Over the past 10 years, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has charmed taxpayers by continually providing greater tax relief. This year is no different and individuals will pay R12,1-billion less tax once adjustments have been made for reduced vehicle allowances.

The government has chopped tax on retirement funds by half, to 9%, saying it is prepared to make further cuts to stimulate savings. However, it wants the 9% to be used as a carrot in wider discussions about reforming the life industry. Minister of Finance told journalists at Parliament that the national Treasury would release a document proposing significant changes to retirement funding provisions.

If you are buying, selling, building or renting a home, having a thorough inspection of the property could save you a load of money and frustration. Unlike in the United States and the United Kingdom, where home inspections are standard before a sale is concluded, in South Africa there is a standard voetstoots clause which states that the buyer is buying the property "as is".

For most people, their pension fund is their biggest savings and will make up the majority of their income on retirement. Yet most people spend very little, if any, time making sure their pension is properly invested and providing decent returns. There is no point in discovering at the age of 50 that a pension plan was badly invested and has left you high and dry. Take control of life savings yourself.