Maya on Money
Maya Fisher-French discusses personal finance topics, offering advice on managing money, saving, and investing. The podcast aims to help listeners make better financial decisions and improve their financial literacy. Listeners can join the conversation by emailing the host.
Episodes
A Masterclass in Stablecoins and SA Exchange Controls
In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French explores the evolving landscape of stablecoins and their implications for everyday consumers. Joined by Wiehann Oliver, Partner and Global Co-Head of Digital Assets at Forvis Mazars, they discuss the recent high court ruling regarding the treatment of cryptocurrency in South Africa and how this impacts exchange control regulati
Unlocking financial freedom for young investors
In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French and Adrian Hope-Bailie, the founder of Fynbos Money to discuss the importance of building an emergency fund and investing, how to use both a TFSA and a retirement annuity as part of your retirement plan, and why you really should start a TFSA for your child rather than just buying them more sneakers.Sponsored by Fynbos Money
Demystifying ETFs: Access, Cost, and Strategy Insights
In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, we delve into the world of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) with expert guest Niki Giles, head of strategy at Prescient Fund Services. As the popularity of ETFs continues to rise, we discuss the fundamentals of ETFs, their benefits, and how to get started investing.We begin by explaining what ETFs are and how they differ from traditional unit trusts, high
Understanding Situs and estate duty: A guide for global investors
In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French dives deep into the intricacies of estate planning for offshore investments. With her own recent restructuring experience, Maya opens up about the challenges of managing foreign dividends and the growing tax implications of wealth accumulation over time. To help navigate these complexities, she invites Elana Nel, Fiduciary Spec
Should You Stay VAT Registered? Insights for Small Business Owners
In this episode of the Maya on Money podcast, host Maya Fisher-French discusses the recent changes affecting small business finances following the national budget announcement. With the VAT threshold and turnover tax limits both increased to R2.3 million, Maya unpacks what this means for small business owners and whether they should consider deregistering for VAT.Joined by Seelan Muthayan, direct
RA tax strategies for parents and high-income earners
As the end of the tax year approaches, it is time to maximise your tax deductions and contributions to tax-free savings accounts and retirement annuities. Joined by Janine Langenhoven, senior legal counsel at Ninety One, Maya explores the often-overlooked tax benefits of exceeding the annual contribution cap on retirement annuities of R350 000. Janine explains how excess contributions can roll ov
Stablecoin 101: How exactly does a stablecoin work?
The cryptocurrency landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, leaving most of us feeling bewildered by the myriad of terms and concepts. This stablecoin aims to blend the benefits of blockchain technology with the reliability of regulated financial systems, targeting the South African and broader African markets.Joining Maya is Warren Ross, the managing director of Super Money SA, who breaks down
What to do when your emergency bills are not covered
In this episode of My Money, My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French shares a personal story that highlights the often-overlooked complexities of medical aid claims, particularly in emergency situations. When her 85-year-old mother experienced alarming symptoms and sought treatment at an emergency room, she was left with bills not paid by the medical scheme. Maya invites David Green from Med ClaimAs
How to turn confidence into action
South Africans are feeling more confident about their finances than they have in the last three years – according to the 2025 Sanlam Financial Confidence Index.This good news is driven in part by lower interest rates, the end of loadshedding, and real salary increases. Yet, despite feeling more confident, this is not translating into an improved sense of financial well-being and 74% of South Afric
The Insurance Debate: Do You Really Need All That Cover?
Asset manager Piet Vijoen has argued that people systematically overpay for insurance because they prefer the certainty of losing a little each month (i.e. the premium) rather than risk facing an uncertain loss at some point in the future.In this episode of My Money, My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French debates the relevance of insurance and how much is enough with financial planners Henri le Gra
S2 Ep10: Money Bootcamp finale: Six months to financial transformation
After six transformative months, we’re concluding our Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp series with incredible stories of financial transformation that will inspire and motivate you to take control of your finances.In this final episode, we discuss the game-changing themes that emerged from the journeys of our boot camp participants. From unexpected promotions to debt freedom, the results speak fo
S2 Ep9: Money Bootcamp: Can you retire before 80?
