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# Sterling Private Clients: Sterling Private Clients offers private wealth management for individuals and families in South Africa. Our wealth management specialist team pairs an advisor and wealth manager to tailor a clear financial plan, investment strategies, estate planning, stockbroking, and management services into wealth management solutions and a full spectrum advisory suite. We integrate local and offshore portfolio management, investment management, asset management, asset allocation, and investment research to invest, optimise, and generate income with a sustainable investment approach. An authorised financial services provider, we prioritise trust, fiduciary care, objective advice, compliance, regulatory standards, and financial security.

## Sitemaps
[XML Sitemap](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/sitemap_index.xml): Includes all crawlable and indexable pages.

## Posts
- [Are you being Reasonable or Rational?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/are-you-being-reasonable-or-rational/): If money decisions were purely mathematical, personal finance would be easy. Spend less than you earn, invest in low-cost index funds, and let compound interest do its thing. But as anyone who’s ever faced a financial dilemma knows, money is emotional, unpredictable, and deeply personal.
- [The Illusion of Financial Wizardry: A Cautionary Tale](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-illusion-of-financial-wizardry-a-cautionary-tale/): In the realm of personal finance, we often seek ways to circumvent the inevitable: death and taxes. This quest for financial immortality leads many into the arms of self-proclaimed experts who promise miraculous solutions. Yet, as history has repeatedly shown, such promises are often mirages in the desert of fiscal responsibility.
- [The Community Cure: Unlocking the Secrets of Healthy Ageing](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-community-cure-unlocking-the-secrets-of-healthy-ageing/): While financial security is crucial for our golden years, the often-overlooked power of community and social connections is equally important. In this short article, we'll explore the profound impact that cultivating strong social ties can have on our overall well-being as we negotiate the complexities of growing older.
- [Start small. Start today.](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/start-small-start-today/): When it comes to financial success, many people fall into the trap of waiting for the "perfect moment" to start. Perhaps you’ve found yourself thinking, “I’ll save when I earn more,” or “I’ll invest when the markets feel safer.” But here’s the truth: there’s rarely a perfect moment. Success isn’t about monumental leaps – it’s about small, consistent actions that build over time.
- [Choosing your next step](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/choosing-your-next-step/): Do you ever find yourself replaying decisions from your past, wishing you could rewrite the story? It’s easy to fixate on the paths you didn’t take, the closed doors, or the moments that feel like they’ve determined everything about your present.
- [Different is as Different Does](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/different-is-as-different-does/): As South Africa marks 30 years of democracy in 2024, we're reminded of a crucial truth: meaningful change requires more than just hope – it demands different actions. For years, many South Africans have watched corruption scandals unfold, water infrastructure crumble, and the Rand fluctuate, all while hoping things would somehow miraculously improve. Just as Johannesburg residents can't expect their water issues to resolve themselves without systematic change, we can’t expect personal finances to improve without adapting our approach.
- [The C-word](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-c-word/): Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. One day, everything's running smoothly – you're hitting your stride at work, the kids are thriving, and you've finally started that healthy eating plan. The next day, a single word changes everything: Cancer.
- [Black Friday: Spend with Intention, Save with Purpose](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/black-friday-spend-with-intention-save-with-purpose/): Black Friday often arrives in a flurry of “limited offers” and “must-have" deals, but from my perspective, true value isn’t found in the rush. Just as financial planning is about creating a secure, well-aligned future, a mindful approach to Black Friday can keep spending purposeful, grounded, and in harmony with our goals.
- [Learning to Swim in the Global Investment Pool: Your Offshore Deep Dive](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/learning-to-swim-in-the-global-investment-pool-your-offshore-deep-dive/): In our ever-changing global economy and shrinking choice of investment opportunities on the JSE, diversification is key to a robust investment strategy. One question that often arises is how to effectively incorporate offshore investments into a well-rounded portfolio. Today, I'd like to share some insights on this topic, focusing on two popular methods: direct offshore funds and feeder funds.
- [Let’s engage with your story](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/lets-engage-with-your-story/): As we navigate the new political landscape with the Government of National Unity, I’m sure we're all considering how these changes will affect our personal and financial realities long-term. In my opinion, the shift in our political climate is exciting, but also possibly brings uncertainty, particularly for those nearing retirement or already in their golden years.
- [Leaving a Legacy: The Importance of a Well-Crafted Will](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/leaving-a-legacy-the-importance-of-a-well-crafted-will/): Have you ever thought about what would happen to your loved ones if you were no longer here? It's a difficult question, but one that National Wills Week, held from 16-20 September 2024, encouraged us all to consider. This annual event reminded South Africans of the vital importance of having a properly executed will.  At Sterling, we recognise that estate planning is an ongoing process, not a one-time task. That's why we encourage our clients to review their wills and investment beneficiary nominations annually.
- [The Evolution and Value of Financial Advice](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-evolution-and-value-of-financial-advice/): It's interesting how the world of financial advice has evolved. Remember when advisers used to hang their hats on picking the hottest funds or boasting about investment performance? Well, those days are pretty much over.
- [It’s important to check in](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/its-important-to-check-in/): As a financial planner and wealth manager, I've often emphasised that our role extends beyond crunching numbers and offering investment advice. Those who've known me for a while will know I often speak about the deeply personal nature of our profession. A recent story shared on X (formerly Twitter) reinforced this belief, highlighting an aspect of our work that's close to my heart: the vital importance of being present and truly listening to our clients.
- [The Ballad of Golden Means: A South African Tale](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-ballad-of-golden-means-a-south-african-tale/): In Mzansi's realm, where Rand holds sway supreme,
- [Why we may never have ‘enough’](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-we-may-never-have-enough/): Let's be honest, constantly chasing after more wealth can sometimes feel like a cruel game of trying to catch the horizon. Just when you think you've reached your goal, it moves further away. So when do we stop chasing the horizon? When is enough, enough?
- [The True Value of Financial Planning: A Personal Journey](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-personal-journey/): As a financial planner, often I'm asked about the tangible benefits I bring to my clients. It's a fair question, one that I've come to answer not just with numbers and reports but with personal experiences that underline the profound impact good financial advice can have on individuals and families.
- [The balance of heart and mind in financial contentment](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-balance-of-heart-and-mind-in-financial-contentment/): Navigating the intricate dance of financial planning isn't just about numbers and figures for me; it's a delicate blend of analytical prowess and an intuitive heart. Money, often viewed through the lens of cold numbers and stark figures, is deeply intertwined with our emotions and dreams. In all my years as a financial planner, I’ve found that it demands a symphony of technical skill and emotional intelligence – a symphony that, when played right, can lead to profound financial contentment.
- [Equipping kids with financial literacy skills](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/equipping-kids-with-financial-literacy-skills/): Parents have the profound responsibility and privilege of shaping their children's relationship with money. In a world where financial literacy is very often lacking, equipping our kids with the knowledge and skills to navigate their financial lives with confidence and wisdom is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.
- [From Rugby Stardom to New Horizons: Bryan Habana’s Inspiring Reinvention](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/from-rugby-stardom-to-new-horizons-bryan-habanas-inspiring-reinvention/): The roar of the crowd, the thrill of the game, the taste of victory - these were the lifeblood that fuelled rugby legend Bryan Habana through a storied career. But when the time came to hang up his boots, South Africa's superstar winger faced a daunting question: What next?
- [Retirement needs to be revisited](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retirement-needs-to-be-revisited/): 70 is the new 60! We live in an era where longevity is increasing, and living costs are surging; the traditional concept of retiring at 65 is undergoing a significant transformation. It’s becoming evident that the golden years of retirement, once anticipated as a time of leisure following a fixed endpoint in one's career, no longer aligns with the financial and personal realities many face today.
- [Crafting a life rich with purpose](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/crafting-a-life-rich-with-purpose/): It’s clear that we need to rethink, revisit, and recalibrate the way in which we prepare for retirement—not only financially, but socially and emotionally as well. One of the best ways to effectively plan for the future is to start as early as possible. For some, this means laying the groundwork early in life, taking advantage of every opportunity to secure a stable and fulfilling retirement.
- [The essential interplay of love and money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-essential-interplay-of-love-and-money/): Love and money—two forces that drive our lives in profoundly different ways. While one fills our hearts, the other fuels our ambitions.
- [How will your assets be distributed?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-will-your-assets-be-distributed/): Estate planning is a vital process that involves preparing for the transfer of a person's assets and responsibilities after their death. While the fundamental principles of estate planning are widely recognised, the specific laws and practices can vary significantly between different countries and cultures. 
- [Fostering healthier relationships through intentional conversations](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fostering-healthier-relationships-through-intentional-conversations/): We all have thoughts like this when we are faced with the inevitability of a tough conversation. The scary uncertainty can make us shy away from addressing issues that need airing, leading to unresolved tensions and misunderstandings.
- [Financial planning mistakes to avoid](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/financial-planning-mistakes-to-avoid/): Financial planning is a lot like setting out on a journey—it requires foresight, preparation, and smart decision-making. However, amidst the hustle of daily life, it's easy to veer off track.
- [One step at a time: The importance of direction in personal growth](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/one-step-at-a-time-the-importance-of-direction-in-personal-growth/): We've all heard the saying, "One step at a time." It's a simple yet powerful reminder that progress, no matter how small, is still progress. However, there's an important caveat to this wisdom: those steps need to be in the right direction.
- [Retirement and your healthcare needs](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retirement-and-your-healthcare-needs/): When most people think about retirement planning, they focus on saving enough money to maintain their lifestyle and pursue their dreams. However, there's one critical expense that often gets overlooked: healthcare costs. As the writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The first wealth is health."
- [The No-Complaints Diet: Awareness and Acceptance](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-no-complaints-diet-awareness-and-acceptance/): In a world filled with challenges and imperfections, it's easy to fall into the trap of complaining. We complain about our jobs, our relationships, our finances, and countless other aspects of our lives. While it's natural to express dissatisfaction, the habit of complaining can have a profound negative impact on our well-being and success.
- [Maximising your money with tax optimisation](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/maximising-your-money-with-tax-optimisation/): Paying taxes is an inevitable part of life, but that doesn't mean we can't be smart about it. By understanding our country's tax system and employing savvy optimisation strategies, we can keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. As the famous quote goes, "The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets."
- [The power of goal-setting](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-power-of-goal-setting/): When it comes to financial planning, setting clear and well-defined goals is a crucial first step. Without a destination in mind, it's easy to get lost or sidetracked on the path to financial success. That's where the power of goal-setting comes in.
- [The power of Conceive, Believe, Achieve](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-power-of-conceive-believe-achieve/): "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't—you're right." This famous quote by Henry Ford encapsulates the incredible power our minds have in shaping our reality (financial or otherwise!). The path to financial success is not just about numbers and strategies; it's also about harnessing the power of your mind. By embracing the "Conceive, Believe, Achieve" framework, you can transform your relationship with money and create the financial life you've always wanted.
- [Tackling financial challenges as a team](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tackling-financial-challenges-as-a-team/): In the shared journey of financial management within a relationship, it’s essential to identify the actual challenge: the financial situation, not your partner. Disagreements over money shouldn’t strain the relationship; rather, they should be seen as chances to strengthen bonds through understanding and teamwork.
- [Sometimes, the best action is inaction](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/sometimes-the-best-action-is-inaction/): Many investors are drawn to the fast-paced world of buying low and selling high, chasing the thrill of timing the market for quick profits. Yet, there exists a timeless strategy far removed from the frenetic quest for immediate gains: embracing the power of staying invested over the long term. This approach, preferring 'time in the markets' rather than 'timing the markets,' encourages patience and a steady hand over speculative bets.
- [Smashing the invisible barriers](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/smashing-the-invisible-barriers/): When we contemplate our financial goals, the journey often seems straightforward until we encounter invisible barriers that keep us from reaching our full potential. These barriers are rarely about the tangibility of money or the complexity of financial markets; more often, they are the intangible hurdles of our own limiting beliefs.
- [The Solomon Paradox](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-solomon-paradox/): Imagine possessing wisdom so profound that it becomes legendary, guiding nations and solving the most intricate disputes, yet finding oneself ensnared in personal quandaries with no clear path forward. This is the story of Biblical King Solomon, a figure whose life embodied what we know today as the Solomon Paradox—the intriguing disparity between offering wisdom to others and applying it to one's own life.
- [Coaching and financial planning](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/coaching-and-financial-planning/): Financial well-being is not just about accumulating wealth; it's about how we approach our finances, understanding our behaviours, and align our actions with our deepest values. This nuanced journey benefits immensely from a coaching mindset that integrates the principles of positive psychology, turning the daunting into the doable, and transforming challenges into opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
- [Two lessons for investors](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/two-lessons-for-investors/): In the journey of personal finance, where the currents of market trends and economic forecasts constantly shift beneath our feet, two principles stand as beacons to guide us through. These aren't just strategies but rather philosophies that are time-tested and time-honoured.
- [When pausing becomes productive](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/when-pausing-becomes-productive/): Crafting a life that balances action with introspection, peace with productivity, is an art form in itself. In moments of stress or uncertainty, turning to specific practices can provide solace, clarity, and rejuvenation.
- [Safeguarding your family wealth with a trust](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/safeguarding-your-family-wealth-with-a-trust/): In the intricate realm of financial planning, trusts emerge as a beacon of strategic estate management, offering a tailored approach to safeguarding family wealth and assets. Far from being a mere financial instrument, trusts embody the art of foreseeing and shaping one’s financial legacy, transcending mere wealth accumulation to ensure the preservation and seamless transfer of assets across generations. This adaptability and foresight make trusts a cornerstone of sophisticated estate planning globally, albeit with nuances tailored to the legal and fiscal landscapes of each country.
- [Navigating the Financial Landscape of Ageing](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/navigating-the-financial-landscape-of-ageing/): With healthcare and lifestyle improvements leading to longer lifespans, it’s essential to align financial planning with this new reality. Investing in our well-being for a healthier life should be paralleled by proactive financial strategies for a secure retirement. With people living into their 80s, 90s and even 100s now, retirement has become a significant life phase that could last almost as long as our working years. This necessitates careful financial planning to sustain a fulfilling lifestyle without burdening our loved ones.
- [Embracing emotional honesty](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/embracing-emotional-honesty/): In a world that often glorifies the "stay positive" mantra, it's easy to fall into the trap of toxic positivity — the belief that no matter how dire or difficult a situation, people should maintain a positive mindset.
- [Balancing our need for control](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/balancing-our-need-for-control/): At the heart of financial planning lies a universal truth: we plan to gain control over the unforeseen and to navigate life's uncertainties with confidence. As Lyall Watson, the renowned biologist and writer, insightfully observed, "We survive by controlling our environment. And control is made possible by information." This principle, deeply rooted in our survival instinct, finds profound relevance in the realm of personal finance and wealth management. It's about harnessing the power of information to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our financial lives.
- [Smaller, manageable chunks, today](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/smaller-manageable-chunks-today/): In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to push aside the administrative tasks that seem daunting or time-consuming. Yet, when tax season rolls around, many find themselves overwhelmed by the mountain of financial paperwork that has piled up. The principle of tackling big tasks in small, manageable chunks isn't new, but it's astonishing how often it's overlooked, especially when it comes to managing our finances.
- [Get stuck, get strong!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/get-stuck-get-strong/): In every life, there will inevitably come times when we find ourselves at a standstill, facing challenges that seem insurmountable. It's during these moments, when we're stuck and the path forward is unclear, that our true strength is forged. The adage "Sometimes we need to get stuck, in order to get strong" speaks volumes about the transformative power of adversity.
- [Courage: The catalyst for personal and financial transformation](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/courage-the-catalyst-for-personal-and-financial-transformation/): In the journey of life, courage is often the unsung hero that propels us toward change and growth. It\'s the force that challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the unknown.
- [Don’t count the days; make them count!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-count-the-days-make-them-count/): In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it\'s easy to fall into the routine of counting days, waiting for the weekend, holidays or the next big event. But there\'s a much more fulfilling approach to life, one that doesn\'t just passively count the days but actively makes each day count. This perspective is not just about productivity or achievement; it\'s about infusing each day with purpose and meaning.
- [The ripple effect of change](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-ripple-effect-of-change/): Change, a constant companion in our journey through life, often becomes a focal point as we transition into a new year. However, its principles are timeless, transcending the boundaries of calendars and seasons.
- [It’s the steady hand on the tiller](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/its-the-steady-hand-on-the-tiller/): In the insightful words of Nick Murray, \"All financial success comes from acting on a plan. A lot of financial failure comes from reacting to the market.\" This statement is a powerful reminder of a fundamental truth in financial management: the undeniable value of proactive planning over the pitfalls of reactive responses.
- [Revitalising your planning approach](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/revitalising-your-planning-approach/): At any moment during the year, finding the space to pause and reflect is more than just a breather; it\'s a chance for a transformative new start. It’s an opportunity to step back from the day-to-day grind, to reassess and to break free from the habitual patterns that often govern our approach to planning and organising both our lives and our finances. By stepping outside these familiar routines, we open ourselves up to fresh perspectives and innovative ways of thinking.
