Thinus Breytenbach Certified Financial Planner

🇿🇦 2026 SA Budget – What it Means for You (In 60 Seconds)

Here are the key points from the latest Budget Speech that affect households and taxpayers:

✅ Income tax relief: Tax brackets and rebates were adjusted for inflation – this helps prevent “bracket creep” where salary increases push you into higher tax without real gains.
💼 Retirement saving boost: The annual tax-deductible limit for retirement annuities increased (from R350,000 to R430,000) – more incentive to save tax-efficiently for retirement.
👵 Social grants increased: Old age and child support grants increased above inflation to support vulnerable households.
⛽ Fuel levy increases: Petrol, RAF and carbon levies were increased – this will filter through to transport and food costs.
🍺🚬 Sin taxes up: Higher excise duties on alcohol and ci******es.
📊 No major new taxes: Government avoided broad tax hikes.

🌱 Positive fiscal outlook: Government expects public debt to stabilise and the deficit to narrow over time – a constructive signal for economic stability and investor confidence.

👉 Overall: Some relief for taxpayers and savers, balanced against higher everyday costs, with a more positive medium-term outlook for SA’s public finances.

Your budget isn’t “broken”… your emergency fund is missing. 🚨💸

Most people think budgeting is about discipline.
But in real life, budgeting fails because of surprises:

🚗 car repairs
🏥 medical costs
📉 income drops / retrenchment
🏠 home emergencies

Without an emergency fund, the “plan” becomes:
💳 credit card → 🧾 debt → 😰 stress → 🔁 repeat

The goal 🎯

✅ 3–6 months of essential expenses (not your full lifestyle)

Think:
🏠 rent/bond • 🛒 groceries • 🚕 transport • 💡 utilities • 🛡️ insurance • 📶 data

Simple way to start (even if money is tight) 👇
1. Calculate essentials (what you must pay to survive) ✍️
2. Set a starter target: R5,000 / R10,000 / 1 month essentials 🪜
3. Automate a small amount on payday (even R100–R500) 🤖
4. Keep it separate: savings pocket / money market / call account 🔒
5. Only use it for true emergencies (not holidays 😅) 🚫✈️

Your emergency fund doesn’t make you rich…
It makes you unbreakable. 🛡️📈

👋 Quick highlights from Jan ’26 📆

🇺🇸 US: Fed paused rate cuts 🏦; volatility ticked up, but S&P 500 still +1.5% 📈.
🇪🇺 Eurozone: Inflation back at 2.0% 🎯; defence shares rallied on budget headlines 💣📊.
🌏 Asia: China hit ~5% 2025 growth ✅; first big AI listings popped 🚀; Japan kept rates at 0.75% 🈺.
🇿🇦 SA: SARB kept repo at 6.75% ⚖️; gold hit a record 🪙🔝; JSE All Share +3.7% led by resources (+12.5%)—Sibanye +22%, Gold Fields +17%, Implats +21% ⛏️📈.
💬 Notables: Glencore & Rio Tinto back in merger talks 🤝.

Bottom line: Precious metals shined ✨, SA equities strong, global markets steady-but-watchful. As always, stay diversified and focused on your plan 🎯🧭.

✨ Continuous learning is the cornerstone of responsible financial advice.

I am proud to be attending the INN8 Investment Summit, where thought leaders and industry experts gather to share insights on managing wealth in an ever-changing investment landscape.

As a CFP® Professional, I remain committed to ongoing education and professional development – because staying informed ensures that the advice I give is always competent, ethical, and client-first    .

To my clients: you can rest assured that your wealth is being managed with diligence, integrity, and the highest professional standards. 🌍💼📈

Liberty Group SA Kainos Group

🚀 Interactive Scenario: Two Investors, One 40-Year Journey 🚀

Imagine two friends, both starting with big dreams and a TFSA account. They each invest R36 000 per year until they reach the R500 000 lifetime cap, then watch it grow over 40 years. 📈

👩‍💼 Investor A: Equity-Based TFSA
Allocation: 80% Global Equity @ 11% pa, 20% SA Equity @ 9% pa
Blended Return: 10.6% pa
🏦 Investor B: Cash-Only TFSA (Fixed Deposit)
Allocation: 100% Bank Fixed Deposit
Return: 8% pa

🧮 Growth Milestones
After 14 Years (R500 000 contributed):
Investor A → R1 051 100 💰
Investor B → R871 000 💸
After 40 Years (Compounding continues 26 more years):
Investor A → R14 411 000 🎉
Investor B → R6 439 000 🤔

🔑 Key Takeaways
Power of Compounding: 10.6% vs 8% → over 2.2× more wealth for Investor A.
Offshore Exposure: 80% in global equities accelerates growth and hedges rand risk. 🌍💱

Tax-Free Benefits: Both keep earnings tax-free, but higher returns amplify the magic of compounding. ✨

✅ Conclusion: Over 40 years, a tax-free, equity-based TFSA with significant offshore exposure turns R500 000 in contributions into over R14 million—compared to just R6.4 million in a bank fixed deposit. This shows why, for long-term goals, a diversified equity solution is the way to go! 💡📊



Liberty Group SA Kainos Group

💼 Getting Ready for Your First Meeting with a Financial Planner?

