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S4E7 Where Equity creates Equity · The Swan Effect - Creating and Sustaining Your Financial Wellbeing

• 0:00
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Your legacy isn't just about numbers.
• 0:03
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It's about the confidence that comes with knowing your wealth is expertly managed.
• 0:09
  Arthi Rabikrisson: At Old Mutual Wealth.
• 0:10
  Arthi Rabikrisson: We offer solutions that go beyond investment management.
• 0:14
  Arthi Rabikrisson: We're your trusted partner in achieving financial success.
• 0:18
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Together with your financial planner, we uncover what matters most to you.
• 0:23
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Crafting a personalized plan tailored to your unique goals.
• 0:27
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Backed by a team dedicated to your wealth journey, we provide innovative strategies, in-depth research and award-winning investment expertise.
• 0:37
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Partner with us to take your wealth further with advice-led, personalized wealth management, offering clients and financial planners a full suite of industry-leading investment solutions.
• 0:49
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Visit wwwallmutualcoza forward slash wealth to learn more.
• 0:56
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Hi there, I'm Arthi Rabikrasoon.
• 1:03
  Malika Petersen: Hello, I'm Malika Peterson.
• 1:05
  Malika Petersen: Welcome to the Swan Effect Podcast.
• 1:09
  Arthi Rabikrisson: We're your go-to podcast to simplify the complexities of money management, investing and wealth management.
• 1:17
  Malika Petersen: So that you can gain confidence in your relationship with money and become financially literate, independent and free.
• 1:25
  Arthi Rabikrisson: That first step towards freedom is knowledge, and you can start with gaining that right now by listening to this upcoming episode.
• 1:37
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Happy Women's Month to all the phenomenal women in South Africa and beyond,
• 1:42
  Malika Petersen: and
• 1:42
  Malika Petersen: the same to all the incredible allies that support women to be uplifted, empowered and face the biases inherent in our world with courage and stamina.
• 1:54
  Malika Petersen: We are not sugarcoating, Malika.
• 1:57
  Malika Petersen: Absolutely not.
• 1:58
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It's a reality that women across the world face even today, in 2025, unfortunately, but we are not dwelling on those negatives because that would be a victim mindset.
• 2:09
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Everyone and on the Swan Effect podcast, we've been on a journey with you, our listeners, to move away from that to an empowered one, a wealth mindset, specifically in this season, as well as becoming your own financial superhero.
• 2:23
  Malika Petersen: And that is so important, right?
• 2:24
  Malika Petersen: Because when we feel like we have created equity for ourselves in the world as women, we can conquer anything.
• 2:32
  Malika Petersen: Pretty much like our superheroes, taking down some of the worst villains.
• 2:36
  Malika Petersen: Some may back, but when you're equipped, you're up for battle.
• 2:41
  Arthi Rabikrisson: That's why this Women's Month episode is all about equity and where equity, as in investing in the stock market, can create equity.
• 2:51
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Okay, so what do I mean by this?
• 2:53
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It means we're giving people what they need to succeed, by recognizing not everyone starts from the same place.
• 3:00
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It's about fairness, not sameness, and removing the barriers that hold us back, so everyone has a real chance to thrive.
• 3:08
  Arthi Rabikrisson: o
• 3:08
  Malika Petersen: Yes, absolutely, Arthii, and this is one of those episodes that you and I always talk about, right, definitely being exposed to the financial services and investments industry.
• 3:21
  Malika Petersen: Arthi and I often get exposed to information that
• 3:24
  Malika Petersen: we always wish you know was kind of common knowledge, the kind of stuff that we believe should be taught in school, and today's episode really allows us to share some of that information and lean into the superpower of investing with an absolutely awesome guest, Shivani Naidoo, who is a South African investment professional.
• 3:47
  Malika Petersen: She's a fintech builder and, with her entrepreneurial drive, she's leading a new digital investment platform that is created for a generation of emerging wealth builders.
• 3:58
  Malika Petersen: Right, which is, you guys, our listeners.
• 4:00
  Malika Petersen: So Shivani
• 4:01
  Malika Petersen: has a background in portfolio management.
• 4:02
  Malika Petersen: She's a CFA charter holder and now the head of equity, which is a mutual wealth-powered fintech.
