakes they commonly make are based on their own behaviour and personal biases, warns Morg...
Take charge of your finance this Women's month
A man is not a financial plan and women today are becoming more aware of the fact that they must take ownership of their finances. August is Women’s month, s...
Investment Summit to give an inside view from fund management houses
Allan Gray is bringing a group of international and local investment houses together to debate investment insights in a new one-day event, aimed at helping...
How to protect and grow your Stokvel
Saving is often the last thing on our minds when we have extra money and can seem daunting. But have you considered investing as part of a group?...
How much risk can you take?
Risks are elevated in the current environment. This means you should think about how much risk you are prepared to take on...
How to cope with ongoing uncertainty
Over the past year there have been plenty of painful reminders that we have no control over what happens in the world. And there doesn’t seem to be any clari...
Are you on track to achieve your 2017 financial goals?
With 2017 in full swing, make sure you stick to your new year’s resolutions when it comes to your personal finances with the below five-point checklist...
Junk status: Diversification is key to protect against market shocks
The best thing you can do during periods of heightened uncertainty is to stick to your investment plan...
When is a debit order the better option?
When you think about starting a new investment there are two ways to approach it: either you invest in one go with a lump sum or you do recurring investments...
How to combat the budget pinch
Some weeks have passed since former Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s Budget speech, but we are only just beginning to feel the pinch. Carla Rossouw discusse...
Read beyond the Budget headlines: Bracket creep hits low to middle income earners
The 2017 Budget had some surprises, especially for the wealthy, with steep increases in income tax and dividend withholding tax. But the silent tax increase ...
How does the Budget impact me?
The 2017 Budget had some surprises, especially for the wealthy, with steep increases in income tax and dividend withholding tax. But we need to look beyond t...
2017 Budget speech update
The Minister of Finance announced amendments to tax and other legislation that may affect investors. These changes are discussed in detail below and, unless...
How to recognise a Ponzi scheme
How can you tell the difference between a great potential investment and a great sales pitch? Bold promises of lofty returns are made to unsuspecting victims...
How to maximise tax benefits before the end of the tax year 2016
Every year at around this time – ahead of the end of the tax year in February – we remind investors to think about taking advantage of some of the incentives...
How to read a factsheet
The number of options when choosing a unit trust can be overwhelming and is one of the most common barriers to investing. Unit trusts are registered in...
The role you play in your investment success
How can you make sure you get the best value out of your investment? Listen to this 12-minute interview on PowerFM Business with Andile Khumalo, where Thandi...
The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
Primed for the windfall
Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. - Viktor...
Five reasons to invest part of your bonus
It has been a difficult year financially worldwide, with political and economic uncertainty dominating global news headlines. In this context, not every...
What is a money market fund?
Money market unit trusts, commonly referred to as ‘money market funds’, have become a synonym for safe, secure and reliable investments. You put your money i...
Read the fine print before you decide to withdraw or retire from your preservation fund
South Africans on average change jobs about five to seven times during their working lives. More than two-thirds do not preserve their retirement savings whe...
How to be a better long-term investor
Is your behaviour standing in the way of your investment success? Shaheed Mohamed helps us become more aware of common biases so that we can adjust our...
Should I invest in a unit trust?
You can invest in unit trusts for most of your financial goals, from saving for longer-term needs, to meeting your shorter-term objectives...
Your last Will & testament: Tips to ensure your loved ones are covered
What happens to your investments when you die? Will they pass to your loved ones, as you would want? An uncomfortable topic to think about, but one that we a...
Considering getting financial advice? Four key questions to ask your adviser
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Independent financial advisers can make a significan...
How to make sense of tax in unit trusts
The tax you pay can have big impact on your return over time. While you cannot make investment decisions based on tax alone, it is also a factor that cannot ...
Invest for your child’s future today with a tax-free investment account
For most parents looking to make a long-term investment on behalf of their minor children, a tax-free investment account is an option worth investigating....
Are you a saver or a borrower?