🎉 Congratulations!

You've taken the first step in getting your finances in order by choosing to work with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER professional (CFP®). That’s a big move toward a better financial future!

🧭 What to Expect in the First Meeting (The “Discovery” Meeting)

This first meeting is all about getting to know each other. Think of it like a first visit to a doctor — your planner needs to understand your full financial health to help you best.

The CFP® professional will:

- Ask about your money goals and dreams (like retirement, buying a home, paying for education, or leaving a legacy).
- Learn about your personal life (family, hobbies, lifestyle), since these affect how you handle money.
- Discuss your attitude toward money — Are you a spender or a saver? What worries or excites you about finances?

📋 How to Prepare?

🧠 Reflect on These Questions:

- What do I want my money to do for me and my family?
- What scares me or excites me about money?
- How involved do I want to be in managing my finances?
- Am I comfortable using online tools to track my finances?

🗂️ Bring These Documents (if you can):

- Insurance policies
- Medical Aid Information
- Pension/retirement account info
- Any estate planning papers (like a will or trust)
- Investment statements

🤝 Why It Matters

Being honest and open — even about past money mistakes — helps your planner create a better plan for your future. The more they know, the more they can help.

🌱 The Goal: A Long-Term Relationship

This isn’t just a one-time meeting. It’s the beginning of a lifelong partnership to help you reach your financial goals — through all the ups and downs of life.

💰The 2 Pot Retirement System

From 1 September 2024 the new 2 Pot Retirement System will be implemented. This is applicable to all members of retirement funds and will effectively split all future retirement contributions into a Savings Pot and a Retirement Pot.

Here is a short video to explain how you will be affected by this new legislation.

https://youtu.be/rwMPMt625jA?si=6OltcZZNCQGfWcwL

How to Become a Millionaire in South Africa – Step 3

Eliminate Debt and Manage Credit Wisely

Paying off your debt faster may help you get a head start on your goals. Whether it is saving on the cost of borrowing or just wanting to have more disposable income available for investing. Reducing your debt burden can also reduce stress and help you take control of your financial situation.

The wise King Solomon wrote “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7. This basically means that when you borrow money from someone, you become their indentured servant. You will have to work a certain amount of time to earn the money to pay them back with interest.

The ultimate goal to any long-term financial plan should be to be debt free and have enough invested assets to provide you with a passive net income that will be sufficient to cover all of your living expenses after retirement.

These 4 seps below will help you to get started:

1. Live on Less Than You Earn

If you spend more money than you earn it will be impossible to pay off your debt. Go back to Step 1: Create a Budget and Track Your Expenses.

2. List Your Debts From Smallest to Largest and Pay Off the Smallest One First

Write down a list of all your debts. Starting with the smallest, pay off each debt as fast as possible. During this period, it is important to stop monthly contributions to all investments and focus on getting your debts paid off. These debts should not include your bond or vehicle. Only store cards, credit cards, personal loans, student loans and overdrafts.

3. Buy Your Car With Cash

Determine the price of the car that you would like to buy in 5 year’s time. Then work out how much you will have to save each month to buy that car with cash. The amount of interest you will save doing this will blow your mind. The sense of accomplishment that you will feel when walking into a dealership and paying with cash will also feel amazing. You will also be more likely to make a sensible purchase because you will be using your own money and not the bank’s.

4. Resist Temptation

Sometimes we all become tempted to buy something that we don’t really need. When you pay with your debit card or cash it is much harder to do this. We make better financial decisions when using our own hard earned money to make purchases.

Remember that becoming debt-free is a process that requires patience and dedication. By following these steps and practicing responsible financial habits, you can eliminate debt and manage credit wisely over time, ultimately achieving greater financial stability and freedom.

It is important to consult with your CFP® Professional before making any major financial decisions regarding debt repayments. If you understand how to manage your credit wisely you will be able to reach your financial goals sooner.



Kainos Group Liberty Group SA STANLIB

How to Become a Millionaire in South Africa – Step 2

Build an Emergency Fund

Building an emergency fund is a crucial step in achieving financial stability and peace of mind. An emergency fund is a savings account specifically designated for unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, such as medical bills, car repairs, job loss or home repairs.

Here are steps to help you build and maintain your emergency fund:

1. Set Clear Goals

Determine how much you want to save in your emergency fund. A common guideline is to aim for 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses. But specific needs and circumstances may vary from one person to the next. If you have set up a budget, then you will know exactly what these living expenses are.

2. Open a Dedicated Savings Account

It’s a good idea to open a separate savings account for your emergency fund. This separation makes it less likely that you’ll dip into the fund for non-emergencies, and it also allows you to track your progress easily.

3. Start Small and Be Consistent

If you’re not used to saving, begin with small, manageable contributions to your emergency fund. Consistency is key. Even saving a small amount each month is better than nothing. Gradually increase your contributions as your financial situation improves.

