Category Archives: Blog

The costs of cancer

A cancer diagnosis is more than a medical event. It touches every part of life; physically, emotionally, spiritually, relationally… and financially.

No one wants to think about money when facing something as deeply personal and life-altering as this. But the financial implications of cancer are very real, and often, they catch people off guard.

The truth is, the cost of cancer goes far beyond treatment. It includes loss of income, travel to medical appointments, home adjustments, special dietary needs, emotional support, and sometimes long-term lifestyle changes. Even with medical aid or insurance, out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly.

In our work, we’ve walked with clients who’ve faced this journey, either personally or as caregivers. What we’ve learned is that thoughtful planning doesn’t take away the pain or fear, but it does give back a sense of control. It allows space to focus on healing, knowing the financial side is being held with care.

THE HIDDEN FINANCIAL LAYERS

Cancer often brings with it a complex web of costs:

  • Medical shortfalls. Even the best cover may not account for every scan, test, treatment, or second opinion.
  • Time off work. Whether it’s weeks or months, treatment can disrupt your ability to earn… and not just for the patient. Partners or family members may need to take time off, too.
  • Emotional and psychological care. Counselling or support groups aren’t always covered, but can be essential.
  • Travel and accommodation. Many patients travel far for specialist care, adding logistics and costs that aren’t part of their normal monthly expenses.
  • Alternative or complementary treatments. While not always medically advised, some choose to pursue additional therapies that aren’t covered at all.

These expenses don’t arrive all at once. They build slowly. And when combined with emotional overwhelm, they can leave families feeling vulnerable in more ways than one.

A PLAN THAT HOLDS SPACE FOR UNCERTAINTY

This is why we believe in proactive, compassionate financial planning.

Yes, we talk about budgets and risk cover. But more than that, we help people prepare for life’s unknowns whilst factoring in the flexibility to adjust when things change.

Sometimes that means checking that you have the right severe illness cover in place. Sometimes it means helping a client understand what their medical aid doesn’t include, or building a buffer into their investment strategy so that a health scare doesn’t derail everything.

And sometimes, it means simply being there with you to talk through tough decisions, update plans, or help make sense of what’s next.

You see, it’s not just about money.

Planning for the costs of cancer isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about being free to focus on what matters most — care, connection, and healing — without the added stress of financial unknowns.

If you or someone you love is facing this path, we’re here to walk it with you. Not just with spreadsheets and policies, but with empathy, perspective, and a steady hand.

Because sometimes, the most valuable thing we can give you isn’t a return on investment, it’s peace of mind when you need it most.

Why rebalancing your portfolio matters — and how it works

Rebalancing doesn’t get much airtime. It doesn’t come with dramatic headlines or adrenaline-fueled decisions. But behind the scenes, it plays one of the most important roles in long-term investing: keeping your portfolio honest.

Think of your portfolio like a garden. You plant with intention — a mix of investments that reflect your goals, your risk comfort, and the life you want to build. But over time, some parts grow faster than others. Left unchecked, what was once a well-proportioned plan starts to look lopsided.

That’s where rebalancing comes in.

WHAT IS REBALANCING?

Rebalancing is the process of realigning your investment portfolio to match its original target allocation. In simple terms: it means trimming what’s grown too much and topping up what’s been left behind.

Let’s say you set up your portfolio to be 60% equities and 40% bonds. If equities have a strong year, they might now make up 70% of your portfolio. That sounds like good news, and it is. But it also means your overall risk profile has shifted. Without rebalancing, you’re now more exposed to market swings than you intended to be.

Rebalancing brings it back into alignment. You sell some of what’s done well, and you buy more of what hasn’t — even if it feels counterintuitive in the moment.

Rebalancing isn’t about predicting the next big winner. It’s about staying disciplined. It’s about managing risk quietly and consistently, so that your portfolio continues to serve your goals and not simply chase performance.

Without it, you may find yourself unintentionally taking on more risk, or becoming too conservative over time. Both can sabotage your personal long-term outcomes.