- [The integral role of tax planning in financial strategy](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-integral-role-of-tax-planning-in-financial-strategy/): When it comes to shaping a robust financial plan, understanding and preparing for the complexities of tax planning is crucial. Tax considerations play a pivotal role in financial decision-making, influencing everything from investment choices to retirement planning. While tax laws and regulations vary across countries, the core principles of tax planning hold universal relevance and can significantly impact your financial health.
- [The only list you have to worry about](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-only-list-you-have-to-worry-about/): You’ve probably heard that line once or twice, right? For those who celebrate Christmas, there\'s a tradition that speaks to Santa Claus having two lists, and only the kids on the nice list (good and well-behaved)… get gifts. Interestingly, this is not a Christmas-time tradition, but rather a parenting hack designed to keep kids in line during the rest of the year! For sure, it’s more prominent in October and November, and even the first stressed-out weeks of December, but many parents keep it in their bag of last-resort techniques to achieve their desired outcomes.
- [Riding the waves of financial uncertainty](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/riding-the-waves-of-financial-uncertainty/): In the vast ocean of financial management, money anxiety often feels like an unending series of waves. Sometimes, these waves are gentle, nudging us towards better financial habits. Other times, they are overwhelming, born from the tempests of unexpected life events and shifting economic landscapes.
- [The Power of ‘Get To’ Over ‘Have To’](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-power-of-get-to-over-have-to/): Life only seems to get busier - no matter how hard we try to slow things down. It's easy to fall into a pattern of viewing tasks and responsibilities as burdens, things we 'have to' do. This mindset, often a default setting, can make our days feel heavy and obligatory.
- [The relationships we cherish and celebrate](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-relationships-we-cherish-and-celebrate/): In the rhythmic and deceptively unpredictable day-in and day-out of our calendars, there are moments when our wallets feel significantly lighter. The end of the year, with its festive sparkle and cheer, often brings a flurry of spending that can leave many of us dizzy. It\'s not just the holidays, though. Think about that one month when it seems everyone you know is celebrating a birthday, or perhaps the season of weddings and anniversaries.
- [Less scrolling, more strolling](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/less-scrolling-more-strolling/): Screens dominate much of our waking hours. There\'s a growing need to disconnect from the virtual and reconnect with the tangible world around us. The mantra \"less scrolling, more strolling\" captures this sentiment perfectly, encouraging a shift from passive, screen-based activities to active, physical engagement with our surroundings, particularly through walking.
- [Don’t bank on it being the bank…](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-bank-on-it-being-the-bank/): How to Recognize and Respond to Email Fraud
- [Where habits and wealth intersect](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/where-habits-and-wealth-intersect/): Our daily existence is a series of patterns and habits, some as visible as the paths we walk, others as intimate as the thoughts we entertain. Within this daily walk, each choice of habit — whether tied to our finances, our health, or our personal growth — has the potential to either constrain or liberate us. Recognising and nurturing these patterns is akin to tending a garden; it requires patience, attention, and a willingness to nurture growth over time.
- [Finding playtime in your planning](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/finding-playtime-in-your-planning/): When we think of financial planning, things can get serious way too fast — a far cry from the carefree essence of playtime. However, the principle of play, fundamental to the way children learn and explore, retains its instructive power well into adulthood.
- [How do you express stress with your money?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-do-you-express-stress-with-your-money/): We\'ve all been there: that moment when life throws you a curveball and stress builds up. Your palms might get sweaty, your heart rate spikes, or perhaps you feel a pit in your stomach. But have you ever thought about how this stress manifests in your financial behaviour? Understanding your \'money stress language\' could be a pivotal factor in achieving comprehensive financial wellness, which is the ultimate aim of integrated, holistic financial planning.
- [Your assets should fulfil your ‘why’](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/your-assets-should-fulfil-your-why/): Financial planning, for most people, brings to mind a labyrinth of paperwork and the perpetual agony of tracking every dime and dollar. It\'s no surprise, then, that this often leads to analysis paralysis. 
- [Threat, Stress, and Trauma: The unspoken influences on your money personality](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/threat-stress-and-trauma-the-unspoken-influences-on-your-money-personality/): Have you ever wondered why some financial decisions are harder to make than others? It\'s not always just about the numbers or the facts laid out in a spreadsheet. Deep down, emotions, stress, and even past experiences like threats and trauma play a significant role in how we manage our finances. 
- [Time, the ultimate wealth-building asset](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/time-the-ultimate-wealth-building-asset/): The secret of wealth-building that often goes unnoticed is not just how we manage our money, but how we manage our time. 
- [Understanding the role of culture in your financial journey](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/understanding-the-role-of-culture-in-your-financial-journey/): You\'re looking for more than a number-cruncher when seeking integrated financial planning services. This is because you\'re essentially seeking a partner in a very critical area of your life—your financial future. And much like any other meaningful relationship, the foundation isn\'t just built on expertise but also on mutual values and shared culture. 
- [Closing the Behavior Gap: Navigating emotional money mistakes and asset allocation](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/closing-the-behavior-gap-navigating-emotional-money-mistakes-and-asset-allocation/): How often have you found yourself making impulsive decisions about your investments based on headlines or peer pressure? Maybe you’ve even shifted your entire asset allocation because of these emotions. 
- [Rewiring your financial mindset (II)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/rewiring-your-financial-mindset-ii/): Socratic Questioning and Guided Imagery
- [Rewiring your financial mindset (I)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/rewiring-your-financial-mindset-i/): The Psychology of Financial Planning
- [Entertained or educated?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/entertained-or-educated/): Our lives are saturated with information, so it\'s important to scrutinise what we consume, especially when it comes to financial news and our use of social media. The core objective of social media isn\'t necessarily to make you a more informed member of society. Instead, it\'s driven by the motive to capture your attention, to keep you engaged, and to sell advertising space. Indeed, our most valuable asset is our attention!
- [Costs, Delays, and Challenges of Estate Administration](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/costs-delays-and-challenges-of-estate-administration/): The emotional toll of losing a loved one leaves us unprepared for the logistical labyrinth that follows: the administration of their estate. Navigating this complex process can feel like a second loss, rife with hidden costs, legal hurdles, and unexpected delays. With the insights from this blog, you\'ll be better equipped to navigate these challenges.
- [Finding the truth in a \”My Truth\” world](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/finding-the-truth-in-a-my-truth-world/): The lines between personal beliefs and universal truths often blur, and the role of a financial planner becomes ever more critical. As we wade through the waters of modern finance, it\'s easy to be swayed by popular opinion or individualised perceptions of reality. 
- [Down with debt!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/down-with-debt/): Debt can be overwhelming, often feeling like a never-ending battle against numbers that just won\'t budge. It\'s not just your bank balance that takes a hit; it\'s your mental well-being, too. If you\'ve been struggling with the emotional and psychological toll of financial instability, you\'re not alone—and there\'s hope. In the upcoming blogs, we\'re going to integrate powerful cognitive tools like Socratic Questioning and Guided Imagery with actionable financial advice.
- [Time to think about money – Part 4](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/time-to-think-about-money-part-4/): You know how sometimes we tend to procrastinate when it comes to our finances? Yeah, we\'ve all been there. Procrastination can be a major roadblock to achieving our financial goals. But did you know that Nancy Kline\'s Time to Think methodology can help us overcome that? It\'s all about creating a thinking environment that encourages us to take action and move closer to our objectives.
- [Balancing emotions and risk in asset allocation](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/balancing-emotions-and-risk-in-asset-allocation/): Investing can be likened to the ancient Chinese concept of Yin and Yang, where opposing forces are interdependent and complementary. In the realm of investments, this duality might be expressed through the delicate balance between emotions and risk in asset allocation. Just as Yin and Yang represent harmony, understanding how these elements interact can lead to a more serene and successful investment journey.
- [More than just checking the boxes](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/more-than-just-checking-the-boxes/): The Real Purpose Behind Financial Planning
- [Debt Detox: Preparing for spring in any hemisphere](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/debt-detox-preparing-for-spring-in-any-hemisphere/): As the earth’s axis tilts, heralding the onset of new seasons across the globe, there\'s a palpable shift in our surroundings. When the Northern Hemisphere prepares to embrace the comforting embrace of autumn—donning sweaters and sipping warm beverages, the Southern Hemisphere is on the cusp of spring, promising rejuvenation and vibrant blooms. 
- [The rising currency of human skills](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-rising-currency-of-human-skills/): Information is at our fingertips, and artificial intelligence continually surpasses human capabilities in specific tasks; the landscape of valuable skills is evolving. 
- [How talking about finances shapes our wealth](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-talking-about-finances-shapes-our-wealth/): The Power of Conversation
- [Time to think about money – Part 3](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/time-to-think-about-money-part-3/): Trust is a crucial component of any successful financial relationship. Trust plays a huge role in making things work, whether it\'s with your spouse, financial advisor, or business partner. And one way to build that trust is through the art of listening, which is a central idea in Nancy Kline\'s Time to Think methodology.
- [The significance of money scripts](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-significance-of-money-scripts/): It\'s fascinating to see how the world of financial planning is evolving. Today, more than ever, there\'s a growing acknowledgement of the role psychology plays in our financial lives. A prominent voice in this field is Dr. Brad Klontz, a clinical psychologist who\'s been shining a light on what he calls our \"money scripts\".
- [Creating a new financial narrative](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/creating-a-new-financial-narrative/): In a few recent blogs, we’ve considered our money stories and how we can not only route out false narratives but work towards creating new financial stories.
- [How your communication style can empower your financial future](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-your-communication-style-can-empower-your-financial-future/): Navigating the world of personal finance is often as much about effective communication as it is about understanding the technicalities. Whether you\'re conversing with a financial advisor, a spouse, or even yourself, how you communicate about money matters a great deal. 
- [How automatic thoughts shape our financial habits](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-automatic-thoughts-shape-our-financial-habits/): Automatic thought patterns are pervasive and impactful, influencing our moods, behaviours, and even our self-concept. In our everyday lives, we sometimes struggle to recognise their presence in our decision-making, especially when it comes to financial choices.
- [Accountability: Your secret weapon for financial success](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/accountability-your-secret-weapon-for-financial-success/): The financial world can be complex, teeming with jargon, concepts, and strategies that can bewilder even the most diligent among us. One aspect of navigating this labyrinth that often gets overlooked is the importance of having an accountability partner who can offer support, challenge you, and help you stay on course with your financial goals.
- [Unearthing the roots of your money story](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/unearthing-the-roots-of-your-money-story/): Money, it is said, makes the world go around. We use it daily, exchange it for goods and services, save it for the future, worry about it, celebrate it, and yet often, we are reluctant to delve into our personal histories with it.
- [The spectre of financial uncertainty](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-spectre-of-financial-uncertainty/): The spectre of financial uncertainty can have substantial impact on one\'s psychological well-being and future planning capabilities. However, it is not a burden that has to be perpetually borne. Transitioning from financial uncertainty to stability is achievable by reducing chaos in your cash flow and introducing a greater degree of predictability into your financial planning.
- [Data to Wisdom for your financial journey](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/data-to-wisdom-for-your-financial-journey/): As we journey through life, we often hear phrases like \"seeing is believing\". But when it comes to our financial health and well-being, there\'s a subtle yet profound difference between merely seeing and truly recognising. It\'s akin to looking at a tree and appreciating its beauty, compared to recognising its species, understanding its growth patterns, and knowing its ecological value.
- [Unleash the power of articulating your financial plan](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/unleash-the-power-of-articulating-your-financial-plan/): In the sphere of financial planning, the way we speak about money and articulate our plans can have a profound impact on our financial well-being. The power of articulating a financial plan lies not only in the creation of a roadmap towards your financial goals, but also in how it helps shape your mindset towards your financial journey.
- [Time to think about money – Part 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/time-to-think-about-money-part-2/): Independent thinking is critical in lifestyle financial planning, and here\'s why. Each person has unique financial needs, aspirations, and circumstances. When you think independently, you can assess your personal situation and determine what matters most to you. This helps you set goals that genuinely reflect your values and priorities, making your financial plan more meaningful and motivating.
- [Decoding the Language of Money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/decoding-the-language-of-money/): Just like our language influences our perceptions of the world, the language we use around money - especially the complex jargon and market commentary that often surrounds it - can significantly impact our financial behaviours, perspectives, and, ultimately, our financial planning.
- [More about your money story](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/more-about-your-money-story/): Money is more than just a tool for transactions; it\'s an emotional force intertwined with our identities, values, and sense of self-worth. Our money story is a tapestry of beliefs and experiences that shape our financial behaviours and attitudes.
- [Investing with Heart and Mind](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-with-heart-and-mind/): Embarking on and sticking to your investment journey requires a solid understanding of financial principles and an appreciation for the emotional roller coaster that comes with it. Asset allocation, a crucial component of investing, is about striking the right balance between risk and reward to achieve your financial goals.
- [A short (not too boring) story about interest rates](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-short-not-too-boring-story-about-interest-rates/): This is the ancient tale of how interest rates change and the forces that shape their destiny.
- [Rising Above the Red](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/rising-above-the-red/): The rise of over-indebtedness is a growing concern not only locally but also for individuals across the globe. Legal action and bad credit records due to non-payment can have serious consequences on people\'s financial well-being.
- [Don’t ditch your insurance](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-ditch-your-insurance/): In the current economic climate, a growing number of individuals are experiencing financial strain due to the escalating cost of living and rising interest rates. As a result, many are looking for ways to reduce their expenses in order to maintain a balanced budget. Insurance premiums, often perceived as an expendable cost, are among the first expenses that come under scrutiny.
- [Time to think about money – Part 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/time-to-think-about-money-part-1/): Discussing finances can be a daunting task, especially when emotions run high. It\'s important to remember that there\'s a human element behind every financial decision - our dreams, fears, and values.
- [Empathy vs Codependency](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/empathy-vs-codependency/): In lifestyle financial planning, striking the right balance between empathy and codependency is essential to building healthy relationships while maintaining personal well-being. A recent tweet by Dr Nicole LePera (@Theholisticpsyc) highlighted the differences between empathy and codependency.
- [Common financial planning mistakes](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/common-financial-planning-mistakes/): Financial planning can be a daunting task, and it\'s common for people to make mistakes as they navigate the complex world of personal finance. In this blog post, we\'ll discuss some common financial planning mistakes that many individuals make, as identified by FinTwit contributor Jason Friedman. By learning about these pitfalls and how to avoid them, we\'ll better equip you to make informed decisions and set yourself up for long-term financial success. Let\'s dive in!
- [A miss is as good as a mile](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-miss-is-as-good-as-a-mile/): Our mindset is crucial to our financial success. Dealing with our money can quickly become an obsessive task; either focusing solely on the amount we\'re lacking or missing, or becoming obsessed with saving and storing up, we can sometimes do more harm than good. This is why mindset plays a significant role in how we approach financial planning.
- [Retelling your money story](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retelling-your-money-story/): We all know that money plays a key role in our lives, but have you ever considered the money story you\'ve inherited from your family? Our money story is a series of beliefs based on how money is spoken about, or not spoken about, within our homes. Just like our hair and eye colour, we inherit money stories as children, and they can significantly impact our lives emotionally.
- [Create a life of your own design](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/create-a-life-of-your-own-design/): Personal financial planning has become critical in shaping our lives and determining our future. However, many of us need help to make the right decisions and achieve our financial goals. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in harnessing and leveraging our strengths to create a life of our own design.
- [Use AI to learn more](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/use-ai-to-learn-more/): The rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought both excitement and trepidation in equal measures. Many see it as a threat to job security, while others believe it has the potential to revolutionise the way we live and work. AI can help you upskill, become more valuable to your business, and create more value in your financial life.
- [Steve’s Story – the worst market timer ever](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/steves-story-the-worst-market-timer-ever/): 
- [Need a little grounding?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/need-a-little-grounding/): Have you ever gone for a walk in the garden without shoes on? Remember what it felt like, as a kid, to come home from school - slip out of tight school shoes and walk barefoot? Whether it was on comfy rugs, soft sea-sand or lush grass, the sensation often felt so good because we were grounding ourselves.
- [Become a better networker](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/become-a-better-networker/): As our world becomes increasingly digitised, personal skills will become more valuable. Many salespeople call these the soft-skills and realise that the old-school hard-sell-skills are no longer as effective. People are less likely to be blown away by some widget and far more likely to remember the way that you’ve made them feel.
- [Building wealth, one brick at a time](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/building-wealth-one-brick-at-a-time/): The root of our wealth is not in our income or our spending; it’s in our behaviour. Our habits make us wealthy, not the markets. Some have said that sound financial management comes down to spending less than we earn - but whilst this adage holds merit, it’s a lot more complicated in practice.
- [Planning vs Coaching](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/planning-vs-coaching/): Regardless of what words we want to put to our journey with our money, there are a few realities that we need to face.
