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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When letting go creates more space for growth
When we talk about money, we often slip into the language of control: budgets, targets, forecasts, plans. It’s comforting to believe that if we just work hard enough at managing things, we can shape life exactly as we want it. And to some extent, that’s true. Being intentional and disciplined with money does create opportunities and stability. But what if part of a healthy relationship with money, and life, also involves letting go? This isn’t about […]
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Why diversification still works — even when it doesn’t feel like it
When markets are stormy, it’s easy to question whether diversification still works. You might look at your portfolio and think, “Everything seems down; what was the point of spreading my money around?” Or during a market rally, you might wonder, “Wouldn’t I have been better off just putting everything in the top-performing stock or fund?” These are reasonable questions, and they get to the heart of why diversification is both essential and, at times, uncomfortable. Diversification […]
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When your body says no
(Inspired by Gabor Mate’s book: When the Body Says No: The Cost of Hidden Stress) Learning to listen to your intuition in money matters, matters. Have you ever agreed to something that felt wrong in your gut, only to regret it later? Maybe it was spending more than you intended, investing in something you didn’t quite understand, or lending money you didn’t really have. The head said yes, the mouth followed, but the body whispered no. […]
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Guided or manipulated?
Good advice has always been about helping people make wise choices. But in the age of behavioural finance, there’s a new layer to consider: how we help people make those choices. Enter the concept of “nudging.” A nudge is a subtle prompt designed to steer someone toward a better decision, without removing their freedom to choose. It might be as simple as asking, “Would you like to set up an automated savings plan while we’re here?” […]
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Engaging with your financial plan
Financial planning, like therapy or coaching, isn’t just about solving a problem. It’s about holding a safe space where real change can happen. That space might be a spreadsheet, a conversation, or a long-term plan, but for the work to go deep and stick, it must feel grounded, steady, and secure. As clinical psychologist Jonathan Shedler once said, “The paradox of psychotherapy is that the more secure the boundaries, the more freedom there is within them, […]
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