It also reinforces a healthy investing mindset. It teaches you to buy low and sell high — systematically, not emotionally.

And in volatile markets, rebalancing becomes even more powerful. It gives you a practical framework for making decisions when everything feels uncertain. Instead of reacting, you rebalance.

Isn’t it hard to sell what’s doing well?

Yes. It can be.

Rebalancing goes against human instinct. When an asset class is booming, it feels wrong to touch it. When another is underperforming, it feels wrong to add more.

But that’s the discipline. That’s where real investing maturity lives.

Rebalancing asks:

  1. What’s the plan?
  2. What did I set out to do?
  3. Has my life changed… or just the market?

And if the goal hasn’t changed, then the plan probably doesn’t need to either — it just needs rebalancing.

Rebalancing isn’t flashy. But over time, it helps protect your portfolio from becoming something it was never designed to be.

If you haven’t reviewed your asset allocation in a while, or if you’ve had major life changes, now’s a good time to pause and reassess. Let’s help you bring your investments and your goals back into balance.

Because financial planning isn’t just about chasing returns. It’s about staying aligned — to your plan, your purpose, and your peace of mind.

True wealth takes time

Wealth doesn’t happen in a moment.

It’s easy to think otherwise when social media is filled with crypto booms, overnight stock picks, and stories of windfalls that seem to turn ordinary people into millionaires. But behind most real, lasting wealth is something far less flashy: time, patience, and consistency.

In his book Stocks for the Long Run, economist Jeremy Siegel studied more than 200 years of investment history. His research shows that, despite market crashes, recessions, wars, and pandemics, equities have consistently delivered strong long-term returns. In fact, over any 20-year period, the stock market has almost always beaten inflation — and often by a significant margin.

But here’s the catch: to benefit from that long-term growth, you have to stay in the game.

Too often, we see investors attempting to time the market… jumping in when things are hot and pulling out when fear rises. The problem is, no one can predict the perfect moment to buy or sell. More often than not, sitting on the sidelines during downturns means missing the recovery, which can come faster and more sharply than expected.

We also see people chasing trends when they buy what’s popular without a plan, hoping for quick gains. But short-term bets can lead to long-term regrets. What feels like a smart move today can easily become tomorrow’s cautionary tale.

Instead, the clients who build lasting wealth tend to follow a quieter path. They contribute consistently. They stick to a plan. They accept the ups and downs of the market as part of the journey.

Think of it like planting an orchard. You don’t expect fruit the week after planting. You tend to it over years, trusting that growth is happening beneath the surface. Markets work the same way; slow, steady progress over time, punctuated by the occasional storm.

Of course, patience doesn’t mean doing nothing. It means doing the right things consistently. Reviewing your portfolio. Staying diversified. Rebalancing when needed. And, perhaps most importantly, resisting the urge to react emotionally to short-term noise.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the “urgent” financial news, or wondering if you’re doing enough, please feel free to reach out and get in touch!

Because real wealth isn’t built in a week. It’s built over decades of intention, perspective, and morking with a plan(ner) you believe in.

Waiting for the “perfect” moment

There’s a story many investors tell themselves: “I’ll wait until things calm down.” Or “Let me just see what the market does after the next election.” Or “Now isn’t the right time, I’ll invest when things look better.”

It sounds sensible. After all, no one wants to invest right before a downturn. But the reality? Waiting for the “perfect” moment often leads to missed opportunities and lost time that you can never get back.

Markets are unpredictable by nature. The moments when things feel most calm are often when gains have already happened. And some of the best days in market history have come immediately after the worst… meaning if you sat out the downturn, you probably missed the rebound too.

The data is clear. In Stocks for the Long Run, Jeremy Siegel highlights that missing just a handful of the best-performing days in the market over a decade can drastically reduce your long-term returns. One study from J.P. Morgan showed that if you missed the 10 best days in the market over a 20-year period, your overall return was cut in half.

Half!

All because of waiting.

