by SFT | Sep 25, 2025 | Financial Planning
If you ask most people what wealth means, the answer usually comes back in numbers—x million rands, y million dollars. While that definition isn’t wrong, the older I get, the more I realise that true wealth goes far beyond money. In fact, I’d argue that real wealth is about time.
The problem is that many of us only discover this truth when it’s too late. Don’t get me wrong—having enough financial resources to live a good life is important. But in my work as a financial planner, I often see people so focused on accumulating money that they sacrifice the very thing money should be buying them: time.
Time is the ability to do the things you truly want, with the people you want to share them with. For me, time with my family—and especially my grandson—is absolute gold. We’re also awaiting the arrival of two granddaughters, though they won’t be living close to us. That means planning time with them is now top of mind. No amount of money replaces the value of those moments.
Another great awakening to the value of time is our health. Right now, we may be healthy, but life can change in an instant. I’ve seen friends who were diagnosed overnight with life-altering illnesses that changed not only their lives, but their families’ as well. When health is lost, time becomes even more precious.
Yes, this is meant to be a financial planning article, but if you think about it, the greatest asset money can buy us is freedom over our time. Too often, people chase financial independence without ever asking how much is enough. Once you reach “enough,” the pursuit of more money doesn’t add meaning—it just adds more money.
True wealth comes from recognising that balance. Money is a tool, not the goal. It’s what allows us to stop building endlessly and start living more intentionally. If you’ve worked hard and are fortunate enough to have the financial resources to live the life you want, don’t lose sight of the bigger picture.
Because here’s the truth: none of us will ever have enough time. And that makes how we spend it the ultimate measure of our wealth.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
e. dirk@clientcare.co.za
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by SFT | Sep 18, 2025 | Financial Planning
St Francis Bay has long been known for its beaches, canals, and close-knit community. Today, we celebrate something more: one of our own has been recognised on the national stage.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner and founder of Client Care here in St Francis Bay, has been named to Citywire South Africa’s 2025 Top 50 Leading Independent Financial Advisers. This is no small honour. The competition was intense, with a record 226 entries from across the country. Advisers were judged on six exacting criteria, including financial planning process, practice management, innovation, transformation and mentorship, investment approach, and community involvement.
Simplicity and Balance
Dirk’s recognition is especially meaningful because his work is rooted in the very values our town embodies: simplicity, balance, and living a life of no regrets. At Client Care, he champions “lifestyle financial planning” — an approach that places people, not portfolios, at the centre. It is about helping families here and across South Africa align their resources with what really matters: purpose, health, relationships, and peace of mind.
Beyond the numbers, Dirk has become part of the St Francis fabric. Since opening his office here, he and his team have worked with locals to rethink retirement, manage transitions, and plan for lives filled with meaning rather than anxiety. He has also contributed to the profession’s broader progress, from mentorship and transformation to raising industry standards nationwide.
As Citywire itself observed, the collective story of this year’s winners is of a profession that is “maturing, broadening, and raising its own standards”. That story is being written right here in our community through the work of Dirk and his team.
We offer our warm congratulations to Dirk Groeneveld. His national recognition reflects not only his personal excellence, but also the spirit of St Francis Bay: forward-looking, caring, and grounded in what matters most.
Client Care BLOG
Further reading Transitions Are Not Easy – The Human Side Of Money presented by Client Care
by SFT | Sep 16, 2025 | Financial Planning
Transitions Are Not Easy
Life is full of transitions. Some are smooth, while others are far more challenging. Retirement is one of the biggest—often the second most difficult after the loss of a loved one. But retirement isn’t the only hurdle. Here are three common transitions many retirees face.
Becoming a Grandparent
Becoming a grandparent is a blessing—ask me! There’s something about seeing and getting to know these “mini-me’s” that stirs our parental instincts again. If we’re lucky, we can be involved in their lives, though distance and travel costs can make this harder as we age.
Some grandparents are also able to help with education costs. While generous, this raises questions about how much say we have in choices, particularly if our views differ from the parents’. It’s clear that even blessings carry both financial and emotional considerations that deserve open discussion.
Failing Health
No amount of money can replace good health in retirement. Finding the balance between enjoying life today and keeping resources for the future is tricky when none of us knows what lies ahead. Research shows many retirees who have “enough” end up leaving large sums behind because they were too cautious early on—missing out on experiences and memories.
Health rarely declines at the same pace for both partners. Age, medical history, or sudden illness can make life difficult emotionally and financially. We can’t prepare for everything, but regular check-ups, healthy living, and honest conversations about “what if” go a long way.
Downscaling
Traditionally, retirees downsized soon after retirement to cut costs, reduce maintenance, or improve security. Those reasons still apply, but many today delay the move to accommodate family, pursue hobbies, or settle into a dream home.
The reality is that by our 90s, managing a big house often becomes restrictive. Failing health can also force the issue unexpectedly. Options like in-home care exist but can be costly. Retirement communities may have entry age limits or waiting lists, each with different financial implications. Understanding these well before the time comes is essential.
