Is your financial strategy keeping up with a changing world?

In this Q&A episode of Solving the Riddle, Andrew Whitewood and Alec Riddle break down the shifting rules of wealth creation, tax optimization, and asset protection in South Africa. From practical cybersecurity habits to a simple tax loophole that can boost your long-term wealth by 40%, we unpack the complex financial riddles shaping your future. 

 Key Takeaways From This Episode

• The R2 Million Discretionary Allowance: Moving money outside South Africa into hard currency is fluid and more accessible than ever, with entry points starting much lower than you think. 

• The RA + TFSA Multiplier Effect: Discover how high earners can take their annual retirement fund tax rebate and funnel it directly into a Tax-Free Savings Account to dramatically accelerate financial independence. 

• Defeating Concentration Risk: Why putting all your eggs in popular indices might expose you to hidden risks, and how active diversification protects your capital. 

• Securing Your Digital Wallet: Why you should use test transfers for large sums and transition to category-specific virtual cards. 

If you found value in this episode, please Like, drop your questions in the Comments, and Subscribe to help us grow our reach! 🔔

 

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

Tax season is here! In this episode of Solving the Riddle, hosts Andrew Whitewood and Alec Riddle sit down with tax specialist Marisca from Tax Matters with Marisca to unpack the upcoming SARS tax season. 

With over 6 million South Africans receiving auto-assessments, simply clicking "accept" could mean leaving thousands of Rands on the table. We break down the deadlines, hidden deductions, and new rules catching out content creators, crypto traders, and remote workers. 

Top three Takeaways:

• Check before you accept: Only 0.5% of auto-assessed taxpayers edit their returns. You could be missing out on a larger refund by ignoring valid medical expenses or rental losses. 

• Crypto visibility: SA exchanges now report your trading data directly to SARS. 

• The Home Office Trap: Claiming a WFH space now can drastically shrink your R3 million primary residence capital gains exclusion when you sell your home. 

🔗 Connect With Us:

• Instagram: @TaxMattersWithMarisca

• Subscribe for Part 2 dropping this September!

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

What does conquering South Africa's most iconic ultra-marathon have in common with securing your financial freedom? As it turns out, just about everything.  

With the Comrades Marathon just days away, hosts Andrew Whitewood and Alec Riddle explore why crossing the finish line requires the exact same discipline, pacing, and mindset as navigating a long-term investment portfolio. Drawing from Alec’s experience running 21st in the 1980s and his two decades as an "Eye in the Sky" television commentator, the duo unpacks the psychological traps that derail both novice runners and everyday investors.  

In this episode, we discuss: 

The Team of Professionals: Why hitting milestones alone often leads to hitting a wall, and how a great financial planner acts as your ultimate race coach.  

The Bruce Fordyce Strategy: How the nine-time champion ignored high-speed "TV runners" seeking short-term fame to stick strictly to his targeted average pace.  

Lanes, Peers, and Snapshots: Why judging your portfolio by short-term market fluctuations is as deceptive as judging a runner’s form strictly while they sprint downhill on Cowies Hill or struggle up Fields Hill.  

Silencing the "Expo Noise": The danger of last-minute strategy changes—whether falling for FOMO at a pre-race expo or panicking into cash during market drops.  

The Behavior Gap: How missing just the 10 best days in the market over 20 years can erode half your wealth, and why grit at Polly Shortts saves your journey.  

Whether you are one of the 21,000 runners standing on the starting line this June 14th, or an investor building a robust plan for retirement, this episode is your guide to tuning out the noise and staying in your lane.  

Listener Note: Check our social media for exclusive reels featuring Comrades personalities sharing race-day tips and money wisdom!  

Enjoyed the show? Please like, share, and subscribe. Help us hit 1,000 subscribers, and we might just force Andrew to run a marathon qualifier!

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

Cracking the Retirement Code: Blended Solutions & The Just Insights Survey
Hosts: Alec Riddle & Andrew Whitewood 
Special Guest: Bjorn Ladewig ,Actuary and Retirement Income Specialist at Just

Are you on track for a secure retirement, or are you navigating a hidden shortfall?
In this eye-opening episode of Solving the Riddle, hosts Andrew Whitewood and Alec Riddle dive deep into the sobering realities of the South African retirement landscape. With the latest Just Retirement Insights Survey hitting the streets, the data reveals a staggering 48% gap between what the typical retiree expects to need and what they actually have saved. Worse yet, stats show that 94% of South Africans cannot afford to retire comfortably, leaving many to rely on family and children to make ends meet.  
To help unpack these financial riddles, Andrew and Alec welcome actuary and retirement income specialist Bjorn Ladewig. Together, they confront the traditional, binary choice between living annuities and life annuities to introduce the "10th wonder of the world"—blended annuity solutions.  

