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| In
this Edition |
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| 11.
Is life about to change? |
Are you...
Getting married?
Changing jobs? Renovating?
We help people like you and we're never
too busy to help your friends or family
either. If you know of someone who may
need financial advice, please let us know!
communication@consolidated.co.za |
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| 12.
Financial Planning Club |
|
The club takes
the form of monthly presentations held
in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg,
Port Elizabeth and Pretoria. The
presentations are
held from 6 - 7pm and aim to educate
you on a broad range of personal finance,
financial planning and investment-related
issues.
As always, this year's financial planning
club has had an interesting line-up
with the most informative presentations
delivered by the highest calibre speakers.
As the club draws to a close for this
year, be sure to visit www.fpclub.co.za,
should you need more information on
any of
the presented topics.
Reminder: All acsis clients are entitled
to free attendance and membership to
the club. |
|
| 13.
Feedback |
| This newsletter
is aimed at keeping you informed of the
happenings at Consolidated. If you have
any comments, suggestions or news that
you'd like us to include, please send
them to communication@consolidated.co.za |
|
| 14.
Contact Us |
communication@consolidated.co.za
www.consolidated.co.za
Johannesburg
Tel: +27 (11) 886 0702
Fax: +27 (11) 787 1751
Tshwane
Tel: +27 (12) 460 5241
Fax: +27 (12) 346 3434
Eastern
Cape
Tel: +27 (41) 373 7999
Fax: +27 (41) 373 7177
Western
Cape
Tel: +27 (21) 686 2140
Fax: +27 (21) 683 2831
KwaZulu-Natal
Tel: +27 (31) 764 3250
Fax: +27 (31) 764 3404 |
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| 15.
Sudoku (medium
hearted!) |
| The solution is below! |
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| 16.
Need a holiday? |
| Whatever you're planning... enjoy! |
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| 17.
A last laugh! |
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"Aren't you going to ask me if I've
forgotten anything?!" |
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| 18. Sudoku
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| 1. Note from the CEO |
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For many of
us, the experience of the
financial
services industry has sometimes
been painful and frustrating.
There's this sense of disbelief
and déjà vu
- I know something happened
but
I'm not quite sure what.
The product is sold; the
commission
is paid to the broker; I
rarely see the broker after
this...
And all of this is free! |
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| |
We've watched trusted financial
institutions collapse and are "bailed
out";
fraudulent schemes being exposed
on a scale that is almost incomprehensible
and regulators worldwide grapple
with economy-crippling challenges.
Despite this, the world's big three
banks will distribute
R225.3 billion
in bonuses this year - a new record!
The truth is that the real casualties
have been ordinary people, with real
lives and real dreams. You and I
face the highs of weddings; having
families; career successes; personal
achievements in say sport or the
community and then the lows of the
losses of loved ones; unforeseen
disabilities or setbacks in a career.
I often ask myself if we are doing
enough in our business to protect
and understand
the real people we deal with.
If we
subscribe to the principles of
governance and accept that we
take responsibility to ensure
that your retirement and risk solutions
remain best practice, I believe
that
we can never be too careful.
I get challenged that for a "small" company,
having non executive Directors;
an Audit and Risk, and Remuneration
subcommittee to the Board, all
with
non Executives, may be a little
pretentious and bureaucratic.
But this provides for good governance
at Consolidated and ensures future
business health.
All our advisors
are licensed with
the
regulators
and are members of their professional
body. Independent compliance
officers and external auditors
provide further
checks and balances. Finding
the safest structures for your
funds
- generally in regulated trusts
- gives more protection. Ensuring
that
the financial institutions
we use to implement the planning
solutions
are robust and can meet their
obligations is critical. The
independent practice
assessment by an overseas group
- Business Health Check - provided
further insights as to where
we could
improve. And the list goes
on.
Then
there's the simple case of
just getting to know each
other better.