Most people can only afford to retire comfortably by age 80. This sobering statistic was the focus of our latest Insure your Future Money Bootcamp podcast discussion that asked the question of whether early retirement is even possible in today’s economic climate.In this episode, Maya and Mapalo are joined by seasoned financial planner Wynand Gouws, author of "To 100 and Beyond". They explore the r
8: Retirement Reimagined Episode 8: Insurance as a retirement vehicle
The latest FNB retirement survey revealed that many South Africans are allocating more funds to insurance than to their retirement savings. So how do we find the balance between insuring for the unexpected while investing for longevity? This is the topic of the latest episode of the Retirement Reimagined series, with host Maya Fisher-French and guest Deepesh Desai, head of FNB Life. Maya and Deepe
S2 Ep8: Money Bootcamp: Investing - how to double your money
In the latest episode of the Money Bootcamp Podcast, we dive into the world of investing and the magic of compound growth. If you've ever wondered how your money can grow exponentially over time, this episode is for you. We begin by discussing the Rule of 72, a straightforward formula that helps you determine how long it will take for your investment to double, based on a fixed annual rate of retu
7: Retirement Reimagined Episode 7: Estate Planning in Retirement - Securing Your Family's Future
In the latest episode of the Retirement Reimagined series, host Maya Fisher-French speaks to Carin Meyer, Product Head of Wills and Deceased Banking, about the importance of having a will, especially when it comes to your retirement assets. Maya and Carin debunk common misconceptions, including the dangerous belief that "only wealthy people need wills," and explore the psychological barriers that
S2 Ep7: Money Bootcamp: Know your marriage contract
Marriage is often viewed through the lens of love, commitment, and partnership, but it is also a significant financial contract that can have profound implications on your financial future. In this Insure your Future Money Bootcamp Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu interview attorney and mediator Lerato Seroke about the financial and legal implications of your marriage contract. This knowledge c
6: Retirement Reimagined Episode 6: What stops us from planning for retirement?
In the latest episode of the Retirement Reimagined series, we aim to understand why so many people are not saving for retirement. The results from the FNB Retirement Survey suggest that it is not just financial constraints.Host Maya Fisher-French is joined by Bheki Mkhize, CEO of FNB Wealth and Investments, and Renzi Thirumalai, Chief Investment Officer of FNB Wealth and Investments, to unpack the
S2 Ep6: Money Bootcamp: The real cost of disability and how to plan for it
In the latest Money Bootcamp episode, Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu are joined by a special guest, Nonhlanhla Bakasa, founder of AdoWord Multimedia, to discuss the reality of living with a disability. Nonhlanhla has been a "wheelchair rider" since the age of 12 when she suffered a spinal injury in a car accident.Nonhlanhla provides an honest and frank insight into the challenges she faces ev
5: Retirement Reimagined Episode 5: Facing the reality of retirement
In the latest episode of Retirement Reimagined, we examine what retirement means to those over 60. Using the findings from the FNB retirement survey, host Maya Fisher-French speaks to Renee Coughlan of FNB Wealth and Investment about the reality facing many retirees who feel less prepared than ever before. Individuals over 60 report a lack of confidence in their retirement readiness, exacerbated b
A single mom's guide to drawing up a will
We asked many single moms what their greatest concerns were regarding drawing up a will. Host Maya Fisher-French asked fiduciary expert Deenisha Nadesan of Capital Legacy to answer them.For most moms, their concerns were around who would look after their child, who would manage the money on behalf of the child, and whether they had enough to provide for their living costs and education.We covered
S2 Ep5: Money Bootcamp: Your debt, your responsibility and your rights
In the latest episode of the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp, we discuss the sensitive topic of debt. While we all need credit, especially to purchase a home or a car, if it is not managed carefully, it can become a debt trap which undermines all our other important financial goals.Brian Mphakoanyane from Summit Financial joins hosts Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu to explain credit s
4: Retirement Reimagined Episode 4: Do we know how much we need to retire?
