When do you no longer pay tax in South Africa?
Since March 2001, all South Africans have been legally required to declare and pay tax on their annual worldwide income, irrespective of where they live. So even if you have been living abroad for a few years, you are still considered a resident for tax purposes, unless you can objectively prove to SARS your intention to remain outside the country permanently. With the introduction of a formal ...
25m Feb 09, 2023
25m
Are Retirement Annuities Tax Efficient?
What is the best blend of investment products that will provide you with a sustainable, tax-efficient income in retirement? While there is no question that the pre-retirement tax benefit from investing in a retirement annuity is significant, to what extent is an RA tax efficient over the full course of your financial plan which includes the 20-odd years you will be drawing a retirement income?...
22m Jan 26, 2023
22m
Find the courage to change your financial situation
“I needed to be braver” is how 2022 Money Makeover runner-up Zinzy described her financial situation when she entered the money bootcamp six months ago. In this open and frank conversation, Zinzy talks about the courage it took to have difficult discussions with people who owed her money and taking her head out the sand to tackle conversations with creditors including SARS. “I was an ignorer of...
33m Dec 08, 2022
33m
Turning a profit in just six months
It is possible to turn your finances around in just six months. The Money Makeover Challenge has proven this over and again. The stories from the candidates who enter are testament to the fact that financial freedom is not about miracles, it is about having a plan, a partner and discipline. In this podcast Maya speaks to the 2022 Money Makeover winner, township entrepreneur Mpho along with his ...
35m Nov 24, 2022
35m
How to get more from your medical scheme
Medical scheme membership is expensive and it becomes more expensive every year. The average family pays R6000 or more a month for their medical scheme benefits, yet Andre Jacobs author of “Medical Schemes Explained: Your Ultimate Guide to Using Your Medical Scheme Efficiently” (https://www.medicalschemesexplained.co.za/) argues that many are paying too much, simply because they do not understa...
42m Nov 10, 2022
42m
First in your family to graduate? Here's some advice.
Earning your first pay cheque and balancing the many financial demands is challenging for any graduate. For those who are the first in their family to become a professional, there are even greater expectations and financial demands. In this podcast Maya speaks to Akhona Modi, a Financial Planner at BDO, about both the practical and emotional aspects of meeting the expectations of family.
31m Oct 27, 2022
31m
Strategies for novice investors
“Many people see the stock market as an exclusive club or that only professionals understand it well enough to succeed, but really investing is more accessible than ever,” says Moroko Modiba, managing director of Fatima Capital and author of “The Wise Investor: The Beginners Guide to making money on the stock market”. In this podcast Maya and Moroko discuss investment strategies for those star...
26m Sep 29, 2022
26m
How to make sure your will reflects your wishes
The only thing certain in life is death and taxes and this is particularly true when it comes to our wills. While we can never cheat death, by drawing up a will and doing some basic estate planning we can reduce, and provide for, the fees and taxes, leaving more of our assets as a family legacy. In this podcast Maya speaks to wills and estate specialist Alex Simeonides, CEO of Capital Legacy a...
25m Sep 15, 2022
25m
Coping with COVID-19: The long and the short of it
COVID-19 is here to stay. So how do we best protect ourselves over the long term? Discovery Life Deputy Chief Executive, Gareth Friedlander, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Maritha van der Walt, break down the data around the risk factors when it comes to COVID-19, how we can improve our health and protect against unknown diseases. We also unpack the risks of long-covid, how to plan your recover...
18m Sep 12, 2022
18m
Cancelling out Cancer – Why Proactive Screening Saves Lives
Cancer can affect anyone, at any age. Across the insurance industry we see cancer as an increasing cause for claims, especially among younger people. Tune in as Discovery Life’s Head of Market Analytics and R&D, Kashmeera Kanji, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Maritha van der Walt, delve into the statistics and why early detection is your greatest defence against this disease. Every life is uniqu...
19m Sep 05, 2022
19m
Does the value of the rand really matter?
In this podcast we unpack the strange relationship we as South Africans have with our currency. Why does the value of the rand affect our perception of our country? A strong rand gives us an emotion boost in the same way as our winning sports teams do – and when the rand is weak, we see it as a sign of failure. Is this normal and do people in other countries feel the same way about their curren...
17m Sep 01, 2022
17m
Benefits of having education protection for your children
Every life is unique, and life can be unpredictable. While some of life’s events may be unpredictable, there are ways to both mitigate and protect us from today’s risks. In this podcast series, Life behind the numbers, Maya talks to Discovery Life experts about the kinds of risks we’re all up against – in facts and figures – and how to protect against those risks. In this episode, Maya is join...
