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Category Archives: Finance
Options for Struggling Businesses
With the global economy on its 
knees there’s little wonder businesses are struggling to survive. With debt piling up and banks no longer willing to lend, many companies up and down the country are closing their doors for the last time. In some cases bankruptcy is unavoidable, however, many fail to seek financial and insolvency advice, instead opting to bury their troubles in the hope that they will disappear.
Whilst cost cutting incentives are a great place to start, long term agreements between debtors and creditors are ideal. Changing suppliers, premises and self-recruiting are all ways to reduce costs while keeping employees happy. Redundancies and unpaid voluntary leave should be the last port of call.
Tax efficient ethical investments – ISAs vs. pension schemes
Every investor shares the twin 
objectives of wanting to maximise their returns while minimising, or even completely eliminating, the tax on those returns.
The socially responsible investor has a third objective: that of supporting or encouraging change for good. They seek to play a part in improving the environment and society through their financial influence.
Two of the most tax efficient investment options available are pension schemes and ISAs. Both are specifically designed to encourage you to put money away for the long-term. Both protect growth from income tax and capital gains tax. And both can allow you a high level of control over exactly where you put your money.
How to Insure a Vehicle in South Africa
Insuring your vehicle is increasingly 
important as the price of cars and car repairs have risen through the years. Purchasing your vehicle is most likely the greatest purchase you’ll ever make, aside from property. As a result, it’s imperative that the vehicle is protected against unforeseen problems.
In South Africa, there are three different kinds of cover:
Comprehensive
This is the most expensive cover and is usually required in order to get financing. Policies provide comprehensive cover against fire, theft, collision, damage and hijacking. You will also be covered for third-party claims.
Limited
Are you ensuring your financially stable future?
All of us dream and hope that one day 
we’ll be financially comfortable: A nice house in a good neighbourhood, a good car, an indulgent lifestyle filled with clothes, holidays and good food. But the real question remains – if you want all of this are you taking steps to get there and to make it reality, not just a dream? Here are some steps you can follow:
1. Start saving now
Investing in Money What is the Forex Market?
Although the idea of diversifying one’s 
investments is pretty standard, most investors seldom get the job done. They try to buy a few mutual funds, bonds and stocks and call it good. While there’s nothing wrong with these investments, you’re not truly diversifying your account if you only have these options. To gain true diversification, you may have to go outside the norm and put some money into a few alternative investments. One such investment is the foreign exchange market or Forex.
If You Want to Retire by 55, Consider These Careers
(Aside from nursing, which, as we know, doesn’t pay very well in South Africa, this seems like sound advice)
Do you want to retire by the time you’re 55? Of 
course you do! Who wouldn’t want to retire young with plenty of money and a satisfying career behind them?
If you dream of early retirement, take a look at these careers. Each pays well and is expected to be in strong demand for the next decade.
Four Simple Steps to Consolidating Your Debts
If you, like many other people in the 
present financial climate, feel overwhelmed by a number of different debts and know that you have not got the means to repay them for sometime, then the first thing you should look at doing to get the situation under control is consider consolidating those debts both by reducing the number of creditors you have to pay, and by trying to reduce the interest that accrues on your debts every month. Debt consolidation can be done in any number of ways but the basic principle is to get rid of all your smaller debts by adopting one larger debt.
Can Buying a Newer Car Save You Money?
(Once again, figures are US-based but given that another petrol price increase is on the cards you might want to crunch your own numbers.)
In today’s economy everyone is 
looking for ways to save money. One of the major expenses on the forefront is the rising cost of fuel. Getting to work and the grocery store is costing more than the years before. The travel industry has seen a drop in tourism due to the cost of driving to their favorite vacation destinations. When driving is a necessity there is no way to avoid it, however there are ways to decrease the cost of commute. What if something as luxurious as getting a newer car could actually save you money?
Disasters in the Dorm – Are Your Child’s Belongings Protected?
(This relates to insurance and the lessons are global)
Your son or daughter is excited to start college,
and you’re confident all the necessary preparations are in place. You’ve purchased all their books and supplies, along with a new laptop, toiletries, fresh bedding, and even a closet organizer. But what would happen if some of these belongings were stolen from your child’s dorm room, or damaged if the sprinkler system accidentally went off? Insurance for college students is frequently overlooked because many parents assume a claim would automatically be covered by their homeowner’s policy if something went wrong. Depending on your insurance company, you may or may not have the coverage you’re expecting.
How To Spend Wisely On Your Credit Card This Christmas
(Editor: This post uses UK figures but the advice is global.)
We spend a lot around Christmas! 
It’s a fact! Take last year, shoppers spent a total of £6.8bn* in December. That works out at an average of £111 per person. Take into account food, drink, decorations and travel then the average spend can start to rise, as the debit card company Switch states, to as much as £868.
Many of us overspend in an effort to buy the perfect gift for our loved ones. Most often we rely on credit cards to budget the festive weeks and often begin the New Year with huge credit card bills to pay.