It is difficult to be a fence sitter when it comes to investing and wealth creation. Either you are a saver, and are providing for your needs, both present a...
How can I earn higher returns and pay less tax?
Tax has a significant impact on the returns of your investment. If, like most of us, you would like to see more return in your account and less in the hands ...
What happens when I die?
Thinking about death is uncomfortable. But, trying to rebuild your life after the death of a loved one and dealing with questions of money is a stress that...
2016 Budget speech update
The Minister of Finance announced amendments to tax and other legislation that may affect investors.
February: Don’t miss out on your 2015/2016 tax breaks
The end of the tax year is fast approaching – but there is still time to take advantage of some of the incentives the government has put in place to encourag...
How to review your investments
When last did you perform a financial health check by reviewing your investments? It's important to occasionally take stock to assess whether or not you are ...
Five tough financial decisions you may have to make… And why they are worth it
Money decisions are never easy and often come down to personal circumstance and choice. If you are lucky enough to get a bonus or a 13 th cheque, should you...
Saving in a rising interest rate environment 2015
The South African Reserve bank has announced an interest rate increase from 6% to 6.25% confirming that the country is in a rising interest rate cycle. Whi...
The pitfalls of investing, and the role of financial advice
Many investors lack the time, knowledge and experience to invest successfully, often encountering difficulties that could have been avoided had they taken...
Your minor children and the taxman
Investing on behalf of your children is a generous act of foresight and, if you can afford to do it, opens up future opportunities for them. Unit trusts are ...
Tales of rice and rewards
We often talk about the value of time in investing, but it is difficult to really get to grips with the rewards that can be reaped through compound growth:...
Commitment counts
There will always be ups and downs in the markets as much as in life. To deliver great long-term investment performance we believe a fund manager needs to...
What is outperformance?
While the dictionary definition of outperformance is simple, the complexity starts when we want to understand it in the context of our investments, as we are...
Are we snookering ourselves with confirmation bias?
We have written regularly about investor behaviour, noting how emotions can be our worst enemy. Driven by fear and greed, many investors buy high and sell lo...
Active versus passive
As a proud advocate of a committed active manager, Thandi Ngwane does her best to stay objective in discussing the pros and cons of active and passive...
The theory of risk and return
Wanita Isaacs offers some insights into how you can think about risk in your investment process. Efficient market theory holds that there is a direct...
Tomorrow versus today
Despite all of the economic doom and gloom in our newspapers, South Africans are buying a lot of new cars...
Understand the impact of inflation
There are different types of investment risks, some more obvious than others. One risk that people often forget about is the risk that their invested money...
Your role in your investment success
For some time now we have been saying that across asset classes, prices are high. Many of you may be wondering whether or not you should be making changes to...
Are your investment goals, products and expectations suitably aligned?
Our investment goals depend on our personal priorities in life and there is no generic set of goals that applies to everyone, and no set timeline for achievi...
Thinking long term
We encourage people to invest for the long term. But how long is long term and what does this mean for investment decision-making? Wanita Isaacs offers some...
What is switching?
We often caution investors against 'switching' at the wrong moments. But what exactly is switching and how do you know whether or not it is an opportune time...
What are the merits of good independent advice?
Many investors lack the time, knowledge and experience to invest successfully, often encountering difficulties that could have been avoided had they taken...
What compounding can do for you
'Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. Those who understand it, earn it... those who don't, pay it.' – Albert Einstein Compounding is when the...
Do you need a financial check-up?
The end of the year is a good time to review your financial well-being and put some new year’s resolutions in place that aim for better saving and spending...
Fund ratings: an additional tool for your decision-making toolkit
Over the last 10 years the unit trust industry in South Africa has enjoyed substantial growth both in assets under management and in the number of funds...
Investing tutorials: Why preserve?
Learn more about investing and personal finance in 'Investing tutorials', a new addition to our Quarterly Commentary. South Africans on average change jobs...
