We all want to feel secure with our finances and know that we can handle life’s surprises and move toward our goals with confidence. But security doesn’t just happen. It’s something we build deliberately, piece by piece, with care and balance. “Financial security and independence are like a three‑legged stool resting on savings, insurance, and investments.” — Brian Tracy This image of a three‑legged stool is a simple way to think about what it takes. Like […]
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The adversary of cash
When markets get turbulent or headlines turn grim, many people instinctively retreat to cash. It feels safe, predictable, tangible, and readily available. There’s no volatility, no chance of “losing” money overnight. And for certain purposes, cash is exactly what you need. It’s essential for covering short‑term expenses, building an emergency fund, or giving yourself flexibility during life’s unexpected moments. In these situations, cash is not just safe; it’s smart. But as comforting as cash feels, holding […]
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Conversations we have about money
When we think about building wealth, it’s easy to picture numbers on a statement, bricks and mortar, or a growing investment portfolio (or even a chest full of gold!). These are the tangible milestones: savings accounts, retirement funds, real estate, and other assets we can point to and measure. But rarely do we consider the intangible part of wealth; the conversations we have about money. And yet, it’s these conversations that often shape the path we […]
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What if everything goes down at once?
If you’ve ever looked at your portfolio during a market crisis, like March 2020, you may have noticed something unsettling: everything seemed to fall at once. Stocks dropped. Bonds wobbled. Even “safe” assets felt shaky. It’s a scenario that can leave even experienced investors wondering, “Isn’t diversification supposed to protect me from this?” It’s a fair question, and the answer is both yes and no. Diversification is one of the most powerful tools in investing. By […]
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Free to care
When we are frequently told that we need more and more money, more success, more status, it’s easy to feel like we’re always falling behind. But what if we can expand that story to reveal that real wealth has less to do with how much we accumulate, and more to do with how we live? Some of the most contented and fulfilled people we meet through our work aren’t necessarily the wealthiest. Instead, they tend to […]
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How to spot tax‑season scams
Tax season is stressful enough without someone trying to steal your refund, or your identity. Yet every year, as millions of people file their returns, scammers ramp up their efforts to cash in on confusion, fear, and urgency. From Australia’s AI‑powered phishing emails to fake SARS refund sites in South Africa and HMRC impersonators in the UK, tax‑season scams are on the rise globally. Even the US IRS reports hundreds of thousands of identity‑theft cases tied […]
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What’s holding you back?
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 force of will is enough to make everything bloom. In fact, when we fixate only on doing more, earning more, or […]
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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 alone. Most investors feel uneasy when the value of their investments swings — sometimes sharply — in a short time. But […]
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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 subtle line between being intentional with your money and using money to soothe deeper feelings of fear, stress, or loss of […]
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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 almost always be something that looks disappointing in the short term. That isn’t a flaw; it’s the design. And understanding that […]
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