| Liberty Monthly Communication |  |
October 2009 |
 |
||
 |
||||
 |
The IMF (International Monetary Fund) believes we are finally entering into a growth phase with predictions of 3% global growth next year but we will need to see convincing signs of recovery from the US consumer if the economic recovery is to be sustained. Locally, economic data also show signs of improvement but job losses remain a major concern for households' financial recovery. So, while economies appear to be climbing back onto a recovery path, we need to be watching consumer-related data very carefully. Read how consumers both locally and in the US are faring in our global and local economic reviews. | |||
 |
||
|
Before we can effectively take control of our finances, we need to understand our attitude to money and how we may be unintentionally sabotaging our financial security. In the article Psychology of Saving we look at three main causes that stop us from saving how we can overcome some of our negative behaviour. One of greatest challenges in starting a savings plan is deciding where to invest. Investments have become extremely complex and often the range of products available makes it difficult to make a final decision. In his article Matching Your Solutions to Your Goals, Craig Peters explains how a long-term financial plan starts with understanding your financial goals so you can narrow down the investment solutions that will meet your needs. Financial institutions also need to come to the party by providing more transparent and less complex products that allow investors to understand exactly what they are invested in and what the product aims to achieve. In the article Helping Customers Understand Their Investments we explain the concept behind our new Own Your Life campaign and our new investment product range that aims to deliver on investment promises rather than product complexity. While a financial plan focuses on saving for your future, you also need to ensure that you are providing for your family's future. In the article Let Your Will Reflect Your Wishes we look at the importance of a will and how it can ensure that your dependants are protected financially. |
||
 |
||
|
It is now that time of year when you need to submit your tax return. You can download your tax certificate from Liberty through our Customer Portal on the Policy Holder Servicing web site.
|
||
 |
||
|
Thank you for the feedback we have received on these newsletters so far. Your comments and suggestions will help us to give you relevant information for planning and managing your finances. Please keep talking to us and telling us what you think! You can email your comments to [email protected] Kind regards Steven Braudo Chief Executive Officer: Liberty Insurance |
||
 |
 |
 |
|
Global economic review
STANLIB economists Kevin Lings and Melissa Dyer argue that while we may be entering a period of moderate economic growth this will only be sustained if it is followed by a strong recovery in consumer led demand. Read more. Weekly economic updates
The Weekly Focus is a commentary on markets, economies and investments prepared by Paul Hansen, Kevin Lings and Melissa Dyer of STANLIB. You can read the latest developments every Tuesday by following the link on www.stanlib.com |
Local economic review
Liberty Life consumer economist, Tendani Mantshimuli, also follows the theme of consumer health in the overall economic recovery. South African data has not quite reached the more positive levels of the US and households remain under pressure as job losses have an impact on household income. Read more |
The Psychology of Money
|