People are surprisingly confident about their retirement plans, so why are so many people underfunded?In the latest Retirement Reimagined episode, host Maya Fisher-French and Ester Ochse, head of Integrated Advice at FNB, unpack why confidence does not mean preparedness when it comes to retirement.While 25-27% of South Africans feel confident about their retirement preparedness, only 10% can actua
S2 Ep4: Money Bootcamp: Budgeting as a homeowner
In this episode of the Insure your Future Money Bootcamp, hosts Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu discuss the financial journey of one of Maya's mentees who is in the process of buying her first home. They share practical insights and personal anecdotes that highlight the importance of thorough financial planning before making such a significant purchase.Understanding the Costs of HomeownershipM
3: Retirement Reimagined Episode 3: Second career as a retirement plan
As retirement approaches, many people find themselves grappling with the reality of their financial plans – or lack thereof. In the latest Retirement Reimagined episode, host Maya Fisher-French and Sizwe Nxedlana, CEO of FNB Private Segment explore the increasing trend of individuals pursuing second careers or side businesses as part of their retirement strategy. With many people finding themselv
S2 Ep3: Money Bootcamp: How to allocate your money on payday
In the third episode of the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp, hosts Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu welcome the Thokozani, a budgeting superhero and one of Mapalo's mentees from last year. Thokozani shares her inspiring journey from financial struggle to mastering her money management skills, revealing how a shift in attitude transformed her relationship with finances.From Struggles to
8: Know your Ombud Episode 8: When your pension fund lets you down
Your pension fund is likely your biggest asset, but do you know your rights when things go wrong? In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," host Maya Fisher-French interviews Pension Funds Adjudicator Muvhango Lukhaimane..If your pension fund or employer isn't treating you fairly, you can approach the Pension Funds Adjudicator at no cost – no lawyer needed. They'll even help if you haven't tried resol
2: Retirement Reimagined Episode 2: Is retirement planning a luxury?
In this episode of "Retirement Reimagined," host Maya Fisher-French engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Lytania Johnson, CEO of FNB Personal Segment about the pressing question: Is retirement planning a luxury only for those with extra cash? Together, they explore how the financial realities faced by many South Africans often push retirement planning to the backseat, overshadowed by imm
7: Know your Ombud Episode 7: Overseeing the quality of advice
What is good advice? In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," host Maya Fisher-French interviews John Simpson, the FAIS Ombud, about how his office protects consumers when financial advice goes wrong – and what you need to know to protect yourself.Real-Life CasesSimpson shares several cases that illustrate how the FAIS Ombud holds financial advisers to a much higher standard. Advisers cannot assume a
S2 Ep2: Money Bootcamp: How to ace your taxes
As we dive into July, many of us feel the familiar pang of anxiety that accompanies tax season. In our latest episode, we tackle the ins and outs of tax filing. Joined by tax expert Andre Bothma, we explore why tax can feel overwhelming and how to navigate the process with confidence.One of the key topics discussed is the concept of auto assessments introduced by SARS (South African Revenue Servic
6: Know your Ombud Episode 6: Death and Disability claims not adding up?
In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," we examine the complexities of long-term insurance and the common complaints the Ombud receives.Host Maya Fisher-French chats to Sonya Marais, Senior Adjudicator for the Life Insurance Division of the National Financial Ombud (NFO), about the intricacies of insurance claims, particularly focusing on the challenges surrounding non-payment of claims and non-disc
1: Retirement Reimagined Episode 1: How prepared are South Africans for retirement?