That doesn’t mean you should throw caution to the wind or invest blindly. It means the most powerful factor in building wealth is time, not timing. The longer your money is working for you, the more you benefit from compound growth, dividend reinvestments, and market recoveries.

Even investing imperfectly — a little at a time, or through regular monthly contributions — is more effective than waiting for the mythical “right moment.” That’s why strategies like dollar-cost averaging (investing a fixed amount at regular intervals) help remove emotion and timing from the equation.

Fear can feel rational. The news can be scary. But long-term planning is built on discipline, not on predicting the unpredictable.

If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, wondering when to start (or when to get back in), ask yourself what the delay is costing you. Not just financially, but emotionally.

Sometimes, the greatest relief comes not from avoiding risk entirely, but from having a clear plan and taking the next step forward. You don’t need perfect timing. You just need time. If you’d like to put a plan in place or revisit one that’s gone quiet, let’s chat.

Let’s ensure your future isn’t waiting for the market to behave, but is growing steadily from today.

Retirement, Readiness, Reality

Is it tough to talk about retirement because we haven’t saved enough… or because we’re not comfortable with getting older?

It’s an insightful question and helps us begin to understand why so many people delay the conversation altogether. Retirement hesitancy sits on two sides of the same coin: financial readiness and emotional readiness.

On the one hand, there’s the maths of it all. Rising costs, economic uncertainty, and shaky savings play a big role. Research shows that nearly a quarter of people over 50 are postponing retirement for these reasons. Numbers don’t lie, and sometimes they tell us we’re not ready.

But on the other hand, there’s meaning. A recent Kiplinger article explored the “one more year” trap, where people delay not because they can’t afford to stop working, but because they’re unsure who they’ll be once the structure of work is gone. Identity, purpose, community, these aren’t things you can calculate in a spreadsheet, but they matter just as much.

So maybe the better way to frame it is this: retirement readiness isn’t just about money, it’s also about mindset. It’s not only a question of how much we’ve saved, but how ready we feel to step into a new season of life.

The best conversations about retirement start here. What does retirement look and feel like for you? How might you choose to keep working, not because you have to, but because it still matters to you? And what might need to change for you to feel ready — both emotionally and financially?

Retirement isn’t a finish line. It’s a transition. And the smoother that passage, the more likely it is that your portfolio and your purpose can align. The truth is, this isn’t a conversation to avoid until “someday.” It’s one to lean into now. Not with fear, but with curiosity. Because when we face both the math and the meaning, we give ourselves the chance to plan not just for a retirement, but for a life worth living.

If you’d like to have that conversation, or revisit some previous conversations we’ve had, please feel free to get in touch. The best time to do it is when you’re ready!

Rethinking risk tolerance

Most people think of risk tolerance as a score, something you get from ticking boxes on a questionnaire. Conservative. Balanced. Aggressive. Or a mixed blend.

However, the truth is that risk tolerance isn’t static. It’s not a number etched in stone or a label that defines you forever. It’s a living, evolving measure that is shaped by your emotions, your experiences, and the season of life you’re in.

You may have been comfortable taking risks in your twenties that would feel reckless now. Or maybe, after a few tough years, you’ve become more cautious. Not because you’ve lost confidence, but because your priorities have changed. That’s natural.

We see this all the time. Someone who once considered themselves a high-risk investor suddenly becomes uneasy after a market dip. It might not be because the fundamentals have changed, but because their emotional response to uncertainty has caught them off guard.

Others grow into risk. A conservative investor who’s been slowly building confidence may start to realise that taking some risk is essential if they want their wealth to outpace inflation and support their long-term goals.

None of this is wrong. It just means that your risk tolerance needs to be revisited — and respected — over time.

This is why we talk about risk in more human terms, not just technical ones.

Yes, risk can be measured with considerations like standard deviation, downside capture,and volatility. But it’s also about how you feel when markets dip. What keeps you up at night? What makes you hesitate to invest more? What trade‑offs are you willing to make to reach your goals?