• 4:13
  Malika Petersen: Shivani brings both depth and clarity to evolving space refinance and technology need, and at the heart of her work is a commitment to building the systems that are simple, scalable and serve as a tool for empowerment.
• 4:27
  Malika Petersen: Oh, we love that.
• 4:29
  Malika Petersen: What's absolutely awesome is that her career spanned basically traditional asset management, which some of us know about, some of us don't, and then the rapidly exciting evolving world of tech, which is awesome.
• 4:41
  Malika Petersen: Right is awesome right, and this, I think, gives her a really unique perspective on how the company investment industry is changing and what that means for investors, institutions and the future of financial advice.
• 4:54
  Malika Petersen: So shivani is a mission-driven champion for first-time investors.
• 4:59
  Malika Petersen: Welcome to the swanee big podcast, shivani.
• 5:02
  Shivani Naidoo: well thanks for having me, Arthi and Malika.
• 5:05
  Shivani Naidoo: I am so excited to bring this message to life, especially during Women's Month.
• 5:10
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Oh, it is such a pleasure to have you, Shivani.
• 5:12
  Arthi Rabikrisson: All right, cool, let's get straight into it Now.
• 5:15
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I am a huge Wonder Woman fan.
• 5:17
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I must admit I admire her as a character because she never picks up a shield just for the fun of it, no, no, no.
• 5:28
  Arthi Rabikrisson: She leads with purpose, she fights for justice and I think that's what really makes her powerful, and I believe in investing your.
• 5:31
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Why is your superpower not the market tip, not the trend, but it's your mission.
• 5:36
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So, shivani, why is it so important, especially for us women, to start with that?
• 5:40
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Why, instead of just rushing to pick the right investment, I think you are absolutely right.
• 5:50
  Shivani Naidoo: Just like Wonder Woman, it's the mission, not the shield, that gives you the power In investing.
• 5:53
  Shivani Naidoo: It's your why that unlocks everything else.
• 5:54
  Shivani Naidoo: And I love that you're putting the spotlight on purpose, because it's where it all begins.
• 5:57
  Shivani Naidoo: Successful investors aren't just chasing the best returns.
• 6:01
  Shivani Naidoo: They know what their money is doing and how it's meant to help them build and achieve that.
• 6:06
  Shivani Naidoo: Clarity shapes every decision they make and keeps them grounded and in the market.
• 6:11
  Shivani Naidoo: If you're a first time in your family building wealth, or in your community, which many women are having a clear view of, the why helps you move past old beliefs, make confident decisions, even when the path is new and uncertain.
• 6:24
  Shivani Naidoo: And your why doesn't have to sound fancy.
• 6:27
  Shivani Naidoo: Maybe it's financial independence or buying your first home, supporting your family, or it could be building a generational asset base.
• 6:34
  Shivani Naidoo: It really even could just be weathering life storms with a little less anxiety.
• 6:38
  Shivani Naidoo: Whatever your purpose is, naming it gives you clarity.
• 6:42
  Shivani Naidoo: It's a personal goal Shivani unlock and achieve.
• 6:45
  Shivani Naidoo: So get honest with your why, write it down, keep it somewhere visible or share it with someone you trust.
• 6:51
  Shivani Naidoo: When your plans are anchored in what truly matters, it's so much easier to stick with, even through the highs and lows of the market, as you mentioned in your series thus far.
• 7:00
  Shivani Naidoo: This is at the heart of a real wealth mindset.
• 7:03
  Shivani Naidoo: It shifts your perspective from chasing product and returns to building with alignment and attention so that every action fits into your bigger blueprint for your overall wealth.
• 7:15
  Malika Petersen: Yeah, actually Arthi really like those reminders and the perspective that you shared with us, Shivani, because I think it brings a lot more drive into our decision making, right, but, man, it is easy to delay making decisions, especially investing decisions.
• 7:30
  Malika Petersen: I mean, even superheroes.
• 7:32
  Malika Petersen: Storm can't control all the weather, right, but she doesn't wait for clear skies to act, I guess.
• 7:38
  Arthi Rabikrisson: And neither should we, Malika.
• 7:39
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean, when we delay in investing, often that comes from perfectionism, actually, you know, waiting for everything to be right, be it time, knowledge, funds available, or even, of course, from a fear perspective of you know I could make the wrong move.
