Personal investing
The secret to successful investing lies in your ability to make well-informed decisions and to stay committed long enough to reap the rewards. Here we provide valuable insights into the role you play in your long-term investment success.
Articles in "Personal investing"
Annual tax limits for investors who cease to be South African tax residents during the tax year
Annual contribution limits for tax-free investments and retirements funds have always been clear for individuals who have a full 12-month assessment period t...
The three essentials of estate planning
Dying without having a valid will in place is a sure recipe for family conflict. Yet, according to statistics from the High Court, 85% of South Africans don'...
The Olympics of investing: Striving for gold
With the highly anticipated 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on the horizon, all eyes are on the dedicated athletes who have spent their lives chasing gold. Their...
Tips to help you get on top of your tax return this year
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is focused on improving its systems and processes to ensure taxpayers comply with their legal obligations and file...
Investing amidst election season: The power of preparation, not prediction
If the election bug has bitten you and you are feeling jittery, you are not alone. Globally, investors are feeling fearful.
The power of perspective in an election year
Many local investors are understandably worried about what the future holds and how the election may affect their wealth. Keeping perspective throughout your...
Five lessons for investing in uncertain times
“As humans we are not good at predicting what is next, regardless of what anyone tells us. In the absence of a crystal ball, we can focus on what we can...
How to set SMART money resolutions
Many South Africans make money resolutions at the start of the year. But come mid-year, when the optimism of the new year has faded, seeing through these goa...
Timeless lessons on risk, opportunity and living a good life – with Morgan Housel
With 2024 set to be a news-heavy year, investors are speculating about everything from what interest rates might do next, to the outcome of elections around...
Tap into tax benefits this February
The end of the tax year in February presents an opportunity to evaluate the tax efficiency of your financial plan. With many competing financial priorities i...
Part 4: Beneficiary payments to foreign bank accounts after death
As mentioned in Part 3 of our Offshore advice chapter, the Currency and Exchanges Manual for Authorised Dealers (“the Manual”) governs payments from South...
Offshore toolkit part 4: Beneficiary payments to foreign bank accounts after death
As mentioned in Part 3 of our Offshore toolkit series, the Currency and Exchanges Manual for Authorised Dealers (“the Manual”) governs payments from South...
Offshore toolkit part 3: The lowdown on living annuity income payments to foreign bank accounts
The rules around the payment of proceeds from South African long-term insurance policies to foreign bank accounts can be confusing. Alix Moreillon, legal...
Offshore toolkit part 1: Understanding your tax obligations on leaving South Africa
In part 1 of our Offshore toolkit series, Carla Rossouw, head of Tax, untangles the tax complexities you may encounter when you end your tax residency and...
Part 3: The lowdown on living annuity income payments to foreign bank accounts
The rules around the payment of proceeds from South African long-term insurance policies to foreign bank accounts can be confusing. Alix Moreillon, legal...
Part 1: Understanding your tax obligations on leaving South Africa
In part 1 of our Offshore advice chapter, Carla Rossouw, head of Tax, untangles the tax complexities you may encounter when you end your tax residency and...
Principles for successful investing from the world of sport
Nothing quite unites South Africans like a good sporting event. During the months of July and August, South African sports fans were spoiled for choice as tw...
Three golden rules for achieving long-term, real investment returns
Whether you are accumulating capital for retirement, school or university expenses for your children or simply trying to ensure that you have money saved for...
Risk: An essential ingredient for real long-term returns
When it comes to investing, no investor wants to lose money. In fact, as humans, we have a built-in aversion to loss. Unfortunately, by overly focusing on...
Are you ready for the 2023 tax-filing season?
It is important for taxpayers to understand their filing obligations so that they can ensure compliance. Meagan Fraser covers the key dates to be aware of fo...
How staying the course gives you the long-term edge
In a world where instant gratification is king, it can be hard not to get distracted by the lure of short-term gains. But taking a long-term view of your...
Unpacking the changes to the retirement fund lump sum tax tables
To account for the impact of inflation, this year’s National Budget introduced changes to the retirement fund lump sum tax tables for retirement fund cash lu...