- [What a better financial plan could look like](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-a-better-financial-plan-could-look-like/): It’s easy to think about a financial plan and consider the elements that typically go into it. For instance, we could picture a plan that consists of a retirement savings product, life and health insurance, investment portfolios, and maybe a few things like trusts, wills and estate plans. Or, we could think about what a financial plan can help us avoid, and help us achieve.
- [What’s changed in your life?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/whats-changed-in-your-life/): WHERE TRUE FINANCIAL PLANNING STARTS
- [Thank you, money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/thank-you-money/): Some people say that magic isn’t real, but what about the first magic words we’re all taught to say? No - not “abracadabra” or “zimzalabim”, although those are great words. Abracadabra is thought to come from the Aramaic phrase “avra kehdabra”, meaning “I will create as I speak”, and zimzalabim comes from the mythological tricksters, Zim Zala and Bim.
- [Building your Money IQ… and EQ!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/building-your-money-iq-and-eq/): Would you consider yourself to be financially intelligent? Depending on how you answer that, here’s another tough question: how much do you trust yourself to manage your own finances? Often we find that after answering the second question, clients want to go back and reanswer the first! And, that’s okay.
- [Marketing yourself beyond 2022](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/marketing-yourself-beyond-2022/): In the next few years, we are likely to see a significant increase in small businesses, from home enterprises to startups. Many people have had to create sideline income or recover from losing their jobs in a shrinking job market. Jobs seeing the fastest decline are in production or administration support, primarily due to automation and digitisation of platforms and processes.
- [Just one more](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/just-one-more/): They say that getting old happens slowly, and then all at once. Most of the change around us occurs so gradually that we barely notice it; ageing, losing or gaining our fitness, losing or gaining weight, intimacy in relationships, and debt and investing. These are some of the areas of incrementally-unnoticeable change with which we’re most familiar.
- [Re-train your brain for healthier relationships](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/re-train-your-brain-for-healthier-relationships/): At the heart of everything, we find relationships. Most of these are unintentional relationships that happen situationally, but some are relationships that stem from our choices. From the moment we enter the world, we will have a relationship with everyone and everything: from the space around us to the people who are present and how each made us feel.
- [Feelings – thoughts – actions](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/feelings-thoughts-actions/): \'Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought,\' Marcus Aurelius.
- [Don’t let tax get you down](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-let-tax-get-you-down/): We all know that the only two certainties in life are death and taxes. Even after we’ve gone, taxes are still levied against our estate. The more money we make, the more money the taxman looks to take.
- [The importance of being intentional](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-importance-of-being-intentional/): If we don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything. Essentially, our actions will either result from what we choose, or what is chosen for us.
- [Four ways to measure your fortune](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/four-ways-to-measure-your-fortune/): We often don’t worry about something until we realise that it’s limited. If we have lots of something, it’s a fortune. If we don’t, it can become a focus of concern and anxiety. 
- [The best time to live](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-best-time-to-live/): “Remember the past, plan for the future, but live for today, because yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come.”
- [Catastrophising and how to manage it](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/catastrophising-and-how-to-manage-it/): Have you ever gone down a rabbit hole on social media? You know, that moment when you see something triggering and you click on it, and then scroll down through the comments, becoming wholly engrossed in a conversation that turns out to be a waste of time and emotional energy. While we’re in that moment, we’re often completely unaware of how it’s affecting us. Catastrophising is a little like that.
- [Ask yourself these questions BEFORE switching funds](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/ask-yourself-these-questions-before-switching-funds/): As financial planning conversations deepen and explore more value, we find ourselves moving from the empirical to the emotional, from processes to perceptions and from products to people. It’s an enlightening journey that takes us away from numbers and allows us to reflect and reconstruct our future planning approach.
- [How much do you need?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-much-do-you-need/): One of the hardest questions to answer when it comes to financial planning is: How much do I need?
- [Making goals easier to achieve](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/making-goals-easier-to-achieve/): “If I had a penny for every time I put something off until tomorrow, and never got to it… I’d put them all in a sock and hit myself with it.” Unknown
- [Sustainable sanity](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/sustainable-sanity/): When we stand together, we can succeed together. We can support and encourage one another. But this only happens in our smaller, more intimate groups. The fourth industrial revolution has slowly edged us into a communication environment that is overwhelmed with information.
- [How much time is your money worth?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-much-time-is-your-money-worth/): As we build businesses and seek to create various income opportunities, we are always confronted with the challenge of pricing. It’s a challenge because all of our situations are different.
- [Learning leverages healthy decisions (3/3)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/learning-leverages-healthy-decisions-3-3/): Readiness is key to learning something new. If we’re not ready to learn something… it will probably go straight in one ear and out the other.
- [Setting benchmarks](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/setting-benchmarks/): Whilst intentional reflection may happen at the end or beginning of a year or personal growth journey, unintentional reflection happens all the time. And, we barely notice it, most of the time. But, several times a week, if not several times a day, we measure ourselves against something or someone; we’re either measuring ourselves against others or ourselves.
- [It’s time to turn up the kindness, to yourself](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/its-time-to-turn-up-the-kindness-to-yourself/): In a recent blog from Marelisa Fabrega, lawyer and entrepreneur, she spoke of 17 ways to be kinder to yourself! It seems like a lot, but when we think about all the ways and times that we put ourselves down, it’s not that much.
- [What’s an annuity?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/whats-an-annuity/): Have you ever heard someone say that you need to make your money work for you? It seems like an impossible achievement for many of us because we immediately think we need a stack of dollar bills to leverage this strategy.
- [The best place to invest](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-best-place-to-invest/): Somehow, despite all the messages to be kinder to ourselves, we have this predisposition to put ourselves down. Along the line, the early messages of “You can do better” become “You’re not good enough.”
- [Can you change how you feel about money?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/can-you-change-how-you-feel-about-money/): Here’s the quick answer: yes!
- [Levels of financial dependence](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/levels-of-financial-dependence/): At the very surface level of constructing a financial plan, the journey can feel linear. We begin with what we have and plan to move towards an end goal of ‘having enough’ and being financially independent. But this is not where financial planning ends; it’s just the toe-dipping beginning as we gain courage and confidence to engage more with our financial planning.
- [Learning leverages healthy decisions (1/3)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/learning-leverages-healthy-decisions-1-3/): A curriculum doesn’t drive learning; curiosity drives learning.
- [Charge what you’re worth](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/charge-what-youre-worth/): “How much should I be charging my clients?”
- [What happens to our passwords when we pass?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-happens-to-our-passwords-when-we-pass/): Estate planning, wills and final testaments are not easy processes to navigate. Setting up life cover and considering what will happen to your family when you pass away can be deeply emotional and an experience many would rather avoid.
- [Six areas of financial planning](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/six-areas-of-financial-planning/): Have you ever gone down the #Fintwit rabbit hole? According to fintwit.ai, #Fintwit is a vibrant community of investors on Twitter, who tweet trading ideas, active trades, personal portfolios and well thought out insights about financial securities. Millions of investors around the world are increasingly using Twitter to stay abreast of the financial market and make informed investment decisions.
- [Ready to be more resilient?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/ready-to-be-more-resilient/): We can’t change what happens to us, but we can change how we respond to what happens to us, and within us.
- [The higher the fee, the better the value?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-higher-the-fee-the-better-the-value/): How do you decide on the better of two products you are not really familiar with or can’t visually tell the difference?
- [Making mindfulness easier](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/making-mindfulness-easier/): Anything in life that is truly worth doing - is not easy. It is easy to forget this when we see others doing really well and making the difficult seem like a cinch. We don’t see all the hard work that goes into the background.
- [Déjà vu?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/deja-vu/): When we experience our first crisis, we think our world is about to end. It could have been our first unrequited love when we were 12, a rejection letter from an application when we were barely out of our teens, bad news from the doctor or an accident that leaves us dealing with a deep loss.
- [Have you been offered early retirement? (Part 2)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/have-you-been-offered-early-retirement-part-2/): Following on from the previous blog on considering early retirement, the focus of this conversation sparker is to look at five key things that should be on our to-do list before we make any decisions about our retirement (or any big life decision!).
- [A round tuit – and a bit about dread disease cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-round-tuit-and-a-bit-about-dread-disease-cover/): There’s a rare object known as a tuit. It’s a special gift to keep for yourself, but also has great value for your friends and family. Tuits, especially round ones, will generally have a note or inscription along the following lines:
- [Have you been offered early retirement? (Part 1)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/have-you-been-offered-early-retirement-part-1/): For many years we’ve been having better conversations about retirement. It’s no longer a matter of finding a job, staying in it for 40 years, and then retiring for fifteen years under the assumption that the company pension scheme will finance that entire period for us. 
- [Designing Your “No Rules Retirement”](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/designing-your-no-rules-retirement/): Our concept of retirement is undergoing a metamorphosis. Demographic, societal, and workplace trends have all converged to offer a stage of life—at mid-life and beyond—that is much more fluid and flexible than we previously thought possible.  
- [Fortify financial peace of mind](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fortify-financial-peace-of-mind/): There are few things worse than lying in bed at night, tossing and turning over financial stress. Lack of sleep only adds to our stress and hinders our overall mental, physical and emotional health!
- [A powerful mental trick to master the markets](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-powerful-mental-trick-to-master-the-markets/): If someone is selling something, their primary goal is most often to convince you to buy what they’re selling. If you follow financial accounts on social media, your timeline is likely crowded with people touting the next big winning investment.
- [How to nurture financially savvy kids](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-nurture-financially-savvy-kids/): In 1988, financial planner and best-selling author Venita Van Caspel wrote in her bestselling book Financial Dynamics for the 1990s:
- [How does the stock market work?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-does-the-stock-market-work/): The fastest way to lose half of your money is not a stock market crash but a divorce, separation or a poor business decision (so it’s a good idea to make sure you’re on the same page with your partner when it comes to joint finances.)
- [When the opposite is true](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/when-the-opposite-is-true/): There is a thin veneer over everything. When we are distracted by news streams, overwhelmed by direct messaging and tired from keeping up with the Joneses, it’s easy to create a veneer that allows us to store and process more information without having to delve deeper into what’s actually going on beneath the surface.
- [Is anchoring holding you back?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/is-anchoring-holding-you-back/): One of the challenges of financial planning is its complexity. Not only is it mathematically layered, but it’s also fraught with bias and emotional influence. For most of us, we only scratch the surface of about seven areas of financial planning and allow experts to make recommendations and decisions that will hopefully create a better financial position for us in the future.
- [The miracle of Meraki](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-miracle-of-meraki/): In every culture and creed, there are traditions and philosophies about how to experience the best that life has in store for us, whilst overcoming trials and tragedies. From mindfulness to healthy eating, from exercise to stress management - we are often reminded that what we put in is what we get out.
- [Sandwich generation](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/sandwich-generation/): The sandwich generation refers to working-age individuals who are in the precarious position of looking after their growing children and caring for elderly parents. 
- [The nourishment of nature](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-nourishment-of-nature/): A breath of fresh air, the sun on our faces, bare feet in the sand. Spending time outside can provide many small pleasures, which all leave us feeling revitalised. Whether it’s sipping ice-cold lemonade in our backyard or hiking up a mountain, spending time in nature has numerous benefits beyond the obvious. 
- [Crypto can be taxing](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/crypto-can-be-taxing/): One of the early appeals for cryptocurrencies was that they would not be taxed as they are not fiat currencies (yet), in that they are not owned by a country or used for trade inside of geographical tender regulations.
- [Dualistic Thinking](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dualistic-thinking/): Dualistic thinking assumes a universe where there are only two opposing, mutually incompatible options or realities. This type of thinking is either/or, good/bad, negative/positive, and has a significant impact on our beliefs and behaviours.
- [Things don\’t get easier – we become more resilient](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/things-dont-get-easier-we-become-more-resilient/): Life is uncharted. Maps can only be made from where we’ve been - not where we have yet to go.
- [Don\’t be a lemming](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-be-a-lemming/): One long-held belief is that lemmings purposefully run off cliffs in their millions. This myth has become a metaphor for the behaviour of crowds of individuals who follow each other blindly, regardless of the consequences. Herd instincts are prevalent in all parts of life, including the financial industry when investors follow what they feel other investors are doing rather than conducting their own research.
- [I’m not sure I want to know](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/im-not-sure-i-want-to-know/): There’s a story that was told many years ago (it may or may not be true…) about a Microsoft call-centre agent and their call with a deeply irate customer. Having recently purchased a computer that came pre-installed with Windows, the customer called to find out why his computer would not respond.
- [How to do it in the 4IR](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-do-it-in-the-4ir/): \"But we didn\'t need it, and we turned out fine.\" 
- [Are you money-mental?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/are-you-money-mental/): The simple answer is: Yes, we all are!
- [If our feelings could talk](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/if-our-feelings-could-talk/): Epictetus, the Greek Stoic philosopher, was the first to say it. \"We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” But listening is not always about what we hear; it’s what we can begin to intuit. When it comes to our feelings, we have to learn to become more intuitive and listen to what our emotions are trying to tell us.
- [Hold the line](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/hold-the-line/): If you have the tune of Toto’s yacht-rock hit from 1978, Hold the Line, stuck in your head, then you’re welcome! It’s an iconic tune that reminds us that showing love is not in one act or moment - it’s in everything we do.
- [Me, myself and Ikigai](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/me-myself-and-ikigai/): From the stoics to the sentimentalists, most have one question in common: What is the meaning of it all?
- [Discovery and discomfort](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/discovery-and-discomfort/): It’s nearly impossible to make it through an entire week without glancing at a blog, social media post or newsletter that reminds us about the pervasive and perpetual change in our lives. Hopefully, this blog won’t be one of those to add to the list. Instead, it will help us to identify the benefits of the challenges that we face.
- [Five financial tripwires](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-financial-tripwires/): If you’ve ever seen the mayhem from the middle of the trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), you can be forgiven for thinking it’s a warzone! Whilst most stock exchanges around the world now trade electronically, having cleared out their trading floors, NYSE still hosts the traditional tussle of the floor traders’ open outcries.
- [Bias and your bank balance](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/bias-and-your-bank-balance/): When it’s a question of money - everyone is of the same religion, or so said Voltaire. Like religion, there are many different perspectives on how it helps (or hinders) us. It’s probably one reason why people always say you should never talk about money, religion or politics at the dinner table. There are so many differing views!
- [The premium time to review your premiums](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-premium-time-to-review-your-premiums/): When it comes to financial planning, risk planning, estate planning and investing, many of us like to “set and forget”. Our lives are full of things to remember, for work, family and the communities in which we’re involved - often, the last thing we want to review is our financial portfolio.
- [Our oft-told money stories](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/our-oft-told-money-stories/): Money isn’t real. It’s just an agreed-upon system of exchange.
- [Win back your weekend](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/win-back-your-weekend/): “Where did our weekend go?” Have you ever found yourself asking this question on a Sunday night or a few minutes after hitting snooze for the third time on a Monday morning?
- [Protecting your income for a better outcome](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/protecting-your-income-for-a-better-outcome/): A few short decades ago, we lived in a world that seemed to have far more security and certainty. The rate of change was slower, and many assumed that if you stuck to the system, the system would look after you.
- [Plan to fail](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/plan-to-fail/): It doesn’t make sense, but we need to have a plan for when things go wrong. 
- [Offshore shouldn’t be off-putting](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/offshore-shouldnt-be-off-putting/): “... your money deserves to go places,” Ninety One (dual-listed on both the South African and London Stock Exchanges).
- [How to make a sustainable change](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-make-a-sustainable-change/): All of us have moments in our life when we realise that we have to make a change. Sometimes change is something we choose, and sometimes it happens to us, forcing us to find a new way to cope.
- [Ifs, buts and Bitcoin](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/ifs-buts-and-bitcoin/): “If only I’d bought into Bitcoin in 2008…”
- [It\’s Hue-Guh, not Hoo-Gah](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/its-hue-guh-not-hoo-gah/): Hygge (pronounced hue-guh, not hoo-gah) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment as cosy, charming or special. This can happen whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary. It’s about how the event makes you feel, not the event itself.
- [Bite-sized chunks](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/bite-sized-chunks/): No matter how hard we try, we never seem to get it all right… all the time! We were taught as kids that practice makes perfect, and this phrase set us up for unrealistic expectations. At some point in our future, we figured we would get it perfect. All we needed to do was keep trying and keep practising.
- [Stop telling yourself these things](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/stop-telling-yourself-these-things/): Everyone knows that building wealth can help to ensure financial security in the future. Yet, it is a small number of the world’s population who have had the opportunity and fortitude to save money consistently.
- [Key thoughts for passive investors](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/key-thoughts-for-passive-investors/): Passive investing has become the most popular investing strategy, globally. Simply put, it’s the strategy of buying the whole market (a diversified reach of stock allocations, ETFs and the like), and continually contributing to your portfolio. The long-term goal is to achieve the average market return.
- [Four Fresh Investment Ideas](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/four-fresh-investment-ideas/): We all want more from life. We want to live a good and meaningful life. This is how we generate hope, by believing that there is something new for us to discover, fresh for us to share and fulfilling for us to experience. 