• 7:54
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So I mean, Shivani, can you talk about that cost of not starting and actually how time, not timing, is the real superpower.
• 8:03
  Shivani Naidoo: Of course, Arthi, you've hit the nail on the head.
• 8:05
  Shivani Naidoo: The biggest risk isn't picking the wrong investment, it's not starting at all.
• 8:09
  Shivani Naidoo: That's what we call an opportunity cost.
• 8:12
  Shivani Naidoo: It's all the growth and compounding you are missing out on while waiting for the quote-unquote perfect time, as you mentioned, Arthi.
• 8:18
  Shivani Naidoo: Time really is the superpower when it comes to investing and, like all good superpowers, time has an ultimate signature, finishing move, and that's technically called compounding.
• 8:30
  Shivani Naidoo: Oh, we love compounding, we love it.
• 8:32
  Shivani Naidoo: Compounding basically means your money earns returns and then those returns start earning too Over the years.
• 8:39
  Shivani Naidoo: That creates real momentum and long lasting wealth.
• 8:43
  Shivani Naidoo: I like to think of it like storm, quietly building energy in the clouds, but once it's unleashed, it's actually extraordinary.
• 8:51
  Shivani Naidoo: The common misconception is that you need a big lump sum or expert knowledge to start, but, like we said, the truth is time is your most valuable asset builder.
• 9:00
  Shivani Naidoo: Just for example, if you were to start today with just 500 Rand and take it back to when you were in your twenties, you will likely be able to have more by the age of 40 than if you waited to start until you're 35 and double that contribution.
• 9:16
  Shivani Naidoo: Mark rewards patience and consistency, not perfection.
• 9:22
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Such a good reminder.
• 9:23
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Again.
• 9:23
  Arthi Rabikrisson: You know, and I don't know Arthi you listeners, I don't know about you listeners I don't want to be caught missing out any longer.
• 9:28
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean, the cost in my mind is just high.
• 9:30
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I'm feeling quite charged about actually to get with the program and really get stuck in.
• 9:35
  Arthi Rabikrisson: But okay, so here's the thing.
• 9:37
  Arthi Rabikrisson: A question is coming to mind how and where do I start?
• 9:42
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Malika me, when I feel anxiety hitting, I actually take a bit of a breath and then I think who do I need to actually rope in to assist me?
• 9:49
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So if we think about our superheroes right in their world, power is actually balanced across teams, for example, like the Avengers, the Justice League, the Guardians of the Galaxy I mean you could go on and on Each person in those teams brings something valuable to the table.
• 10:05
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean think, for example, of Shuri's tech genius We've mentioned Storm, her ability to control the unpredictable.
• 10:12
  Arthi Rabikrisson: What about Black Widow and her tactical focus, as well as Jean Grey's emotional strength.
• 10:18
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So they each bring a piece of the puzzle and immediately that takes the pressure of knowing that I can get support if I take that step towards that.
• 10:28
  Malika Petersen: I think, in the financial world, of investing what she's saying, Arthi, which would kind of translate into asset allocation.
• 10:35
  Malika Petersen: Right, and we've spoken about this before, it's all about building a portfolio that blends power protection and potential.
• 10:44
  Malika Petersen: That blends power protection and potential.
• 10:47
  Malika Petersen: So, Shivani, how can women think of asset allocation like building their personal superhero league?
• 10:52
  Shivani Naidoo: Malika, I love how you've put that the blend of power, protection and potential.
• 10:57
  Shivani Naidoo: So when you think of your portfolio like a superhero team, each member brings something different to the table and when it comes to asset allocation, it's not about picking the best hero.
• 11:07
  Shivani Naidoo: It's about building a balanced team where each role is clear so that structure and discipline win out over hot tips every time.
• 11:15
  Shivani Naidoo: If we break that down practically, what does asset allocation look like?
• 11:19
  Shivani Naidoo: Well, first and foremost, you have your growth specialists in your portfolio.
• 11:23
  Shivani Naidoo: That would be your equity or shares, that's ownership in real world companies.
• 11:28
  Shivani Naidoo: They drive your wealth forward over the long term, but they're also the most volatile.
