Once A Week

  How to invest in a Real Estate Investment Trust   As I said in my last article about Real Estate Investing , Real Estate Investment Trust or REITs for short, are a great way to invest in Real Estate. Real estate has been a popular investment among many people over generations. The idea of owning a piece of something tangible excited people. However, this was often only something afforded to the affluent. However, that is no longer the case. Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay What is a Real Estate Investment Trust?   A REIT is a company that owns land/ buildings that generate income. They can also finance real estate and earn an income from the interest charged in some countries. These investment vehicles offer a way to invest in the property market with little money. Benefits of a REIT?   REITs are often managed by good investment companies that offer diversification that you would struggle to get on your own. Their expertise helps make your life easier.

  What is Personal Finance? Personal Finance is very talked-about in today’s world. It often intertwined with big words such as Diversification and Tax-Free Savings. So what is Personal Finance really? Do I need it? What is Personal Finance? Personal Finance is everything to do with your finances. I t is your plans to meet your financial goals , as well as where your money comes from and where it is going. Personal Finance helps you plan where you’re going. Do I need it? Yes! Everyone has a  financial goal , be that a new house or a life of freedom. Those goals are part of your finance as is your plan to get there. Image by  Gerd Altmann  from  Pixabay 3 Tips for becoming a master of Personal Finance: Budget Yes, I probably say this too much. But budgeting makes such a difference in your ability to save, invest, and reach your financial goals. Use Debt Wisely Debt can be good, but it can be bad as I described in “ Do I have the wrong type of loan? “. So make sure you use good  debt  

  Fixed Income? Is it worth it? Fixed Income  investing always gets a bad rep for being slow-growing and boring. However, it does have its place in the market. And in uncertain times it can offer safety that other assets can’t. But let’s get into the info so you can make a wise decision with help from your Qualified Financial Advisor: What is Fixed Income? Fixed income is a type of security that pays a set level of cash to its owners over a determined period. At the end of the period, known as the maturity date, the money invested is paid back to the investor. These assets are seen in the form of  Bonds, Money Market, Preference Shares and cash funds.  Most common are government and corporate bonds. One benefit identified by  Investopedia about t his type of investment is that if a company goes bankrupt, bondholders are typically paid before shareholders. Image by  corinna-kr  from  Pixabay Where do I invest? The safe assets are usually bought in the form of ETFs, Unit Trusts and retir

When to Use Tax Free Savings Accounts Tax Free Savings Accounts are the new big thing! Being able to save on capital gains and income tax is a huge plus! But is it for everyone? What are the downsides? And what should you look out for? What is a Tax-Free Savings Account? Tax-Free Savings Accounts were introduced in 2015 by the National Treasury to encourage the low and middle class to invest. The investing product allows a person to  invest  up to R33 000 per annum of their after-tax income. This investment will not incur any tax for Interest, Income, or Capital Gains earned within the account. Image by  Joshua_Willson  from  Pixabay What are the Downsides? There are few downsides to this type of investment, but there are a few things you should be aware of when investing in a Tax-Free Savings Account: You have a maximum Lifetime contribution of R500 000. Any more than this will be taxed. You are limited to specific investments such as ETFs, Unit Trusts, and other funds. Your Advisor