19m Aug 25, 2022
19m
How all of your healthy lifestyle choices can reward you for life
Every life is unique, and life can be unpredictable. While some of life’s events may be unpredictable, there are ways to both mitigate and protect us from today’s risks. In this podcast series, Life behind the numbers, Maya talks to Discovery Life experts about the kinds of risks we’re all up against – in facts and figures – and how to protect against those risks. This is a four part series on...
22m Aug 18, 2022
22m
Will you have early access to your pension next year?
National Treasury released draft legislation around early access to pension funds and the so-called Two Pot system. In this podcast Maya speaks to retirement reform expert Rowan Burger about how the Two Pot system will work. In this podcast they dispel some myths around early access and explain how vested rights will affect your existing retirement assets.
25m Aug 05, 2022
25m
How I paid off R700 000 of debt
In a recent survey, a debt counselling firm asked financially stressed South Africans “why have you not done something to alleviate your money-stress?”. Nearly 40% of people responded that they “feel stuck”. When faced with what appears to be an overwhelming problem we tend to shut down, sticking our head in the sand. But this obviously doesn’t solve the problem. What we know is that getting o...
24m Jul 21, 2022
24m
What you don’t know about this year’s tax filing season
It is tax filing season and while people look forward to tax season because they can get a rebate, for many of us it can feel a bit overwhelming.  In this podcast Maya speaks to tax expert Reinert van Rensburg, Tax Legal Specialist at Leap Group, about everything you need to know about your 2022 Tax return. He discusses key changes to auto-assessments and why people who have been selected for ...
25m Jul 07, 2022
25m
Living to 100
Scientists are telling us that soon we will reach an average life expectancy of 100 years old. For some people that may be very exciting, but for others it is simply terrifying. How will we save enough money in 40 years of working to fund 35 years of retirement? In this podcast Maya speaks to financial planner Wynand Gouws about his book “To 100 & Beyond – how to make your money last as long as...
29m Jun 09, 2022
29m
Managing the end-of-life transition
In this podcast Maya speaks to Louis van der Merwe about the biggest transition – death. Whether it is the death of a loved one or contemplating our own mortality, death is a part of life. Maya and Louis discuss how to manage both the fears and practical side of mortality. How to have these conversations with family, how to manage an unexpected death of a loved one or steps to take when you or ...
29m May 26, 2022
29m
How to plan for a lifestyle change
The covid pandemic saw many people reflect on their lives. Not only did we stand still for a moment to take stock, but it opened new possibilities, especially with remote working. As result some people made major lifestyle changes. In the second part of a series of conversations around life transitions, Maya (@mayaonmoney) speaks to financial planner Louis van der Merwe of WealthUp (https://www...
20m May 12, 2022
20m
Ageing with dignity
As part of a series of conversations around life transitions, Maya speaks to financial planner Louis van der Merwe of WealthUp about how adult children can support their ageing parents.  Whether you are the adult child of an elderly parent, or even if you are getting older and  starting to think about your future, we need to plan for the reality that as we get older, we become less able. Decisi...
28m Apr 21, 2022
28m
What is a fair fee to pay for financial advice?
Good financial advice is worth paying for. But do we know how much it is really costing and how do we know we are getting good advice? For years advice was wrapped up into sales commission creating the impression of “free advice” along with a general distrust in the process. The industry is changing with the separation of sales and advice fees.    In this podcast Maya speaks to Rory Brachner ...
30m Apr 07, 2022
30m
Build, buy or renovate? Pros and cons when you need new space
It is a whole new world and with the flexibility around the working environment, many people are looking at either moving or upgrading their spaces.  How do you decide on the right property for your family? If you want to expand your space, how do you finance a renovation and what about the danger of over-capitalization? If you are renovating to sell, what should you be spending your money on?...
29m Mar 17, 2022
29m
How your stokvel can create intergenerational wealth
Stokvels are a truly African solution helping people manage their cashflow and achieve their goals, but are we doing enough to harness the power of group savings? Could stokvels be used to build wealth, fund children’s education and even leave an asset to provide intergenerational wealth? In this podcast Maya speaks to Busi Skenjana about how stokvels can leverage their true power. Skenjana h...
28m Mar 03, 2022
28m
How to grow wealth and not your tax bill
Maya speaks to financial planner Terence Tobin of Rich Ideas about ways to cut your tax bill whilst growing your investments. They unpack the pros and cons of retirement annuities, how to use a Tax-Free Savings Account for tax planning in retirement and what products to stay clear of. 