Our annual review process,
I would warrant is one of the most
thorough
in the industry. Your lives
change,
and at a minimum, once a year,
making sure that we recognise
this in your
plan is critical. Many of you
deal with us more often, and
I would encourage
this.
Whilst there's always a risk
of inundating you with newsletters,
topical articles,
the weekly "interest"...
we do try to find a balance.
I would prefer to keep these
channels open
and you "unsubscribe" rather
than us. The feedback I have
had to date has been extremely
positive
and constructive - thank you.
The CatScan provided us invaluable
feedback and your recommendations
have been
taken to heart.
Many of you attended the acsis client presentations earlier
on in the year;
enjoyed the lifestyle events
on the Generation Gap and Social
Networking,
participated in our Women's
Day extravaganza, or may have
spent time having
a quiet cup of coffee or game
of golf with members of the
Consolidated Team. Thank you
for getting involved.
We certainly have a full schedule
planned for next year where
we can continue to get to know
you
better
and also bring more value to
your lifestyle than
just the financial
aspects. I look forward to
seeing you there.
For those of you enjoying a
break in the coming weeks,
I am sure
it is well deserved and may
the time
with your friends and family
be most rewarding.
Keep in touch.
Mike |
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| 2.
FAIS Fit and Proper New Developments |
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The
financial services landscape
of South
Africa has, since 1999,
been going through a
process of
reform. First, the
Policy Holder Protection
Rules
(PPR) was promulgated
and, hot on
its heels, the Financial
Advisory and Intermediary
Services Act (FAIS).
Part of
the
FAIS act dealt
with minimum education
levels, something which
has always
been very close to
the heart of Consolidated's
values
and that of the Financial
Planning Institute
of
Southern Africa (FPI).
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| |
On 29 June 2009, the FPI
was recognised as an official examining
body for the Financial Services
Board (FSB). Out
of 55 staff members,
Consolidated is proud to have 20 holding the Certified Financial Planner® certification
and a further 7 awaiting their accreditation. Further to this, we have two with
MBA's and one studying towards his, one with an LLB and the odd
Chartered Accountant in the mix too.
Our mission statement for those who have not seen it before, reads: "To
provide independent, professional advice to all people - individuals and corporate
- to assist them in making the right financial decisions. We do this by understanding
their needs and providing effectively implemented solutions".
Our commitment to being a professional business which is true to its mission
statement is evident in the way we focus on our team's education, which in turn
has put Consolidated into a strong position to navigate the ever changing legislative
environment.
Trusting you to have a relaxing
festive season.
Craig Kiggen CFP®
Director |
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|
| 3.
Getting to Know Natasja Hart |
 |
"Klein
maar getrain" and "dynamite
comes in small packages" are
frequently used to describe
Natasja by her peers,
colleagues and clients.
Having
worked
with Consolidated for
over 7 years, she has
been the
consistent face of
the Johannesburg office.
In 2008 she was
appointed
as head of the advice
team for Gauteng and
is a member
of the National
Advice Forum of Consolidated. |
|
| |
Natasja is an avid supporter
of continuous learning and strives
to set the example in all tasks
she undertakes. Her academic
qualifications comprise an
extensive list and include a
B.Com Economics degree and two
Advanced Post
Graduate
Diplomas in Financial
Planning Law. She has been the
guest speaker at the Wedding
Expo (The Dome, JHB) on personal
finance and has had articles
published
on
personal financial planning.
For 2010, Natasja has agreed
to take on the further challenge
of entering the prestigious Financial
Planner of the year competition
hosted by the Financial Planning
Institute.
Apart from the academics and
continued commitment to her clients
to provide holistic financial
planning, she has endeavoured
to establish a greater balance
in her personal life. She married
Leslie Hart at the start of
2009 and is now the proud stepmother
to Kirsty, Tyrone and Robert.
The family has elected to reside
in Hartebeespoortdam, this being
the ideal environment to enjoy
various outdoor activities such
as boating, cycling and golf.