Retirement brings many transitions, but becoming a grandparent, facing health changes, and downscaling are among the most challenging—emotionally and financially. The numbers can be managed through proper cashflow planning, but the conversations need to start early.
At Client Care, we help you prepare for both.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
e. dirk@clientcare.co.za
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by SFT | Sep 16, 2025 | Financial Planning
Planning for the future is one of the most responsible steps you can take — not only for peace of mind, but to protect the people who matter most. Without proper preparation, families are often left with uncertainty, unnecessary costs, and emotional strain.
At PW Harvey & Co., our Covered for Life framework guides clients through these critical decisions. Life insurance is one of the most important tools in this process. A well-structured policy provides financial continuity for dependents, helps settle debt, and can fund children’s education — ensuring stability long after the policyholder has passed.
Legal documents such as wills and trusts further protect your legacy. A will directs how your estate is distributed, while a trust provides flexibility for minors or vulnerable beneficiaries. Estate planning also covers tax implications, efficient asset transfers, and appointing guardians or executors. Instruments like powers of attorney ensure trusted individuals can act on your behalf if needed.
Beyond estate planning, we offer a full spectrum of financial services, including investment management, retirement planning, short-term insurance, medical aid guidance, accounting, and tax advisory services. This holistic approach ensures every part of your financial life works together to protect and grow your wealth and safeguard your future. Because tomorrow can’t be controlled — but it can be prepared for.
PW Harvey & Co.
Managing Families’ Generational Wealth Since 1896
www.pwharvey.co.za
by SFT | Sep 8, 2025 | Financial Planning
A fairly new facility now available from some financial service providers is called Investment Backed Lending. In simple terms, it allows you to borrow money using your existing investments as security, rather than having to sell them.
No Cashflow Strain
Here’s how it works: if you hold investments on a provider’s platform, they will advance you a loan based on the value of those investments. Typically, you can borrow up to 50% of your portfolio value. The loan runs for 12 months at an interest rate usually around prime, and you only need to pay the interest. The capital itself never has to be repaid unless you choose to. Even better, the interest can be settled as a balloon payment at the end of the term, which means no monthly cashflow strain.
Why might this be useful, especially if you’re already in retirement?
Quick access to cash:
Perhaps you want to buy a car or a property and don’t want the hassle of applying for traditional finance.
Avoid selling in a slump:
If markets are down, you may prefer to borrow short-term cash rather than disinvest at low values.
Reduce tax drag:
Holding large cash balances often leads to extra tax and little to no real growth. With this facility, you can keep your money invested while still having liquidity.
Local or offshore:
These loans can be set up against both South African and offshore portfolios.
The key benefit is that your money stays invested and keeps working for you. You don’t trigger capital gains tax or transaction costs, and you keep the growth potential intact.
Naturally, there are limits and safeguards. Loans are capped at a percentage of your portfolio, and if markets fall sharply, you could face what’s called a margin call—where the provider asks you to top up your security or reduce the loan. So while it’s a useful facility, it still needs to be used wisely and in the right circumstances.
For many clients, though, Investment Backed Lending is a smart way to access short-term cash while keeping their long-term plans on track. It’s not for every situation, but it’s good to know the option exists.
Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
e. dirk@clientcare.co.za
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by SFT | Aug 31, 2025 | Financial Planning
One of the toughest parts of our work as financial planners is walking alongside families when they lose a loved one. The grief is hard enough. What makes it worse is when unnecessary complications are added on top—delays, legal battles, extra costs—all of which could have been avoided with a little preparation.
Here are a few key areas worth checking today:
Beneficiary Nominations
Far too often, life policy or retirement fund proceeds end up in the estate rather than in the hands of loved ones, simply because no beneficiary was nominated. This creates delays, legal fees of up to 3.99%, and needless stress. A signed beneficiary form is all it takes to ensure the funds are paid directly, usually within weeks, giving the family one less burden to carry.
A Proper Will
The absence of a signed Will creates enormous problems. Without one, the Master of the High Court steps in, dividing the estate equally between spouse and children, and in some cases locking children’s shares in the Guardian’s Fund. Not only does this slow everything down, but it often produces outcomes the deceased never intended.
If you own any assets in your name—property, cash, investments—you need a Will. Parents, in particular, have a responsibility to nominate guardians for their children. A Testamentary Trust within the Will can also ensure minors are properly cared for.
Keep It Updated
Life changes—marriage, divorce, grandchildren, offshore assets. Your Will should change too. Revisit it every two years and, importantly, make sure your family knows where it is kept. A Will no one can find is as good as no Will at all.
Offshore Considerations
If you own property or investments offshore, one South African Will may not be enough. Each jurisdiction has its own rules, and in some countries, heirs are forced by law. In many cases, it is cleaner to have a separate Will drawn up in that country. This allows local and offshore executors to act simultaneously, reducing delays.
Final Thought
None of us likes to dwell on death, but sudden loss happens all the time. A little effort now—checking beneficiaries, drafting or updating a Will, and seeking advice where needed—can spare your loved ones untold hassle at the worst possible time.
Do it for them.
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Dirk Groeneveld, Certified Financial Planner
t. 083 261 9287
e. dirk@clientcare.co.za
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