The Woman & Finance Podcast

Nobody wants to think about dying. But not having a will? That's a decision that affects everyone you leave behind.

In this conversation, I sit down with Maxine Muller, a Trusted Financial Adviser at Liberty, to talk about everything you need to know about wills — and why so many of us keep putting it off.

We cover:
→  What actually happens to your assets if you die without a will, leaving behind a spouse and children
→  Why so many people start drafting a will but never finish — and why an incomplete will has no legal standing
→  The most common myths and misconceptions about wills (and the truth behind them)
→  Whether a will is something you can set and forget, or whether it needs to be reviewed over time
→  The legal technicalities involved in drafting a valid will

September is National Wills Month in South Africa — which means now is the perfect time to have this conversation.

If you've been putting off drafting your will, let this be the nudge you needed. The people you love deserve to be protected — even when you're no longer here to do it yourself.

🔗 Create your will with Liberty:  https://www.liberty.co.za/create-a-will?cid=SM_1X1egA
Maxine Muller's Details:  [email protected]

#WillsMonth #EstatePlanning #PersonalFinance #WomanAndFinance #MapaloMakhu #Liberty #FinancialPlanning #SouthAfricanFinance

What could change if you stopped standing in your own way?

In this special Women’s Month conversation, I sit down with Cheree Dyers, CEO of Prescient Investment Management to explore the woman and the journey behind the title.

We speak about her early dreams, building a career in investment management, navigating bias and imposter syndrome, and learning to back herself—even when she did not feel completely ready.

Cheree also shares what investing in yourself looks like beyond qualifications, how she defines wealth and why building investments in your own name can create possibilities for you and future generations.

This conversation is a reminder that growing boldly does not mean having no fear. Sometimes, it means trusting yourself enough to take the next step.

#growboldly

Just like Maslow's hierarchy of needs, your finances have levels too!

In this video, I break down my Hierarchy of Financial Needs, a 7-level framework that shows exactly where to focus your money and in what order. Whether you're just starting out or already investing, this will help you figure out where you are — and what your next move should be.

The 7 Levels:

Psychology of Money — your relationship with money comes first
Emergency Fund — your financial safety net
Insurance — protecting what you've built
Paying Off Debt — clearing the way to build wealth
Savings & Investments — putting your money to work
Retirement Planning — your future self will thank you
Estate Planning — protecting your legacy

You'll learn:
Why you can't skip levels and what happens when you do
How to know which level you're currently on
What to do at each stage
The mistakes most people make by jumping ahead

Start at the bottom. Build to the top.

Take the Money Story Questionnaire here: https://www.womanandfinance.co.za/resources

Estate Planning Video:

https://youtu.be/FJ4181b7fSY?si=BUYYtv2C95CJMWoN

If you're in your 50s or you have a parent who is and you're wondering whether it's too late to open a Tax-Free Savings Account, this episode is for you.

A 55-year-old listener sent in a question asking whether a TFSA is still worth opening at their age. I ran the numbers, and honestly? The results might surprise you.

Whether you can put away the full R46,000 a year or just R10,000, ten years of consistent, tax-free growth still adds up to something seriously worth having.

It is not too late — and by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly why.

#PersonalFinance #WomanAndMoney #LivingBelowYourMeans #MoneyMindset #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #SouthAfrica #MoneyTips #investing

Are you torn between paying extra on your debt or starting an emergency fund? You're not alone! This is one of the most common financial dilemmas, and in today's video, I'm breaking down exactly what you should prioritise based on your situation.

What You'll Learn:

✅ When to prioritise debt payments

✅ Why an emergency fund might be more important than you think

✅ The "hybrid approach" that could work for both goals

✅ Common mistakes people make with this decision

Key Topics Covered:

00:00 - Intro

00:27 - Should I pay off my debt or build an emergency fund

00:46 - Scenario (Debts & Interest Rates)

06:27 - High-interest debt vs low-interest debt strategies

08:15 - Where should you put your Emergency fund

09:50 - Free Credit template

10:55 - Free TFSA Ebook

FREE RESOURCES:

📋 Download my Credit Template: https://www.womanandfinance.co.za/resources

📖 NEW! Tax-Free Savings Account eBook: https://www.womanandfinance.co.za/resources

🙌🏾 Let me know in the comments - are you team emergency fund or team debt payoff?

