Regardless of the outcome of Budget 2018, there is a way consumers can better prepare for it, says an expert. Priya Naicker, advice manager at Old Mutual explained the finance minister could plug the revenue shortfall of R50.8bn by raising personal income tax. But this is already limited by high unemployment rates and low business […]
When gas prices spike, drivers love to swap gas-saving tips. The crazier the tip, the faster it seems to spread. The problem is, some such “tips” are more urban legend than fact. Others might have been true back in the day, but improved automotive technology has erased any real benefit. Keep in mind that, over […]
An emergency fund is an important asset that you will hopefully never have to use. What some perceive as a frivolous expense is really a key part of planning for the future. Any number of unwelcome occurrences could prompt withdrawal from an emergency account — from medical bills to a broken refrigerator. For anyone other […]
In the next couple of weeks, leaves will start changing colour and the temperature will begin to get cooler. And although ‘tis the season for robes and fuzzy slippers, it also means that our household energy bills will likely see a spike as Aussies switch from air con to heaters. In fact, according to Origin […]
Students today are navigating the challenges of increased cost of living, rent prices and tuition. The average student in Georgia will graduate with $27,675 of debt, according to a study done by The Institute for College Access and Success. “Unfortunately, several long-term trends, including the explosion of student debt, make it increasingly difficult for millennials […]
Whether you are entering the work environment for the first time, starting a permanent job after an internship or running your own business, take control of your finances right now. Many graduates can benefit by adopting good money management principles early in their careers to ensure a stable and stress free financial future. Article regards […]
What it is: A IUL is a cash growth vehicle: you use after tax money to pay policy premiums and the policy proceeds are tax-free. A IUL is different from other life insurance policies in the fact that part of your monthly premium is invested in a financial index that may give you a larger […]
GRANDPARENTS and parents would give more money to their families if they thought they could do it without paying a tax bill. But because they do not understand inheritance tax rules, they hang onto their wealth even if their children and grandchildren are struggling financially, a new survey has found. Almost half (44 per cent) […]
It’s a spiral no one wants to experience, but many have: You lose a job or suffer a costly illness. The bills pile up. By the time your finances stabilize, calls from collectors are pouring in. In this situation, debt settlement — where creditors agree to settle your debts for less than you owe — […]
IF YOU are on a monthly mobile phone tariff, you need to crunch the numbers carefully to avoid making a wrong and expensive call. Too many mobile phone users are throwing money away by paying for data they never use or a handset they have already paid off. As tariffs become more complex, and many […]
It’s important to keep the right records from a charity to deduct contributions when filing the 2017 taxes, so you don’t lose the deduction if you’re audited. The records you need depend on the type and the size of the gift. “The IRS is unforgiving on charitable contributions. If you don’t have the right pieces […]
If your child is one of the thousands of first-year students enrolled at institutions of higher learning for 2018, you may have found yourself on a parents’ WhatsApp group discussing the tricky question “How much money do we give them?”. Niel Fourie, the public policy actuary at the Actuarial Society of South Africa, says funding […]