Welcome to the first episode of “Retirement Reimagined,” a series of conversations exploring the latest FNB Retirement Survey and what it reveals about the average South African’s preparedness and attitude towards retirement.In the first episode of our series, we investigate the findings of the 2024 FNB Retirement Survey with Samukelo Zwane: Product Head, FNB Wealth and Investments and Bheki Mkhiz
5: Know Your Ombud Episode 5: General & personal insurance unravelled
In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," host Maya Fisher-French engages with Edite Teixeira-Mckinon, the lead Ombud for non-life insurance, to understand the intricacies of short-term insurance and the common complaints consumers face. This episode aims to empower listeners with essential knowledge about their rights and the processes involved in lodging complaints against insurers.Maya and Edite di
S2 Ep1: Money Bootcamp: Recognising financial trauma
In the first episode of the second season of the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp, hosts Mapalo Makhu and Maya Fisher-French explore the emotional aspects of money management. With a focus on financial trauma, they discuss how our upbringing and past experiences shape our relationship with money and the significance of understanding these emotions. How these emotions can either empower or
4: Know Your Ombud Episode 4: Responsible credit gone wrong
In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," host Maya Fisher-French speaks to Howard Gabriels, the head Ombud for credit, to unpack consumer rights when it comes to taking out credit. This episode aims to empower listeners by clarifying the roles of various Ombud schemes, including the National Financial Ombud, and the importance of lodging complaints against financial institutions.Maya and Howard delve
S1 Ep3: Know Your Ombud Episode 3: Big Banks: David and Goliath
In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," host Maya Fisher-French chats to Nerosha Maseti , the lead Ombud for banking services at the National Financial Ombud (NFO). This episode aims to empower consumers by shedding light on their rights and the processes involved in lodging complaints against financial institutions.Maya and Nerosha discuss the common grievances that consumers have with banks, parti
2: Know Your Ombud Episode 2: What to do if your financial institution does not treat you fairly
Know your Ombud is a series of conversations aimed at helping consumers of financial services understand their rights and where to go if they are not treated fairly. In this episode of "Know Your Ombud," host Maya Fisher-French sits down with Reana Steyn, the head Ombud and CEO of the amalgamated National Financial Ombud (NFO), to discuss the significant changes in the financial Ombud landscape fo
1: Know Your Ombud Episode 1: Who oversees the Ombuds?
Know your Ombud is a series of conversations aimed at helping consumers of financial services understand their rights and where to go if they are not treated fairly. The financial Ombud schemes include the National Financial Ombud, the FAIS Ombud, the JSE Ombud and the Pension Funds Adjudicator, which are all overseen by the Ombud Council. Lodging a complaint with an Ombud is free and you do not h
Decoding insurance: What you need to know about your policies
In the latest episode of our podcast, host Maya Fisher French engages in an open and honest discussion about insurance, particularly focusing on long-term insurance and the often-overlooked area of employee benefits. Joined by certified financial planners Bryan Nicol and Johann Peens, the episode dives deep into the complexities of insurance coverage, highlighting the importance of understanding w
From Tax Tables to Tax Breaks: How to make smart tax decisions
In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," host Maya Fisher-French welcomes tax expert Andre Bothma to discuss the implications of recent tax proposals on personal finances as the new tax year begins. Maya and Andre explore the concept of fiscal drag, where taxpayers find themselves paying more due to the lack of inflation adjustments in tax tables. They clarify common misconceptions about salar
Unpacking the Budget: Taxes, Spending, and What It Means for You
In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," host Maya Fisher-French engages in a deep dive into the complexities of the national budget and its implications for taxpayers with Chris Axelson, the acting head of tax and financial sector policy at National Treasury. As the government navigates the contentious landscape of tax collection, Axelson sheds light on the recent adjustments to the budget, i
Retirement income strategies: life annuities vs living annuities in today's market
In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," Maya Fisher-French has a thought-provoking discussion with financial expert Hugh Hacking of Momentum Corporate about the recent interest rate cuts and their implications for retirees and investors. With prime rates dropping from 11.75% to 11%, the conversation unpacks how these changes affect both life and living annuities.This episode explains how annu
A financial plan with one debit order
In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," host Maya Fisher French interviews Adrian Hope-Bailie, founder of Fynbos Money, a new investment platform designed to simplify and reduce the costs of investing. Adrian shares his journey of creating a platform that addresses the common question: "Where do I start investing?" With countless unit trusts and investment options available, it is unsurprisin
Hustle Smart: How to Build Your Side Business Without Breaking the Bank
In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," host Maya Fisher French chats about side hustles with Willem Gous, author of "Side Hustle Success." With nearly half of employed South Africans engaging in side businesses, the conversation explores practical strategies for starting a side hustle on a shoestring budget without significant risk.Maya and Willem discuss the importance of testing business i
From High Income to High Debt: Why are people struggling?