29m Feb 17, 2022
29m
Where to invest with rising inflation, interest rates and potential war
Globally stock markets have been on a roller coaster ride, and those who thought crypto assets would offer a safer alternative, well they have been along for the same ride. There are many factors driving this volatility and these are going to be the main themes for 2022. To discuss what you should be doing with your investments, Maya is joined by Kunal Sawhney CEO of independent equity research...
23m Feb 03, 2022
23m
Investing in farming
“It is not only a crowd funding platform, but a crowd value creation platform - an eco-system of partners rather than a conglomerate owning everything”   Farming is becoming an increasingly popular asset class. Crowd-funding for farming ticks many boxes as a “good” investment - providing market related returns, increasing food security, allowing for skills transfer and improving farming metho...
32m Jan 20, 2022
32m
Are you in a financially abusive relationship?
Are you the victim of financial abuse or are you perhaps unwittingly the abuser? And how would you even know?   In this podcast we discuss a very sensitive topic - financial abuse and how money is often used to control people in relationships. In this podcast Maya speaks to financial planner and founder of Foundation Family Wealth Sunel Veldtman who writes that “the definition of financial ab...
31m Dec 02, 2021
31m
Is cash now trash?
Despite the recent rate hike, interest rates since the beginning of the pandemic have fallen by around 30%. This is great news if you are borrowing money, but it is pretty dire for anyone investing in cash or relying on income from cash investments. In this podcast Maya speaks to Mabule Setwaba Corporate Cash Manager at Investec Bank Limited about whether cash is now trash, or if it still has a...
32m Nov 18, 2021
32m
How to bootstrap a business with R6500
In this podcast Maya speaks to Mantsha Pheeha, a business strategist at Talent Unleashed on how to bootstrap your start-up by creating a pilot project. Mantsha worked with Nocawe, this year’s Absa City Press Money Makeover Challenge to start a poultry business with just R6500. You can find out more about Mantsha at https://www.mantsha.com/
34m Nov 04, 2021
34m
Creating Generational Wealth
Generational wealth is passed down from one generation to the next. But ultimately it has different context for different people. Generational wealth doesn’t have to be the Oppenheimer’s legacy, it could be leaving your children enough money to buy a home, or the access to an education that you didn’t have. In this podcast Maya speaks to Carol Mazaka, Consumer Director at 1Life about the findin...
20m Oct 07, 2021
20m
Global Investing Made Easy
In this podcast Maya speaks to Warren Ingram, financial planner at Galileo Capital https://galileocapital.co.za/ about his new book Global Investing Made Easy.  Warren shares his insights into the investment decisions we make, and those we should be making. 
39m Sep 23, 2021
39m
Top tips for financially savvy kids
Maya chats to Gugu Sidaki, financial planner (https://www.wealthcreed.com/) about ways to skill our children so they can better manage money as adults Gugu is author of My 3 Piggies a series of books for kids all about money. https://www.my3piggies.com/
29m Sep 09, 2021
29m
Juggling motherhood in the gig economy
Mapalo Makhu of the Woman & Finance blog rejoins Maya on the My Money, My Lifestyle podcast after taking a break to have her second child. She shares her experiences of having a child while having to meet client deadlines, and emphasises the importance of having a plan in place – especially when it comes to unexpected life events.
28m Aug 26, 2021
28m
Why insurers want us to be vaccinated
When it comes to understanding the risks in a society, insurers generally offer the best insights. Insurance companies do not pay out for deaths that did not happen and they will apply a risk rating on behaviours or health status, that they believe would lead to higher illness or mortality rate. In this podcast Maya speaks to Discovery Life’s Deputy Chief Executive, Gareth Friedlander about wha...
20m Aug 05, 2021
20m
Creating a passive income with shares
In this podcast Maya chats to money blogger Brett @ETFenthusiast on how blogging keeps him on track financially, his plans in working towards financial freedom and which investments he is using to provide a passive income in the future.  https://www.etfenthusiast.co.za/
31m Jul 22, 2021
31m
It is tax time! This is what you need to know..
Tax filing season opened on 1 July 2021. That means non-provisional taxpayers have until 23 November to file their returns. Some people look forward to tax season because they can get a rebate, but for many of us it can feel a bit overwhelming. A particular hot topic this year is what home office expenses will be allowed as deductions. In this podcast Maya is joined by Donaldson Madungwe of Tax...