- [Is active or passive fund management better?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/is-active-or-passive-fund-management-better/): The first thing to remember when approaching investing is that the best approach is dependent almost wholly on the investor and their desired investment outcomes. While this may sound simple, working out desired outcomes hinges on many factors and conversations and ultimately works out best when a trusted financial adviser guides the investor.
- [Is there more to life than happiness?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/is-there-more-to-life-than-happiness/): There seems to be an increasing drive to pursue happiness; we want to be satisfied and content with who we are and what we do with our lives.
- [Divorce and your retirement savings](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/divorce-and-your-retirement-savings/): Recent times have been life-altering for so many, from emotional and health traumas to relational and financial traumas. We’ve all had to encounter a considerable onslaught of ‘stuff’ to process and deal with.
- [Savings Goals](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/savings-goals/): The hardest time to save is when we’re ‘just saving’ with no end in sight. It’s like going to the gym to train; but, train for what? 
- [Tax Savvy Investing](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tax-savvy-investing/): Nothing is certain in life, except for death and taxes. Benjamin Franklin said this almost 300 years ago, and it still rings of truth.
- [How to set flexible goals](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-set-flexible-goals/): Last week we looked at why it’s important to become flexible in setting goals. This week we’ll consider how we set flexible goals.
- [Stocks vs Shares](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/stocks-vs-shares/): In the world of investing there are myriad ways to create wealth. These systems are complex, integrated and offer just enough certainty to attract our attention, but not enough to be a sure-thing.
- [Why we need to be flexible with our New Year\’s Resolutions](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-we-need-to-be-flexible-with-our-new-years-resolutions/): Towards the end of every year, it is customary to reassess our priorities, take stock of the year that was, and plan for the year to come. The emergence of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic and global lockdowns disrupted our daily routine and our lifestyle altogether, throwing most plans and resolutions out the window!
- [Who\’s advice are you taking, seriously?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/whos-advice-are-you-taking-seriously/): Times of festivities and celebrations are often paradoxical in that we want to see friends and family, but we find that when we’re with the ones we don’t often see (only for big occasions and end-of-year-bashes), they have opinions that challenge our own and they’re all too willing to offer advice that we haven’t asked for.
- [Investing: How elections matter](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-how-elections-matter/): There are three things we should never discuss around the dinner table: money, politics and religion. Ironically, the three things we normally always talk about around the dinner table… are money, politics and religion!
- [The gift of compounding interest](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-gift-of-compounding-interest/): Every holiday season, the search begins for gifts that keep on giving. From music to cooking classes and other hobby-related courses - scores of us try to find a gift that won’t be tossed onto the pile of unwanted, unused and under-appreciated thingy-me-bobs.
- [Being responsible means so much more](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/being-responsible-means-so-much-more/): Festive celebrations will look a little different this year (and possibly every year going forward!). No matter where you find yourself this December, everyone has had a year of heightened awareness around health and personal space.
- [Gifts for the cost-conscious](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/gifts-for-the-cost-conscious/): As our finances ebb and flow, we will sometimes face a festive season where we have to think out of the box for holiday gifts. Gifts are a wonderful way to let our loved ones know how much we appreciate and value them, but they can be expensive and out of reach if we don’t give them enough thought.
- [Savvy celebration tips when times are tight](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/savvy-celebration-tips-when-times-are-tight/): Tough years lead to leaner budgets and lighter wallets. But it’s important to celebrate and the festive season is traditionally a time to enjoy and celebrate friends and family. Families and businesses host and cater for large groups of people, and the costs can add up quickly.
- [Taking stock and talking stocks](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/taking-stock-and-talking-stocks/): Anyone with a mediocre knowledge of investing will be familiar with the term “stock”. 
- [Three ways to survive a bear market](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/three-ways-to-survive-a-bear-market/): What do you do when a bear attacks?
- [Planning reduces anxiety](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/planning-reduces-anxiety/): We don\'t plan because we fear the future. We plan because we realize we can enjoy today more by reducing the anxiety of tomorrow. 
- [One of the worst things to plan for…](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/one-of-the-worst-things-to-plan-for/): In Western culture we have become very detached from the cycle of life and death. Only those who work in specific industries will be accustomed to the fragility of life, but for most of us it’s something that will happen in the unforeseen future, so we try not to engage with it too often.
- [What lockdown taught us about wills](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-lockdown-taught-us-about-wills/): When lockdown happened, it happened fast. For some, there were only a few days to prepare for an indeterminate time of severe restrictions. For others, they had more to do and less time in which to do it.
- [Anxiety and our money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/anxiety-and-our-money/): Most of us would gladly jump at the opportunity to have more money. Very few people are likely to say that they would prefer to have less money…
- [Let food be thy medicine](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/let-food-be-thy-medicine/): ...and medicine be thy food. Hippocrates adopted this philosophy around 2400 years ago!
- [The next best thing for investors…](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-next-best-thing-for-investors/): Ray Dalio is an American billionaire hedge fund manager and philanthropist who has served as co-chief investment officer of Bridgewater Associates since 1985. As a thought leader and industry pioneer, he also founded the world’s largest hedge fund and firmly advocates that “diversification is a wonderful, mechanical, good way to reduce risk without reducing expected return.\" 
- [Who wants to save more?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/who-wants-to-save-more/): This is not such an easy question to answer.
- [Why Mental Health needs our attention](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-mental-health-needs-our-attention/): The journey of developing your life can be challenging on your mind and overall well-being. Prioritizing mental health can help us build the resilience we need to find fulfillment at work and in our personal relationships. 
- [The difference between Medical Aid, Medical Insurance and GAP Cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-difference-between-medical-aid-medical-insurance-and-gap-cover/): It is easy to think that the terms Medical Aid, Medical Insurance and GAP Cover refer to the same thing. Although they all serve to help you afford medical care, there are some subtle differences. 
- [How much is enough?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-much-is-enough/): Medical aid (including insurance products) contributions need to form part of our overall financial planning. Every year these products are adjusted slightly - both in how much they cost in monthly premiums and in what they cover. These increasing costs can feel burdensome and unnecessary to those who seldom use their medical cover, but they remain a crucial part of our financial planning.
- [Pre-Lockdown vs Post-Lockdown Spending Trends](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/pre-lockdown-vs-post-lockdown-spending-trends/): The largest factor in our wealth creation, and our wealth protection, is our behaviour. How we choose to save and how we choose to spend are the habits that will determine if we are able to grow our money over time, or if we will erode it over time.
- [Why we need losers in our portfolio](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-we-need-losers-in-our-portfolio/): There is a strange behavioural effect where investors tend to sell winners early and hold onto losers for longer. You would think that investors would offload their losers as soon as possible and hold onto their winners so that they keep winning, but the opposite is often found to be true. This is known as the disposition effect.
- [ETF not EFF](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/etf-not-eff/): Not to be confused with the EFF (the South African political party or the lesser-known Electronic Frontier Foundation…), ETFs have been gaining popularity in investment portfolios for about a decade.
- [Stay abreast of your healthcare cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/stay-abreast-of-your-healthcare-cover/): Whilst October is Breast Cancer awareness month, cancer has become a disease that was touted in 2018 as the second leading cause of death. It\'s a tragedy that has most likely affected your family, and the families of your friends, colleagues and neighbours.
- [Markets don’t make you money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/markets-dont-make-you-money/): Markets don’t make you money; your habits… make you money.
- [Why hobbies help](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-hobbies-help/): Time is our greatest investment opportunity - we should invest the time that we have in a diverse portfolio of activities that will provide us with positive returns.
- [The impact of the economy on small businesses](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-impact-of-the-economy-on-small-businesses/): In a 2018 article, Tim Davis (President of The UPS Store) said this of small businesses:
- [What did you do with your first paycheck?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-did-you-do-with-your-first-paycheck/): One thing we can always know for certain is the past; but with far less certainty, the future, and even ‘later today’… eludes us. Despite knowing this, we often fall into the trap of thinking that we should have done certain things better, because we can see (looking back…) what a difference it would have made in our lives today.
- [Crack the ice ahead of you](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/crack-the-ice-ahead-of-you/): Spring is around the corner - bringing newness, freshness and invigoration. After a long winter, it\'s easy to find your attitude has iced-over! Here\'s how to crack the ice going forward...
- [Start marketing yourself](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/start-marketing-yourself/): Before we can think of saving, spending and investing - we first need to make money. Almost everybody would accept more money if it were offered to them. But, as is often the case in life, we need to put something in to get something out. One of the most effective ways to boost professional offerings, find new employment or elevate a business profile is by successfully marketing yourself.
- [Lessons from the lighthouse](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/lessons-from-the-lighthouse/): Here’s the thing about the lighthouse - it’s focus is always offshore. At the time of writing this article, the world is still flailing under the storm of the Coronavirus and the conditions have caused us all to rethink many of the foundations in our lives that we once thought secure.
- [Don\’t spend based on other people\’s income](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-spend-based-on-other-peoples-income/): The practice of storytelling is ubiquitous among cultures all across the globe. Sometimes we seem to forget the power that a story can hold over people. We use stories to make sense of our world and to share that understanding with others. When it comes to something as important as finance it is important that the stories we tell ourselves are based in reality.
- [What the low interest rate means for you](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-the-low-interest-rate-means-for-you/): In light of the difficult times recently, Southern Africa has been awash in low interest rates. When South Africa significantly cut its base interest rate from an already-low 6.25% down to 4.25%, it officially became the lowest interest rate the country has ever had. In late 2019, the Bank of Namibia\'s Monetary Policy Committee reduced the rate to 6.5% from 6.75%, then lending rates at Bank Windhoek were slashed further come 2020.
- [Ways to save when times are tough](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/ways-to-save-when-times-are-tough/): Most of us are chronic under-savers even in the best of times. Yet with the current economic environment, lots of previously hypothetical concepts like ‘what if I’m retrenched or have my salary cut?’ are far more concrete – and, unfortunately, more likely to happen.
- [Cold hard cash](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/cold-hard-cash/): Debt statistics are growing - this is very likely in part to the fact that a vast majority of us today prefer credit cards over cash. The benefits of credit cards are obvious. They are more convenient and offer more security.
- [Three ways to thrash your debt](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/three-ways-to-thrash-your-debt/): Effectively managing your debt is one of the best and most proactive ways of ensuring a sustainable financial future. It is deeply gratifying knowing that you’re doing something right when you see your debt shrinking!
- [Are you a savings statistic?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/are-you-a-savings-statistic/): Most Sub-Saharan African countries are chronic ‘dis-savers’. But, you don’t have to be. Before we look at the options, let’s take a snapshot of recent events.
- [The long haul](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-long-haul/): Saving is not just about a plan - it\'s a behaviour.
- [Soup’s on ain’t a soupçon!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/soups-on-aint-a-soupcon/): As the days draw shorter, the sun stays hidden for longer and the colder weather encourages us to hibernate away, coupled with constrained financial conditions, we can be forgiven for falling into the trap of thinking smaller, trying to save both money and energy.
- [When Rona hits your wallet](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/when-rona-hits-your-wallet/): Whilst we may try our best to keep our bodies safe from the flu - we may overlook the sluggish money myalgia that can hit us around this time too! You might have financial flu...
- [How to emotionally distance when investing in tough times](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-emotionally-distance-when-investing-in-tough-times/): Current investors have seen more ‘interesting times’, more black swans and market freefalls, than any other generation gone before.
- [Tips for when markets recover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tips-for-when-markets-recover/): The last few years have seen more market volatility than anyone could have predicted, with the icing on the cake being the COVID-19 pandemic. But the best and worst thing about markets is their cyclical nature. All markets recover, eventually.
- [Mid-Year Money Check](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/mid-year-money-check/): Many of us only look at our financial plan when we receive a windfall (this is not often…) or when things go terribly wrong. It could be the loss of a job, the loss of a loved one or another crisis (like a global lockdown…).
- [Living annuities and how they affect your living](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/living-annuities-and-how-they-affect-your-living/): Oh, the ironies of life… 
- [Words that will make (or cost) you money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/words-that-will-make-or-cost-you-money/): Communication around your finances is crucial if you want to be more mindful and intentional around wealth creation.
- [Hold onto your life cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/hold-onto-your-life-cover/): Sometimes it feels like this conversation is a broken record, constantly going round and around on the same track: people the world over are feeling the financial pinch and tightening belts.
- [Finding the fungibility in commodities](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/finding-the-fungibility-in-commodities/): Depending on your level of investing savvy, you may or may not be comfortable with the term ‘commodities’. As our global systems currently enter one of the toughest times experienced in over a hundred years, you may hear this term bandied about a fair amount.
- [Working with different money personalities](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/working-with-different-money-personalities/): As the 2020 global pandemic for COVID-19 becomes forever etched in our history, most of us will remember how the term ‘lockdown’ moved from a novelty to a serious psychological threat. At the point of writing this blog, it’s not clear just how vast and integrated the knock-on effect of lockdown will be, but for most of us it’s confronted us with conversations we’ve never had to have before.
- [Investing amid uncertainty](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-amid-uncertainty/): Anything of any value takes time. Likewise, creating wealth is a long-term process.
- [A level head saves skewed vision](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-level-head-saves-skewed-vision/): As Nelson Mandela said, once we’ve climbed a great hill we only find that there are many more hills to climb. When you’re looking up or down the hill, it’s easy to have a skewed vision of what’s really going on. We spend more time going up and down than resting at the top; it’s difficult to hold a level head in times of turmoil.
- [Avoid these investment decisions](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/avoid-these-investment-decisions/): Do you know what’s going to happen in the markets tomorrow?
- [Bear Markets vs Bull Markets](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/bear-markets-vs-bull-markets/): When it comes to investing in the markets, the terms bull and bear market are used to describe how stock markets are doing in general.
- [Why have the markets taken a knock?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-have-the-markets-taken-a-knock/): In a nutshell, the markets are driven by business activity which is supported by investor confidence. When businesses have investors, they can grow and create more value, which in turn encourages more investors. When businesses can’t run normally (like in the case of a global pandemic), investors fear they will lose money and pull out their investments or stop supplying more cash - which hits the businesses even harder.
- [Don’t sabotage your future self](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-sabotage-your-future-self/): Bad market performance, government lockdowns, global epidemics and loadshedding aren’t what threaten our investing and financial behaviour.
- [Fight the fear](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fight-the-fear/): When life doesn’t go according to plan, our first response will often be one of fear. Unfortunately, life generally never goes according to plan - so we encounter fear a lot!
- [Understand what you need in your adviser](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/understand-what-you-need-in-your-adviser/): Here’s the thing about a 20-minute DIY job: it never takes 20 minutes.
- [Goodwill to all: a closer look at ESG stock options](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/goodwill-to-all-a-closer-look-at-esg-stock-options/): Swiss banks hold a certain cachet about knowing good from bad investments, and currently the hottest topic on their lips are ESG funds.
- [Setting goals and taking stock](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/setting-goals-and-taking-stock/): How you finish your year is a powerful way to create momentum for the new year. How much you achieved (or didn’t quite manage) this year can inspire how much you aim to achieve next year. In the same way that an athlete pushes harder in every game, or an artist stretches their skills with each new work, so too can we set our sights higher for the year ahead.
- [December-proof your investing](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/december-proof-your-investing/): December should be a time of peace, cheer and goodwill to all men. But, if you’re a South African investor, it’s the month that likely brings up residual trauma of some decidedly un-jolly happenings from recent years’ Decembers. Cabinet reshuffle. Nenegate. Steinhoff. What is it about the twelfth month of the year that turns the festive season into the silly season?
- [How to stay out of the malls](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-stay-out-of-the-malls/): Whilst the holiday season holds many treats and treasures, one of the most stressful errands is shopping for gifts. Finding the perfect gifts for your family, friends and colleagues isn’t a simple job. In addition to trying to find thoughtful and affordable gifts, battling the queues and parking frenzies only adds to the stress.
- [Watching what you spend… and what you eat!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/watching-what-you-spend-and-what-you-eat/): With all the treats at the social gatherings, watching both your budget and your diet during the festive season can be a challenge.
- [Investing masterclass: Four tips for the long game](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-masterclass-four-tips-for-the-long-game/): When it comes to coffee-shop conversations, little is said about the long game in the investment space – it’s often about which asset manager did well this year, what outperformed everything else in the last quarter… etc.
- [Covering cancer in your senior years](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/covering-cancer-in-your-senior-years/): One of the less-pleasant facts to face about life in your 60s, 70s and 80s is the fact that you’re more likely to have health issues. The biggest and most expensive, if you read the claims statistics by insurers out there, is definitely cancer. However, there is good news to be had here, even for those in their advanced years.
- [Investing in your health](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-in-your-health/): It’s a well-known and accepted fact that the best time to plant a tree was twenty-years ago! It’s easy to look back and wish we’d started or learnt something years previously, being able to see how it could have benefited us in the long run. It follows, then, that if we didn’t start something years ago, and we wish we had… the second-best time to start is now. This is how we start to create and regain some control over our future.