Why are so many people who earn a good income, who would be considered high-net-worth individuals, struggling with debt? We all believe if we earned a bit more, our financial issues would disappear, yet this appears not to be the case.In this episode of "My Money, My Lifestyle," host Maya Fisher French is joined by certified financial planner Johan Werth to understand why so many high-net-worth in
The Young Professional’s Guide to Money Mastery
To kickstart 2025 with financial wisdom Maya Fisher French sits down with Fulu Mashapha, author of "Mind Your Cents: A Practical Approach to Financial Freedom." Fulu wrote her book based on her experiences of money as a young child and as a graduate starting her career. In this podcast Fulu shares with Maya her journey from university to becoming a financially savvy actuary and her experiences of
From fear to financial freedom in six months
Join hosts Maya Fisher French and Mapalo Maku in this special episode as they reflect on the incredible journey of Santam staff members who participated in the six-month Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp. This transformative experience culminated in a final event that celebrated the courageous individuals who opened up their financial lives to scrutiny, embraced change, and achieved remarka
The Psychology of Financial Decisions
The Psychology of Financial DecisionsIn this episode of the "My Money, My Lifestyle" podcast, host Maya Fisher French chats to Rudolph Geldenhuys, the Financial Planner of the Year, about the psychology behind financial decision-making. They discuss the importance of understanding the 'why' behind one's financial actions.Rudolph, who has been in the financial services industry for over a decade, s
Money Bootcamp: Planning your legacy
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This series is designed to guide you through essential financial topics, helping you make informed decisions for a secure future. In our previous episodes we have spoken about building wealth, but what about succession and building intergenerational wealth? How do you protect your family but also tran
Budgeting for a nation: Inside the medium-term budget
This week Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the Medium-Term Budget which is tabled every year in October. Most people only really care about the February budget because that is where the minister announces the changes to taxes. But the medium-term budget is packed with really important information about how government is going to be collecting and spending our money over the next three y
Money Bootcamp: The five years to retirement plan
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This series is designed to guide you through essential financial topics, helping you make informed decisions for a secure future.In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of retirement planning with Johann Steyn, a certified financial planner at Rainmaker Bluestar by Sanlam. As one approaches ret
Money Bootcamp: Investing for retirement
Welcome to the Santam Insure your Future money boot camp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. In the last two episodes we looked at saving and investing for those goals we want to achieve during our working years. But at some point, we want to kick back and retire, or at least have choices about whether we want to continue to work or not. One of the massive challenges of retirement funding is
Money Bootcamp: How to achieve your longer-term goals
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This series is designed to guide you through essential financial topics, helping you make informed decisions for a secure future. Last episode we focused on saving for shorter-term goals, but what about those medium to longer-term goals like your child’s tertiary education in ten years or time, or lea
Money Bootcamp: How to put a savings plan together
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This series is designed to guide you through essential financial topics, helping you make informed decisions for a secure future. In this episode we help listeners give up the debt dependency by having a savings plan. We look at why we save and what goals we should be saving towards. We also delve int
Avoid these mistakes when writing your will
As we mark National Wills Week, there's no better time to address the importance of having a properly drafted will. In the latest episode of our podcast, Maya Fisher-French sits down with Deenisha Nadesan, Executive Director of Estates at Capital Legacy, to discuss the common pitfalls people encounter when drafting their wills and how to avoid them. This is not just a matter of legal formalities;
Life behind the numbers: Unpacking the shared value insurance model
Welcome to Life Behind the Numbers, a Discovery Life podcast series where we delve into the trends driving insurance claims and explore how this data can help us improve health outcomes.In this episode of Life Behind the Numbers, host Maya Fisher-French speaks with Gareth Friedlander, Deputy Chief Executive of Discovery Life, and Daniel Stoch, Senior Manager of Market Analytics and R&D. They d
Money Bootcamp: How to choose the right medical cover
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This series is designed to guide you through essential financial topics, helping you make informed decisions for a secure future. In our last episode we spoke about life and risk cover – this is insurance that pays out if something goes wrong with our health or we pass away. But equally important is h
Don’t bet against the rand
In this podcast discussion Old Mutual Chief economist Johann Els explains why he believes we could see the rand strengthen to R14/R15 to the USD. He explains how a softer US dollar, combined with better growth prospects in emerging economies, could lead to a stronger rand. This is particularly relevant for investors looking to balance their portfolios. Els discusses his overall economic outlook an
