National Book Week: Top five personal finance books
There is still a large number of South Africans who lack basic financial literacy, which is also part of the reason that many struggle to get rid of debt, become financially stable and develop a savings culture.
In celebration of National Book Week, taking place from 4 — 10 September, online insurance and financial comparison platform, Hippo.co.za, selected their top five personal finance books to help consumers save money.
- The Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey
This book is a great financial guide, especially for those who wish to get out of debt. The book provides practical advice on several aspects such as how to start an emergency fund, pay off debt, pay off your home early and save for your children’s education. The seven-step approach has sold close to 5 million copies and earned the book a spot on the New York Times’ Best Seller list for over two years. The book can be purchased online for under R200, a small investment for a lifetime of practical financial change. - Your Money or Your Life, by Vicki Robin, Joe Dominguez and Monique Tilford
Although released in 1992, the book stays relevant today as it does not merely give the general “do this, not that” advice when it comes to personal finance, it goes into the psychology of money, provides insights into why we spend money on things and how to focus on money in terms of life instead of looking at it in terms of material possessions. This realistic approach helps with the guilt that comes with spending, as it looks at necessary and healthy spending based on your personal financial position. The e-book can be purchased for under R185 online. - I Will Teach You to Be Rich, by Ramit Sethi
This book, released in 2009, is probably one of the simpler books in terms of breaking down practical personal finance tips. It not only provides tips and tools to help manage your finances better, but also provides saving suggestions and ideas on how to make additional money with hobbies and passion projects. Some criticised the book for being a bit too simple, but most preferred it as it provided them with a simple and realistic way of handling their personal finances. You can find the e-book, paperback and summary version online for R224, R193, and R30 respectively. - Get a Financial Life, by Beth Kobliner
Whilst most people have learned the tips and tricks of managing their finances by the time they have reached their middle ages, many could have been in better financial positions had they received these tips at a younger age. This book targets the younger adult who has managed to gain some buying power and who is on their way to managing their lives on their own. The book provides tips from dealing with student loan debt, to saving for a home to considering health and other insurance. There are several paperback versions online from about R116. - Personal Finance for Dummies, by Eric Tyson
This best-seller by a renowned financial counsellor and author takes you through sound financial advice from complex topics such as investing and taxes to simpler tips on getting out of debt, budgeting and saving. This book is for anyone who wants a better understanding of how financial matters impact their lives and who wants to give their personal finances a complete overhaul. It is the pricier option of all, but nonetheless a great short-term investment that could yield long-term financial benefits.
For those who want some quick reads and tips particularly in relation to insurance, personal finance and saving, also consider reading some of the articles at http://www.hippo.co.za/blog/.
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Established in 2007, Hippo.co.za is South Africa’s leading comparison website that helps consumers save money by comparing a range of South African providers across financial products such as Car Insurance, Household Insurance, Life Insurance, Medical Aid and more. Hippo.co.za is free to use and saves consumers the time and hassle of shopping around for the best deal since the Hippo.co.za website instantly retrieves real-time quotes from the different providers using the latest Internet technology. You could save hundreds of Rands per month* on your Car Insurance alone by using Hippo.co.za to compare before you buy or switch to a new provider.
Hippo.co.za makes money by simply charging its partners a fee when a customer chooses to find out more about their products. The results consumers see, and the order in which they are presented, are in no way influenced by the fee Hippo.co.za charges its partners or any other factors other than the price of the product being compared.
For more information, visit us on www.hippo.co.za, connect with Hippo.co.za on LinkedIn, http://www.linkedin.com/company/hippo-comparative-services-pty-ltd/, like us on Facebook, www.facebook.com/HippoSA, and follow us on Twitter, @Hippo_co_za and YouTube, http://www.youtube.com/user/hippocompare.
Hippo Comparative Services (Pty) Ltd is an authorised financial services provider (FSP number: 16357).
Terms and Conditions apply.
*Based on 2016 independent market research conducted by Kaufman Levin Associates.
Sources
Opening the eCommerce gateway into Africa
The eCommerce Africa Confex is proving to be Africa's most influential eCommerce gathering as we bring you face to face with the key individuals in the industry. The conference agenda will cover all things eCommerce, from how to expand your business into Africa to the survival and flourishing of SME's and small businesses.
Raphael Afaedor, Co-Founder of Jumia and CEO/Co-Founder of Supermart, together with Simdul Shagaya, CEO and Founder of Konga.com will both be sitting on a panel discussing how to sell into Africa and grow your business beyond South Africa.
