🌱 Beginners

What is a savings account and how much does it pay?

A savings account keeps your money safe and pays interest that changes over time. How the interest, the annual interest exemption and the Corporation for Deposit Insurance work — and when a savings account is enough.

What is compound interest and how does it work?

Compound interest is return on your return — the engine behind long-term saving. Here is the formula, how big a role time plays, and how to use the rule of 72.

Investing in South Africa: a guide for beginners

From a savings account to unit trusts, a retirement fund and shares on the JSE — a step-by-step guide for anyone who wants to start investing in South Africa from scratch.

What are unit trusts and mutual funds, and how do you choose?

Equity funds, balanced funds, money-market funds and bond funds — how the different types work, what the management fee means over time, and how to avoid the expensive options.

Savings accounts, fixed deposits and bond funds compared

For money that needs to stay safe there are several routes — savings accounts, fixed deposits and bond funds. How they differ in risk, return, access and tax.