Money Bootcamp: The Foundation of Financial Security
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This series is designed to guide you through essential financial topics, helping you make informed decisions for a secure future. Risk cover can feel like a grudge purchase, especially when budgets are tight, it is also not as exciting as investing, yet it is one of the most important aspects of your
How health screenings affect claims
Welcome to Life Behind the Numbers, a Discovery Life podcast series where we delve into the trends driving insurance claims and explore how this data can help us improve health outcomes. While many risks are beyond our control, there are steps we can take to mitigate them. By adopting proactive and healthier lifestyles, we can reduce the incidence of severe diseases and even mortality. In this epi
Money Bootcamp: Smart strategies to pay off debt
Welcome to the Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. This is a series of podcasts that you can follow to help create your own money journey. We share our experiences in working with individuals who turned their finances around in just six months.In this episode, we tackle the issue of managing excessive debt, especially in the face of rising interest rates and inflation. Many pe
Understanding Inflation: Why your bills might not match the official rate
Inflation is a term we hear often, especially when discussing the economy and our personal finances. But have you ever wondered how it's calculated and why it sometimes feels like your expenses are rising faster than the official inflation rate? In our latest podcast episode, I am joined by Sanisha Packirisamy, Economist at Momentum Investments to help unpack the intricacies of inflation calculati
Money Bootcamp: Using credit responsibly
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu. In previous episodes we have focused on budgeting and living within your means, but at some stage everyone will need to access credit. But how do you do that in a responsible and sustainable manner? We begin with a cautionary tale from Thato, one of our mentees, who illustrates how easily consumer deb
Diversifying with dollar-based life cover
Welcome to Life Behind the Numbers, a Discovery Life podcast series where we delve into the latest claim statistics with experts from Discovery Life.In this episode, we explore the fascinating concept of insuring yourself in a hard currency like US dollars. Maya is joined by Discovery Life's Deputy Chief Executive Gareth Friedlander and Head of Market Analytics and R&D, Kashmeera Kanji, to dis
Money Bootcamp: Budgeting as a homeowner
Welcome to the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp with Mapalo Makhu and Maya Fisher-French. In this, the third episode in the series, we delve into the financial intricacies of making major purchases, specifically focusing on buying a home and a car. We are joined by Tshiamo, one of our mentees from last year, who shares her eye-opening experience of unexpected costs when purchasing property
Navigating Tax Season 2024
With SARS announcing the opening of tax season on 15 July, it's crucial to understand the complexities of filing tax returns and how to maximise any tax breaks.Joining us to unpack this topic is tax expert Andre Bothma and Poobalan Govender, Acting Head of Old Mutual Rewards, who will explain how Old Mutual Rewards members qualify for discounted rates when using digital tax assistant TaxTim.In thi
Money Bootcamp: Tell your money where to go
Are you ready to take control of your financial future? The Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp is here to guide you through a transformative journey that will help you understand and master your finances. Hosted by Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu, this podcast series is designed to help you build a solid financial foundation, no matter where you are on your money journey. In the second e
Life behind the numbers: Safeguarding your child's education and health
Welcome to "Life behind the Numbers," a Discovery Life podcast series. Host, Maya Fisher-French, together with experts from Discovery Life, delve into the latest trends from Discovery Life claims research, highlighting the need for both physical and financial protection against various risks.In this episode, we tackle a topic often overlooked: the importance of child cover and the financial implic
Money Bootcamp: Money and Emotions
Created by consumer financial journalist Maya Fisher-French and financial coach Mapalo Makhu, the Santam Insure your Future Money Bootcamp is a podcast designed to help you create your own financial money journey.In this special series, we bring you the transformative journey of financial education. Over the next six months, through 13 episodes, we will guide you step-by-step on how to take contro
Bouncing back from divorce
In this episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French delves into the financial complexities of divorce with financial planner Kirsten Smit of Citadel Investments. They explore the alarming rise in divorces, particularly in the post-Covid era and among those over the age of 50. Kirsten shares insights on the financial upheaval that divorce brings, from splitting assets to managing two
Eight principles for successful investing
Wondering how to navigate the chaos of today's economic climate? Dive into our latest podcast episode where host Maya Fisher French and investment expert Debra Slabber from Morningstar South Africa explore the eight principles of successful investing. Discover why simplicity is your ally, how your savings rate impacts your financial future more than you think, and why the best action in a turbulen
Are We Spending Too Much On Our Families?