Your risk profile is not just about how much you can afford to lose; it’s also about how much you’re emotionally willing to see fluctuate without abandoning the plan. The goal of financial planning isn’t to push you to the edge of your comfort zone. It’s to help you grow within it.

And as your life changes — career shifts, children growing up, nearing retirement, going through loss or transition — your feelings about risk may shift too. That doesn’t mean you’ve become irrational. It means you’re human.

That’s why we believe risk conversations shouldn’t happen once. They should be ongoing and woven into our reviews, our decisions, and your life’s transitions.

So if you’ve been feeling uneasy about your investments or wondering if your plan still fits the person you are today, let’s talk. This is how we move beyond finding the right returns and focus on finding the right rhythm.

Wills: Clarity creates comfort

When most people hear the word “Will,” they think of paperwork, lawyers, or uncomfortable conversations about money. But a Will isn’t just a legal document. It’s an emotional anchor and a way of caring for the people you love most when you’re no longer able to.

A Will says: “I thought about you. I prepared for you. I wanted to make things easier for you.”

Without one, the people left behind are often burdened with uncertainty. Decisions about assets, guardianship, or even small sentimental items can lead to confusion, disagreements, and unnecessary stress at a time when what they need most is peace and space to grieve.

Think for a moment about what happens in families where there’s no Will. Children may be unsure of what their parents wanted. Siblings may argue. Spouses may feel overwhelmed trying to interpret wishes that were never put into writing. The absence of clarity can turn grief into conflict, and healing into hardship.

On the other hand, a Will can provide comfort. It reassures loved ones that your wishes are known and will be honoured. It helps protect relationships at a fragile time by removing guesswork and giving everyone a clear guide to follow. In that sense, a Will isn’t just about distributing assets; it’s about protecting harmony.

And the emotional importance doesn’t stop with your family. Writing a Will also gives you peace of mind. Many people avoid the process because it forces them to confront their mortality. But once it’s done, there’s often a deep sense of relief. You’ve taken an act of responsibility that reflects love, foresight, and care.

You’ve ensured that what matters most, whether it’s financial security, treasured possessions, or the wellbeing of children and pets, will be looked after in the way you want.

The truth is, a Will is less about money and more about meaning. It allows you to express your values in a tangible way: who and what you care about, how you want to support causes close to your heart, and the kind of legacy you wish to leave behind.

So perhaps the real question isn’t whether you need a Will; it’s whether you’re ready to give your loved ones the gift of clarity, comfort, and care when they’ll need it most.

Creating a Will doesn’t have to be complicated, but its impact is immeasurable. It’s an act of love that reaches beyond your lifetime, shaping not just how your assets are handled, but how your family remembers you: as someone who prepared, who cared, and who left them with guidance when they needed it most.

A Will is more than a document. It’s a message. It says: You matter. And even when I’m gone, I’ll still be looking out for you.

Diversification beyond investments

When we hear the word “diversification,” most of us think of investments, spreading money across different asset classes, industries, or markets to reduce risk. And for good reason. Diversification is one of the core principles of sound investing.

But what if we zoomed out?

What if diversification wasn’t just something we did with our portfolios, but something we applied to life itself?

The truth is, many of the same risks we try to manage in our investments show up in other areas, too. And just like putting all your money into one stock can be risky, so can putting all your financial hopes into a single source of income, a single plan, or a single version of the future.

Let’s take income, for example. If all your income comes from one employer or one client, you’re vulnerable. A sudden change, like restructuring, illness, or a shifting market, can leave you exposed. But if you’ve built up multiple income streams, or even just a well-funded emergency reserve, you’ve fortified more resilience.

The same applies to career paths. We often plan in straight lines: get qualified, build experience, work toward retirement. But life isn’t linear. Diversifying your skills, staying open to new industries, or investing in your own learning can create flexibility when the unexpected happens… and it often does.

Estate planning is another area where this broader lens matters. Many families assume everything will “just work out”, but without a clear will, a power of attorney, or open conversations with loved ones, things can unravel fast. Diversifying your estate planning strategy might mean combining tools: a trust, a testamentary will, living directives, family meetings. It’s about ensuring there’s not just one option.

Even lifestyle choices play a role. If your happiness, health, or identity is tied solely to your career or wealth, a single disruption can shake your sense of self. But if you’ve invested in your relationships, your wellbeing and your passions, you have more to draw from when life shifts gears.

Diversification, at its core, is about reducing risk by building flexibility. It’s not about hedging your bets with fear; it’s about broadening your base so that no single event can knock you over.

So yes, keep your investment portfolio diversified. But also ask:

  • Where else am I overexposed?
  • What single points of potential fallout have I ignored?
  • What small steps can I take to mitigate risk and build resilience?

Financial planning isn’t just about growing wealth. It’s about building a life that can adapt, bend, and thrive, no matter what comes next.

A stable financial plan

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 a stool, your financial life needs more than one point of support. If even one leg is missing or weak, the whole structure becomes unstable.

The first leg is savings, the foundation of resilience. Savings cover your short‑term needs, like an unexpected car repair, a medical bill, or even the loss of income for a few months. This is your emergency cushion, and it’s what helps you sleep better at night knowing you’re prepared for the immediate and inevitable bumps in the road.

The second leg is insurance; protection for the risks you can’t predict or fully cover yourself. No one likes paying for something they hope never to use, but insurance can prevent a bad day from becoming a financial catastrophe. Whether it’s life insurance, health cover, disability, or property protection, this leg supports you through life’s larger, less predictable shocks.

The third leg is investments, and this is the part that grows your wealth over time. Savings and insurance protect you today; investments help you build for tomorrow. This is where your money starts to work for you, creating the possibility of independence, bigger dreams, and leaving a legacy.

Many of us have one or two of these legs in place but neglect the others. Some save diligently but avoid investing, leaving their money to languish and lose value to inflation. Others invest aggressively but carry no emergency fund, so they’re forced to sell investments at the worst possible time when something unexpected happens. And some rely entirely on insurance policies, thinking that’s enough… but without savings and investments, they never gain momentum.

Like a stool, our financial security is strongest when all three legs are steady and working together. The balance doesn’t have to be perfect (and it will probably never be perfect!). It’s something we need to keep adjusting over time as needs and circumstances change.

If you’re not sure whether your financial “stool” is stable, or if you’d like help strengthening one of the legs, we’d love to talk it through with you.

Financial independence doesn’t just happen. It’s built, step by step, with balance, care, and a plan you can trust to hold you up when life wobbles.

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 too much of it for too long can quietly put your financial health at risk.

The biggest reason? Inflation.

While the amount in your account stays the same, its value (ie. what it can buy) gradually erodes over time. Even moderate inflation can eat into your savings faster than you might expect. A basket of groceries, a tank of fuel, or a year of tuition costs more every year, yet cash sitting idle in a low‑interest account struggles to keep pace.

Another risk of holding too much cash is opportunity cost. Money that could have been working for you, growing through investments or earning higher returns elsewhere, sits on the sidelines, missing out on potential gains. Over years or decades, that missed growth can make a big difference to your long‑term goals.

So how much cash should you hold?

The right answer depends on your situation, but here are some principles to consider:

  – Keep an emergency fund. Typically 3 to 6 months of essential expenses — in cash or near‑cash investments. This helps you handle sudden job loss, medical bills, or unexpected repairs without having to sell investments at the wrong time.

  – Maintain enough cash for planned short‑term needs like a house deposit, a big holiday, or upcoming school fees.

  – Beyond that, think carefully about whether excess cash could be working harder for you elsewhere.

Cash isn’t “bad,” but it works best as part of a broader plan and not as the whole plan. It’s one of many tools, alongside investments, insurance, and other strategies, that help you balance safety and growth.

If you’re unsure whether you’re holding the right amount of cash, or if you’re worried about taking the next step into investments, then please book a catch up soon.

Together we can create a plan that gives you the peace of mind of having cash on hand when you need it, while also making sure the rest of your money is moving you closer to your goals.