How to plan for an emergency fund in 2023
How should investors approach unexpected expenses in 2023? Gladness Rupare, investment specialist, Sandy McGregor, portfolio manager, and Emily Gray, busines...
Are you making the most of your tax-free investment account?
Tamryn Lamb and Twanji Kalula unpack the pros and cons of using tax-free investment accounts over the long term and explain how they can be used to complemen...
How to overcome the fear of losing money
Research shows that our brains are hardwired to avoid loss. This behavioural bias can often drive us to make irrational decisions, especially when it comes t...
How to pave the way for better decisions
The decisions we make are a function of the environment that we are in, according to behavioural economists. Put in a different environment, or faced with a...
Who’s right – personal finance experts or economists?
When it comes to managing your wealth, there’s a yawning gap between what personal finance pundits advocate and what economists believe. Who should you liste...
Investing – risky business?
Understanding your investments, and the risks you may face when investing, can go a long way towards helping you successfully navigate trying times. Lydia...
Putting the "personal" back into personal finance
Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail, examines the value that independent financial advice brings to long-term investing success.
Why financial optimism matters and how to find it when the world is a mess
Lise-Mari Crafford, head of ManCo Distribution, discusses why being optimistic about our personal finances matters, and how we can look on the bright side wh...
Five financial lessons for women
In honour of Women’s Month, Tamryn Lamb, head of Retail Distribution, reflects on the top five financial lessons she has learnt along her investment journey.
What happens to your minor children when you die?
While undoubtedly the worst-case scenario to consider, as parents, we need to make sure our children’s needs are accounted for in the tragic event of our...
How not to be a ‘financial nihilist’
According to an article recently published in The New York Times, there is a new phenomenon gaining momentum: Disillusioned by the current state of the...
Lessons for building long-term wealth
Cracking the code to building wealth doesn’t happen overnight, but it can be achieved by taking a series of small steps over time. During a recent Youth Mont...
Saving in a rising interest rate environment
With interest rates and inflation on the rise, Cedrick Pila, regional manager, discusses how investors can achieve real returns and protect their savings and...
Business update: Helping you service your clients’ needs
Set against a volatile investment backdrop and regulatory changes, including the option to invest more offshore, Tamryn Lamb and Earl Van Zyl highlight some...
Navigating the impact of world events on your investments
In just two years, major world events have run a terrifying course, from a health pandemic and ensuing market and social distress to a geopolitical threat...
Should I invest 45% of my portfolio offshore?
In the February 2022 Budget speech, the National Treasury announced significant changes to the framework that governs how much of South African retirement...
How SARS has changed tax for annuitants
The South African Revenue Service recently changed the way tax is calculated for living annuitants. Carrie Norden discusses the rationale behind this change...
Should rules of thumb be used to plan for retirement?
There are several rules of thumb that are referred to in investing. Many of them have become widely accepted standards for determining how much to save for...
How to avoid being scammed
Phiko Peter discusses popular investment scams and shares some tips on how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.
How to apply “cathedral thinking” in your investment approach
The prolonged stress of the pandemic has heightened many investors’ focus on the now, interfering with the ability to make sound decisions that improve the...
How to do long term
Adopting a long-term mindset sits at the heart of our investment philosophy. But what does it really mean and how can one do this effectively?
Overcome impostor syndrome this Women’s Month and own your throne
This pandemic has been a blunt reminder that while we can’t control our environment, there is no time like the present to take control of our journeys, or to...
How to own your throne
In the spirit of paying it forward, six inspiring women from Allan Gray and the financial advice arena, shares insights on how to take ownership of your...
The dangers of social media financial advice
The recent FinTok craze on social media platform, TikTok, has opened the door for scammers and fraudsters to take advantage of unsuspecting users who source...
How to entrench positive COVID-19-enforced changes
Few have escaped the devastating loss of lives and livelihoods wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, but many have also made positive changes, particularly to...
2021 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered the Budget speech on Wednesday, 24 February. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Budget was more...
2021 Budget signals hope for SA taxpayers
Minimal tax measures aim to bring relief to taxpayers and bolster economy.
