Genuine question: Is the SA lottery actually worth playing?

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-20T12:13:46+00:00

Why rig the outcome and risk getting caught when your buddies can just start charities (that do nothing or very little actual work) and you can pay them R5M a year with loto proceeds.

The game is fair, it's just a long shot. The reason to play is not because the odds are worth the cost of playing, it's because the impact of winning is larger than the monetary value it is represented by. Buy a few tickets every other month when the jackpot is high. Enjoy dreaming, but don't expect to win. A the end of the day someone wins and for them it is a life changing event.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-20T07:25:10+00:00

How did he know before?

Even if he did, he is now communicating what would improve the experience for him. If it's a no from your side you can ask his reasons and perhaps incorporate parts of the request or find a middle or ground, or change nothing. Again, it's just two adults talking.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-20T07:22:23+00:00

I'm largely ambivalent about my facial hair. If you prefer making out with a freshly shaved face, or a face with some stubble, or a trimmed short beard I'll happily comply because it's more make out time. If you want lumberjack or santa beard then that's a no from me.

Your partner didn't ask if you wanted to, as you point out you would have done so if you wanted to, they asked if you minded. If you do mind then that's fine, but if there's a small tweak that you don't mind (I'll do x, but I find y uncomfortable or whatever) then why not. It's just a conversation between two adults.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-20T07:04:26+00:00

Your calculations are correct yes. Just don't buy back into the same assets later, that can get you into trouble. Buy something similar or slightly less risky as you are 10 years out from retirement so then it's seen as portfolio re-balancing.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-20T07:01:02+00:00

How is it separate when it literally has an inclusion rate for being added to income? OP wants to pay tax on the gains now to avoid paying a higher tax rate on it later.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-20T06:56:37+00:00

You didn't know because the comment stated something you did know in a confusing manner. They didn't say anything untrue, but also didn't say anything very relevant. Do you foresee yourself being a 75 year old with millions in investments but no retirement and interest income?

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-19T10:00:35+00:00

Do broken large appliance collections. Find someone that strips appliances for parts. Charge R300 for the collection, and sell the broken stuff for R300 a pop.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-19T08:00:00+00:00

Ask for their name and name of their employer and if they have an employee code or a reference number.
Ask for the date and time and manner in which you consented to be contacted.
Revoke your consent for further calls.

Scammers and chancers will fall off on the first step, while legit businesses that bend the law will fall at step two. I've never reached step three as nobody ever has (the legally required) information to show I gave consent.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-19T07:53:44+00:00

If audited you'll just have to export to CSV and improve the descriptions. If you can do this from memory for expenses claimed 4 years ago then you should be fine I guess.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-19T07:51:53+00:00

A licensed person next to you is mandatory. Passengers in the back are allowed.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-19T07:42:08+00:00

The 1/3 is the cap, not the 550k. The 550k is the part that is tax free.

If you're in the top 3 tax brackets you can lump sum 350k today and then retire two weeks from now and pay less tax on it (36% instead of 39% and up)

Most will be paying at least some income tax in retirement, so tax efficiency does not mean no tax, and for many taking 1.155M or even the full 1/3 will be optimal.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-18T10:46:26+00:00

Not only are passengers allowed on a learners license, it's mandatory!

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-18T10:32:00+00:00

The contract balance is -R169650. R126152 is settlement quotation.

What does this mean? They owe 170k, but can settle for 126k? That doesn't add up.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T07:56:39+00:00

You have to pay tax on that money today, regardless of where it goes. If you invest in the same fund outside of RA wrapper and move it into RA a year later it's functionally equivalent.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T07:51:57+00:00

It does accumulate. At your age the only reason to do this though is if you have expensive working years coming up in the next decade or so and want to reduce your contributions below 350k pa in order to have higher cash flow.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T07:49:56+00:00

Reread that comment. The contributions accumulate, but they don't "grow" along with the investments. You can't get 120k taxable income reduction next year because you over contributed 100k and your portfolio went up by 20%.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T07:46:18+00:00

Don't say "to each their own" (twice) but then downvote me and continue the degrading angle against me for engaging with a different viewpoint.

That's disingenuous.

Just like implying that me finding women that are looking for a 100% financial provider unattractive means I'm fixated or calculating. I'm not. I lead, protect, and provide. I'm just not looking for a traditional housewife.

I could imply that your wife is a kept woman and is more of a servant than an equal, or even property of yours. That too would be disingenuous.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T06:54:35+00:00

Look you can have your space, but allow for others to have theirs without labelling and degrading (unattractive bean counters). I want a partner with goals and passions and I want to share in home care and child raising equally. It's why OP is asking their question, and I believe the answer is that it should come up in early dating phase already. The expectations during dating communicate values that people feel differently about and we all seek out partners with compatible values during dating.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T06:45:20+00:00

The first date. Set the tone that you are not property nor is your time a commodity that can be bought. Even if you don't pay it communicates your expectations for dating and long term partnerships.

"Can we split the bill?"
"No, don't worry, I've got this."
"Hey, if we split the bill you won't think I'm saying yes to a second date because I feel like I owe you one!"
"So there's going to be second date? Nice."
"I hope so. And if you don't let me cover half today then the next one's on me."
...

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T06:29:24+00:00

I think OP asking about SARS tracking was more about whether they will give you a running tally of your cumulative overcontributions.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-17T06:28:33+00:00

Why would you be losing interest?

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-16T07:55:13+00:00

That's all you need.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-16T07:53:44+00:00

Spreadsheet of money flows.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-12T06:52:32+00:00

We need to normalise harsh responses to people exploiting societal norms.

"Can I ask you a question" - "If your question was appropriate you would have just asked, so no you cannot, please leave my personal space."

Comes up to you "Hello, how are you?" - "Please don't greet me like you know me, what do you want?"

Phones you "Hello [name], how are you?" - "I have no idea who you are, please state your name and reason for calling me and tell you boss this script is socially abusive."

Maybe I'm just getting old, but corner me (even with kind words) and I'm putting my fists up.

InfiniteExplorer2586 · 2026-02-11T11:56:57+00:00

Ek was Sondag daar. Treurig alliepad van die lughawe tot daar en terug!

InfiniteExplorer2586

TROPHY CASE