• 11:32
  Shivani Naidoo: So typically for young investors with a lot of time on their side, a larger allocation is often what makes sense.
• 11:39
  Shivani Naidoo: Next, we have a balancing factor bonds.
• 11:42
  Shivani Naidoo: They're your steady hand.
• 11:44
  Shivani Naidoo: They provide income and stability.
• 11:46
  Shivani Naidoo: They often smooth out the ups and downs that equities have.
• 11:49
  Shivani Naidoo: So for most investors, having a bond allocation adds some essential balance and is a prudent measure.
• 11:54
  Shivani Naidoo: Cash that's your emergency backup, always ready, always on standby.
• 11:59
  Shivani Naidoo: But it's not necessarily there to lever up and grow your wealth exponentially, but rather liquidity and peace of mind.
• 12:06
  Shivani Naidoo: For most people, we keep a cash allocation in a portfolio around 5% to 10%, and this is for short-term needs.
• 12:13
  Shivani Naidoo: It helps you take advantage of aligned opportunities or unexpected events, all in the efforts of keeping you invested.
• 12:21
  Shivani Naidoo: Finally, there's asset classes that are considered alternative, but basically they don't necessarily move in line with the market for something like your bonds or equities.
• 12:31
  Shivani Naidoo: These can be gold, sometimes listed properties such as REITs, or Arthi, even small regulated allocations to crypto exposure.
• 12:38
  Shivani Naidoo: If you're comfortable.
• 12:40
  Shivani Naidoo: In essence, they're your wildcards.
• 12:41
  Shivani Naidoo: They can help your portfolio stay resilient when things get unpredictable and for most, starting out, we recommend a smaller allocation in your portfolio.
• 12:50
  Shivani Naidoo: Remember, you can always build a team using instruments like low-cost ETFs or low-cost index funds.
• 12:57
  Shivani Naidoo: You don't need Malika pick individual stocks.
• 12:59
  Shivani Naidoo: Just focus on your mix and keep reviewing it as life changes.
• 13:03
  Shivani Naidoo: Just a point to add here when deciding your exact percentages for each Shivani allocation, this can kind of be a combination of art and science and is where professional guidance can really pay off.
• 13:15
  Shivani Naidoo: In South Africa, studies show investors working with qualified financial advisors often outperform at around 3% per annum.
• 13:22
  Shivani Naidoo: So if you can speak to an advisor early, they can boost both your returns and your confidence.
• 13:27
  Shivani Naidoo: If you're going at it alone, just focus on building a balanced team, knowing the role each asset plays and supporting your plan.
• 13:35
  Shivani Naidoo: You're not just tracing trends.
• 13:36
  Shivani Naidoo: Structure and discipline are what carry you through every single market battle.
• 13:42
  Malika Petersen: Okay.
• 13:42
  Malika Petersen: So we've kind of made that start with you know, which is awesome and taking a balanced view, which means that we're not putting all our eggs in one basket, which I absolutely love I mean Arthi, and I kind of preach that but every superhero team has a code, a plan that kind of keeps them all aligned even when chaos hits, which will happen, as we know right, yeah, I mean, chaos happens all the time.
• 14:06
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Okay, so, malika, what's coming to my mind is that maybe in the investing world, that then becomes that code, becomes your investment policy statement, or IPS.
• 14:15
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean, shivani, can you break down what that is, the IPS, and why it's like having your own Wonder Woman code of honor, if you want to call it, or your Shuri blueprint, in a way?
• 14:31
  Shivani Naidoo: That really is something that sets successful investors apart.
• 14:33
  Shivani Naidoo: It's not just about what they invest in.
• 14:34
  Shivani Naidoo: It's that they have a plan.
• 14:35
  Shivani Naidoo: It's a mission brief for their money, like Wonder Woman's code of honor.
• 14:38
  Shivani Naidoo: It lets you hold yourself accountable and stay true to your mission even when things get turbulent In the professional world.
• 14:44
  Shivani Naidoo: This document is called an investment policy statement, or IPS, like you've mentioned, which outlines key concepts like time horizon, risk level, purpose, as well as other guiding principles.
• 14:55
  Shivani Naidoo: But for self-directed investors, I don't think it has to be that formal or complicated.
• 15:00
  Shivani Naidoo: It really is, in essence, a documented statement of intent, plan and steadiness.