Investing with tax benefits in mind during uncertain times
Amid the extreme uncertainty brought on by COVID-19 and the ongoing lockdown restrictions, investors are tasked with looking beyond the current crisis and...
Habits that set successful investors apart
When investing, sometimes the best course of action is to do nothing. Having the ability to block out the noise, and look through the cycle, are some of the...
Ready, set, invest
Starting a new long-term investment is less daunting when you follow a methodical approach. In the fifth instalment of our 6-part Personal investing 101...
Get serious with your online security
Fraudsters will pull out all stops to impersonate Allan Gray, such as replicating Allan Gray emails and forms and even posing as Allan Gray representatives o...
Are you sitting on savings you could be investing?
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people's finances in very different ways. While it has highlighted the need for emergency savings as a buffer against toug...
Investing unpacked
In the first of six webinars in the Personal investing 101 series, Gugulethu Mfuphi chats to Allan Gray’s Faizil Jakoet, Chris Tisdall and Nomi Bodlani about...
Has your risk perception changed as a result of the market crisis?
Historically, deep economic shocks have prompted significant changes in investment and saving behaviour. During times of uncertainty, investors scramble to...
Look in, reach out
Internationally acclaimed life coach, author, motivational speaker, and entrepreneur, Valorie Burton, explores how we can develop strength and resilience...
Should I file a tax return for the 2020 tax year?
In response to COVID-19, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has tried to simplify the tax filing process for individual taxpayers and remove the need t...
Personal finance mistakes to avoid in your 20s
Nomi Bodlani reflects on common personal finance and investment mistakes investors tend to make in their 20s. If you can avoid these, you can better position...
What advice would I give to the 30-year-old me?
Your 40s are known to be a challenging decade financially, typically balancing the demands of lifestyle costs, children and their education, ageing parents a...
When the reality of saving for retirement sets in
As you approach your peak earning years and start to reap the rewards of the time and effort you have invested in your career, saving for retirement takes on...
What I wish I knew about personal finance and investing when I started working
A first pay cheque tends to mark the start of adulthood and, with a bit of discipline, can mark your first tentative step towards financial independence. Phi...
Investment challenges older investors face
Older investors face a host of challenges entirely different to those faced by their young selves. Sandy McGregor offers a wise perspective for those of this...
Do you have an emergency fund?
By proactively building emergency reserves, you will be able to respond to life’s crises without compromising your financial standing, or taking on expensive...
Take charge of your finances during COVID-19
As we think about the day-to-day impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our families, friends, colleagues and communities, it’s easy to lose sight of our long-te...
Part 1: Staying future focused amid a global pandemic
As world leaders grapple with the broader challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become apparent that the socioeconomic consequences will...
Part 2: How to recalibrate your budget in the wake of COVID-19
As we all long for the life we had before COVID-19, are there any adjustments from the life that’s been thrust upon us that should be incorporated? Tamryn La...
Part 3: How to be a resilient investor
To be a successful investor, you need to understand what you are getting yourself into upfront, make sure you are comfortable, and then buckle in for the rid...
Part 5: Why every investor needs an independent adviser right now
Investors are panicked and who can blame them? The market volatility has persuaded some to run for the hills and never look back, while others may be tempted...
Look after your financial health during COVID-19
With the COVID-19 pandemic spreading across the globe, remaining healthy is naturally top of mind. While we are all prioritising the health and wellbeing of...
Optimism in a time of distress
As we pull together as a nation struggling to come to terms with the health and financial crises we face, is there any room at all for optimism? Lise-Mari...
Avoid "hot thinking" when it comes to your investments
The markets have plunged in the face of COVID-19. The temptation to disinvest and wait on the sidelines for things to improve is real. But is this a form of...
How to cope with the trauma of the COVID-19 crisis
And so the three-week lockdown is underway. While it feels like surely this must be a bad dream from which we will soon awake, it is our new reality.
Beware of recency bias when making investment decisions
Over the past year, we have seen local investments streaming towards bonds and cash – the top-performing asset classes for most of 2019. Are investors chasin...
