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. Motor vehicle accidents are typically cited as the reason that […]
Junk Status: Facing the realities of a potential downgrade
At Lifeforce Financial Services, we’ve fielded an increasing amount of queries around the wisdom of 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”. Why the potential downgrade? In simple terms, South Africa […]
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? The answer is not always as straightforward as you first think it to be. There are a lot of factors to weigh against one another before you can say […]
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. In days gone by […]
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 […]
Spoil mom – prepare early!
Get ready to blow her hair back – don’t just wait for it to happen! The trick to spoiling mom is not in buying the perfect present, but making sure you’ve thought of all the little details – and this takes preparation. This is a woman who devotes every detail to you, so showing her […]
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. Some forty year-olds are in their first marriage with kids, others are in their second or third… […]
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.When we stop dealing with physical coins and notes – a mental disconnect occurs between the digital numbers and […]
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. Here are some common financial mistakes to avoid: The first is failing to draw up a budget. A proper budget is the starting point of all […]
Cards for kids | Teaching your child to manage a credit card
Basic financial learning curves are best learnt early in life, they will benefit you in your youth as well as in the future. Managing debt is one such important learning curve and a credit card is a transactional tool through which this experience can be gained. The sooner you teach your children to be disciplined […]