- [Earning more isn\’t the answer](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/earning-more-isnt-the-answer/): When it comes to building your wealth, it's not about how much you make, it's about how you work with what you have. You do not need a larger paycheck, you only need to invest and use your money wisely. Yes, more money gives you a larger budget to work from but that simply needs increased consideration.
- [Five inspiring quotes from women to up your hustle game](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-inspiring-quotes-from-women-to-up-your-hustle-game/): August is traditionally about celebrating women, but we believe every month should honour the strong ladies that make our world go around.
- [Four often overlooked steps to reducing financial stress](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/four-often-overlooked-steps-to-reducing-financial-stress/): A lot of people are quite financially stressed right now. It’s understandable – it’s been a hard few years for most of us, and the uphill climb back to a bustling economy, both locally and globally, is far from over yet.
- [Five reasons to be stoked on SA](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-reasons-to-be-stoked-on-sa/): Most of us know someone who has emigrated, or is about to emigrate. After several hard years for our nation, it can sometimes seem like the bad is overwhelming. And, the South African media often seem to talk about nothing except the next new ‘sure disaster’.
- [Diversifying happiness](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/diversifying-happiness/): Many people have viewed financial planning as the management of financial goals and resources. Typical conversations would include questions like: “How much will my assets grow, how can I get X amount by the time I am this age and what will my retirement look like?”
- [When it comes to Wills, don’t wing it.](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/when-it-comes-to-wills-dont-wing-it/): September celebrates National Wills Week, a reminder to us all about the importance and necessity to create a Last Will and Testament. According to recent statistics, only 30% of South Africans have a will - which means that we have to be talking about this a lot more!
- [Take the dread out of disease cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/take-the-dread-out-of-disease-cover/): A lot of people misunderstand the term ‘dread disease cover’… and with that name, it’s enough to take the smile out of anyone’s day. But dread disease or CI (critical illness) insurance is a powerful tool to ensure that health emergencies don’t trip up your financial dreams or weigh heavily on your family.
- [Five awesome things about women investors](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-awesome-things-about-women-investors/): It’s Women’s Month, and we’ve been thinking lately about all the ways in which women are wonderful in matters of money. Women as investors don’t get praised often enough - there’s been an unfortunate stereotype in the past that keeps finances in ‘man territory’. Today, we’d like to honour the ladies in our stock markets and on our shareholders’ boards and count the ways in which they rock and the things male investors can learn from them.
- [Mind the gap within](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/mind-the-gap-within/): What you think you can do and what you can do are not the same thing. What would you try with your finances if you couldn’t fail? When it comes to the things we want in life, most of them are inextricably linked with our finances.
- [The seven habits of cyber secure people](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-seven-habits-of-cyber-secure-people/): It’s not for nothing that cyber crime and hacking was considered 2019’s number one “major risk” by the world’s largest insurer, Allianz, in their latest Risk Barometer Survey. These days, it’s not if the security of your electronic identity and assets will be tried by a criminal, it’s when.
- [Is your portfolio overly concentrated?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/is-your-portfolio-overly-concentrated/): A well-balanced, diversified portfolio is a joy for all seasons, giving something no matter what various markets or asset classes are doing. An overly concentrated portfolio is the opposite, a ticking time bomb volatile to fluctuations in macroeconomics and other influencers of the share price.
- [Running on empty – is it time to fill up your tank?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/running-on-empty-is-it-time-to-fill-up-your-tank/): Are you the type of person who puts in a little petrol here, a little petrol there, or enough to last you the week based on calculations you’ve done of what you need, or are you someone who fills your tank up every time you visit the garage?
- [Three reasons why you need an emergency fund](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/three-reasons-why-you-need-an-emergency-fund/): There are always bills to pay and money needed for something or another, and few things seem as boring and unnecessary than an emergency fund. While you can enjoy the rewards of spending on, say, a good winter coat, or can see the benefits of saving for something like university for the kids, emergency funds are, by nature, never seen.
- [Tips for a less taxing tax season](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tips-for-a-less-taxing-tax-season/): ‘Tax season’ elicits in most people the kind of shudder you’d imagine ‘open season’ to elicit in hunted animals. We all hate doing our taxes and, because of this, we often postpone the inevitable, sometimes with horrible consequences like penalties and waiting hours at SARS.
- [Soil is not enough – what does it mean to be truly rich?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/soil-is-not-enough-what-does-it-mean-to-be-truly-rich/): Last month we talked about interest rate risk – the risk of your investment devaluing and you losing money due to changes in interest rate. In a sense, this is about an investment’s possibility of flailing due to macroeconomic conditions. This month, we’re going to look at credit risk.
- [5 ways to keep you and your money warm this winter](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-ways-to-keep-you-and-your-money-warm-this-winter/): It’s a cold world out there this June. As the thermometer temperature drops, the price of fuel and cost of living keep rising… but it’s not all doom and gloom.
- [Taking an interest in interest rate risk](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/taking-an-interest-in-interest-rate-risk/): Education around the basics of wealth creation and preservation is like a good, solid diet packed with healthy food staples, it can help you enjoy healthy finances for years and create a strong foundation for building your future.
- [A shout out to dads](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-shout-out-to-dads/): It’s Father’s Day time, and we would like to honour the men, and the women too, who have been parents to us. Our dads. … And by ‘Dad’ we don’t necessarily mean our fathers. Ever seen the Omo Father’s Day advert that went viral on YouTube? It showed a little boy reading a Father’s Day card, with all the important things dads do listed in it like providing financially and teaching right from wrong, to his grandmother. She was his ‘Dad’.
- [The retirement you know will be gone by the time you retire](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-retirement-you-know-will-be-gone-by-the-time-you-retire/): One of the most important reasons to save throughout our working life remains retirement. It’s shocking how few people afford themselves the ability to live with dignity and independence, without sacrificing a huge drop in standard of living.
- [Delicious savings – how to eat for a week on four meals](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/delicious-savings-how-to-eat-for-a-week-on-four-meals/)
- [Learning from others’ (big) mistakes – notes from Steinhoff](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/learning-from-others-big-mistakes-notes-from-steinhoff/): For those who tell you not to worry so much and just invest in anything, no need to do much research, you need only say one word: Steinhoff.
- [Saving cash on the big day – what to do before ‘I do’](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/saving-cash-on-the-big-day-what-to-do-before-i-do/): Love is always in the air… for someone you know, if not yourself. No matter how strong the bond, weddings can quickly become the bane of many flourishing romances.
- [Mother knows best… what moms can teach you about money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/mother-knows-best-what-moms-can-teach-you-about-money/): It seems fitting that May hosts both Workers’ Day and Mother\'s Day… because who works harder than Mom? A mother is always there when needed, always willing to see the best in you and is a constant source of comfort and wisdom.
- [Your starter guide to alternative investments](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/your-starter-guide-to-alternative-investments/): In the wake of very lacklustre JSE performance and plenty of uncertainty, many investors have started considering thinking… alternatively.In a nutshellAlternative investments are different to the standard stock market approach; investing in assets outside the usual asset classes or in companies outside of the JSE-listed crowd.
- [Mindfulness matters: how about a quarterly review?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/mindfulness-matters-how-about-a-quarterly-review/): Earlier in the year we spoke on the importance of mindfulness in our busy, digital world. Unfortunately, many of us have grand intentions at the beginning of the year, eating healthily and meditating and generally trying to get the year off to a good start, but after a few weeks that dedication peters out.
- [The true cost of load shedding](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-true-cost-of-load-shedding/): Load shedding has cost all of us over the past few weeks, but do you know exactly how much?Neither did we, until we did a little digging. Cost to the economy at large
- [… Okay, but what are your parents’ retirement plans?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/okay-but-what-are-your-parents-retirement-plans/): We often think about our own retirement plans, but these are actually not the ones most likely to hit you first. More urgent is the concept of knowing your parents’ retirement plans.
- [Can finances be a family affair?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/can-finances-be-a-family-affair/): Throughout the year there are clusters of holidays and long weekends when family comes to the fore. These moments are often an opportunity to step out of the frenetic hamster wheel of life, we now have long weekends and, for some, religious holidays to spend with those nearest and dearest to us. Which got us thinking – how much does your inner circle feature in your finances?
- [On the road: the best road trips for the long weekend season](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/on-the-road-the-best-road-trips-for-the-long-weekend-season/)
- [Teach your children well](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/teach-your-children-well/)
- [What Comrades runners can teach you about how to lead at work](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-comrades-runners-can-teach-you-about-how-to-lead-at-work/)
- [Keeping the lights on: how to keep overheads down in an unfair environment](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/keeping-the-lights-on-how-to-keep-overheads-down-in-an-unfair-environment/)
- [Tracking wheels and meals: have a less stressful tax season next year](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tracking-wheels-and-meals-have-a-less-stressful-tax-season-next-year/): Personal Income Tax (PIT) season is often a nightmare rush of catch-up, trying to capture and find invoices, mileage and other expenses! Now that we’re approaching March, start good habits that will make your next tax return that much easier and more rewarding in terms of returns.
- [What you need to know to set yourself up for offshore](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-you-need-to-know-to-set-yourself-up-for-offshore/): All offshore who are going offshore…
- [How retirement savings could be saving you tax](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-retirement-savings-could-be-saving-you-tax/): For decades retirement savings have formed the foundation of a financial plan, and for good reason – but did you know that retirement savings can not only help finance your older years, they can save you money on tax right now?
- [How to have a financially savvy Valentine’s Day](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-have-a-financially-savvy-valentines-day/): It’s Valentine’s Day this month, a holiday that doesn’t get much love for the way it costs plenty of sensible people a lot of foolish spending. This Valentine’s, why not take a more financially prudent stance?
- [The number one conversation to have around your finances this year](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-number-one-conversation-to-have-around-your-finances-this-year/): For many of us, the first conversation any one has with us about our financial planning is around retirement. Either retirement is too close and is a tad on the stressful side to chat about (particularly if we’re a little behind in our investment strategy) or it’s just far enough away for us not to take it seriously.
- [What to eat for your most productive January ever](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-to-eat-for-your-most-productive-january-ever/): If ever there was a universal cheat-meal week… it must be the week between Christmas day and New Years day. And that’s for the most diligent - if we’re honest, most of us view it as a two-to-three week cheat…
- [Five ways to improve your productivity](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-ways-to-improve-your-productivity/): If your to-do list is stressing you out now that the holidays are over, worry no more.
- [Five apps to get for your best year yet](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-apps-to-get-for-your-best-year-yet/): We’ve all done it – made New Year’s resolutions and never fulfilled them. This January, why not get some little helpers instead? These apps will make 2019 a breeze.
- [New Year’s resolutions for more wealth and financial health in 2019](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/new-years-resolutions-for-more-wealth-and-financial-health-in-2019/): When 1 January rolls around, most of us are a little worse for wear: we’ve overindulged, under-exercised and are more than a little tired. It’s the same with our finances – many of our wallets take a financial overindulgence through the festive season.
- [Easy ways to eliminate waste this festive season](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/easy-ways-to-eliminate-waste-this-festive-season/): It’s a terrible misnomer, but the festive season – which is all about cheer and goodwill to all in various religions – is one of the most wasteful of the year. There are piles of present wrappings, tons of unwanted toys and lots of leftovers - but it doesn’t have to be that way. To enjoy less wasteful and more charitable festivities this year, just follow these tips:
- [Four things to do if the markets crash this December](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/four-things-to-do-if-the-markets-crash-this-december/): December should be a time of rest and relaxation - but for South African investors, the month comes with ominous memories. ‘Nenegate’ and Zuma’s infamous cabinet reshuffle, the Steinhoff collapse and several other rand-slaughtering incidents occurred in the month of the year when everyone was hopefully on holiday; plus the ANC elections occur next December too.
- [Your Christmas wish list for increasing productivity in 2019](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/your-christmas-wish-list-for-increasing-productivity-in-2019/): It’s that time of year again, when loved ones begin asking: ‘what do you want for Christmas?’
- [Books to read on the beach that’ll inspire you for 2019](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/books-to-read-on-the-beach-thatll-inspire-you-for-2019/): A change is as good as a holiday, and a holiday is a good place to start a positive change. For those lucky enough to be going away at the end of this year, we’ve rounded up some of the books the world’s brightest sparks are raving about to get you feeling excited about 2019 while still on your sun lounger.
- [Is now the time to buy or rent?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/is-now-the-time-to-buy-or-rent/): Various factors, such as employment prospects, family situations, lifestyle choices and investment goals, come in to making the decision about whether to buy or rent a home.
- [The right REIT](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-right-reit/): A real estate investment trust (REIT) is a company that finances, operates or owns real estate that produces an income, and is a way for investors to have a liquid stake in the real estate market.
- [Why is travel insurance so important](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-is-travel-insurance-so-important/): According to recent statistics, 5.5 million South Africans travelled abroad in 2016, showing that travel has become a part of many people’s lives — be that for business or leisure. A vacation can be an enriching experience that allows us to step away from our daily lives to relax and, enjoying it with added peace-of-mind is an added bonus!
- [Rent out your home this holiday season](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/rent-out-your-home-this-holiday-season/): Many South Africans choose to take advantage of the public holidays and the warm weather by visiting loved ones or going on an adventure over December and January. However, expenditure over this festive season can quickly add up if you’ve planned a well-deserved break.
- [How to Reduce Estate Costs](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-reduce-estate-costs-2/): Death can be an expensive affair and it is easy to underestimate the costs involved, especially as some unconsidered fees can quickly add up.
- [Truths About Trusts](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/truths-about-trusts/): Did you know that a trust is not simply: a trust?
- [Don’t Underestimate your Will Power](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-underestimate-your-will-power/): Avoid the heartache and headache!
- [6 Estate Planning Tips](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/6-estate-planning-tips/): In the wake of the 2018 budget, there are recent changes that could affect your estate, especially with regards to paying VAT, Master’s fees and estate duty.
- [Severe illness cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/severe-illness-cover/): Each year, about a million people need to stop working due to an illness or a debilitating injury. Yet, according to an article published in The Times, only 10% of people have severe illness cover.
- [Avoid crippling your finances](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/avoid-crippling-your-finances/): It is highly likely that one of your biggest assets is your earning power. It is vital to protect this asset and ensure you maintain a steady salary until you have reached your financial goals.
- [Your health is your wealth](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/your-health-is-your-wealth/): “It is health that is your real wealth” — Mahatma Gandhi
- [Females and Finance](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/females-and-finance/): This Thursday, 9th August is National Women’s Day, which marks the historic moment on 9th August 1956 when 20,000 South African women of all races showed that they would not be intimidated by unjust laws when they marched to Pretoria’s Union Buildings to present a petition to the prime minister against the carrying of passes. It was one of the largest demonstrations staged in the country\'s history and, to commemorate the event, the first National Women\'s Day was declared a national holiday in 1995 once South Africa was a democracy.
- [Retirement 101](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retirement-101/): Creating your long-term saving goals (this is retirement for many people) is not something that you can simply decide on the spot - and often, these goals may change over time. Before you even get into some of the technicalities of long-term saving strategies, as we will cover in this blog, you need to know why you’re saving - and what you’re saving for. When you know the why, the how is much easier.
- [Financial lessons from Rich Dad, Poor Dad](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/financial-lessons-from-rich-dad-poor-dad/): In his bestselling book, Rich Dad, Poor Dad, the author, Robert Kiyosaki, explains the fundamental differences in the way his two fathers thought about money — his real father who was ‘poor’ and the father of his best friend who was ‘rich’, despite both earning a good salary. From studying their journeys, he realised that your wealth can depend more on your actions than the money you earn. He surmised that it is, therefore, important to first change your attitude about money because your thoughts lead to your actions.
- [The urgency of an emergency fund](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-urgency-of-an-emergency-fund/): An emergency fund is a lump sum of money that is important to set aside to cover any financial surprises, such as car breakdowns, medical requirements, home repairs, vet bills, or sudden unemployment. These unexpected emergencies can be stressful, costly, and they often demand immediate payment.
- [Recent change to TFSAs](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/recent-change-to-tfsas/): A National Treasury regulation that came into play on 1st March 2018 now provides South Africans with more flexibility when it comes to investing their money in a tax-free savings account (TFSA).
- [Investing Offshore](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-offshore/): July is National Savings Month in South Africa, which is an awareness campaign spearheaded by the South African Savings Institute (SASI). The objectives of the campaign are to promote discussion about saving, raise awareness about the benefits of financial planning, and motivate consumers to be proactive with regards to their savings.
- [Why you need life cover if you have a bond](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-you-need-life-cover-if-you-have-a-bond/): When applying for a home loan, one vital aspect to carefully consider is life cover or mortgage protection cover. This will ensure that you can continue to provide your dependants with a roof over their head if you pass away, or become disabled and cannot work.
- [Business assurance matters](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/business-assurance-matters/): It is highly advisable that anyone who runs their own business takes out business assurance, which is a broad term for a range of life assurance products that are designed to cover various scenarios and requirements.
- [International Day of Families](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/international-day-of-families/): In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed that 15th May should be observed each year as the International Day of Families. The aim of this annual observance is to increase awareness of family-related issues, and to help countries to tackle these problems with comprehensive policies.