39m Jul 08, 2021
39m
How to decide on the right retirement village
Age comes to all of us and one of the big decisions we have to make, for ourselves or our parents, is whether  to downsize and move into a retirement village. This is not an easy decision and can be further complicated with the different types of retirement villages and financial models. This week Maya speaks to Barry Kaganson, CEO of Auria Senior Living
25m Jun 23, 2021
25m
How to use the lessons learnt from the pandemic to improve your finances
We know from studying history that entire generations can share a similar money attitude or behaviour due to a major financial event that their generation experienced. What effect, if any, will the Covid pandemic have on this generation? In this podcast, Maya speaks to financial wellness coach Frank Magwegwe, a lecturer at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, about the lasting legacy of th...
28m Jun 10, 2021
28m
Improve your relationship with money
In this interview with financial planner Kim Potgieter, Maya discusses her new book Midlife Money Makeover. How our relationship with money and those money stories we grew up with either help or sabotage our finances. If you think it is time to review your relationship with money – listen on. You can purchase a copy of Kim’s book either online https://kimpotgieter.com/kims-books/ or at any goo...
53m May 30, 2021
53m
Transform your relationship with Money
“So many of us are bonded to our idea of wealth even though it isn’t working for us or the planet — because of the very nature of our relationship with money. We expect money to fulfil our fantasies, calm our fears, ease our pain and send us soaring to fleeting heights of gratification. In fact, we are programmed to think most of our wants and desires are met by money. We buy everything from ho...
34m May 13, 2021
34m
Why institutions are taking bitcoin seriously
If you want to understand bitcoin, blockchain and the related crypto asset world listen as Chris Becker, Blockchain technologies specialist at Investec Private Bank unpacks the world of blockchain technologies and why we are just on the start of a fundamental new way in dealing not only with the way we transact with money, but all transactions – from buying property to selling artwork. To read...
37m Apr 29, 2021
37m
Tax tips for freelancers and side hustlers
Tax is one of the most important money matters, especially when you work for yourself or have a side hustle that earns you some extra cash. Navigating the tax maze when you don’t just have an IRP5 from an employer can be quite challenging. In this podcast Maya speaks to Andre Bothma about how to optimize your tax deductions as a freelancer and how to manage the books when getting extra income f...
41m Apr 20, 2021
41m
Inside a cryptocurrency scam
In this My Money, My Lifestyle podcast we delve into the world of crypto scams which seem to be mushrooming everywhere despite repeated warnings from our authorities. How do these scams work? How do people get lured into parting with their hard-earned cash? And is this the work of an organized criminal syndicate? We talk to scam victim Tshepiso about how the fraudsters convinced her to part wi...
57m Mar 31, 2021
57m
Talking to your children about money
How do you teach your children to manage money? It starts at home says 13-year old Alidzulwi Tshikosi, author of “Not being authentic can be costly” - a warning tale of a young man who uses credit to live beyond his means and which ultimately destroys his relationships. In this podcast Maya speaks to Alidzulwi and her father Ramarumo about how to have those money conversations with your childr...
26m Mar 15, 2021
26m
How to select the right ETF in this crazy market
How to choose the right  exchange traded funds or unit trusts and one for your needs. In this podcast @Satrix_SA Chief Investment Officer, Kingsley Williams joins Maya Fisher-French to provide some guidelines around selecting the right fund but also to give us some perspective on the investment landscape for 2021. How do we navigate the short-term roller-coaster to achieve long-term stability?
31m Feb 18, 2021
31m
Pros and cons of debt counselling
For many people COVID has had a major financial impact and some may be considering entering debt review. In this podcast Maya speaks to David O’Brien of debt counselling firm Meerkat to explain how debt counselling works and how to choose a good debt counselor – because there are a lot of bad apples out there. We also discuss what to do if you are already in debt review and want to get out.   
36m Feb 04, 2021
36m
How to negotiate your retrenchment package
In this podcast Maya speaks to labour lawyer Michael Bagraims about your rights when it comes to voluntary retrenchment. The benefits you receive and what rights you give up. If you are being offered voluntary retrenchment, listen to this first.
23m Dec 10, 2020
23m
What you need to know about your car finance
How does a balloon payment work? What questions should I ask my dealer? Can I settle my car finance early and what happens if I want to give my car back? Maya chats to vehicle financing expert Henry Botha of Absa Vehicle and Asset finance to answer all car finance related questions. 
28m Dec 03, 2020
28m
Smart tricks for Black Friday
In this podcast Maya is joined by personal finance blogger Brendan of @Your_Money_Blog where they discuss their approach to Black Friday and tips on online safety when shopping for deals.
22m Nov 19, 2020
22m
Offshore investing made easy
Offshore investing is not just for millionaires, it should form part of everyone’s investment portfolio. In this podcast Maya and Mapalo unpack the many low cost, low minimum options that make offshore investing accessible for the ordinary South African. 
24m Nov 05, 2020
24m