Natasja has made a concerted
effort to revive her passion
for the arts and playing the
clarinet, as this was her instrument
of choice when she was a member
of the Regional Youth Symphonic
Orchestra in her earlier years.
Natasja is passionate about making
a difference and feels that this
has been one of the main reasons
she has been loyal to Consolidated
over the past seven years,
as
she is able to do that on a daily
basis with the various initiatives
that come her way in the office. |
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|
| 4.
MONEY TALK @ Retirement |
We are in the process of completing
our newest financial literacy
offering which is called: MONEY
TALK @ RETIREMENT. The program
is geared toward people who are
approaching retirement. Retirement
is a significant life-transition
and a scary thought is that some
financial choices can only be
made once, yet you live with
the consequences of those choices
for the rest of your life.
Paul Leonard CFP® has managed
to simplify the key financial
concepts which will affect you
now and into the future and has
captured these easy to understand
explanations in this program.
MONEY
TALK @ RETIREMENT has 4 sections:
1. How the numbers work
2. Lifestyle choices that affect
your money
3. Retirement investment choices
4. Tax basics in retirement
If
you would like to know more
about how MONEY TALK
@ RETIREMENT can
help you or your employees
or colleagues at your company
call Mirinda Laurens
on 011 886 0702, email mirinda.laurens@consolidated.co.za or
visit www.consolidated.co.za. |
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| 5.
We Care |
acsis
supports Arbour Day
The best time to plant
a tree is twenty years
ago. The second
best time is now.
African Proverb
|
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Planting a
tree requires a long-term
approach and, if nurtured
properly, it can provide
rewards for you and future
generations. acsis believe
that the same is true of
a good financial plan and
investment strategy.
In their ongoing endeavour to be socially and environmentally responsible, acsis has
donated more than 350 indigenous trees in support of National Arbour week since
2004. This year, in celebrating their 10th anniversary, they have donated
10 trees for each year of their existence to two non-profit organisations.
Since they have a long-standing relationship with the Centre for Conservation
Education, they have chosen to support them again this year by donating 50 trees. |
|
| |
| The Centre proactively works
towards environmental education,
sustainable development, environmental
conservation, capacity building
and biodiversity in the Western
Cape. acsis also supported Food
and Trees for Africa, the only
public
benefit, civil society, greening
and food gardening organisation
in South Africa. The donation
of 50 trees will be allocated
to various projects in the Eastern
Cape, Free State and Limpopo.
This is the second consecutive
year that acsis have supported
this organisation. |
| |
| |
Miles
for Smiles
We're proud to say that Consolidated
has donated R5 000 towards
one smile. A smile of life
for
one person holds a lifetime's
worth of value. Operation Smile
mobilises a world of generous
hearts to heal children's
smiles and transform lives
across the globe. |
| |
| The network
of volunteers works worldwide
to repair childhood facial
deformities including cleft
lips and cleft palates. Operation
Smile, headquartered in Norfolk,
Virginia, is a worldwide
children's medical charity.
In 1982, Operation Smile
was founded by Dr William
P. Magee Jr, a plastic surgeon
and his wife, Kathleen S.
Magee, a nurse and clinical
social worker. |
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| |
| Since 1982, more than 130 000
children and young adults with
cleft lips, cleft palates and
other facial deformities have
been treated by thousands of
volunteers worldwide and thousands
of medical professionals have
been trained globally. Operation
Smile was launched after its
first mission to the Philippines
in 1982 and currently has a presence
in 51 countries. If this is something
you would like to know more about
feel free to visit the website: www.operationsmile.org |
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| |
KZN
Charity Give-away Day
|
| |
 |
A couple
of months ago KZN decided
they
were going to donate all
their old computer equipment
that wasn't being used,
to a charity. This consisted
of 4 monitors, 4 computer
boxes, keyboards and
other equipment. Thanks
to a helpful
client, the equipment
was donated to St Agnes
Church
in Kloof.