- [Life has three constants](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/life-has-three-constants/): Navigating today\'s complex world can be challenging, and acting in an effective manner can help you to thrive in our current reality. However, research has shown that many people are not thriving in modern times or feeling fulfilled. Every individual has the potential for greatness but, in order to excel in our environment, we may need to change our mindsets, and develop new skills and habits.
- [Working towards a better future](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/working-towards-a-better-future/): The public holidays just keep on coming this month! From Freedom Day, we have quickly made our way to Labour Day tomorrow, Tuesday, 1st May — and who couldn’t love all these tributes to the human spirit and the notable events that have changed the course of history?
- [8 Behaviours for Financial Freedom](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/8-behaviours-for-financial-freedom/): “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains.” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- [Benefits of behavioural coaching and your finances](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/benefits-of-behavioural-coaching-and-your-finances/): A Barclays Wealth study found that people improved substantially in investment decisions as they got older. When people are young — and perhaps less secure in their financial situation — a tendency has been recognised to be controlled by emotional biases that can be detrimental to investment habits.
- [5 tips to avoid making bad investment moves](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-tips-to-avoid-making-bad-investment-moves/): While no one has a ball of fortune with which to predict the future, there are some common mistakes that many investors make, which can be avoided.
- [In sickness and in health | Disability Cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/in-sickness-and-in-health-disability-cover/): A study conducted a few years ago on behalf of the Association for Savings and Investments in South Africa indicated that over 12 million of the country’s workforce were underinsured in terms of life and disability cover. Furthermore, reviews by various insurance companies highlighted that this shortfall fell primarily in the realm of disability cover.
- [Health For All](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/health-for-all/): The World Health Organisation (WHO) was founded on 7th April 1948, and this date is celebrated every year as World Health Day, with the goal of drawing attention to a specific global health concern.
- [Know your rights](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/know-your-rights/): Human Rights Day is celebrated annually in South Africa on 21st March, and is arguably one of the country’s most important public holidays. The commemoration of this day serves as a reminder to all citizens of the country’s struggle for democracy, and the sacrifices that were made on everyone’s behalf to attain the basic rights of dignity, equality and freedom.
- [How does income protection work?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-does-income-protection-work/): Being unable to temporarily - or permanently - work as a result of a serious illness or injury can put a serious strain on your financial well-being. In this day and age, an income protection policy can, therefore, prove vital, as it ensures that you will receive tax-free monthly payments if you ever cannot work. Basically, income protection (sometimes called ICB - Income Continuation Benefit) is designed to replace lost income, so that you can maintain the same lifestyle that you enjoyed whilst working.
- [Make the most of public holidays](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/make-the-most-of-public-holidays/): Arguably, one of the best things about spring in South Africa — apart from the pleasant weather and the abundance of Easter eggs — is the public holidays!
- [How your age affects your savings](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-your-age-affects-your-savings/): Most people have a firm understanding that if you save while you’re young, this will set you on your way to achieving your long-term goals. However, life is what happens when you’re making other plans and, even with the best intentions and a basic financial awareness, planning for your future can easily fall to the bottom of a long to-do list.
- [Reading ratios](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/reading-ratios/): Financial risk ratios, also known as solvency ratios, are used to determine the long-term financial health of a business by analysing whether a company carries too much debt. And these ratios can come in very handy when looking to invest or review financial situations.
- [Budgeting tips and tricks for the upcoming tax year](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/budgeting-tips-and-tricks-for-the-upcoming-tax-year/): South Africans can expect more changes on the horizon in this upcoming tax year, as the Ministry of Finance attempts to mitigate the financial failings of 2017. After being downgraded to junk status last year, the country is well and truly hanging its head in financial shame, and it is clear that there is a lot of work to do to improve (or simply stabilise) the situation.
- [Show the love this Valentine’s Day](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/show-the-love-this-valentines-day/): In recent years, Valentine’s Day has gained the reputation of being a Hallmark holiday that promotes Lindt rather than love. So, before you rush off to the shops to buy a big bunch of flowers or box of chocolates, you may wish to take a moment to reflect on the meaning behind the day and how you can best show your affection. Romance without the rands...
- [How to avoid the retirement crisis](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-avoid-the-retirement-crisis/): South Africa is currently in the midst of what is widely referred to as a ‘retirement crisis’, which could intensify if the issue isn’t addressed properly soon. After a period of excellent investment returns that have, up until recently, somewhat masked the fact that retirees in living annuities haven’t saved enough, local retirement fund members have now entered a lower-return environment, which will only exacerbate the problem.
- [Hooray for RAs](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/hooray-for-ras/): Retirement Annuities (RAs) have been around for a long time, and are basically private pension plans that help you to save for retirement. As we near the end of yet another tax year, we move into a period that is often referred to as RA season, which is a good time to weigh up the advantages of this investment product.
- [Prepare for additional tax increases next year](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/prepare-for-additional-tax-increases-next-year/): Towards the end of 2017, President Zuma instructed South Africa’s minister of finance, Malusi Gigaba, to resolve economic challenges after Standard & Poor’s lowered both the country’s long-term foreign and local currency debt ratings by one notch on Friday, 24th November.
- [Is a tax-free savings account the best option for you?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/is-a-tax-free-savings-account-the-best-option-for-you/): Many South Africans have started taking advantage of Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs), which were established by the government as an easy and safe way for citizens to increase their savings. When investing in a TFSA, you won’t be taxed on any growth on your investment — you won’t pay tax on dividends, interest or capital gains tax. And when you consider that the interest offered in a traditional savings account is usually less than the inflation rate, it’s no wonder that TFSAs are widely considered to be beneficial savings vehicles.
- [Attainable financial resolutions for 2018](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/attainable-financial-resolutions-for-2018/): Can you remember what resolutions you made last January? Or for how long you kept them?
- [Tread Lightly this Christmas](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tread-lightly-this-christmas/): It’s easy for Christmas to turn into a frenzied flurry of wasteful consumerism, and to find ourselves knee-deep in ripped-up wrapping paper that we discard in a hurry before Christmas lunch. But before you fill black bin bags with gift tags and empty jars of cranberry sauce, pause for a second to think about how you could help the environment this festive period.
- [Wealth tax for national healing?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/wealth-tax-for-national-healing/): Saturday, 16th December is an important day in the South African calendar as it marks the Day of Reconciliation. The significance dates back to two events in history. The first of these was in 1838, when the Battle of Blood River took place, and 470 Voortrekkers (who had the advantage of gunpowder) defeated the 10,000-strong Zulu army. This was after the Zulu chief, Dingane, misunderstood the Voortrekker leader, Piet Retief’s, intentions to negotiate, so murdered him and his party. This Voortrekker victory was then commemorated as the Day of the Vow.
- [Enjoy a water-wise holiday period](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/enjoy-a-water-wise-holiday-period/): The Cape water crisis is now a reality of which most people living in South Africa are very aware. Cape Town is preparing for a harsh summer ahead, and the local government attests that it is doing everything in its power to ensure that the Mother City makes it through this challenging time.
- [A bit about Bitcoin](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-bit-about-bitcoin/): According to an article published on USA Today, the biggest investing story of 2017 has been the incredible take-off of cryptocurrencies. Although several have risen to prominence over the past year, Bitcoin still remains the most popular. Here is a brief overview about this particular digital alternative currency — the price of which has tripled since the beginning of 2017, surpassing returns seen in many other investments.
- [Medical aid considerations](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/medical-aid-considerations/): As we begin the run-up to the festive season, sounds of yuletide carols and outdoor concerts will soon fill the air, and you’ll find yourself pondering philosophical questions, such as who exactly likes Christmas pudding and why do we only eat cranberry sauce once a year? With all the merriment, it’s easy to get caught up in advent adventures and forget the more clerical side to the Christmas countdown. For, come the new year, along with all our resolutions to shed our newfound pounds, we will inevitably be faced with an increase in our medical aid schemes.
- [The cappuccino effect](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-cappuccino-effect/): Wednesday, 8th November is National Cappuccino Day in the United States of America. Although this is commonly a time to celebrate the frothy goodness of this popular drink (whose name was interestingly inspired by the colour of the hooded robes of the Capuchin friars in Italy), it’s also an occasion to become aware of our spending habits. We may live a long way from our cousins in the northern hemisphere, but we can all benefit from the same guidelines when it comes to our financial well-being.
- [5 tips to preparing your business for December leave](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-tips-to-preparing-your-business-for-december-leave/): December is often the busiest time of year for businesses, and the season comes with increasing demands for both employers and employees. It is also the time of year when many South Africans take the opportunity to take a well deserved break. However, as exciting (and much needed) a holiday may be, this does often create added pressure — both personally and professionally speaking — and many people find it difficult to juggle all their commitments.
- [Saving money for Christmas](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/saving-money-for-christmas/): “Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light. From now on, all our troubles will be out of sight.” — Frank Sinatra
- [5 ways to manage stress](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-ways-manage-stress/): 1st November 2017 marks National Stress Awareness Day in the UK, and the South African government even declared the whole month of October to be Mental Health Awareness Month, “with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to.”
- [Use your smartphone to save money](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/use-smartphone-save-money/): A smartphone may be considered to be a pricey accessory, but it could actually save you money in the long run. According to this article published on Essentials, having a smartphone could be just the device you need to help you manage your financial situation and save you Rands overall.
- [To Airbnb or not to Airbnb?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/airbnb-not-airbnb/): According to a 2016 Fin24 interview, Nicola D’Elia, the managing director for Airbnb Africa and Middle East, noted that Airbnb hosts in South Africa earn on average ZARR28,000 a month by letting their property on a short-term basis through this popular rental website. Furthermore, Nested released an encouraging report that found that South Africans could recuperate their house value quicker through Airbnb than via traditional rental options.
- [The Power of Compound Interest](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/power-compound-interest/): Many South Africans are unfortunately ill-prepared for retirement, and it’s an unsettling prospect that so many citizens of this developing nation may not be able to support themselves in their golden years.
- [The importance of awareness](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-importance-of-awareness/): It may not be a nice topic that we wish to think about or discuss very often, particularly as it can be a sensitive subject if you know someone who has suffered from breast cancer or a scare. However, the disease’s prolific nature is exactly why we need to talk about it — and why a whole month is dedicated to increasing awareness about this malicious malady that so many women are bravely fighting on a daily basis.
- [The 10% rule — An all-round financial workout](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/10-rule-round-financial-workout/): You may be familiar with the 10% savings rule.The idea is that, as soon as you are financially independent, you should save approximately 10% of your income for retirement, and it is a general guideline that gives you a starting point for your savings early on in life. If you consistently save 10% of everything you make from your early 20s, you should be all set for a happy and healthy retirement.
- [Fashion for the sake of your finances](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fashion-for-the-sake-of-your-finances/): Watches can now double as fitness trackers… and if you ask anyone who has one - they are considerably more aware of their activity. Sure - they may not actually exercise more, but with an easier way to monitor how active they are, they are more likely to change any behaviours that they are unhappy with. Building on this principle comes a brand new wearable...
- [Top tips for buying an investment property](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/top-tips-buying-investment-property/): It\'s important when buying an investment property to do your homework so that your property becomes an asset rather than a liability. While astute investors can make good money, there are significant holding costs and initial fees, and a property is not as liquid as other investments.
- [Why make a will this National Wills Week?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/make-will-national-wills-week/): National Wills Week is from 11th to 15th September 2017 and is a time when participating attorneys in South Africa will draft new, basic wills free of charge. To make the most of this time of year, simply make an appointment with a participating attorney before or during National Wills Week.
- [5 ways to spring clean your finances](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-ways-spring-clean-finances/): The temperature is starting to climb and it’s almost safe to leave your scarf at home. Spring is in the air and, as flowers bloom and citizens emerge from hibernation, it’s the perfect time to start afresh with some spring cleaning. Once you’re done dusting the shelves, take a look at your finances and see where they could do with a polish too.
- [How do commodities affect investments?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/commodities-affect-investments/): An article published on Maya on Money about the 10 key themes investors must not ignore in 2017 inspired thought about a word that gets used a lot in the world of investments -- commodities.
- [Careers and Industries for the Future](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/careers-industries-future/): When you were younger, did you have any idea what you wanted to do when you grew up?
- [Asset allocations in a post-downgrade world](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/asset-allocations-post-downgrade-world/): Before we chat about the current asset allocation environment, let’s quickly roughly describe the term for those of us who may be unsure of what this means. Asset allocations broadly refer to the actual investment options - ie. when you invest money, it needs to go somewhere, and some of these options are called asset allocations.
- [Different money personalities](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/different-money-personalities/): Dealing with money matters can feel like negotiating a minefield for many couples, which is highlighted in this article by Maya on Money.
- [Should we trust in trusts?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/should-we-trust-in-trusts/): We live in uncertain times, so it is natural for many parents to want their children to have financial security, without money worries on top of everything else. Many parents also wish to build their wealth to such an extent that it will be passed down for generations to come, and a recent article published in Maya on Money examines the use of trusts to create intergenerational wealth and ensure a financial legacy.
- [5 key financial terms explained](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-key-financial-terms-explained/): Do you nod along blankly when someone talks about unit trusts, or do your eyes glaze when you hear the word ‘annuity’? Do you wish investment terms weren’t so complicated or full of abbreviations?
- [Don’t cancel your life cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-cancel-your-life-cover/): Many South Africans are currently feeling the financial pinch and, as belts tighten, it’s natural for households to review where they can cut back on expenses. It may be tempting during such times to send life cover payments to the bottom of the priority list, but this could have dire financial consequences for your loved ones.
- [Inflation Illusion](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/inflation-illusion/): Old Mutual Balanced Fund manager, Graham Tucker, explains in an article published on Fin24 how many investors suffer from something he calls ‘inflation illusion’. This essentially means that many people aren’t completely aware about the effects of inflation or how much it will impact their savings over time.
- [5 Top Tips to Staying Rich](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-top-tips-to-staying-rich/): There is no formula for instant wealth - but for some, it can become a reality overnight and, if not managed correctly, this dream can easily turn into a nightmare.
- [5 things to do before going away](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-things-to-do-before-going-away/): The school holidays are coming and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with so many things to remember to do before you go away. But here are five quick and easy pointers that will make your holiday as carefree as possible - and even save you money in the long run - so that you can focus on enjoying time with your loved ones.
- [Financial Flu](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/financial-flu/): It’s that time of year again in the southern hemisphere. The days are shorter, the nights are long and cold; dressing gowns and woolly jumpers have replaced sunblock and shorts. Another thing that is common in winter is the flu, so this article published on MoneyWeb seemed particularly apt for the season.
- [5 Father\’s Day gifts that are a great investment](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-fathers-day-gifts-that-are-a-great-investment/): Whatever you do, don’t forget Father’s Day, which is coming up in South Africa on Sunday, 18th June. After all that our dads have done for us, the least we can do is show them how much we care. And if your father is like many other fathers - in that he loves to save a bit of cash - here are five gifts that will give him high returns, no matter how the markets are performing.
- [How to Create Wealth in an Uncertain World](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-create-wealth-in-an-uncertain-world/): Creating wealth is a long-term process that requires patience, resilience and a strong strategy that can weather the global investment storm that has been raging in recent times. As you embark, or continue, upon your journey to financial independence, it is important to wholly understand the investment landscape, or have an advisor you trust, in order to successfully navigate the ups and downs of a stormy market and exploit the nuances of profit-yielding opportunities.
- [Keep Calm and Carry On](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/keep-calm-and-carry-on/): When it comes to investments, it\'s important to stay focused on the bigger picture - even though the effect of recent political events in South Africa may have you itching to move your investments out of the market and into cash.
- [Keep your Retirement Options Open](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/keep-your-retirement-options-open/): It’s never too early to start planning for your retirement, and help is at hand if saving for the future ever feels confusing or overwhelming. The key is to think like a wilderness explorer and always be prepared!
- [Rich for distress](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/rich-for-distress/): In the aftermath of South Africa’s downgrade to junk status by two major ratings agencies, it is feared that the country will begin a self-reinforcing downward spiral. Until the end of 2016, Azar Jammine, the director and chief economist of Econometrix, felt that the nation was experiencing a “slow erosion, not a huge slump.”
- [How to Reduce Estate Costs](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-reduce-estate-costs/): A death is often a traumatic enough event, without the added burden of dealing with estate matters. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the costs related to death, especially the smaller fees that quickly add up. Consequently, loved ones sometimes find themselves in situations where they have to sell valuable assets in order to settle the outstanding debts of the deceased.
- [The Value of Good Advice](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-value-of-good-advice/): Positive steps to regulate and improve the conduct and professionalism of the financial planning industry have been made over the past months and are now coming to a point where it will impact our clients. These steps have been called the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).
- [Living Annuities for Retirement Planning](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/living-annuities-for-retirement-planning/): One sneaky fact about retirement, that many of us often overlook, is that it arrives faster than we expect! Essentially, we are never too young to think about our retirement investments inside of a healthy financial portfolio.
- [Junk Status – A Fallen Angel](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/junk-status-a-fallen-angel/): The South African landscape of junk status is looking rocky and, in a time like this, it is important to stay informed about what is happening and how it could affect you.
- [Do High School Fees Equal High Quality Education?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/do-high-school-fees-equal-high-quality-education/): In a land of inequality, education has a greater value than ever before and it can pave the path of success for children. However, many parents are financially crippling themselves in order to offer what is considered the \'best\' education for their offspring, when this is arguably not wholly necessary.
- [Financial Advice Fees & RDR](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/financial-advice-fees-rdr/): Over the past year or so the financial planning industry has been positioning for significant reform and regulation around fees for financial advice, and Fin24 recently published an article on the Retail Distribution Review (RDR).
- [What will Trump your investments?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-will-trump-your-investments/): America is a massive global economy. Whilst we can all agree that whatever happens over there will certainly affect our economy and investment opportunities (local and offshore), you may have some questions as to how it affects us.
- [Top tax tips for small businesses in South Africa](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/top-tax-tips-for-small-businesses-in-south-africa/): January may begin with resolutions for the year ahead - but March begins with Tax Resolutions for the next tax year. We promise ourselves to be a little more organised, a little more prudent and try to minimise our contributions the next time around.
- [Budget 2017 – A quick precis](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/budget-2017-a-quick-precis/): The Budget for 2017 has been presented to parliament and is awaiting final approval, but if all goes through as planned, here are some key issues that may affect your financial planning for the year - as well as your investment portfolio.
- [Organize your life – Part 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/organize-your-life-part-1/): Some people are amazingly good at bringing order to chaos and organizing their lives in such a way that makes the rest of us simply stand and gawk, thinking ‘How do they do it?’.
- [Should you have a tax free savings account?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/should-you-have-a-tax-free-savings-account/): In an article recently published on Moneyweb Today (by Paul Leonard, CFP, Regional Head, Citadel), several points were made that succinctly provided useful insight for those considering the options about investing in a TFSA, and deciding whether or not it would be the most appropriate savings vehicle.
- [Valentine’s Gift Ideas](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/valentines-gift-ideas/): The best gifts are the one’s that show deep consideration for the recipient. That means that Valentine’s Day is not just about flowers, chocolate, biltong and a cute travel mug… it’s about knowing your partner and buying them something that they would truly love!
- [The Cost of Living in South Africa](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-cost-of-living-in-south-africa/): Every year we see an internal migration of individuals and families between the major cities of South Africa - mostly for work reasons. These decisions are sometimes thrust upon us due to simple economics, but other times we are able to explore the opportunities and the pros-and-cons of living in a new city.
- [Medical Aid vs Dread Disease Cover](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/medical-aid-vs-dread-disease-cover/): If you are paying for both Medical Cover and Dread Disease Cover… you may ask yourself why?
- [Lessons Learnt from Investing in 2016](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/lessons-learnt-from-investing-in-2016/): Having recently read a report from the CEO of PSG Asset Management, Anet Ahern, here are a few key pointers that our top minds in the investment sector will be carrying with them as we start 2017.
- [Slow Down. Appreciate.](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/slow-down-appreciate/): If you’re anything like me, you may find that after you’ve had a holiday… you feel like you need a holiday! Our pace of life is currently so fast that even when we’re on holiday, or trying to take things a little slower, we don’t actually get to relax or rest as much as we would like.
- [New Year Spending Tips](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/new-year-spending-tips/): If you want to change the way you’re doing something, if you want to improve or adjust or if you simply want to bring about a new direction - changing the way you think about something is the first step!
- [Rest. Relax. It\’s all in the mind.](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/rest-relax-its-all-in-the-mind/): Experts say that you need at least 14 days of leave from work in order to begin to properly relax. But often that is a luxury few of us get to enjoy. I’m not referring to leave where we still have access to our emails and check them once a day or have a phone call or two from the office here and there.
- [Gobble. Gobble](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/gobble-gobble/): The festive season is so festive because we do too much, spend too much… and eat too much! We try to fit in as many social events as possible, because we have so many people that we want to see; and we spend so much money because we want people to spoil our family, friends and ourselves!
- [Employee motivation](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/employee-motivation/): At the end of the year, there is often a heightened expectation to show appreciation to one’s staff. Whether they help you out around the house or run your company, most of us have people who work for us and feel a desire to show them appreciation!
- [Road Trip Bliss](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/road-trip-tips/): For most South Africans, December will include a road-trip of sorts. Whether it’s an hour or two up the coast, or 15 hours across the middle… we live in a country that is too beautiful not to explore in our time off.
- [Christmas Gifts… Sorted](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/christmas-gifts-sorted/): Every year it seems like Christmas gets closer and closer, and December seems to disappear without warning. Before we know it, it’s a few days before the big day and our gift cache is looking too meager for our liking.
- [Characteristics of a canny investor – Part 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/characteristics-of-a-canny-investor-part-2/): Just because you don’t have an ultimate financial gambit to sell a business or inherit funds, it doesn’t mean you will never become wealthy. The important thing is to know yourself - in particular, your financial behaviour. Modeling your behaviour after successful investors is already a step in the right direction.
- [Characteristics of a Canny Investor – Part 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/characteristics-of-a-canny-investor-part-1/): By making the most of your income and implementing some savvy financial thinking even an ordinary salary earner can grow an impressive portfolio of assets. Investment success is primarily due to behaviour - not luck. As you will probably know, one of the mature investment perspectives reminds us that it’s not so much about timing the markets as much as it’s about time in the markets.
- [Don’t go crackers](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-go-crackers/): For most of us, November started off with a bang! But unfortunately remembering the redemption from explosive chaos does little to help us manage our time, stress, skills and finances over November and December. It’s like we just go from one event to the next, our limited weekends disappearing under the demands of a myriad of social events - all costing us ‘a little here and a little there’.
- [When it comes to the rand – local is lekker](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/when-it-comes-to-the-rand-local-is-lekker/): Have you ever wondered what causes the rise and drop in commodity prices? While there are several factors at play, the most significant cause is the fluctuating value of a country’s currency.
- [What are you paying for?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-are-you-paying-for/): With the recent announcement of some higher-than-expected increases to medical cover products for 2017, many people are reconsidering their medical cover for the immediate future and re-assessing their financial plans to ensure that they are still working with the best portfolio for their lifestyles, their families and their businesses.
- [Life insurance in my 20\’s… seriously?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/life-insurance-in-my-20s-seriously/): Whether it’s a student loan, vehicle financing or retail credit accounts, it’s likely you’ve incurred some form of debt in your early 20’s. It’s easy to understand why life or disability insurance may feature at the bottom of your list of priority expenses. However, there are rather compelling reasons to buy risk cover while you’re young, in your prime and insurable.
- [Choosing your medical plan for cancer](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/choosing-your-medical-plan-for-cancer/): Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in South Africa and may become even more prevalent – medical journal, Lancet, predicts a 78 percent spike in cancer cases by 2030.
- [Teach your children about financial goals](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/teach-your-children-about-financial-goals/): Preparing your children for their financial future is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. For many parents, talking about money can be an uncomfortable subject and discussing finances with your children can feel both personal and scary, but they need to learn if they are to make wise decisions concerning their own finances.
- [Tips to make your fuel go further](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tips-to-make-your-fuel-go-further/): The price of fuel is expected to go up at the beginning of October after a recent period of fuel price reductions. This can affect people that spend a lot of time commuting quite drastically, but the more time you spend on the road the more opportunity you have to drive economically and try curb the cost of inflation to your financial plan.
- [Spring clean your finances](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/spring-clean-your-finances/): Spring cleaning is simultaneously exhilarating and exhausting. The process of clearing out old ‘junk’ is reinvigorating and mind-easing, however it also feels like a drag. And many people feel the same about their finances, but organizing and simplifying your financial situation can help set yourself up for financial success.
- [Seriously, don\’t throw your money away – Part 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/seriously-dont-throw-your-money-away-part-2/): I have read countless money saving blogs and most of the advice sounds somewhat obvious, but I find that I still need reminding; and every now and then I’ll come across a fresh tip that really makes a difference. We all slip up every now and then, so here’s my reminder to you.
- [Investment insights – diversifying your portfolio](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investment-insights-diversifying-your-portfolio/): Investment diversification is not a new concept. I’m sure that we all know the old saying that you should not put all your eggs in one basket. If a “basket” drops, you don’t want all of your investments to break.
- [Don\’t throw your money away – Part 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-throw-your-money-away-part-1/): It’s relatively easy for your monthly budget to spring some leaks that are easily overlooked. You may not view it as throwing away money, but that isn’t the correct mindset to have if you plan on saving.
- [Don\’t wait until your thirties – Medical for young adults](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/dont-wait-until-your-thirties-medical-for-young-adults/): Just because you are young does not mean you are insusceptible to chronic conditions and dread diseases.
- [A woman\’s will](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-womans-will/): Happy Women’s Day for tomorrow!
- [When is it the right time to sell your company?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/when-is-it-the-right-time-to-sell-your-company/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprenderit un.
- [An interview with a so-called business angel](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/an-interview-with-a-so-called-business-angel/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi.
- [10 ways to improve your credit score](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/10-ways-to-improve-your-credit-score/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi.
- [Are you working with the right kind of clients?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/are-you-working-with-the-right-kind-of-clients/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi.
- [Turnover is vanity, profit is sanity and cash is king](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/turnover-is-vanity-profit-is-sanity-and-cash-is-king/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
- [5 cashflow tips that entrepreneurs wish they knew](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-cashflow-tips-that-entrepreneurs-wish-they-knew/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
- [Good habits to help you out of bad debt](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/good-habits-to-help-you-out-of-bad-debt/): You need to earn a lot to be well-off, right? Not so. Wealth is as much about controlling debt and spending as it is about income. If you earn a moderate salary and are free of short-term debt then you’re probably in a better financial position than someone who earns more, but spends it all on serving short-term debt.
- [Why most businesses fail in the first year](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/why-most-businesses-fail-in-the-first-year/): Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
- [The power of positivity and a good plan](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-power-of-positivity-and-a-good-plan/): Have you ever told yourself, “When I have more money, I’ll be happier”? How about, “I’ll never be able to pay off this debt”? These sort of toxic money thoughts are holding you back from financial success - and happiness! A good financial plan needs to be attainable and measurable, those expressions are neither.
- [Two things to remember when selling your house](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/two-things-to-remember-when-selling-your-house/): It is hard to predict what the housing market will do with accuracy due to all of the economic and political factors affecting it. You might end up waiting months or years for something to change, and even then it may not be in your favour. However, when selling (or buying) a home one should still consider whether it\'s a buyer or sellers\' market.
- [Watch out for online scams](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/watch-out-for-online-scams/): The internet is rife with scam artists and most people are aware of this, but that just drives the fraudsters to get more creative with their deceptions. FNB recently issued a warning to clients about an email-based scam doing the rounds that tricks people into giving up their banking information. And they’re not the only ones - most banks have been hit with similar or other fraud attacks, with Standard Bank receiving the most recent - totalling around R300m last month.
- [Will you be misunderstood?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/will-you-be-misunderstood/): Wills need to be worded very carefully to avoid confusion and misunderstanding during an already emotionally difficult time (and especially so when leaving property behind). Intentions can be easily misconstrued when layman rhetoric is interpreted in a legal manner.
- [Save or Service Debt?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/save-or-service-debt/): Saving is important, but if you have a credit card debt or an overdraft to pay off does it still make sense to save?
- [Soup’s Up!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/soups-up/): Winter is the perfect time for soups, they are jam-packed with vitamins to help you fight against the flu, the ingredients are basic, it’s affordable (you can use cheaper cuts of meat - for example), you can keep it for ages if frozen and… it’s warm!
- [Mid-Year Financial Review](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/mid-year-financial-review/): When are you most likely to check on your investments? Is it when they are doing well, or is it when the markets are down and you’re feeling anxious? Chances are it’s the latter.
- [Father\’s Day Ideas](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fathers-day-ideas/): Fathers can be difficult to shop for, if they were easy to shop for then maybe they wouldn’t have so many ties.
- [Cancer claims reveal risk trends](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/cancer-claims-reveal-risk-trends/): Recent statistics made available by Liberty Life reveal that cancer is the leading cause of claims paid by the assurer in 2015. One in four claims paid by Liberty were for cancer, and the proportion of claims for cancer is increasing, even at younger ages.
- [What happens after a market downgrade?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-happens-after-a-market-downgrade/): There has been much murmuring in the financial field as of late regarding queries with respect to investing locally, or shifting all portfolios offshore, specifically in the light of the widespread media coverage and speculation regarding South Africa’s credit rating and the likelihood of a downgrade to “junk status” - which could happen as soon as the third quarter.
- [A car or a home?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-car-or-a-home/): At some point in your life you are likely to be faced with a choice, should I buy a car or a place of my own?
- [Tech – Rent or Buy?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tech-rent-or-buy/): Technology is expensive. With newer, shinier gadgets being released every couple of months it’s difficult to keep up with the blistering pace of advancements, especially when every upgrade is taking a chunk out of your wallet. There is much to be said for renting when it comes to electronics and appliances.
- [Investing in your fifties](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-in-your-fifties/): Many young people neglect to plan for their retirement during their early working lives, arguing that they will take care of it later in life when they are earning a bigger salary. However, on the flip side of the coin, as people get older they assume that they must rebalance their portfolios into more conservative investments.
- [Spoil mom – prepare early!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/spoil-mom-prepare-early/): Get ready to blow her hair back - don\'t just wait for it to happen!
- [Financial Fortifications for Forty Somethings](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/financial-fortifications-for-forty-somethings/): It’s often said that the best years are the forties - and for so many reasons! Whilst everyone is different, it’s good to state at the start of this article that this perspective is becoming even more prevalent.
- [Drawing up a Budget – Useful Tips](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/drawing-up-a-budget-useful-tips/): Nowadays, making a transaction can feel somewhat unreal. Just a swipe and a glance at the number displayed on a digital screen. Whilst this seems easy and practical, it poses a big problem that is too-often overlooked.
- [Common financial mistakes in your thirties](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/common-financial-mistakes-in-your-thirties/): Saving in your thirties becomes increasingly difficult as your financial responsibilities increase. However, sound financial decisions during this phase of life can have profound benefits at a later stage.
- [Cards for kids | Teaching your child to manage a credit card](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/cards-for-kids-teaching-your-child-to-manage-a-credit-card/)
- [South Africans lack confidence when it comes to finances](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/south-africans-lack-confidence-when-it-comes-to-finances/)
- [Food costs eating through our pockets](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/food-costs-eating-through-our-pockets/)
- [Retirement doesn\’t happen at 65…](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retirement-doesnt-happen-at-65/)
- [Retail Distribution Review – Prepare for advice fees](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retail-distribution-review-prepare-for-advice-fees/): For the first time in South Africa, financial advice is set to become a billable service. Known as the Retail Distribution Review (RDR), the first phase will be implemented later this year (2016), introducing some significant changes for both consumers and financial advisors alike.
- [Surviving the weak Rand](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/surviving-the-weak-rand/)
- [Three Trends set to Shape Professional Industries](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/three-trends-set-to-shape-professional-industries/)
- [Retirement tax reform](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/retirement-tax-reform/)
- [Are you an employer?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/are-you-an-employer/)
- [Thistle save you a buck](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/thistle-save-you-a-buck/)
- [Another 5 Financial Reflections for 2016](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/another-5-financial-reflections-for-2016/)
- [5 Financial Reflections for 2016](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-financial-reflections-for-2016/)
- [Back to school budgeting](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/back-to-school-budgeting/)
- [MORE Fun things to do for around R50 (or less!)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/more-fun-things-to-do-for-around-r50-or-less/)
- [Giving and gratitude](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/giving-and-gratitude/)
- [Crafty Gift Ideas](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/crafty-gift-ideas/)
- [Fun things to do for around R50 (or less!)](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fun-things-to-do-for-around-r50-or-less/)
- [Online shopping in South Africa](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/online-shopping-in-south-africa/)
- [Run your personal finances like a business](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/run-your-personal-finances-like-a-business/)
- [Do you need a buy-and-sell?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/do-you-need-a-buy-and-sell/): This unfortunate situation plays out time and again in businesses around the world. The death of an active business partner places undue stress on both the business and the surviving partners.
- [Easy tax-claim tips to keep you ahead!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/easy-tax-claim-tips-to-keep-you-ahead/)
- [ANIMAL SAFETY FOR GUY FAWKES](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/animal-safety-for-guy-fawkes/)
- [TIPS TO SAVING FOR YOUR CHILDREN\’S EDUCATION](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tips-to-saving-for-your-childrens-education/)
- [HOW TO SURVIVE CHRISTMAS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-to-survive-christmas/): Christmas is almost around the corner. If you want to survive the holiday season without sapping your bank account, now is the time to start planning. The number one rule for spending money is this: Have a plan, but don’t just have a plan – stick to it!