• 15:06
  Shivani Naidoo: You know your IPX.
• 15:08
  Malika Petersen: Nice.
• 15:09
  Shivani Naidoo: Intent is your, why it's the reason you want to invest in the poorest place.
• 15:13
  Shivani Naidoo: Is it for freedom, family security or maybe something else?
• 15:17
  Shivani Naidoo: Just always remember, when articulating this, to be intentional and specific.
• 15:22
  Shivani Naidoo: Keep it relevant to you to ensure you stay motivated.
• 15:25
  Shivani Naidoo: The P plan it's your roadmap.
• 15:28
  Shivani Naidoo: This determines how much you will invest, how often.
• 15:31
  Shivani Naidoo: What's your asset mix.
• 15:32
  Shivani Naidoo: It's the guideline that lets you know your time horizon, Finally, steadiness is your commitment to yourself to stick to your plan, especially when news or markets get volatile.
• 15:35
  Shivani Naidoo: level of risk you're comfortable with.
• 15:37
  Shivani Naidoo: It makes sure your investment choices fit your real-life goals, behavior and needs.
• 15:43
  Shivani Naidoo: It sets a few guardrails for yourself so you don't make needed decisions that derail your long-term goals.
• 15:57
  Shivani Naidoo: Just like any superhero team needs a mission plan to stay focused under pressure, investors need rules and reminders that keep them aligned when things get tough.
• 16:07
  Shivani Naidoo: When the market dips, your IPS acts as your anchor.
• 16:11
  Shivani Naidoo: It keeps you from acting out of panic.
• 16:13
  Malika Petersen: This is very important listeners and something that we've discussed often.
• 16:17
  Malika Petersen: Right, you have to understand the goal up front, and that helps you keep accountable or yourself accountable to the plan, and it also helps you remember what you'll be sacrificing if you don't stick to the plan down the line.
• 16:32
  Malika Petersen: So, shivani, I think, take us through the time horizon and what you exactly mean by that.
• 16:39
  Shivani Naidoo: Well, Malika, time horizon is what you need to establish how long you will need to keep your money invested before having to withdraw it or need it for whatever your goal is, Like I said, this always links back to your goal.
• 16:51
  Shivani Naidoo: This goal will inform how long you stay invested, as well as the appropriate risk appetite and tolerance for each of these periods in order to achieve your desired outcome.
• 17:01
  Shivani Naidoo: A good rule of thumb is anything less than three years.
• 17:05
  Shivani Naidoo: You stick to something a little more conservative, so you'd have a lower risk appetite.
• 17:10
  Shivani Naidoo: That could be something like cash or your more money market type investments.
• 17:14
  Shivani Naidoo: If you have a time horizon between three and seven years, diversification becomes key.
• 17:20
  Shivani Naidoo: You need a balanced portfolio, something that will continue to grow steadily while managing the downside risks.
• 17:27
  Shivani Naidoo: For someone with longer time horizon that's your seven to 10 years, your typical young professional portfolio builder you can afford to take on more risk and should really consider a growth-focused portfolio.
• 17:38
  Shivani Naidoo: You have the benefit of time to write out any short-term volatility.
• 17:43
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I think that's such an interesting point you've made, Shivani, because we often get asked about that relationship between longer-term investment and the need to take risk.
• 17:52
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean, help us understand why is that so important?
• 17:56
  Shivani Naidoo: Oh, that's a great question, Arthi.
• 17:57
  Shivani Naidoo: The reality is a lot of people don't realize that, like investments, inflation actually compounds too over time.
• 18:05
  Shivani Naidoo: That like investments, inflation actually compounds too over time.
• 18:07
  Shivani Naidoo: So if you want money to truly grow and maintain its buying power, you need investments that outpace inflation, and that means you need some exposure to growth assets which by their very nature carry more risk.
• 18:19
  Shivani Naidoo: But here's where risk is often misunderstood.
• 18:21
  Shivani Naidoo: People hear risk and immediately think oh, no danger, something bad, something to avoid.
• 18:27
  Arthi Rabikrisson: In a way.
• 18:28
  Shivani Naidoo: Risk isn't inherently bad.
• 18:29
  Shivani Naidoo: It's a simple measure of uncertainty.
