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It’s July - and while most people are just trying to survive winter with dignity (and functioning geysers), the financial world for many is hitting refresh.

A new financial year is here, for both our company and many others, with the midway point in the year signifying a 2nd restart for 2025. Cue the clean, fresh spreadsheets, the great intentions, and that moment of truth where we all pretend last year’s budget mostly went according to plan. Now’s the time to relook, realign, and set a smarter course for the year ahead.

At 1.618, we believe in more than just a reset. We believe in a Golden Reset — a well-balanced approach that blends risk and reward, security and opportunity, and a little bit of "we’ve got this" energy. . Energy that we would like to share with you in powering out of winter towards the second half of the year, with faith and expectation of good to come.

Here’s how you can take the year ahead by the balance sheet and make it your most strategic one yet.

Start with how you approach risk: because in today’s climate, playing it safe isn’t always safe.

From cyber threats and shifting regulations to economic dips and to add to it – some extreme weather, the risks are evolving faster than your inbox can keep up. And while we can’t control everything (like Stage 6 load-shedding), we can control how prepared we are.

Smart businesses in 2025/26 will:

• Spread their risk wisely - with purpose and precision.

• Reassess insurance that’s collecting more dust than relevance.

• Swap last-minute crisis mode for proactive, strategic planning. (No more policies buried in files named “To Sort Eventually”.)

At 1.618, we help you see around corners. We don’t just read the fine print, we help you understand what it means for your future. And we align this to you specifically as an individual client, with specific lifestyle requirements. Check out what Warren Wessels has to say in the Broker In your Pocket piece on lifestyle financial planning!

Next, align financial strategy with purpose: The smartest financial plans are not just profitable - they’re purpose-driven.

To do this:

• Reassess your investment strategy: Are your funds still aligned with your future goals?

• Re-evaluate your business insurance and employee benefits: Do they reflect your current growth stage?

• Reimagine what financial wellness looks like for your team or family.

• Look at what has changed significantly in your asset base, your work rewards, and in your family

True balance isn’t static - it evolves and so should your financial roadmap. Our Advisors are here to help you do just that: to not settle for silver linings, but to go for the golden layer in your future planning.

Let’s mark the coming financial year as “The year to find your golden ratio”.

It’s more than a box to tick, it’s a chance to reinvent what success looks like. At 1.618, we’re ready to help you to future-proof your portfolio and grow with purpose.