Make the most of your tax benefits
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has put several tax incentives in place to encourage us to save more for our retirement and other long-term goals. Y...
The top four mistakes to avoid when saving for education
As parents, we all want the best for our children, and this often includes being able to give them the best education that we can afford. In the journey to...
How to implement your New Year’s resolutions
As the end of the year approaches, it is a good time to reflect on resolutions committed to in earnest back in January and take stock before the resolution...
How not to break the bank this festive season
The end of 2019 is fast approaching and with many looking forward to downtime during the festive season, this shouldn’t mean breaking the bank, according to...
What can we learn from the Springboks when it comes to setting financial goals?
Rassie Erasmus took over as Springbok coach with 618 days to the Rugby World Cup. At the time the state of Springbok rugby was dire, with the team having los...
Are you financially resilient?
Most of us know what it means to build resilience in the context of health and wellness: eat healthily, exercise regularly, get enough sleep and manage stres...
Seek financial advice to help you meet your financial goals
The spotlight falls on the importance of having a financial plan during Financial Planning Week, taking place from 7 to 11 October 2019. With this in mind,...
How bias can sink your investment success
Everybody has biases. We make judgements about people, places, and of course, the markets. It is almost impossible not to allow the filters which are created...
Spring is here, it’s time to spring clean your finances
The year is flying by, but don’t let it pass without taking stock of your financial decisions, writes Lettie Mzwinila.
The benefits of independent financial advice
Many investors underplay the importance of financial advice to the detriment of the performance of their portfolios over time. A good financial adviser can...
National Wills Week: Time to review your will
National Wills Week, which takes place between 16 and 20 September, is the perfect opportunity to review your will, or get a will drafted for free.
Avoid common behavioural biases when investing
Poker is known as a wicked environment: a setting that is dynamic and uncertain; where things are hidden, and you don’t always have all the information on...
How poker taught me to make better decisions
Psychologist, bestselling author and professional poker player, Maria Konnikova, recently inspired delegates at the Allan Gray Investment Summit 2019 to make...
Don't let your hard-earned savings go unclaimed
According to reports, more than R17bn lies potentially unclaimed in unit trusts and policies. Tim Molloy explains how you can ensure this doesn’t happen to...
Should you take investment advice from family and friends?
Your friends and family may offer you financial advice with good intentions, but you should be wary of basing your investment decisions purely on stories...
Can you save more?
Whether you are just doing a regular check up on your long-term investments or evaluating your monthly savings plan, it is a good idea to review your financi...
How to get into the habit of saving this Savings Month
If you have tried to kick the sugar habit and eat only healthy food, or give up cigarettes and replace the habit with going to the gym, you can probably atte...
Steps to improve your investment decision making
Deterred by the large number of investment options available, many would-be investors fail to make the most important decision: the decision to start. Becomi...
CASE STUDY 2: Long-term investing for your child’s education
Meet parents Wayne and Makgabo van Niekerk from Johannesburg. They are paying for Ceana (six) and three-year-old Amber’s early education (crèche and primary...
CASE STUDY 1: Investing to pay school fees upfront for the year
A Johannesburg mother saves on fees by taking advantage of the discount offered by some schools to settle the year’s fees in full at the beginning of the yea...
PART 5: The role of financial advice in your investment success
You wouldn’t gamble with your health by not seeing a professional, why do it with your financial future? Consult an independent financial adviser to help you...
PART 4: Investing offshore to finance international education
It’s hard to make space for saving in our already-stretched budgets, but what about those of us who have children aspiring to spread their wings by studying...
PART 3: What are the best investment options for education savings?
With the cost of education soaring, relying purely on your salary to finance your children’s education is becoming increasingly difficult. Consider saving fo...
PART 2: Saving for education – later is still better than never
When it comes to paying for the best education for your child, making small sacrifices early on and taking a long-term approach to investing is the smart thi...
PART 1: How to overcome the growing cost of education
Do you feel overwhelmed at the thought of how you will finance your children’s education? You are not alone. We all want to empower our children by giving th...
Ready… set… invest
Investing is not a complicated activity only for rich people. It’s a great way to create financial security and everyone – even you – should get started,...