In this episode, you’ll discover:
•⁠  ⁠The Reality Check: Why drawing 7%+ from a standard living annuity could cause retirees to hit a brick wall in just 13 years.

•⁠  ⁠The Power of Pooling: How life annuities offer guaranteed income for life, insulated from market volatility.  

•⁠  ⁠The Blended Blueprint: How combining the flexibility of a living annuity with the security of a life annuity maximizes sustainable drawdown rates—giving you the best of both worlds.  

•⁠  ⁠Defeating the Risks: Why protecting your portfolio against sequence of return risk early in retirement is critical to longevity of capital.  

You can download Just Retirement insights on this link: http://Retirementinsights.co.za

Whether you are a youngster who needs to start saving earlier, a professional phasing into retirement via consulting, or an adult looking out for elderly parents, this episode provides the practical frameworks needed to secure financial independence and protect your dignity.
Tune in to learn how a smart, blended strategy can potentially double the runway of your retirement journey!  
Don't forget to subscribe, leave a comment, and share this episode with anyone looking to build lasting wealth.

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

In this episode of Solving the Riddle, Andrew Whitewood and Alec Riddle answer the practical financial questions they face daily in their planning practice. Following their discussions on the national budget and hedge funds, they shift their focus toward helping listeners navigate current market volatility and long-term wealth strategies. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• Tax-Free Savings Strategy: Why holding your tax-free savings account (TFSA) in a bank might be too conservative and how to target growth assets instead.

• Global Diversification: Understanding that "time in the market" is more critical than trying to time the Rand's performance.

• Controlling Emotions: Using analogies like the Comrades Marathon and Ironman to explain why investors must stay focused during geopolitical noise.

• Active vs. Passive Investing: A simple look at tracking indices versus picking specific stocks and the benefits of blending both styles.

• Estate & Debt Basics: The importance of beneficiary nominations and practical tips for managing and settling debt.

Key Questions Answered:

• Should we open a tax free savings account with our banks?

• Should we invest offshore?

• The middle east crisis - what happens now?

• Active vs Passive investing

• Start saving with a big lump sum or monthly contributions?

• Do you need to update your will?

• Misconception on beneficiary nominations?

• How can I detonate my debt?

If you found these insights helpful, please leave a comment or a question on your preferred podcast platform to help us continue solving these financial riddles together.

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

In Episode 03 of Solving the Riddle, Andrew and Alec are joined by investment specialist Waldo Booysen from Peregrine Capital to demystify the role of hedge funds in modern financial planning.
 
Once reserved for the ultra-wealthy, hedge funds are now highly regulated and increasingly accessible to South African investors — offering powerful tools to manage market volatility and protect wealth.
 
 You’ll also gain practical insights into:
 • How hedge funds generate returns in rising and falling markets
 • Real-world strategies like pair trades and special situations
 • Why hedge funds can help manage risk in retirement portfolios
 • How fees work — and what you’re actually paying for
 • What global institutions get right about hedge fund investing

Whether you’re refining your strategy or exploring new opportunities, this episode breaks down how hedge funds can play a role in building and protecting long-term wealth.

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

In Episode 02, Andrew and Alec tackle one of the most important — and often misunderstood — questions in personal finance: how much is enough? They unpack the complexity behind this question by exploring the key numbers that shape your financial future, from the capital you build to the income you ultimately need to sustain your lifestyle. Drawing on their experience in financial planning, they dive into the real questions people should be asking — how hard should your money work, for how long, and how much do you actually need to live off?

You’ll also gain practical insights into:

• The relationship between capital and income — and why it matters • How different retirement phases impact your financial plan • Why your strategy needs to evolve as your life changes • The importance of a dynamic plan in an unpredictable market • Understanding risks like sequence of return and portfolio volatility

By breaking down these concepts into simple, practical ideas, this episode helps you move closer to defining your own “enough” — and building a plan that supports it. _________________________________ Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.

In this episode, Andrew and Alec unpack the real reason this podcast exists — to simplify the often overwhelming world of personal finance and help you make smarter, more confident money decisions.They dive into powerful lessons from their own journeys in financial planning, including why waiting for the “perfect time” can cost you, and how starting early (even small) can completely transform your financial future.You’ll also get practical insights from the latest budget speech, including:The real power of tax-free savings accountsWhy compounding is your greatest wealth-building tool. How to think about offshore investing and diversification. Key tax changes that could impact your long-term plan whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your strategy, this episode lays the foundation for building lasting wealth — one smart decision at a time.

Follow our personal accounts:@alecriddle @andrewwhitewood

THE INFORMATION SHARED IN THIS PODCAST IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINANCIAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY OR FORM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSULT A FINANCIAL PLANNER TO RECEIVE FINANCIAL ADVICE BEFORE ACTING ON ANY INFORMATION SHARED.