Raphael is part of the advisory panel that has been consulted to tailor the event agenda. He co-founded one of Nigeria's largest online stores, Jumia, in 2012 and has since left to start Supermart, an online platform that allows the consumer to shop from over 18 000 grocery items. Simdul is the CEO and co-founder of recently Naspers-invested, Konga.com which is known as Africa's answer to Amazon.com. He was on Forbe's list of "The 10 Most Powerful Men in Africa 2014" and also won "Entrepreneur of the Year" at the 2013 All Africa Business Leaders Awards.
SME's and startups can gather valuable insight during a panel that will discuss what small businesses, without the big corporate budgets, can do to build a business that will not only survive but thrive and flourish in the eCommerce industry. Panellists for this discussion include:
• David Muller, Managing Director of CyberCellar
• Phaedon Gourtsoyannis, Founder of Cape Coffee Beans
• Gary Hadfield, CEO of loot.co.za
• Olivier Chas, Managing Director and Co-Founder of CitySlicker
The eCommerce Africa Confex takes places on the 3rd and 4th February 2015 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Should you wish to register as a delegate or are interested in sponsor or exhibitor opportunities, please contact Greg Johnson on 021 180 4700 or email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Surveillance cameras at their best!
Foscam, world leaders in IP camera technology are making home surveillance a DIY solution.
Foscam have recently launched a high definition outdoor PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) camera which is now available in South Africa.
Not only can you control the camera from your smartphone or web browser, but the picture quality is excellent.
The Foscam FI9828W is a high definition, 1.3 megapixel surveillance camera in full colour. It has upto 20 metres night vision range and even further during the day time.
Home and office surveillance has never been so easy. Simply plug in the camera, link it to your wireless router using the setup instructions and download an app onto your smartphone for viewing. Alternatively, view through your normal internet browser with a secure IP address. You are then able to control the camera, via web or smartphone, no matter where you are.
Pan the camera 355 degrees, tilt it 70 degrees or zoom in 3x! The choice is yours.
Foscam is fast becoming a household name in surveillance amongst the South African market.
With a proven track record and years of IP camera development, Foscam is one of Amazons best sellers in the surveillance camera market.
Foscam IP surveillance cameras are available in South Africa, countrywide.
Ensure your families safety or keep an eye on your staff. Watch over your pets or keep an eye on the elderly!
To purchase the Foscam FI9828W go online and place your order at www.foscam.co.za.
Contact details:
Foscam South Africa.
Tel: 011 469 5165.
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SAA launches a Blackberry10 Application
27/05/2014 - Cape Town: South African Airways (SAA) recently announced the availability of the new SAA application for BlackBerry® 10 smartphones on the BlackBerry® World™ storefront.
In a constant effort to make flying with SAA more convenient, South Africa’s Global airline collaborated with Cytrus, one of South Africa’s leading web and mobile application specialists, to produce an application that gives BlackBerry 10 smartphones users access to comprehensive travel and airline information while on the go.
The application for BlackBerry 10 smartphones provides a new engaging user experience and relevant airline content, providing South African Airways users with the best stress free travel experience.
The application allows users to check their flight status using their booking reference and track that flight on their dashboard. Not sure what the weather is doing? Check out the comprehensive weather report. Want to know more about the destination you are travelling to? Try out the Destination section of the app. Customer will also have access to online check-in, flight status of any SAA flight, flight schedules, lounge finder, special offers and baggage & cargo tracking. Additionally, Voyager customers will have access to their Voyager miles.
Grant Byron, Managing Director of Cytrus (Methys Digital), said: “we are so excited to have worked with SAA to design the app. It promotes the brand image of SAA and provides BlackBerry 10 smartphones users with a rich and unique mobile experience.”
The South African Airways app is now available as a free download at: http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/48856892
About Cytrus (Methys Digital):
Since 2007 Cytrus has utilised its strategic, creative and technical know-how to produce consistently engaging digital experiences delivering cutting edge robust solutions to our clients in the enterprise space. Cytrus was recently acquired by the Methys Group, an international Technology and Business Performance Management Consulting firm with operations in France, UK, Benelux, Tunisia and South Africa. This allows Cytrus to utilise Methys’s expertise in Business Intelligence/Analytics, CRM/Digital Marketing consulting and innovation management.
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