• 18:31
  Shivani Naidoo: In fact, risk is what gives you the opportunity for higher returns.
• 18:35
  Shivani Naidoo: That's why risk is essential to long-term investing If you want your rubble to grow faster than inflation.
• 18:41
  Shivani Naidoo: Some risk isn't just unavoidable, it's actually necessary.
• 18:45
  Shivani Naidoo: Some risk isn't just unavoidable, it's actually necessary.
• 18:46
  Shivani Naidoo: It's understanding your relationship with risk and being honest about a couple of things, which is what makes you able to be masters of it.
• 18:55
  Shivani Naidoo: First, how much movement or risk can you emotionally and financially tolerate?
• 19:00
  Shivani Naidoo: If you're inherently a low-risk person, you're uncomfortable with the volatility and rather have your wealth grow slowly, even if that means smaller returns.
• 19:09
  Shivani Naidoo: On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you have a high-risk behavior or risk tolerance, you understand and accept that markets will fluctuate in the short term, but have the time horizon and the willingness to ride out that bump for a chance at higher growth.
• 19:23
  Shivani Naidoo: The flip side of the coin comes down to how much risk can you afford not to take?
• 19:29
  Shivani Naidoo: This is where your ultimate goal, what you want to achieve, comes into focus.
• 19:33
  Shivani Naidoo: If you stay too safe with your low-risk investments, you might not beat inflation and you'll lose value in real terms Once again.
• 19:42
  Shivani Naidoo: on the opposite end, high-risk investors, by investing in more growth assets, a very equity heavy portfolio gives you the best chance of beating inflation in the wrong run and actually growing your real buying power.
• 19:54
  Shivani Naidoo: I think it's important to reframe the thinking.
• 19:57
  Shivani Naidoo: When you see risk as a tool rather than a threat, it becomes much easier to make smart, confident decisions for the future of your portfolio to make smart, confident decisions for the future of your portfolio.
• 20:07
  Malika Petersen: Yeah, I'm so glad that you've articulated this risk so eloquently, Shivani, because I think people often underestimate the need to take risks right in order to beat inflation, and this is a key concept that wealthy individuals understand very, very well.
• 20:22
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Yeah, I think Shivani understand and they stick by their rules of engagement as well.
• 20:26
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Very well, Malika.
• 20:27
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean, would that be right, Shivani, in a more general context as well, Absolutely.
• 20:33
  Shivani Naidoo: You're building your investment journey on your own.
• 20:35
  Shivani Naidoo: This is a crucial thing to understand.
• 20:38
  Shivani Naidoo: You need to set your own behavioral guardrails that protect you from panic and hype.
• 20:42
  Shivani Naidoo: They also reinforce how you will engage of your portfolio, the rules of the engagement you've mentioned.
• 20:48
  Shivani Naidoo: A simple way to do this, I find, can be in the form of "I statements.
• 20:52
  Shivani Naidoo: I statements which you, as an investor, wish to embody.
• 20:55
  Shivani Naidoo: It could be a fact of I will not make emotional investments during market downturns.
• 21:01
  Shivani Naidoo: Promise to review and rebalance your portfolio annually.
• 21:04
  Shivani Naidoo: A commitment to stay invested even if the market drops 20%.
• 21:08
  Shivani Naidoo: Or, as simple as I will automate my monthly investments and revisit my plan once a year.
• 21:13
  Shivani Naidoo: Like I said, these are promises your present self makes to your future self.
• 21:17
  Shivani Naidoo: They would keep you anchored and help you avoid snap reactions that could derail your long-term goals Once again.
• 21:24
  Shivani Naidoo: This is kind of where I think reasons come in that we recommend working with a financial advisor if you can.
• 21:30
  Shivani Naidoo: A good advisor is a useful tool to act as an accountability partner, helping you stick to your plan.
• 21:36
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I must say, Malika, you know, when you were saying the I statements, it was really making me think of like financial affirmations in a way, which is very big in terms of just generally helping people.
• 21:47
  Arthi Rabikrisson: And the last bit that you mentioned, which is the accountability piece, I mean absolutely so.
• 21:52
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Here's the other thing, though.
