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TOP 5 INVESTMENT TIPS FOR A NEW YEAR
A FULL PERSONAL FINANCE REVIEW IS THE BEST STARTING POINT TO SEE WHAT A MOST SUITABLE GOAL FOR A NEW YEAR SHOULD BE.
By Suzean Haumann, Certified Financial Planner, Brenthurst Wealth Management
Many people think they have lots of time to save – for retirement for instance – and discover too late that they needed a few more income-earning years. Other think the stock markets are not doing well and that it is too risky to invest now.
Get organised around personal financial affairs. Take a good hard look at all accounts – current/cheque accounts; savings accounts; debt or loans; retirement and/or pension funds. A full review is the best starting point to see what a most suitable goal for a new year should be.
You could have high debt (in relation to earnings) – getting rid of debt should be a key focus. Perhaps you ignored saving for retirement for a while? Be mindful of the longer predicted life expectancy and how this impacts funding, which will be required to support a lifestyle once regular income stops.
2. UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL MARKETS AND INVESTMENT OPTIONS
The investment universe is vast and to some degree complex. There are many different options to select for investment. For instance:
CASH IN THE BANK IN AN INTEREST-BEARING ACCOUNT
INVESTING IN STOCK MARKETS (DIRECTLY IN SHARES OR VIA FUNDS LIKE UNIT TRUSTS)
PROPERTY ALTERNATIVES LIKE PHYSICAL COINS, ART OR VINTAGE CARS
Each investment has different characteristics, differ-ent returns histories and, very importantly, exposes an investor to different levels of risk.
MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT LEVEL OF RISK YOU CAN TOLERATE;
Review the options and understand it before deciding what is best for your circumstances. Some investors are thrilled by the stock market ups and downs and know by sticking with investments, even when values fall at times, they will deliver superior returns. Others cannot bear the volatility and are happy with the smooth returns something like a fixed deposit will provide, even if its returns are lower (over time) than that of a diversified investment portfolio.
3. HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Sound personal financial management is not only about paying off debt and investing and/or saving.
It is about all the matters related to your financial life. It includes risk issues such as: are your belong-ings and assets properly insured; is appropriate life cover or dread disease cover in place should unforeseen circumstances occur; is your will up to date with your current situation and does it express your wishes for your estate?
4. BE SMART ABOUT TAX
Paying tax is a fact of life, but when investing there are ways to lessen the burden. There are tax bene-fits for investing in a retirement annuity.
Selecting an investment vehicle like a fund of funds offers some protection against capital gains tax (CGT), as switches within the fund do not attract CGT.
Speak to a tax advisor who understands the tax rules and elements like allowances for offshore investment, so you can be tax compliant in a smart way.
5. DIVERSIFY
Historical reviews of investments across different asset classes show that not all asset classes perform the same all the time. In a complex world, there are so many global issues affecting market movements it is impossible to be ahead of the game, protecting wealth all of the time. Over time the stock markets of different regions and industries were, at times, by far the best performers in the global investment uni-verse, only to pull back when some or other international crisis causes investors to lose confidence in that market or asset class.
DIVERSIFICATION ENSURES THAT AN INVESTOR IS NOT EXPOSED TO A SINGLE ASSET CLASS, REGION, INDUSTRY OR INVESTMENT OPTION. In one year, technology stocks may be the stars of the show, only to be outperformed by say listed properties the next.
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Megan joined the Brenthurst Wealth team in March 2026 as an Administrative and Fiduciary Services Assistant at our Val de Vie Office in the Western Cape. Prior to joining Brenthurst, Megan gained three years of experience in the retail sector, where she developed management and client service skills.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Esmarelda Isaacs-Andreas joined the Brenthurst Wealth Stellenbosch office in October 2025, taking on the dual role of Receptionist and Fiduciary Administrator.
I obtained my National Diploma in Financial Information Systems from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 1999 and have worked in the wealth management industry since January 2000. Over the years, I have gained extensive experience in various roles, including Portfolio Manager Assistant, Planner Assistant, and Paraplanner.
Ashley joined Brenthurst Wealth in January 2025 as Office Administrative Assistant and Receptionist for the Stellenbosch Office.
René Heystek joined Brenthurst Wealth in November 2023, as receptionist and administrative assistant in the newly established George/Garden Route office.
Michelle Heystek has built a career in the financial services over the last two decades, after obtaining her B.Com degree in Financial Management in 2005. Once she joined Brenthurst in 2006, she continued her academic journey, obtaining her Certificate in Wealth Management from INSETA in 2007, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Planning from the University of the Free State. In 2008, she earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation.
Anelle joined Brenthurst Wealth as a Receptionist and Administrative Assistant to Brian Butchart in the Cape Town office in December 2023. She has a wealth of knowledge from working as a liaison between Financial Advisers and clients at TMA and Absa Investment Management Services (Aims) since 1998. She obtained her B. com degree from the University of Port Elizabeth in 1997.
ADMITTED ATTORNEY | FINANCIAL PLANNER & HEAD OF BRENTHURST FOURWAYS
Sanet was appointed in April 2020, joining our Cape Town team as an Executive Administration Assistant to Renee Eagar. She has been in the financial services industry since 1990. Her previous experience includes positions at Sanlam, BJM and ABSA. She spent her last 12 years working at Alexander Forbes Private Client Wealth as a Senior Wealth Management Assistant. She has received numerous accolades over the years which include but not limited to, Alexander Forbes Client Service Excellence – Silver award in 2014,2015 and 2017. Sanet has also obtained her Certificate in Wealth Management (NQF 5) in 2012 and achieved “Best Student of the Year” from Moonstone.
Maria Smit is a Certified Financial Planner® with over 10 years of experience in the financial planning industry.
