In this deeply personal episode of the WellsFaber Podcast, Francesca de Gasparis shares her family's experience of helping her ageing parents navigate declining health, financial complexity and the loss of independence.

What began with seemingly manageable warning signs (unpaid bills, rising debts and questionable financial decisions) gradually evolved into a crisis that required significant intervention. This included investment consolidation, estate planning, powers of attorney and ultimately relocating Francesca's mother from Johannesburg to Cape Town after her father's passing.

Joined by WellsFaber financial planner Mike Moore, the discussion explores the practical and emotional realities of caring for ageing parents. From difficult conversations about money and autonomy to the importance of wills, transparency and simplifying financial affairs, the episode highlights how proactive planning can reduce stress for both parents and children.

Above all, it serves as a powerful reminder that preparing for later life is not just about preserving wealth, but about protecting dignity, relationships and peace of mind.

Key takeaways:

• Recognising early warning signs that aging parents may need financial support.
• The challenges of declining financial capability and vulnerability to exploitation.
• Balancing parental independence with the need for intervention.
• The importance of powers of attorney and updated wills.
• Consolidating investments and simplifying complex financial affairs.
• Managing family dynamics and maintaining transparency among siblings.
• The administrative burden of estates, especially where multiple properties are involved.
• Planning for care, housing and financial sustainability in later life.
• The value of independent financial advice during emotionally difficult periods.
• Lessons for families on preparing early and avoiding unnecessary future complexity.

Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only. For bespoke personal financial advice, speak to a WellsFaber wealth manager and visit the WellsFaber website for more information. WellsFaber is an authorised FSP number 639. The views shared on this podcast are those of the individual concerned and do not necessarily represent the views of The Finance Ghost or of WellsFaber.

• (00:00:00) - The Wells Faber Podcast is about helping you live the life you want
• (00:00:35) - The Wells Faber Podcast
• (00:01:51) - How to Deal with Your Parents' Money in Old Age
• (00:03:50) - What To Do When Your Parents Are Declining in Age
• (00:08:57) - The Secret to A generous heart
• (00:09:23) - How to help your parents as they get older
• (00:11:58) - The Dignity of A Parent's Death
• (00:19:27) - Is Property a Good Thing to Own in Your Retirement?
• (00:22:40) - The financial strain of caring for ailing parents
• (00:24:09) - A Couple of Tips For Planning Your Own Death
• (00:26:43) - Personal Financial Advice

Inflation might be sitting at seemingly benign headline levels, but in the real world, it’s still biting hard.

That disconnect is exactly what this episode tackles. The Finance Ghost sits down with Mike Moore (WellsFaber) and Rupert Hare (Prescient) to unpack why clients are feeling financially squeezed despite low CPI prints. From grocery bills and electricity to medical aid and municipal rates, the discussion highlights how “personal inflation” often looks very different to the official numbers.

The conversation then moves from diagnosis to strategy. What do you actually do when costs keep rising, especially in retirement? And how should portfolios be structured to not just keep up with inflation, but meaningfully beat it?

Rupert explains the importance of diversified, multi-asset portfolios targeting real returns (like CPI + 6%), while Mike highlights the behavioural realities of clients managing drawdowns, lifestyle adjustments, and the emotional side of financial planning. The core message is clear: inflation is unavoidable, but being unprepared for it is optional.

Key takeaways:

• Headline inflation isn't personal inflation - your spending basket matters more than CPI
• Clients are increasingly requesting higher income drawdowns, signalling real pressure on cost of living
• Major pressure points: groceries, electricity, medical aid, and municipal costs
• Imported inflation (fuel, currency weakness) plays a big role in South Africa
• Lifestyle inflation (e.g. growing families) often gets mistaken for price inflation
• Sitting in cash or fixed deposits can be riskier than investing, as inflation erodes purchasing power
• Beating inflation requires a deliberate strategy, not hope
• Diversification and time in the market are the two “free lunches” in investing
• Balanced funds provide exposure to multiple asset classes to smooth risk and enhance returns
• A target like CPI + 6% helps protect capital and enable sustainable withdrawals
• Financial planning is as much behavioural as it is mathematical
• Early, incremental lifestyle adjustments are better than crisis-driven decisions

Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only. For bespoke personal financial advice, speak to a WellsFaber wealth manager and visit the WellsFaber website for more information. WellsFaber is an authorised FSP number 639. The views shared on this podcast are those of the individual concerned and do not necessarily represent the views of The Finance Ghost or of WellsFaber.

This episode dives into the realities of starting and scaling a business in South Africa, with Kevin Dolley from WellsFaber and Matt Beckett, founder of n plus 1.

We explore the challenges founders face early on - from understanding their numbers to managing compliance, overheads, outsourced specialists, and the mental load of doing everything themselves. Matt shares what he’s learned from working with entrepreneurs at all stages, and why combining skills, capital and proper support is critical from day one.

Kevin brings the wealth‑planning lens, unpacking the structures and protections founders often overlook - from personal financial foundations to employee benefits and succession planning.

Together, the conversation highlights a simple theme: entrepreneurs don’t need to do this alone. With the right partners, a clear plan, recognition of the value of coaching and a focus on what actually matters, founders can build stronger businesses and long‑term wealth.

Please remember that this podcast is for informational purposes only. For bespoke personal financial advice, speak to a WellsFaber wealth manager and visit the WellsFaber website for more information. WellsFaber is an authorised FSP number 639. The views shared on this podcast are those of the individual concerned and do not necessarily represent the views of The Finance Ghost or of WellsFaber.

• (00:00:00) - The Wells Faber Podcast
• (00:00:35) - Wells Faber Wealth Manager on The Podcast
• (00:01:50) - N1
• (00:03:07) - The Role of the Trusted Advisor
• (00:04:22) - What are the challenges facing startup entrepreneurs in South Africa?
• (00:04:55) - Getting it out of the Founders' Heads
• (00:06:59) - What are the biggest challenges facing entrepreneurs in the early stage?
• (00:11:02) - Six Things a Startup Needs to Focus On
• (00:12:39) - How to Manage Your Overheads
• (00:13:53) - The Role of a Financial Advisor in Startup Succession
• (00:19:52) - In the Elevator With Coaching
• (00:20:33) - The Value of Co-Coaching
• (00:27:24) - Punishment for non-payment of wages
• (00:29:28) - Employee Benefits
• (00:31:15) - What's The Secret to Building a Good Culture
• (00:32:39) - How to grow a team?
• (00:34:26) - Kevin's advice for start-ups and financial planning
• (00:37:21) - Mixed emotions about the local economy
• (00:37:49) - Employees feel good about the economy
• (00:40:30) - A New Year's Advice From Wells Faber Wealth Management