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
Over the last two decades advances in digital technology have changed the way we shop, bank and manage our investments. In the spirit of empowering millennia...
Servicing your clients is easier with the new Allan Gray Online
We have recently transformed the Allan Gray adviser site to offer you a more streamlined and visually appealing experience and ultimately help you service yo...
Can you live your best life and save for the long term?
Here’s something you don’t often hear about millennials: We are better money savers than our elders, but does that translate into long-term wealth?
Grow your wealth by attending the Allan Gray Investment Summit
After successfully bringing together renowned investment experts from all over the globe for two consecutive years to sold-out audiences, the Allan Gray...
Unravelling your residencies – exchange control, tax and citizenship
South Africans who live and work abroad are not currently subject to income tax on the income they earn outside of South Africa, provided they spend more tha...
Investors need to block out 'noise' ahead of elections
It is understandable for investors to feel jittery in the run-up to the national elections, but giving too much air time to market noise is never a good idea...
Have you chosen the right unit trust?
It’s a good idea to review your investments about once a year to make sure that things are on track. But what if they aren’t? How can you tell if “this, too,...
Diminished mental capacity: What happens to a person's investments?
Investors are generally unaware of the consequences of impaired mental capacity, resulting from neurocognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, when it...
How you can influence your investment outcomes
After an undeniably tough 2018, the local market staged a turnaround during the first quarter. But the atmosphere in the country is blowing hot and cold: As...
2019 Budget speech update
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni delivered his maiden budget speech on Wednesday 20 February. In this document we highlight some of the 2019 Budget tax proposal...
Budget 2019: Focus shifts to restoring credibility
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni’s maiden Budget Speech didn’t deliver any major punches such as 2018’s surprise 1% VAT hike, but instead sought to acknowledge...
Is there any tax benefit in saving over the annual tax deductible amount towards retirement?
One of the key benefits of investing for retirement using a retirement fund is the generous tax deduction for contributions, subject to a maximum of 27.5% of...
The trouble with switching
During periods of underperformance, even the most experienced investors get tempted to switch funds in search of better returns. However, switching funds in...
Give your finances a fresh start
The first few weeks of a new year can feel like a clean slate: Past imperfections are relegated to history and you can redefine what you want to achieve in t...
The rules for making good investment decisions
People are prone to making predictions about everything from the weather to the economy. However, relying on predictions when investing can thwart your...
How to approach your finances this festive season
In the hive of festive activity, it’s easy to forget your financial goals and spend more than you planned. Next thing you know, it’s the New Year and the lon...
Give yourself the gift of balance this festive season
The festive season is upon us and as much as we all relish letting go, balancing spending and other indulgences with a bit of discipline can go some way to...
Make sure divorce doesn't cost your savings
Going through a divorce can be extremely tough emotionally, but it can take a huge toll on your finances as well.
Why retirement contributions don’t reduce your taxable capital gains
You may be aware that every tax year you can make a pre-tax contribution to your retirement fund of up to 27.5% of the higher of taxable income or...
What does the price of a unit trust mean?
When you buy a product or a service, the price you pay for that item tells you something about it. An apple that costs R50 (suspiciously expensive) or an App...
Get advice to be more money savvy
Reports show that as a millennial investor you have a savvy attitude towards cash and you want to be in-the-know about how to grow your money. The value of...
How to select your asset manager
Past performance is often the first, and sometimes only, consideration investors make when selecting an investment manager. However, performance is just one ...
Prioritise your dependants and loved ones during National Wills Week
It’s National Wills week from the 17-21 September 2018 – consider taking advantage of the offer from a participating attorney to get your Last Will and...
How to select a unit trust that’s right for you
There are over 1 500 unit trusts available in South Africa – what criteria should you apply to select one (or more) that best suits your needs and...
Don't get caught short this tax season
With the tax season deadlines brought forward by a month this year, it’s time to get your supporting documents ready and to do your return. Uncertainty actin...
How to thrive in choppy markets
This year has been characterised by increased volatility and concern about the global risks – from trade disputes to inflation. After a strong start to the...