• 21:53
  Arthi Rabikrisson: You know, even someone like our superhero Jean Grey, you know, can have incredible strength, but if it's left unchecked then her power actually turns volatile, so she has to balance her inner phoenix almost constantly right?
• 22:08
  Malika Petersen: Yeah, that's actually a powerful metaphor for investing, right?
• 22:11
  Malika Petersen: I mean, Shivani.
• 22:12
  Malika Petersen: Let's talk about rebalancing.
• 22:14
  Malika Petersen: Why is it so important, and how can women use it to kind of stay aligned inside instead of overreacting to the market movement?
• 22:23
  Shivani Naidoo: As you've said, malika, the strongest superheroes need to keep their powers in check, and investing is really no different.
• 22:29
  Shivani Naidoo: Rebalance is all about making those small, intentional, consistent course corrections that keep your portfolio on mission, rather than letting emotional waves or market movements push you completely off track.
• 22:42
  Shivani Naidoo: The reality is, over time, Shivani asset allocation drifts just as markets move.
• 22:46
  Shivani Naidoo: Maybe equities rally and suddenly you're taking on more risk than you intended or bonds outperform and you become way too conservative without realizing it.
• 22:55
  Shivani Naidoo: Rebalancing brings you back to your chosen strategy, so you end up with a portfolio that no longer fits your needs.
• 23:02
  Shivani Naidoo: I like these few practical ways to think about it and make it show up in my everyday investment decisions.
• 23:07
  Shivani Naidoo: First and foremost, it could be as simple as deciding a set month each year when you rebalance.
• 23:13
  Shivani Naidoo: You know, mark it on your calendar, put it up in notes, kind of like a birthday.
• 23:17
  Shivani Naidoo: It's something that is a trigger point for a financial checkup.
• 23:20
  Shivani Naidoo: You can also set rules to rebalance your asset allocation if it drifts more than a specific percentage from your target.
• 23:27
  Shivani Naidoo: You generally accept a rule of thumb as a typical 5% allocation drift is time to cut back, or simply by adding new money to your portfolio, you can use that as an opportunity to top up areas that have fallen behind your ideal asset allocation.
• 23:41
  Shivani Naidoo: I think it's like you mentioned.
• 23:43
  Shivani Naidoo: It's how you keep your inner phoenix in check, so you don't let fear or greed take over.
• 23:47
  Shivani Naidoo: You set your rules, you stick to your IPS and remember discipline is what separates investors from speculators.
• 23:54
  Shivani Naidoo: Just like Jean Gray balances her strength, you're keeping your investments in harmony with your goals.
• 24:01
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I like that.
• 24:02
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So I mean to sum up we need clarity of purpose, know our time horizon, be cognizant of our risk tolerance, to be clear on our rules of engagement and also we need to monitor that environment and rebalance accordingly, using our accountability partners to assist us.
• 24:19
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Is that it in a nutshell, alshabadi?
• 24:21
  Shivani Naidoo: A hundred percent, you know.
• 24:23
  Shivani Naidoo: Think about yourself as your own, Nick Fury, the strategic architect.
• 24:27
  Shivani Naidoo: Your job isn't to be the hero, it's to assemble the right team for your mission.
• 24:32
  Shivani Naidoo: It's your IPS.
• 24:43
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It's your mission.
• 24:43
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Brief, that's what you hold true, right?
• 24:44
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Absolutely Cool.
• 24:44
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean, I love Nick Fury as well, okay, so all right.
• 24:45
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So, thinking about that, though, I mean, obviously, when you're assembling the team, you're fighting against something, so I guess superheroes also have their nemeses right In the world of equity investing, there's definitely some threats that are obvious, but then there are also others that are just cleverly disguised.
• 25:00
  Malika Petersen: Yeah, no, absolutely.
• 25:01
  Malika Petersen: I mean, these villains can derail even the best plans.
• 25:04
  Malika Petersen: So I think, Shivani, what are some of the biggest threats you've seen women face when they're starting their equity investing journey?
• 25:11
  Shivani Naidoo: I love the superhero analogy you guys got.
• 25:14
  Shivani Naidoo: It's the gift that keeps on giving Because, you're right, every equity investor faces their own set of villains, and some of the toughest ones come within us.
• 25:22
  Shivani Naidoo: I think the first big one for every new investor it's a classic.
