As 2025 Comes to an End: Financial Planning, Wealth & Life Lessons for South Africans

Albert Johnson
3 days ago
5 min read

As the curtains on 2025 draw to a rapid close, it feels appropriate to pause and reflect for a minute on a few things I want to share with you. The year has moved quickly, and through countless conversations with South African families, professionals, business owners, and retirees, certain patterns, truths, and reminders continue to surface.

These observations are not shared as criticism, but rather as gentle guidance. Lessons drawn from real-life experience that may help you approach the coming year with greater clarity, resilience, and confidence.

One of the very first personal computers — One of the very first Computers made

1. Change Is Inevitable, Growth Comes From Embracing It

One certainty in both life and finances is change. Markets evolve, legislation shifts, industries adapt, technology advances, and personal circumstances change, sometimes unexpectedly.

Those who remain relevant are not those who resist change, but those who embrace it, learn about their surroundings as they evolve, and stay informed.

Opportunity is often unlocked not by doing something radically new, but by being aware enough to recognize it when it appears.

Tip:

Regularly review your financial strategy, insurance cover, and investment approach to ensure it still aligns with your current reality not last year’s circumstances.

2. The Cost of Living Is Not Slowing Down, Planning Must Speed Up

Another undeniable truth is that the cost of living in South Africa continues to rise. Medical expenses, Education costs, food, fuel, insurance premiums, and municipal services trend upward year after year. Quite alarming when one actually sits down and computes each on an annual basis. I sat down and school fees this year versus next year increases with R30'000.

Financial stress is rarely caused by rising costs alone, it is usually caused by a lack of proactive planning.

Tip:

If your income has increased over time but your savings, investments, or protection structures have not, it may be time for a review. Small, consistent adjustments today can significantly reduce pressure tomorrow.

3. Health Is Wealth. In Every Sense of the Word

I have said this countless times before, and I will continue to say it: health is wealth.

Look after your health now and every day thereafter! Your body is the one asset that will need to support you long after your working years are behind you.

Treat it with respect today, and it will look after you later in life when you need it most.

This also ties directly into financial planning. Medical aid, gap cover, and income protection are not luxuries they are safeguards that protect both your physical wellbeing and your financial stability.

Tip:

Preventative healthcare, regular check-ups, and appropriate medical cover are some of the most cost-effective investments you will ever make.

4. Short-Term Comfort Often Undermines Long-Term Security

A recurring observation in 2025 is how easily short-term comfort can undermine long-term financial health. Lifestyle inflation, impulsive decisions, and social pressure quietly erode progress that took years to build.

This often shows up when people:

Delay increasing retirement contributions
Cancel risk cover to free up cash
Dip into long-term investments without a recovery plan
Reduce or cancel their investment savings they invest each month, to purchase luxury vehicles or items they otherwise could not afford.

Truth: Financial freedom is rarely built on dramatic wins. It is built on consistent discipline and patience. Take an athlete for instance, although they have a degree of talent. the talent alone does not win the gold. Its the countless training sessions, coaching and professional help they get which all culminates in them being able to perform at their best even if its just for that specific time.

Tip: Before making a financial decision, ask yourself:

“Will this strengthen or weaken my future balance sheet?”

5. Wealth Is Subtle -Not Loud

In a world dominated by social media, it is easy to confuse visibility with success.

Wealth is not the Lamborghini posted online for approval. It is not the private flight charter shared for likes. In many cases, this kind of display simply paints a target on your back, for all the wrong reasons...

What you also don't see is the full picture behind these things - finance arrangements, time rental of the item for a picture and staging. ever consider that?

True wealth is subtle.

It is:

A quality pen used to capture your thoughts on paper.
Its having a good nights rest, without having to worry about the debit orders that might bounce.
A healthy breakfast without having to mind the time.
The ability to take your family on a meaningful holiday without relying on a credit card to fund it.
Its the ability to purchase good food and quality groceries, without having to price check.

That is wealth.

Tip: Focus less on appearances and more on sustainability. Real financial security is often quiet, understated, and deeply personal.

6. Markets Reward Patience and Not Prediction

2025 once again reinforced a timeless investment truth: market timing is unreliable, while long-term investing works.

Those who remained invested, diversified appropriately, and avoided emotional reactions were generally rewarded. Volatility is not risk — poor decision-making is.

Tip: If your investment strategy aligns with your goals and time horizon, market noise should not dictate your actions.

7. Financial Clarity Creates Emotional Relief

One of the most underestimated benefits of sound financial planning is peace of mind. Clients who understand their financial position — even if it is not perfect — experience far less anxiety than those who avoid the conversation entirely.

Clarity removes fear. Structure creates confidence.

Tip: At least once a year, ensure you have visibility on:

Retirement planning
Life and disability cover
Medical aid and gap cover
Your Will and estate planning

Avoiding these conversations does not eliminate risk — it only postpones responsibility.

8. Time With Your Children Is the Greatest Investment You Will Ever Make

Finally, amid all the financial conversations, one truth stands above the rest.

Love your children every day. Take as much time as you can with them. Leave the phone in your pocket. Be present.

Enjoy the joke, the conversation, the quiet glances, and the innocent laughter over things that matter only to them. These moments are fleeting — and priceless.

No return on investment compares to time well spent with the people you love.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we approach a new year, the goal is not perfection but progress.

Better awareness. Better planning. Better alignment between today’s decisions and tomorrow’s outcomes.

At Wallstreet Financial Services, our role is not to sell products. It is to help South Africans make informed, confident financial decisions that stand the test of time.

If 2025 has taught us anything, it is this: