My Money My Lifestyle My Money My Lifestyle

Are you ready to take control of your financial future? The Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp is here to guide you through a transformative journey that will help you understand and master your finances. Hosted by Maya Fisher-French and Mapalo Makhu, this podcast series is designed to help you build a solid financial foundation, no matter where you are on your money journey.
 
In the second episode of the Santam Insure Your Future Money Bootcamp, Mapalo and Maya dive into the topic of budgeting and how taking control of your day-to-day spending can significantly reduce financial anxiety. With real-life anecdotes and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to gain financial clarity and peace of mind.
 
Listeners will hear from Thato, who shares how her anxiety around money diminished once she created a budget, and the story of Pam, who discovered she had more money than she realised once she started tracking her expenses. The episode also features a conversation with Sbongile, a mentee from last year’s cohort, who transformed her financial habits and mindset through budgeting.
 
Mapalo and Maya discuss different budgeting approaches, including zero-based budgeting and the 50/30/20 rule, emphasising the importance of finding a method that works for your unique lifestyle and financial situation. They also explore the concept of a survival budget and how it can provide a safety net during financial shocks.
 
Whether you're new to budgeting or looking to refine your financial strategy, this episode offers valuable insights and practical steps to help you take control of your finances. Download the budget template from our resource page and start tracking your expenses today. Share your experiences with us by sending a voice note to 062-174-0145.

Welcome to "Life behind the Numbers," a Discovery Life podcast series. 

Host, Maya Fisher-French, together with experts from Discovery Life, delve into the latest trends from Discovery Life claims research, highlighting the need for both physical and financial protection against various risks.

In this episode, we tackle a topic often overlooked: the importance of child cover and the financial implications of unexpected events affecting our children. Joined by Kashmeera Kanji, Head of Market Analytics and R&D, and Sylvia Steyn, Head of Claims and Servicing, we explore how child insurance can protect against the high costs associated with severe childhood illnesses whilst providing for education costs. 

Kashmeera and Sylvia share insights on the hidden costs that medical schemes don't cover, such as taking time off work, home adaptations, and special schooling. We discuss real-life examples, like claims for childhood cancers, and the benefits of automatic child severe illness and parent care benefits.

We also examine the significance of protecting your child's educational future and how Discovery Life's Global Family Coverage and the Global Education Protector benefit ensure that your child's education is funded, even if you are no longer able to provide for it. 

Sylvia highlights the unique University Funder benefit, which rewards parents for engaging in Vitality by contributing to their child's education costs.

Finally, we explore the importance of diversifying risk cover, including options for overseas education through the Discovery Dollar Life Plan and the Dollar Global Education Protector. These plans offer higher limits and cover the comprehensive costs of international education, providing peace of mind for parents.

To learn more about how comprehensive life insurance can protect you and your family, visit the "Covering What You Care About" section on the Discovery Magazine Smart Money Hub at Discovery.co.za. You'll find a wealth of resources to strengthen your financial footing. For more details on Discovery Life's full range of cover benefits, speak directly to a Discovery certified financial advisor.

This podcast was sponsored by Discovery Life.

Created by consumer financial journalist Maya Fisher-French and financial coach Mapalo Makhu, the Santam Insure your Future Money Bootcamp is a podcast designed to help you create your own financial money journey.

In this special series, we bring you the transformative journey of financial education. Over the next six months, through 13 episodes, we will guide you step-by-step on how to take control of your finances.


The podcasts will be realised every second week and you can follow the various steps of the money bootcamp with access to the documents and spreadsheets discussed in this podcast which you can fill in as you go along the journey by clicking on this link 

In this introductory episode, we delve into the relationship between money and emotions. We discuss the fundamental importance of understanding your emotional connection to money as the first step in your financial journey. We share personal anecdotes and insights from our experiences working with individuals who have undergone significant financial transformations.


Listeners will learn about the various aspects of financial planning that will be covered in future episodes, including budgeting for daily expenses and major life events, managing healthy and unhealthy debt, distinguishing between saving and investing, and understanding life insurance, medical schemes, and retirement planning. Basically, we will cover all of those aspects that you need to put together your own financial plan
 
This episode also features a compelling story from Andiswa, who shares how completing a money mindset questionnaire helped her and her husband understand their financial emotions and improve their communication about money. Complete the money mindset questionnaire available under Resources and share your insights.  

In this episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French delves into the financial complexities of divorce with financial planner Kirsten Smit of Citadel Investments. They explore the alarming rise in divorces, particularly in the post-Covid era and among those over the age of 50. Kirsten shares insights on the financial upheaval that divorce brings, from splitting assets to managing two households, and the challenges women face during this transition.

Listeners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the importance of knowing one’s marital regime and the critical need to understand the family’s financial landscape. Kirsten emphasises the necessity of having updated values for assets, understanding liabilities, and the significance of a detailed income statement. The discussion also touches on the often-overlooked expenses and the financial implications of maintaining a family home post-divorce.

Whether you're contemplating divorce, in the midst of it, or simply want to safeguard your financial future, this episode offers invaluable advice on navigating the financial aspects of divorce. Learn how to create a sound parenting plan, the importance of having life cover, and the role of a financial planner in ensuring a fair and sustainable settlement. Tune in for practical strategies and empowering advice to help you bounce back and secure your financial independence post-divorce.

Wondering how to navigate the chaos of today's economic climate? Dive into our latest podcast episode where host Maya Fisher French and investment expert Debra Slabber from Morningstar South Africa explore the eight principles of successful investing. Discover why simplicity is your ally, how your savings rate impacts your financial future more than you think, and why the best action in a turbulent market might be inaction. The key to investment success lies not in chasing the latest trends or complex products but in embracing simplicity and discipline.





Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, this episode provides insights on building a resilient investment strategy that can weather the storms of volatility. Tune in to discover how to navigate the investment landscape with confidence, patience, and a steadfast commitment to simplicity.

In this episode of My Money My Lifestyle, host Maya Fisher-French is joined by financial advisor Munya Shumba to address a critical yet often neglected aspect of financial planning: prioritising your own financial future over solely focusing on your family's needs.


They explore the delicate balance between generosity and self-preservation, highlighting the need for parents and young professionals alike to establish firm financial boundaries.


Listeners will gain insights into how to navigate familial financial responsibilities without compromising their future, the power of starting investments early, and the critical role of having a financial plan in place. The conversation also touches on the pitfalls of debt as a means of family support and the psychological benefits of disciplined saving.


Whether you're a parent striving to provide the best for your child or a young graduate grappling with supporting your family while building your own financial foundation, this episode offers practical strategies and a fresh perspective on creating a sustainable financial plan that serves both your and your family's needs.


Tune in to understand how to maintain a healthy balance between supporting loved ones and investing in your own financial resilience, ensuring a stable future for all.