A man once asked a gardener: “Why do your plants grow so well?” The gardener smiled and said: “I don’t force them to grow. I simply remove what’s holding them back.” It’s a gentle reminder that growth, in life, in relationships, and in our finances, doesn’t come from pushing harder and harder, as though sheer […]
Fasten your seatbelt
When markets get choppy, it’s natural to feel nervous. Everyone with a heart (and subsequent blood pressure…) will have a tinge of fear when volatility hits. You might see headlines shouting about “billions wiped off the market” or watch your portfolio dip and wonder if you should pull back until things settle. Again, you’re not […]
When control over money isn’t really about money
Have you ever thought: “I just feel better when I know every cent is accounted for,” or “If things are chaotic at home or at work, at least I can control my spending.” At first glance, that sounds healthy, being on top of your finances is a good thing, right? Yes… and no. There’s a […]
Why patience is part of the plan
When you look at your investment portfolio, it’s tempting to focus on what’s “winning” right now. You might notice one fund doing well and another lagging behind, and think: “Why am I holding on to this underperformer?” That’s a natural reaction, but it misses the point of diversification. In a properly diversified portfolio, there will […]
When letting go creates more space for growth
When we talk about money, we often slip into the language of control: budgets, targets, forecasts, plans. It’s comforting to believe that if we just work hard enough at managing things, we can shape life exactly as we want it. And to some extent, that’s true. Being intentional and disciplined with money does create opportunities […]
Why diversification still works — even when it doesn’t feel like it
When markets are stormy, it’s easy to question whether diversification still works. You might look at your portfolio and think, “Everything seems down; what was the point of spreading my money around?” Or during a market rally, you might wonder, “Wouldn’t I have been better off just putting everything in the top-performing stock or fund?” […]
Identity-based financial goals
Who are you? Who do you want to become? Identity-based financial goals are more powerful than you think. “The goal is not to read a book. The goal is to become a reader,” writes James Clear in his bestseller, Atomic Habits. When it comes to financial planning, we can learn much from this brief nugget […]
Behavioural Economics 101
Why don’t we always do what’s “best” with our money? Let’s be honest: most of us already know what we’re “supposed” to do with our money. But we don’t do it. Spend less than we earn. Save consistently. Invest for the long term. Avoid unnecessary debt. So why don’t we always do it? Why do […]
Cross-cultural connection in financial planning
You have a lens, and here’s why it matters… Financial planning is often seen as a numbers game, retirement goals, investment returns, tax efficiency. But beneath the spreadsheets lies something far more personal: our stories, values, and lived experiences. And that’s where things get interesting. As financial planners, we work with individuals and families from […]
Cost isn’t just what you pay
The true cost of a dollar, Rand or pound (or whatever you’re earning in) is not just what you earn. It’s what you give up to earn it. On paper, your salary might seem straightforward. $75,000 a year. £5,000 a month. R250 an hour. But those figures don’t tell the full story. What if the […]