| Liberty Monthly Communication |  |
January 2011 |
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We would like to wish all our clients a very happy New Year! We hope that you are rested, restored and ready to take on the opportunities and challenges of 2011. The beginning of each year is an opportunity for a fresh start. Whatever last year brought, that is now behind you and you can now set new goals and follow new dreams. In our first newsletter of 2010, we encouraged you to write up your personal balance sheet: to list your assets, liabilities and calculate your net worth. The idea is to do this each year, comparing your current net worth to where you were a year ago. For those of you who set goals and stuck to them, this comparison should be an encouragement to keep with your financial plan of lowering your debt and increasing your savings. If you did not draw up a personal balance sheet last year, start now.
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While you are taking a hard look at your balance sheet, sit down with your family and let everyone write down the things they would like to achieve this year - from the little things they didn't get round to last year to the bigger dreams like a family holiday. By writing them down you make them more real and focus your attention on what you want to achieve. I recently spoke to a woman who is turning 40 this year. Her birthday gift to herself is to achieve a goal each month from running a marathon and going sky-diving, to learning how to apply make-up, and sorting out her retirement plan and to start a proper household budget (she will need the budget to achieve the other goals!). But what an amazing way to live! But we don't have to wait for a big birthday to set life goals. How about setting a financial goal for yourself each month? Use the ideas below to help you: January: Draw up a household budget February: Work out a plan to be rid of short-term debt by the end of the year March: Review your life and disability insurance to make sure your family is secure April: Check your banking costs and switch to a cheaper option if you can May: Review your short-term insurance: is your cover sufficient? Are there ways to cut premiums? June: Teach your children to budget with their pocket money, talk about money with them July: Meet your financial adviser to make sure you are on the right financial path August: Start saving for your children's education or help educate another child through the Fundisa fund September: Start putting money or vouchers aside for end of year festivities October: Complete your tax return November: Do something for charity December: Draw up a festive season budget Life is not just about money, so make sure you also include goals that enrich your relationships and yourself, like regular "special time" with your children, date nights with your partner, exercising and spending time relaxing outdoors. |
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This month, our theme at Liberty is Avoiding the debt trap. To read more articles that will help you to empower yourself financially, go to http://www.liberty.co.za/news-and-views/consumer-articles/Pages/consumer-articles.aspx |
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We enter 2011 asking the same question we did last year - is the economic recovery sustainable?
Although emerging economies appear to be in full recovery, developed economies still face tremendous
challenges which threaten overall global economic stability. The jury is still out as to whether
the unprecedented fiscal stimulus was the answer to the financial and economic crisis. The US, UK
and Europe will be faced with tough decisions in the months ahead.
Locally, South Africa is back on a growth path; however the third quarter growth figures were disappointing. We are expected to grow at around 3.7% this year but this is not enough to create meaningful jobs. The economy is picking up, just not enough. Find out more in our local and global economic reviews. |
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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] If you don't have a financial adviser or if you have any questions about your policy, please call us on 0860 456 789 or email [email protected] Kind regards Steven Braudo Chief Executive Officer: Liberty Retail SA |
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We've decided to ease you into the year with a short newsletter which gives you a brief economic update. In February we will return to a newsletter packed with information to help you make the right financial decisions. |
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Global economic review
STANLIB economists Kevin Lings and Laura Jones look at the challenges ahead for 2011. Read more. Weekly economic updates
The Weekly Focus is a commentary on markets, economies and investments prepared by Paul Hansen and Kevin Lings of STANLIB. You can read the latest developments every Tuesday by following the link on www.liberty.co.za |
Local economic review
Liberty Life consumer economist, Tendani Mantshimuli, looks at how consumers and the economy should fare in the year ahead. Read more. Investment portfolio information
Investment portfolios offered by Liberty: performance, risk profiles, asset allocation. Click here. Online Policyholder Servicing
Download tax certificates, view policy values and other information, update your details. Click here. |
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"Liberty Group is an Authorised Financial services Provider in terms of the FAIS Act (Licence no. 2409). The information contained in this communication, including attachments, is not to be construed as advice in terms of the Financial Advisory and Intermediary Services Act of 2002 ("FAIS") as the writer is neither an appointed representative of Liberty, nor a licensed financial services provider as contemplated in FAIS. Please consult your financial adviser should you require advice of a financial nature and/or intermediary services." |