In this episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French is joined by financial advisor Munya Shumba to address a critical yet often neglected aspect of financial planning: prioritising your own financial future over solely focusing on your family's needs.They explore the delicate balance between generosity and self-preservation, highlighting the need for parents and young professionals a
Crunching the Numbers: The Real Cost of Independence for Young Graduates
In this episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French and financial planner Kirsty Scully tackle the daunting reality of expenses for young graduates entering the workforce. With salaries that seem substantial on paper, they break down the sobering truth of the cost of living, from rent and groceries to utilities and transportation.Kirsty brings invaluable insights on the financial hur
When Love Doesn't Pay the Bills: Dating outside your financial league
In this eye-opening episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French delves into the often contentious intersection of love and finance. Maya is joined by Queen Malobane Provincial General Manager at Metropolitan to unpack the complexities of dating and maintaining relationships when partners are in different financial leagues.Queen's recent article on the subject serves as a springboard
Exposing Hidden Costs: The Truth Behind Your Insurance Excess
In this practical episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French tackles the often-overlooked details of short-term insurance contracts that can have a big impact on your wallet. Maya shares her personal discovery of significant hikes in her insurance policy when it came to excesses - prompting a deep dive into what policyholders can do to navigate these changes.Joined by insurance expe
Unpacking the 2024 National Budget: Where your taxes really go
In this insightful episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French takes you behind the scenes of South Africa's national budget with the expertise of Mr. Edgar Sishi, Deputy Director General of National Treasury and Head of the Budget Office at National Treasury. As the nation grapples with the impact of financial decisions, Maya and Mr. Sishi dissect the complexities of a R2.37 trillio
Tax 101 for Freelancers
In this comprehensive episode of My Money My Lifestyle, Maya Fisher-French, a seasoned freelancer herself, delves deep into the world of taxes with tax experts Kagiso Nonyane and Dumisa Sihawu, from BDO South Africa. They tackle the complexities of tax for freelancers, from understanding why tax may be deducted from your earnings to the intricacies of tax directives and provisional taxpayer status
Can we trust the banking system?
Why do so many people feel that the financial system is rigged against the average person, that the system is built to benefit the elite at the expense of the average person?In this podcast Maya has a frank discussion with David Buckham, founder and CEO of Monocle Solutions and author of The End of Money, The Age of Menace and Why Banks Fail, about the inherent flaws in the banking system and the
Women in Conversation: navigating money conversations in a relationship
Money is not about rands and cents – it is an emotional currency, which is why money conversations are so hard. Money means many different things. It encompasses power dynamics in a relationship, it can symbolise success and status. For some people it reflects care and for others it represents safety. Money and gifts are one of the five love languages. When two people in a relationship have a very
How I transformed my relationship with money
When her mother tragically passed away in car accident three years ago, the then 24-year-old Zihle found herself emotionally and financially responsible for her two younger sisters. To make ends meet Zihle turned to credit – what started off as “small loans” soon snowballed into larger and larger debts. The more the repayments ate into her disposable income, the more she relied on further credit t
Financial freedom: How I paid off R85 000 of debt in six months
In this podcast Maya speaks to Johan the winner of the 2023 Absa/City Press Money Makeover Challenge about how he reduced his debt by over R85 000, built up an emergency fund of R42 000 and increased his retirement contributions – all in just six months.Joined by his financial adviser Takalani Badugela, Johan discusses how small day-to-day choices over time created a significant debt burden and ab
