The season is turning. Winter is coming. Soon, your hollow-boned teenager will need a new winter school uniform. The world might have been brought to a standstill for months, but it did not stop your kids from growing taller. You may only need half a smart outfit and bunny slippers to conduct your zoom meetings but not so your kids – at least on alternate days.
Finance Articles
Some musings on the new Tax strategy of SARS
How does a government increase its income without adding new taxes? After all, there are important local elections this year and reassuring the public that you REALLY will do your very utmost ‘bestest best’ NOT to pull the tax noose tighter, the Government needs more money.
Last Will and Testament: Will your will be done?
I used to be an avid follower of the Wizard of Id. This offbeat comic strip, set in the Middle Ages, appeared in the Sunday Paper. One particular strip bears relevance to this topic. A peasant woman, cradling her cat, approaches the overlord’s official. She says to him; ‘I want to leave my fortune to my cat’. He questions her, saying what you own is not a fortune. Her answer: ‘it is to a cat’.
Money in the bank
South Africans love to hate their banks. Many consider the banking industry to be aloof and hate the long queues that causes acute and a sudden onset of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out in Generation Z speak). Luckily the banks know this. Many are developing digital platforms as a solution.
LOCKDOWN LEVEL 1 (AGAIN) – I need a break!
A year has passed since Lockdown became the new buzz/swear word. Here we are, Level 1. Again. I am sure that even the most introverted of us are now struggling with cabin fever. We want to give you some ideas about planning a breakaway without, well, breaking the bank.
PART 2: Investing in rental properties: what is happening in this market in 2021?
Many people may have been wondering if this is the opportune time to put themselves in debt and buy a property for investment purposes. For those who already have rental properties, the question becomes this: with all the economic insecurity people from all walks of life face, is using real estate as a form of passive income still a reliable investment?
PART 1: A mixed response: what is happening on the property market in 2021?
Should we hold on to our properties, no matter what, since it is currently a ‘buyer’s market’? Should we put ourselves in debt and buy a property now? With all the economic insecurity people from all walks of life are facing, is using real estate as a form of passive income still a reliable investment?
How to prepare for retirement when you work for yourself
If there is one thing that the current pandemic has taught us, it is that life is unpredictable. We need to put measures in place to make sure that we are prepared for the future. There have been many changes in how and where we work. This means that for many of us who work for larger institutions on a permanent basis, the traditional safeguard of a pension and or a provident fund remains but with a new structure.
On prices and dinosaurs – watching the History Channel and reliving your youth
A university has invited me to address their history department. I think they did so because I am the only fossil – an ex-student – they could find. Initially I thought it would be fun to tell the students about what it was like studying at that institution during the 1970s (the good old days?) but on reflection I realised it is all a bit embarrassing!
SARS EXTENDS FILING SEASON PROVISIONAL TAXPAYER DEADLINE FOR ONLINE FILERS
SARS has taken a decision to extend the Filing Season deadline for provisional taxpayers, which is currently set for 29 January 2021, to 15 February 2021.