Alpha-Beta: Feel Good About Your Wealth.

I had the pleasure of being invited onto Kaya Bizz, with Gugu Mfuphi, to give a quick round up of the days market activity, with a special focus on the financial sector, global bond yields and possible prosecutions on the ongoing Steinhoff saga.

Whether you hire financial experts or not, you're still responsible for your investment results. Each choice is a decision you make; therefore, you're responsible. It is your money and you will live with the consequences whether good or bad. You decide which investment expert to hire, and you decide which investment to buy. If you don’t like your investment results, there is no one except you to blame. You can’t delegate the responsibility, even if you delegate the authority. The only way to make consistently smart investment decisions is if you learn what works, what doesn’t, and why. If your investment decisions aren’t based on knowledge, then what are they based on?

You want to be surrounded by wealthy people in order to attract their mindset, emulate their behaviours and have access to their network. This is how you separate yourself from the average minded person and begin to transform yourself into a wealthy minded person.

Do you crave a life without financial constraints? Too often our ability to make progress towards our passions has been limited by the “rat race.” In the rat race, we work for our employers, the government by paying taxes, and the lenders (ie, of our mortgages, credit cards and loans). Usually, our own passions are dead last, relegated to when we can find free time — if they get focused on at all. It doesn't have to be this way.

Saving money can help you pay for large purchases, avoid debt, reduce your financial stress, leave a financial legacy, and provide you with a greater sense of financial freedom. So why do so few people succeed in doing it consistently?

The practice of good philanthropy is as much a craft as a science: it has rigour, and is learned through practical, not theoretical, means. Only when a philanthropic relationship is pursued with intention and for impact can institutions, organisations and new endeavours make the best use of philanthropy.

Acknowledging that you need priorities is the first step! Most of us muddle through our financial lives, spending to meet the day-to-day expenses that dominate our attention. Unfortunately, that approach risks leaving your most important objectives unfulfilled.

Fear and greed are the worst emotions to feel when investing, and it is better not to be guided by them. Do the research, understand what and why you're investing in something, and don't fall prey to herd mentality.

As we begin to declutter, we start to confront ourselves in the process. When we minimize our lifestyle and let go of our possessions, we are letting go of the "socially constructed" or "ideal" version of ourselves, which brings us closer to an "authentic" self, allowing us to glance at our inner self. It enables us to celebrate who we are and break free from unnecessary holdings and garbage. Admittedly, the process can be challenging, but breaking free from the societal pressure of acquiring makes us stronger.

As long as I'm reaching my financial goals, then it's okay to spend money guilt-free