4. Automate Your Savings

Set up a debit order from your account to automatically fund your emergency fund savings account on each payday. This “pay yourself first” approach ensures that you prioritize saving before spending.

5. Avoid Temptation

Remember that your emergency fund is for genuine emergencies, not discretionary spending. Avoid using it for non-urgent purchases or vacations.

6. Replenish After Use

If you must dip into your emergency fund for a legitimate emergency, make it a priority to replenish the fund as soon as possible.

7. Keep Up with Inflation

Choosing the correct savings product that can give you inflation beating returns will keep your emergency fund’s real purchase value over time. Good options will be Money Market or Income Funds. Speak to your Financial Adviser for the best options to suit your needs.

8. Review and Adjust

Periodically review your financial situation and adjust your emergency fund goal and contributions If necessary. Life circumstances can change, so it’s important to adapt your savings plan accordingly.

Building an emergency fund takes time and discipline, but having one in place can provide you with financial security and peace of mind when unexpected expenses arise. It’s an essential component of a well-rounded financial plan.

Kainos Group Liberty Group SA

Step 1 - Create a Budget and Track Your Expenses

A budget is created to make sure that you do not spend more than you earn. Living on less than you earn is essential towards your journey of becoming financially independent. If this cannot be achieved, none of the steps in this series will work for you.

Developing a comprehensive budget is a fundamental step towards achieving financial independence. Start by tracking your income and expenses to gain a clear picture of your financial situation.

Having a personal financial monthly budget offers several advantages. Here are some of the key benefits on how this will help you on your journey to become financially independent:

1. Financial Awareness

Creating a budget helps you develop a clear understanding of your income, expenses, and overall financial situation. It allows you to track where your money is coming from and where it’s going. This awareness is crucial for making informed financial decisions.

2. Goal Setting

A budget enables you to set financial goals and work towards them systematically. Whether you aim to save for a deposit on a house, pay off debt, or plan for a vacation, a budget helps you allocate funds and prioritize your objectives.

3. Expense Control

By following a budget, you gain control over your expenses. It helps you identify unnecessary or excessive spending and adjust accordingly. With better control, you can avoid impulsive purchases and focus on what truly matters to you.

4. Debt Management

A budget allows you to allocate funds towards debt repayment systematically. It helps you plan your payments, prioritise high-interest debts, and reduce your overall debt burden. By managing your debt effectively, you can save money on interest payments and work towards becoming debt-free.

5. Saving and Investing

A budget facilitates regular saving by allocating a portion of your income towards savings or investments. It helps you build and emergency fund, save for retirement, or invest in other assets that can produce a passive income in the future. Over time this disciplined approach can lead to financial security and wealth accumulation.

6. Stress Reduction

Financial uncertainty and stress often arise from not having a clear understanding of your finances. By creating and following a budget, you gain a sense of control and eliminate surprises. This, in turn, reduces financial stress and allows you to focus on other aspects of your life.

7. Improved Decision Making

With a budget, you have a comprehensive view of your financial resources and constraints. This knowledge empowers you to make better financial decisions. Whether it’s evaluating a major purchase, considering a career change, or planning for major life events, a budget provides you with the information needed to make informed choices.

Remember that creating a budget is a dynamic process. Regularly reviewing and adjusting your budget as circumstances change is essential for maximizing its benefits.

How to Become a Millionaire in South Africa

Becoming a millionaire is goal that many South Africans aspire to achieve. While the path to accumulating a seven-figure net worth requires dedication, perseverance, and strategic planning, it’s an achievable goal with the right mindset and actions.

I have created a simple 5-step process which will set you on the right path to become a millionaire in South Africa

Firstly, let’s have a look at what it means to be a millionaire in South Africa.

Generally, to be considered a millionaire is to have a net worth of $1 000 000 (R19 000 000). This is a simple calculation (assets – liabilities = net worth). Being a millionaire is not about how much money you make in a year, your feelings or emotions, or your friends’ opinions around the braai on a Saturday after the rugby. It all comes down to net worth.

Can anyone become a millionaire?

If becoming a millionaire seems impossible, I have some good news for you. Multiple studies have been done on millionaires and for the most part, they’re ordinary people just like you and me.

I believe that anyone can build wealth, no matter their background or income. Believe it or not, most millionaires didn’t inherit their money or win the lottery. In fact, a study done in the USA has shown that 79% of millionaires didn’t receive any inheritance at all. Millionaires are made, not born.

The steps to becoming a millionaire are extremely simple, but it requires discipline, guidance, and sacrifice.

Becoming a millionaire is not an overnight achievement. It requires consistent effort, determination, and the ability to persevere through challenges. Stay patient and stay focused on your goals, adjusting your long-term strategies as needed.

In this 5-step process, I will not be recommending financial products or give advice. I encourage you to meet with your CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® to discuss your specific needs and objectives.

Over the course of the next 5 month’s, I will be releasing these short and easy to read articles. You can implement the steps one at a time and start 2024 with clear set goals and a vision for your wealth.

Look out for the first step in the 5-step process within the coming days.