Distraction is the enemy
In an always-on, connected world, distractions are around all the time. We have well over a hundred television channels available 24 hours a day, seven days ...
July is Savings month - a good time to reassess your spending decisions
When deciding what to do with disposable income, South Africans spend money far more easily than we save. This is reflected in South Africa’s very low saving...
How to select the right investment manager
It is challenging for investors and their advisers to differentiate between investment managers in an ever-changing landscape. When assessing who is best...
Making sense of unit trust categories and intentions
We aim to ensure that our range of funds offers enough choice to meet your needs but remains manageable, without being confusing or creating too much overlap...
Make financial planning a priority in 2013
Research from the US1 shows that financial planning is a critical factor separating those who are on track to meet their financial goals and those who are...
Investing for education
As Wanita Isaacs joins the ranks of parents investigating ways to afford the best possible education for their children, she learns that, although long-term...
A balancing act
We have written at length about the perils of switching and trying to time the market, noting how investor behaviour plays an important role in investor...
Logic fails to prevail in investment decision making
Most of us make the same mistake with our money over and over again: we buy high out of greed and sell low out of fear, despite knowing on an intellectual...
The Allan Gray Investment Platform: high quality service with simple, transparent fund choice
Objectives for investing change throughout our lives, from buying a car or house, to longer-term goals, such as saving for our children's education and our...
The real effect of Dividend Withholding Tax
The new Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) replaced Secondary Tax on Companies (STC) on 1 April 2012. Investors are understandably concerned about the long-term...
Online: your service channel of choice?
South Africa has seen a surge of internet users recently, with the number doubling over the last two years, and the current count standing at around 6.5...
Dividend Withholding Tax increases to 15%
During his recent budget speech, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan, announced that Dividend Withholding Tax (DWT) will be levied at a rate of 15% when it is...
Everything can be improved
We are obsessed with always providing you with the best service and hope that, if we fall short of these standards, you will complain. Your honest feedback...
New Dividend Withholding Tax: how will it affect you?
As part of his February 2011 Budget speech, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan announced that Dividend Withholding Tax would come into effect from 1 April...
Delayed gratification is priceless
Acknowledging your future financial needs and making concrete plans to meet these is a discipline that will benefit you and your family enormously. It is the...
Use your head not your heart and think long term
A key step when planning your investment is choosing the right unit trust based on your risk profile and priorities and then staying invested to reap the...
It is worthwhile starting to save early - a little can go a long way
You can substantially improve your financial situation if you start saving sooner rather than later and you will be a step closer to being financially...
Time flies
The first half of our lives we spend wishing time would hurry up - life simply moves too slowly. The second half, however, we wish time would slow down; ever...
Questions for personal investing
Rob Formby suggests five questions you may want to ask regarding your personal investments. Every person's situation is unique, so the list is not exhaustive...
The offshore conundrum
A question often asked of us is: 'How much should I invest offshore?' This question has a different answer for each person. Another, perhaps more important,...
Investing made not so scary
Many people find investing in financial products intimidating and complicated, and so they procrastinate and miss out on the benefits of being invested for...
What safeguards are in place to protect your individual investments?
At Allan Gray we believe that a critical part of your investment decision is arming yourself with full knowledge of the risks you will be exposed to. There i...
Service worth talking about
Although we do our utmost to provide exceptional investment returns we cannot guarantee that we will always get it right - we have no control over market...
Capital Gains Tax and how it affects unit trust investors
At Allan Gray, we focus on managing your investments. We acknowledge that there are important aspects of investing - such as tax on your investments - that a...
The role of financial advice in helping you become a better long-term investor
In the Quarterly Commentary 3 of 2008, Richard Carter explained the difference between fund and investor returns. He outlined both our role at Allan Gray and...
The benefits and pitfalls of foreign diversification
Most South African investors looking to diversify will choose to include offshore assets in their portfolio. The trick is to select the right combination of...
The cost of too much choice
People are attracted to choice, but that does not mean that having more choice will lead to better decisions, or a better decision-making process. Research h...