Don't forget to LIKE this video if it helped you and SUBSCRIBE for more practical money advice!

Watch our second episode of Money: It's Not Black or White here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHl9ZFvExnI&t=30s

🌍 Global News, Rising Costs & Your Money | What South Africans Should Be Doing Right Now

In this episode, I break down what’s happening in global current affairs — from ongoing wars to rising fuel prices — and what it actually means for you as a South African.

Because let’s be honest: when global events shift, your wallet feels it.
From petrol price increases to the rising cost of living, I explain how these global changes impact your day-to-day finances — and more importantly, what you should be doing about it.

💡 In this video, we cover:

1. How global conflicts affect fuel prices in South Africa
2. The ripple effect on inflation and your cost of living
3. Why having an emergency fund is no longer optional
4. Manage and reduce debt
5. How to start investing (even with small amounts)
6. How to stay financially grounded during uncertain times

This is your reminder: you may not control what’s happening globally, but you can control how you respond financially.

🎥 Watch next:
Money, funerals & financial planning with Maya Fisher-French
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O44tjRlmo7A&t=1s

📘 FREE TFSA Guide (Easy-to-understand eBook):
👉 https://56766b36-3b03-41db-9dee-6adc26e688e5.filesusr.com/ugd/444739_a954e18eb76b4d0fa6ab6c70e3b50022.pdf

Building wealth isn’t just about how much you earn, it’s about how you choose to live.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the 9 ways I intentionally keep my lifestyle in check:

1. I don’t buy designer clothes or bags
2. My kids don’t wear designer brands either
3. My car is paid off (and I’m not rushing to upgrade)
4. We rent for now — and won’t buy at the top of our affordability when we do buy the house
5. I keep my gym contract basic
6. I keep my lifestyle simple even when income increases
7. I know how to say NO!
8. I keep my debit orders low
9. I use my business strategically

These aren’t sacrifices, they’re CHOICES that create freedom, flexibility, and long-term wealth for me and my family Because just because you can afford it… doesn’t mean you should!

Listen to the full episode to understand the mindset behind each one.

#PersonalFinance #Womanandmoney #LivingBelowYourMeans #MoneyMindset #WealthBuilding #FinancialFreedom #SouthAfrica #MoneyTips

Tribe, your money habits didn’t just appear out of nowhere!

They were built in your childhood home; in the conversations, the struggles, the wins, and the fears you grew up around.

In this video, I tell the story of two young men who grew up with financial hardship… but made very different money choices as adults.
Because before we change our finances, we have to understand our money story.

Watch this and reflect:
What money vow did you make growing up?

Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more honest conversations about money, mindset, and life.

In this episode, I break down how banks think about affordability, how interest rates impact your bond, and why your monthly repayment matters just as much as the purchase price. I will walk you step-by-step through real online home loan calculators and repayment calculators so you can see, in practice, how the interest rates impact your long-term finances.

You’ll learn:

How interest rates affect your bond over time
How to use home loan calculators with confidence
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or just planning for the future, this video will help you buy smarter.

Resources: https://www.ooba.co.za/home-loan/calculators/ and https://www.property24.com/calculators/bond

If this was helpful, don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe for more money conversations!

Tax-Free Savings Accounts are one of the most powerful (and misunderstood) investment tool in South Africa, so in this podcast, I’m answering the questions I get asked all the time about TFSAs.

We cover:
• What a Tax-Free Savings Account actually is
• How much you can contribute (and what happens if you go over)
• Whether a TFSA is a savings account or an investment
• When you should (and shouldn’t) withdraw your money
• Common TFSA mistakes that can cost you in the long run
• How to use a TFSA for long-term wealth, not short-term stress

If you’ve ever wondered whether a TFSA is worth it, how to start, or if you’ve already “messed it up” — this is for you.