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When does helping become too much?

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on When does helping become too much?

One of the most difficult money conversations many parents face is knowing how long to keep financially supporting their adult children. What begins as help through a difficult chapter can become part of family life. Before long, parents find themselves paying for rent, cars, debt, education fees, or helping adult children through financial challenges they are struggling to manage on their own. Some parents are supporting not just one generation, but several: adult children, grandchildren, and ageing parents. As parents, our instinct is to help, but that support can come at a cost....

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The conversations families need to have before it’s too late

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on The conversations families need to have before it’s too late

We spend so much time planning for life that we often avoid planning for death. None of us wants to imagine a future without the people we love most, but avoiding these conversations can leave families carrying confusion, hurt, and conflict at a time they are already grieving. One of the greatest gifts families can give one another is clarity, communication, and peace of mind. A legacy is never just financial; it’s also the emotional experience a family carries after a death. Here are some of the important conversations families should have while they still can. Make sure someone...

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Why you feel stuck with money – and what may be causing it

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in In Hindsight, Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Why you feel stuck with money – and what may be causing it

After working with clients for many years, I’ve realised that the stories we tell ourselves about money are often like old songs we play on repeat. It’s almost like a radio station in your head, feeding you the same message over and over again, and most of the time you’re not even aware that it’s there. When your thinking feels scattered Have you ever noticed how your thinking changes when life feels stressful or uncertain? You may find yourself going around in circles, delaying decisions you know you need to make, or avoiding your finances altogether because it feels easier not...

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It’s Not Too Late to Build Your Retirement in Your 50s

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on It’s Not Too Late to Build Your Retirement in Your 50s

Do you ever find yourself doing quiet mental calculations about your future? Adding up what you’ve saved. Estimating how many working years may still lie ahead. Wondering whether you started soon enough and what retirement will really mean for you. In your 50s, retirement is no longer a distant idea. It’s a date on the calendar. And when you look at your retirement investments, they may not quite match the life you imagined. It’s a familiar story. For years, contributions were something to increase “later”. Once school fees were done, university was paid for, and life felt less...

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Kim Potgieter gazing into the distance smiling

Four Money Questions Worth Asking Right Now

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in In Hindsight, Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Four Money Questions Worth Asking Right Now

“Don’t leave your life to chance – you’ll end up living a life someone else plans for you.” That’s a reminder I come back to often, especially at the start of a new year. It’s a good time to pause and ask yourself a simple but important question: Are you still writing the life and money story you want to live? These four questions are an invitation to reflect, to notice what’s changed, and to consider whether your money is still supporting the life you want going forward. 1. Is my money still aligned with the life I want to live? Life changes us. What mattered to you ten...

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When you don’t have enough at 50 to retire

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. 1 Comment on When you don’t have enough at 50 to retire

Midlife is often the moment we start connecting who we’ve been with who we’re becoming. It’s a time to draw on your wisdom, experience, and courage to recalibrate your money with what brings you meaning. Defining what “enough” means to you I always tell clients that enough is not a number. Enough is when your life and money are aligned with your biggest dreams, your vision for the future, and your idea of what a fulfilling and meaningful life looks like. Every person’s definition of enough is unique. Lynda Smith’s story reminds us of this beautifully. At fifty, she didn’t have...

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Talking to your children about money: Lessons worth sharing

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Talking to your children about money: Lessons worth sharing

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the wisdom to see money for what it truly is: a tool, not a measure of worth. Teenagers and young adults often view money as a ticket to independence, but without guidance, that independence can quickly turn into a cycle of debt, stress, and missed opportunities. Teach them to live within their means It’s easy to get carried away with a first paycheque: new clothes, nights out, gadgets. But overspending builds a lifestyle on debt. Encourage your children to track their spending and stick to a realistic budget. Saving with a goal...

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“Me first” also means “Paying yourself first”

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on “Me first” also means “Paying yourself first”

This principle is as much about mindset as it is about money. In this month’s client story, Cheryl Jones speaks about her popular Me First talk – a reminder that you can only truly help others if you’ve taken care of yourself first. Financially, it’s exactly the same. The stronger your own foundation, the more capacity you have to support the people and causes you care about. What “Paying yourself first” really means The idea behind “paying yourself first” is simple: before you pay bills, make purchases, or help others, set aside a portion of your income for your savings and...

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Understanding Power of Attorney in South Africa

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Understanding Power of Attorney in South Africa

That’s why it’s important to understand how Power of Attorney (POA) works in South Africa. What is Power of Attorney? A Power of Attorney allows someone (called the principal) to give another person (the agent) permission to act on their behalf. This might be to help with financial matters, signing documents, or managing property. However, South African law does not recognise an enduring Power of Attorney. This means that the moment a person is no longer of sound mind (due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, or any mental incapacity), the Power of Attorney automatically ends – even if...

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Can you afford school fees and retire well?

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Can you afford school fees and retire well?

To cover those costs from investments, you’d need to save approximately R56,500 a year, escalating annually, starting when your child is born. This estimate assumes a 10% annual return on investment. For most families, that’s a tall order – especially when you’re also trying to save for retirement, pay off a bond, and manage rising living costs. No wonder so many parents feel overwhelmed. And when pressure rises, the temptation to make short-term decisions with long-term consequences increases, too. With a clear plan, it’s possible to give your children an excellent...

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