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| |
| It's now being used
to assist individuals in learning
IT skills and the basics of how
PCs operate! |
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| |
To
Cap it all off...
|
| |
| For 21 years the Reach
for a Dream Foundation has
brought hope, joy and healing
to South African children.
These children between the
ages of 3 and 18 years have
used their dreams to fight
life-threatening illnesses
such as cancer and leukaemia,
cystic fibrosis and muscular
dystrophy, kidney failure
and Blood disorders. |
|
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| |
| Consolidated donated branded
caps and coffee mugs to Reach
for a Dream in Jo'burg so these
children could use the caps in
summer and the offices would
be stocked
with enough mugs for their meetings. |
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|
| 6.
ImMEDIAte! |
Shape
Coverage: A life makeover! |
| |
 |
Wouldn't we all love
the opportunity to win
this!
Earlier this year Consolidated
participated as a sponsor
in SHAPE Magazine's
Life Makeover Competition.
SHAPE
held the competition
to award one lucky woman
with a
lifestyle
makeover, which included
a new wardrobe, life
coaching, a gym contract
and financial
planning from Consolidated!
This obviously fitted in
perfectly
with our philosophy
of lifestyle financial
planning
and we presented the
winner, Yolanda Janse
van Vuuren,
with a free financial
planning session, as
well as R5000
towards her financial
plan.
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| |
The Wedding
Expo |
| |
 |
We
also took part in The
Wedding Expo which
was held in Johannesburg
at The Sandton
Convention Centre. |
|
| |
| The Wedding Expo showcases
a number of useful contacts
and suppliers for brides to
be and our financial planner,
Natasja Hart, presented at
workshops on both the Saturday
and Sunday, informing them
about planning for marriage
from a money perspective and
answering some insightful questions.
Natasja also presented two
lucky attendees at the workshop
with vouchers from Consolidated
for a start up investment (with
acsis). |
| |
| |
Articles
Out and About |
| |
| 1. |
Our financial
planner, Laetitia Coetzee,
also wrote an article on
Planning for Marriage,
which featured in Inspirations
Magazine. |
| 2. |
Craig Kiggen wrote
an article, which featured
in Personal Finance,
on How to Efficiently
Gauge your
Financial Needs. |
| 3. |
Mike Hogan, from Employee
Benefits Division, wrote
an article on Baby
Boomers that
appeared in the
IRFocus
Magazine. |
| 4. |
Alec Riddle, our Financial
Planner of the Year, wrote
an article on Financial
Planning that
was published in Business
Link, which goes out to all
PERRCI members (PE Regional
Chamber of Commerce and Industry). |
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| |
| Please click a picture to view
the article: |
| |
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|
| 7.
Bricks and Mortar |
If you're feeling social this
festive season and are in the
mood to say hi to the team in
your area, feel free to pop in
and visit our offices... while
some of us will be out and about,
there will usually be someone
there to have a cup of coffee
with and what better time of
year to do that!
While 2009 certainly had its
economic challenges, The Consolidated
team would like to thank all
of you for your continued support
throughout and we wish you safe
travels and restful relaxation
over the upcoming holiday season. |
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|
|
| 8.
Bumper stickers to brighten your day! |
|
|
| 9.
And on that note... |
As the year draws to a close,
we are still hard at work at
Consolidated, and leave you with
a quote by Alec Riddle. This
quote is not just about work.
Alec has been a champion in his
academic and personal life;
in education and on the
sport
fields... and hopefully will
turn us all into Champions in
2010!
Ensure you are living your dream
and not anybody else's dream
and remember, there is nothing
more powerful than a made-up
mind... |
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| |
| Click here to view Alec's
most recent article in Personal
Finance. |
| |
Alec Riddle CFP® B.A.
Financial Planner
FPI Financial Planner of the
Year 2009 |
|
|
| 10.
Take care! |
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