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When the first jasmine flowers pop and the sun starts it’s UV burn, most South Africans feel an itch to open windows, sweep out corners, and get rid of the pile of “I might need this one day” clutter. Here’s a thought: while you’re spring cleaning your cupboards and garage, why not give your finances a scrub-down too?

Money, just like houses, has a sneaky way of collecting cobwebs. Old bank accounts, forgotten debit orders, a retirement plan you last checked during the Zuma administration - these things all gather dust if you don’t keep an eye on them. The good news? September is the perfect month to refresh, reset, and reorganise.

Do you want to join us on a Financial SPRING clean?

Let’s start with your budget. Remember when you set up a budget at the beginning of the year? Or was it three years ago? Either way, it’s time to revisit it. Pull out the numbers: what’s coming in, what’s going out, and what’s slipping through the cracks. You might be shocked to find you’re still paying for a streaming service or a monthly game package of your child’s that you signed up for years ago. Think of checking your budget as if it were rearranging furniture. Sometimes a small shift - cutting down on takeaways or renegotiating your insurance - can free up surprising space.

Next, we need to rebalance your investments. Every now and then, portfolios need the same treatment as cupboards: take everything out, look at it properly, and put it back in a way that makes sense. Maybe you’ve got too much risk hiding in one sector. Maybe your retirement annuity is looking a little too… vintage.

The trick is balance. Just as nature uses the golden ratio to design seashells, sunflowers, and galaxies, your portfolio should have its own sense of proportion. A little adjustment now can bring it back to harmony - and that harmony is what grows wealth steadily over time.

Let’s not forget to polish up your retirement plan. Here’s a little fact bomb to soak in; retirement planning isn’t something for “future you.” It’s something for today you to make life easier for “future you.” And let’s be honest, future you would rather be sipping cocktails at the coast than working because savings ran dry. Take stock of where you’re at. Do you know how much you’ll need when you stop working? Are your current contributions on track? A small top-up now can make a surprisingly big difference later. It’s the same logic as cleaning your gutters before the rains come - do it now, save yourself a headache later.

Then lastly, declutter that debt. Some debts are useful - like a home loan that helps you build equity. Others are more like those random takeaway sauce packets that live in your drawer: messy, unnecessary, and best thrown out. High-interest debt (I’m talking to you, credit cards) clutters your financial house and slows your progress. Create a plan to pay them off bit by bit and a bit extra where possible. It might not be glamorous, but nothing feels as fresh as a clean slate.

Finally, ask yourself: do your goals still fit the life you’re building? Maybe you’ve got new priorities - kids’ education, a holiday abroad, or starting a side business. Goals aren’t static; they need refreshing just like everything else. Align your money with what matters most to you right now.

Spring cleaning isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress. By taking a little time this September to tidy up your finances, you give yourself clarity, control, and a sense of lightness. And when your money is in balance - just like a sunflower spiralling in perfect 1.618 form - you’re better positioned to thrive.

So, while you’re tossing out those mismatched socks and repotting your plants, take a moment to give your finances a fresh start too.

If you need help discussing the best way to get ‘SPRING CLEANED’ this season, get in touch with a 1.618 Advisor today. Future you will thank you!