I am sure all people of SA and the world are by now well aware of all health and safety measures plus financial measures we could have followed to prevent the spread of the Corona virus and even financial impact on ourselves, our families, friends, colleagues and communities. Plus, we all are even maybe a tiny bit fed up by all the regulations, rules and measures in place. 

But have you had a change really sit back and thought through one or two aspects in life you could have done differently to be prepared for an Outbreak, Epidemic or Pandemic…..of any kind? 

In the Origin group we became aware of a number of aspects, benefits and even simple behaviour measures we should embrace in order to minimize the effect of any disasters in our community. As part of the importance of having a holistic view in financial advice, we shall implement extra steps to draw our clients to these aspects which include:  

• A proper saving towards emergency funds will help your family during difficult times. Think before you buy goods, rather save funds for a rainy day! Try to save towards at least one month’s income as a reserve fund. 
• Be a member of a good, sustainable medical aid. 
• Structured insurance or a self – insurance fund for any business is imperative. This product is your business’s emergency fund!  
• Cyber insurance is an absolute must have for the way we all run our operations now. 
• Review your portfolio/financial plan and tax affairs regularly in order to be aware of your latest benefits and insured values. 
• Diversify your investment portfolio plus an actively managed portfolio will help minimise losses and maximise recovery! 

Your Origin advisor will be placing these and other measures on the agenda or discussion points during your next portfolio review in order to highlight the importance of the above crucial aspects. 

We invite, or actually urge you to share with us the measures you as an individual or business owner would have liked to have in place for your own life or business in order to  minimise the effect of a national disaster. After reading this article please send us your opinion, even if it is one aspect you would have liked to have in place in order to make your life easier during the lock down period. The tips do not have to be of a financial matter. Send your email to info@originfin.com. We would like to then distribute a summary of the tips received in order to help all our stake holders be more prepared for any future outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics.  

A lesson we all have learned is that we do not need all the ‘stuff’ we own, gathering dust in our houses and work places. And certainly, that good health and good relationships will bring you much more joy, success and happiness than the material goods we own. 

We wish you all the best for what we truly have faith in is the last stretch of this pandemic!  

Looking forward to read your tips!

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)