- [KEEPING ABREAST OF CANCER](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/keeping-abreast-of-cancer/)
- [WEAK RAND HAS A MIXED IMPACT ON PETROL PRICE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/weak-rand-has-a-mixed-impact-on-petrol-price/): The Department of Energy recently announced that 93 grade petrol will decrease by two cents per litre from October 7. There will, however, be increases in 95 unleaded, diesel and illuminating paraffin. The department noted the main reason for the price hike was the weakening of the rand against the dollar.
- [AS RATES INCREASE, SO WILL THE PRESSURE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/as-rates-increase-so-will-the-pressure/)
- [BOOST BUSINESS WITH A BLOG](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/boost-business-with-a-blog/)
- [THE BENEFITS OF A TAX FREE ACCOUNT](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-benefits-of-a-tax-free-account/)
- [CAN I RETIRE ON R2 MILLION?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/can-i-retire-on-r2-million/)
- [SPRING CLEAN YOUR SPENDING – PART 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/spring-clean-your-spending-part-2/): Your finances can use some spring cleaning as much as your house does. Last week we went over some budgeting and account handling ideas, this week we continue with some more ways to get you feeling financially refreshed...
- [SPRING CLEAN YOUR SPENDING – PART 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/spring-clean-your-spending-part-1/): Clearing out old clothes and a garage full of stuff? While you might be tempted to just dump it all, there are people less fortunate that can use your second hand clothing to keep warm in the evening chill. While you are spring cleaning the accumulated clutter in your house, why not brush up on your finances? Here are some ways to achieve this...
- [CRUCIAL STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A COLLISION – PART 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/crucial-steps-to-take-after-a-collision-part-2/): Last time we went over some basic procedures to reduce risk after an accident has occurred. Now we go into some of the finer details that you should pay attention to and note down, but above all remember to keep your cool. These scenarios are stressful for everyone involved.
- [CRUCIAL STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A COLLISION – PART 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/crucial-steps-to-take-after-a-collision-part-1/): It’s something that we all anticipate with apprehension. Would you know what to do if someone pranged into you or if you lost control of your vehicle on a slippery surface? There are certain procedures to be followed that can help you if you have been involved in a traffic accident.
- [LIFE INSURANCE LIBERATIONS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/life-insurance-liberations/): With all of the pressures of modern life it is nice to know that you can offer yourself and your loved ones some reprieve from the stressful doubt of forethought. Life insurance can free you from certain worries and ease your mind when it comes to the future of your kin. Life insurance can achieve this because it...
- [PAYMENT PITFALLS AND DEBT DOWNFALLS – PART 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/payment-pitfalls-and-debt-downfalls-part-2/): Last week we discussed a lack of financial management, signing surety, sudden expenses and worrying about social status. This week we compound on that list with some more points to consider to prevent you from being put in a position that is vulnerable to accumulating debt:
- [PAYMENT PITFALLS AND DEBT DOWNFALLS – PART 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/payment-pitfalls-and-debt-downfalls-part-1/): No one ever plans to fall into a spiral of debt, but sometimes challenges arise that cause the debt to build up around you before you have even realised how bad it is. This puts you in a debilitating position that can be difficult to emerge from. So, here are some points to consider to prevent you from being put in that position in the first place:
- [BARGAIN HUNTING HINTS – PART 2](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/bargain-hunting-hints-part-2/): Hunting for a bargain takes time and effort and only certain items are worth that effort, you have to weigh up the advantages versus the cost. As a follow on from our last blog post... here are some more to pointers for a good bargain hunting acumen.
- [BARGAIN HUNTING HINTS – PART 1](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/bargain-hunting-hints-part-1/): A really good bargain is hard to come by and sometimes it requires a bit of dumb luck! The problem with luck is that it isn’t reliable... That’s why we have put together a list of consistently savvy bargain buying tips to help you increase your chances of getting the best possible deal on whatever it is that you are looking for.
- [FRESH SAVING TIPS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/fresh-saving-tips/): As we are embraced by the cold of Winter it can be a tough choice to get out of bed in the morning. We have some saving tips that encourage you to get out and about, while others can be enjoyed from the comfort and warmth of your home. Help your wallet put on some winter weight with these points:
- [THREE MORE SUSPICIOUS SIGNS OF A SWINDLE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/three-more-suspicious-signs-of-a-swindle/): People who take the time to carefully plan their financial futures are less likely to fall victim to Ponzi or Pyramid schemes as they have more realistic return expectations. The desperation that lures a lot of people into “get rich quick” schemes is due to a lack of financial future planning, such as having to supplement a declining retirement income.
- [THREE SUSPICIOUS SIGNS OF A SWINDLE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/three-suspicious-signs-of-a-swindle/): “Get rich quick” schemes aren’t a new phenomenon, and yet people still get lured into these sorts of financial scams.The problem occurs when the temptation of above market return on investment outweighs well-founded suspicions. Wealth is generated through hard work and smart investing, you should be wary of ‘shortcuts’.
- [A SOUP-ER SAVING IDEA](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-soup-er-saving-idea/): As Winter sets in we need to stay intent on nourishing and nurturing ourselves and our loved ones by staying active and healthy, all while working around the load-shedding schedule. One of my favourite ways of getting a nutritionally balanced meal, while not having to worry about the power cutting out and having a half-cooked dinner, is by making soup.
- [HOME BUSINESS INSURANCE, DO I NEED IT?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/home-business-insurance-do-i-need-it/): So you have started a new business from home, it’s still small beginnings and you wonder to yourself: “What risks are involved that I would need business insurance if I am working from home and have no premises to worry about?”.
- [TEACHING YOUR CHILDREN TO WORK WITH MONEY](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/teaching-your-children-to-work-with-money/): Every parent wants the best for their children, and the best we can give them is a sure footing in life. One of these areas is intrinsically linked to how they will perceive value in others, value in themselves and the value of things around them.
- [FIVE MORE FUNDAMENTALS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-more-fundamentals-for-business-success/): Last week we covered some of the basic elements of running a business, this week we look more to the growth of the business and keeping that growth sustainable. Remember, running your own business is hard work, but having a sustainable organization that adds to the lives of others and protects the environment is well worth the effort!
- [FIVE FUNDAMENTALS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/five-fundamentals-for-business-success/): Being an entrepreneur is exciting and fulfilling - if you are able to stick to your passion and make a success of your business! It’s easy to get tangled up in the complexities of running a business, when that happens it can be good practice to focus on some of the fundamental aspects of the business to bring you back down to earth.
- [CLEVER WAYS TO REDUCE COMMUTER COSTS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/clever-ways-to-reduce-commuter-costs/): Prices always seem to be on the rise, and there is nothing that you can do to fight it except to save in areas where you may have been excessive in the past. We came across some smart and practical motoring tips that every road user should be aware of if they are keen to save on vehicle costs.
- [5 FINANCIAL LESSONS FROM 2014](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-financial-lessons-from-2014/): When it comes to debt management you need to have some contingency plans in place for those unexpected and uncontrollable circumstances that can put a strain on your cash flow.
- [TOP TIPS TO PROTECT YOURSELF ONLINE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/top-tips-to-protect-yourself-online/): According to the South African Bank Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), South Africans lost over R2.2 billion from online scams and attacks in 2013. The internet has become a tool that most people use daily, instead of having a “that will never happen to me” attitude you can use these online security tips to guard yourself against the ill intent of hackers:
- [AVOID THE ‘NEW DIET’ APPROACH TO INVESTING](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/avoid-the-new-diet-approach-to-investing/): Saving is a tricky financial discipline to master. Most people agree that it’s wise to save, but are unsure as how best to do it. They try one way, take a break, then try another. It’s similar to the way many people try to eat healthily. Again, we all agree to the benefits of healthy eating, but few can stick to the right diet for a period long enough to produce significant results.
- [5 MORE FACTS ABOUT HOSPITAL PLANS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-more-facts-about-hospital-plans/): As I wrote in a previous article, full medical cover has become an expensive purchase that few South Africans can afford. As we see a significant increase in the purchase of hospital plans, we are also seeing a decrease in how much our clients fully understand the big differences between an old-school medical aid and the intuitive products of today’s marketplace.
- [END OF MONTH SAVING TIPS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/end-of-month-saving-tips-2/): Once again we are at the end of another month and I hope that the year has been going well for all! Regardless of how well things are going, there is always something that we can address and change in our lives to hopefully bring about a good change!
- [5 FACTS ABOUT HOSPITAL PLANS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-facts-about-hospital-plans/): Full medical cover has become an expensive purchase that few South Africans can afford. This is the reason for the increased popularity of hospital plans that cover your medical bills if you are hospitalised.
- [BUDGET 2015 – HERE\’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/budget-2015-heres-what-you-need-to-know/): “Today’s budget is constrained by the need to consolidate our public finances, in the context of slower growth and rising debt.” said Minister of Finance, Nhlanhla Nene.
- [HOW CAN I LOWER MY CAR INSURANCE?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/how-can-i-lower-my-car-insurance/): Insurance is one of those purchases that requires a mature and foresightful mindset. The reality is that it\'s not really about if you will have a bump or a scrape, but when... Once you come to terms with this, it then becomes a question of spending as little as needed on your premiums whilst getting comprehensive cover for you personal needs.
- [PETROL PRICE HIKE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/petrol-price-hike/): Whatever goes up, must come down. And when the petrol price comes down, we can expect it to go up...
- [END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS!](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/end-of-the-month-saving-tips-4/): It’s that time of the month again when you either feel as though you have wisely managed your monthly budget or you are counting the cents as you barely scrape through into March. To avoid this worry in the future, here are some saving tips to help you keep your cash in hand!
- [INVESTING IN ETF\’S FOR KIDS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investing-in-etfs-for-kids/): If you are interested in investing for your children’s future education, a good way to achieve this is with exchange-traded funds (ETF). It is best advised to have a balanced portfolio spread over multiple asset classes so as to reduce volatility and enhance performance potential. You should consider the following points when setting up education accounts for your children:
- [5 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS ACHIEVABLE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/5-ways-to-make-your-financial-goals-achievable/): As 2014 has rolled over into 2015 people have invariably affirmed some New Year’s resolutions, but did you know that around one out of four people abandon their resolutions after one week! Seven days is all it takes to swerve off course.
- [MORE LEFTOVERS?!?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/more-leftovers/): The Festive Season is a super time for good food and (mostly good…) family. However, after all the aunts, uncles and cousins have departed there can be a prolific amount of food still to be consumed.
- [END OF MONTH SAVING TIPS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/end-of-month-saving-tips/): I normally finish off the month with some awesome saving tips, but seeing that Christmas is around the corner, I thought I\'d kick off December with these out-of-the-box ideas. Whether it’s sticking to the rules, brewing some domestic cocktails or just staying informed, here are some crafty ploys to keep you frugal. As always - our \'end of the month saving tips\'!
- [GETTING YOUR TEAM RIGHT](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/getting-your-team-right/): Being entrepreneurial, following your dreams and starting something new is exciting and can be extremely rewarding. But… not being able to find reliable, competent staff is a common problem.
- [THE TOP 3 REASONS THAT SOUTH AFRICANS SAVE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/the-top-3-reasons-that-south-africans-save/): FNB recently did a study of the top reasons why South Africans choose to save their money in a culture with a penchant to spend, spend, spend. The results of the study show three main outcomes for which people save, prioritized differently depending on the income bracket of the person.
- [REVISING YOUR RETIREMENT ANNUITY](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/revising-your-retirement-annuity/): Retirement annuities form a staple for many people’s financial saving diet. Seeing that it is such an important investment it would be wise to not let it stagnate and lose. The fees charged on RA\'s have undergone significant change over the past years, if you have been investing into your RA for more than five years, and have not yet reviewed it, then now would be a good time to re-assess your RA portfolio.
- [A FRESH START, TO YOUR CREDIT RECORD](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-fresh-start-to-your-credit-record/): Having an impaired credit record is an affliction suffered by almost half of the 21 million consumers in South Africa. This ranges from consumers with defaults, judgements, administration orders and consumers who were three months or more in arrears with account payments.
- [END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/end-of-the-month-saving-tips-3/): From changing the way that you shave to spending some more time at the local library, here are some super end-of-the-month saving tips!
- [STAY INFORMED. STAY HEALTHY.](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/stay-informed-stay-healthy/): One of the biggest drives around Breast Cancer Month is education and awareness. There are many programmes in place to provide extensive knowledge and encourage support for those who are looking for expert advice. The PinkDrive website is an amazing site that offers a place to ask questions, find answers, enter events, raise money for research and buy Breast Cancer Awareness gifts and promotional items. One of the procedures that they explain is the mammogram. Here’s what they have to say: A mammogram is an x-ray of the breast and uses radiation. It is a tool used to diagnose breast cancer. What is compression and why is it used?
Compression is a plastic plate that moves down onto the breast once the breast has been positioned on the machine. It is used to spread out the internal tissues comprising the breast. This allows the radiologist to see more detail of the breast and it decreases the amount of radiation you receive when having your mammogram. Who can have a mammogram?
Every woman and man, aged 40 years and older. Those under 40 would first start with an ultrasound examination and then follow the doctor´s instructions as ultrasound examinations use sound waves to form an image, not radiation. Radiation is harmful to rapidly dividing cells (young cells). Our breasts are only fully developed once we have had children and radiation is unsafe until then. However, if you have not had children by age 40, start doing annual mammograms, as getting older and not having kids will also increase your risk. Myths about mammograms That the machines increase the size of your breasts That your breasts are pressed flat That by having a mammogram, you will get breast cancer That compression is very painful. Compression should not hurt you but it will naturally be uncomfortable. Further investigations if mammogram report was not normal In the case of a call back, make an appointment as soon as you can and ask a loved one or friend to come with you. This will make you feel a little more comfortable and you will have someone to talk to while you wait for your results. The first step would be to assess the mammogram images. Thereafter if something was suspicious, a biopsy would be preformed, whereby a needle is inserted into the area, cells removed and sent to a laboratory to be checked. The results from the laboratory could take between two days and a week to become available. According to those results, you could then be referred to a specialist for surgery. It is your right as a patient to get a second opinion if you are not satisfied with the feedback. Most breast diseases grow very slowly, so there is no need to act immediately. Go home, do some research and discuss matters with your family. Once you are completely informed, only then make your decision. Research is unlocking more answers and treatments every day! Stay informed and stay healthy.
- [WHAT WILL IT REALLY COST ME?](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/what-will-it-really-cost-me/): The current SA stats for breast cancer reveal that one in thirty-six women has breast cancer. My blog last week spoke about the general costs and overall statistics of cancer, but today I’d like to get a little more specific as to the expected ‘realistic’ impact that breast cancer will have on those who may be diagnosed this month.
- [PLAN FOR THE HIDDEN COSTS OF BREAST CANCER](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/plan-for-the-hidden-costs-of-breast-cancer/): Last year I shared an article on my blog that spoke to the stark reality of the tragic impact that cancer has had (and continues to have) on almost every family in South Africa. It’s very rare, in fact, to meet someone who hasn’t either had cancer themselves, or has a close family member who has been diagnosed with some form of cancer.
- [END OF THE MONTH SAVING TIPS](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/end-of-the-month-saving-tips-2/): It’s never too late to learn something new! With the current pace of change, the human race is being forced to become better adapted to change - and that means that we are constantly learning new things. Whether it’s the software on your phone, the new car, a new job, a new relationship… we’re constantly learning something new.
- [A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO DREAD DISEASE COVER](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/a-different-approach-to-dread-disease-cover/): One of the reasons that I have my blog and Facebook page is that this industry changes about as regularly as the price of petrol. A financial solution that we relied on five years ago may still apply, but it also may not. There may be better options, better approaches; better products, for your needs. This is a place for me to share some of the newer ways of looking at financial planning.
- [E-CIGGIES… THEY COST MORE](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/e-ciggies-they-cost-more/): A brief walk through any public space will reveal the presence of a new type of technology. It’s not a new phone or tablet, it’s a cigarette; an e-cigarette. I came across this article in an email that explains why life insurers apply a loading for the use of e-cigarettes.

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- [Tax Planner](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/tax-planner/): Navigating the changing tax landscape requires guidance from experienced professionals who understand the complexity of modern taxation. At Sterling Private Clients, our team of tax planners provides structured advisory support to individuals and families who want clarity around their tax obligations. Working with a qualified tax planner allows you to organise your tax affairs, align your investment decisions with sound tax strategies, and ensure your financial structure remains resilient within the evolving regulatory environment in south africa.
- [ Estate Planning South Africa](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/estate-planning/): For many families, estate planning in South Africa begins with one key question. How will your estate and investments support loved ones after the time of your death? At Sterling Private Clients, we guide clients through South African estate planning with structured planning designed to protect wealth and support future generations.
- [ Investment Planning](https://sterlingprivateclients.co.za/investment-planning/): Investment planning forms the foundation of a secure financial future. At Sterling Private Clients, our approach to investment planning combines disciplined strategy with personalised guidance. Through structured investment planning and dedicated investment performance services, private clients gain clarity on how to invest their hard-earned money while protecting long-term wealth.
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