Ride out volatility and maximise returns
Market fluctuations are an expected and necessary part of investing. While market volatility often presents good opportunities for value investors like Allan...
Employer-assisted savings can help fix SA's dire savings rate
July is National Savings Month in South Africa. Is there more you can be doing as an employer to help your employees save towards their future financial...
Go on, take a financial wellness day off
July is National Savings Month, an ideal time to take a ‘personal financial wellness day’ off – a growing corporate trend in the US.
Bump up your savings with a tax-free investment
Have you taken the plunge and started your own business, but sacrificed some (if not all) of your savings to do it? Mthobisi Mthimkhulu suggests using a...
True rewards take time
Allan Gray’s advertising strategy has always been built around the characteristics of the firm and continues to tap into human truths that connect with our...
How to become the next Sylvia Bloom
A recent New York Times article took many investors by surprise: A frugal legal secretary, who worked at the same firm for 67 years until she retired at the...
Investment Summit brings together 10 of world’s top investment experts
The Allan Gray Investment Summit will bring together over 3000 investors who will gather to listen to investment experts from around the world. From where t...
How are companies governed?
When you invest in equities – either directly or through a unit trust – you become the part-owner of the business. Nadia van der Merwe explains the role of a...
Thinking about your view of risk
Our primary concern as an investment manager is creating wealth for clients. To do this, we need to balance investment performance for clients with the risk...
Let SARS help you pay for retirement
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) wants to help you pay for your retirement. The way in which they do this is by offering generous tax deductions when...
The simple answers to investing
Is the very thought of planning a barrier for you when it comes to investing? Or are you guilty of overanalysing and underacting? Wanita Isaacs investigates...
How to make better investment decisions in 2018
Investment experts, economists and industries are more prone to making predictions during the New Year, given the renewed sense of focus and excited...
How to tame temptations
A survey conducted by the University of Pennsylvania a few years ago asked respondents to rank their strengths in 24 different skills. Self-control ended up ...
The four fundamental skills of all investing
We are excited to introduce guest contributor Morgan Housel, a partner at the Collaborative Fund (US), and an expert in behavioural finance and investing...
Investment success: Don’t be your own worst enemy
The biggest risk which investors face is themselves, because the mistakes they commonly make are based on their own behaviour and personal biases, warns Morg...
Investment Summit to give an inside view from fund management houses
Allan Gray is bringing a group of international and local investment houses together to debate investment insights in a new one-day event, aimed at helping...
How much risk can you take?
Risks are elevated in the current environment. This means you should think about how much risk you are prepared to take on...
How to cope with ongoing uncertainty
Over the past year there have been plenty of painful reminders that we have no control over what happens in the world. And there doesn’t seem to be any clari...
How to read a factsheet
The number of options when choosing a unit trust can be overwhelming and is one of the most common barriers to investing. Unit trusts are registered in...
What is a money market fund?
Money market unit trusts, commonly referred to as ‘money market funds’, have become a synonym for safe, secure and reliable investments. You put your money i...
How to review your investments
When last did you perform a financial health check by reviewing your investments? It's important to occasionally take stock to assess whether or not you are ...
Five tough financial decisions you may have to make… And why they are worth it
Money decisions are never easy and often come down to personal circumstance and choice. If you are lucky enough to get a bonus or a 13 th cheque, should you...
Are we snookering ourselves with confirmation bias?
We have written regularly about investor behaviour, noting how emotions can be our worst enemy. Driven by fear and greed, many investors buy high and sell lo...
Active versus passive
As a proud advocate of a committed active manager, Thandi Ngwane does her best to stay objective in discussing the pros and cons of active and passive...
The theory of risk and return
Wanita Isaacs offers some insights into how you can think about risk in your investment process. Efficient market theory holds that there is a direct...
The Allan Gray Investment Platform: high quality service with simple, transparent fund choice
Objectives for investing change throughout our lives, from buying a car or house, to longer-term goals, such as saving for our children's education and our...
The offshore conundrum
A question often asked of us is: 'How much should I invest offshore?' This question has a different answer for each person. Another, perhaps more important,...