• 25:28
  Shivani Naidoo: It's the overconfidence bias.
• 25:30
  Shivani Naidoo: It's the big.
• 25:31
  Shivani Naidoo: I got this energy.
• 25:32
  Shivani Naidoo: I mean, you see it in superhero movies all the time.
• 25:35
  Shivani Naidoo: It's a classic trope.
• 25:37
  Shivani Naidoo: When someone thinks they can outsmart everyone else, they walk straight into a trap.
• 25:41
  Shivani Naidoo: Investing, it's no different.
• 25:44
  Shivani Naidoo: It's believing you can always pick the winner or time the market perfectly.
• 25:48
  Shivani Naidoo: And sure you've seen people get lucky early on and start taking bigger and bigger and riskier bets, convincing themselves they're invisible.
• 25:56
  Shivani Naidoo: This often leads to being overexposed and overleveraged.
• 26:00
  Shivani Naidoo: Then there's other risks, such as chasing trends.
• 26:03
  Shivani Naidoo: You know, getting swept up in the hype, whether it's a hot stock investment theme, a tech theme or what everyone is talking about on social media.
• 26:11
  Shivani Naidoo: I know this can feel exciting, but it's often moving away from your own investment plan and subtly taking on more risk than you realize or can tolerate.
• 26:22
  Shivani Naidoo: I think for women, another classic, classic emotional investing adversary that shows up comes up out of fear.
• 26:30
  Shivani Naidoo: Panic or excitement instead of sticking to your plan.
• 26:34
  Shivani Naidoo: Panic or excitement instead of sticking to your plan.
• 26:38
  Shivani Naidoo: I've seen emotional investing come up, where people panic, sell during a crash, then regret it when the markets recover or they buy right at the top because everyone is celebrating.
• 26:45
  Shivani Naidoo: These emotional snap decisions can really set you back much like a superhero getting distracted in the heat of battle.
• 26:52
  Shivani Naidoo: Then, of course, there's the lack of diversification.
• 26:54
  Shivani Naidoo: Putting too much of your wealth in one company, sector or trend leaves you overexposed.
• 27:00
  Shivani Naidoo: Imagine if the Avengers put all their faith in one hero and that one stumbled.
• 27:05
  Shivani Naidoo: Your whole mission is in trouble.
• 27:06
  Shivani Naidoo: Diversifying your investments is like assembling your own superhero squad, like we've mentioned with the asset allocation.
• 27:13
  Shivani Naidoo: If one stumbles, no worries, the others have got your back.
• 27:17
  Shivani Naidoo: I think maybe one of the most underrepresented ones is poor liquidity planning.
• 27:23
  Shivani Naidoo: That's as simple as not keeping enough cash accessible for real life curveballs, whether that be in your emergency fund or a cash buffer.
• 27:30
  Shivani Naidoo: This is kind of not having.
• 27:32
  Shivani Naidoo: This is like a superhero running out with no backup and just when things get tough, that forces you to sell investments at the worst possible time and potentially lock in those losses.
• 27:43
  Shivani Naidoo: So most of these villains we've discussed are behavioral in nature.
• 27:47
  Shivani Naidoo: They tend to creep up when we lose sight of our plan, our purpose or our emotional triggers, and the solution isn't to become fearless or perfect, it's to know your own weak spots, see them clearly, set up guardrails and make your portfolio your ally, not the battleground.
• 28:03
  Shivani Naidoo: Once again, adding a trusted advisor or accountability partner to this mix can really be like having your own sidekick to keep you steady.
• 28:13
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Shivani, I'm loving this list.
• 28:14
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I can't tell you how much I'm smiling as you're going through them.
• 28:17
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It's powerful, it really is, and it's so true.
• 28:20
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Oh my gosh, just like how it's making me think of how Loki shapeshifts.
• 28:23
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean some of these threats.
• 28:25
  Arthi Rabikrisson: They really do feel like opportunities until it's too late.
• 28:30
  Malika Petersen: So the real protection, that IBS we talked about earlier, it's like Captain America's shield, right, it's strong, reliable and it's always aligned to your mission.
• 28:41
  Shivani Naidoo: Exactly.
• 28:42
  Shivani Naidoo: It gives ability to respond with strength, not stress.
• 28:47
  Malika Petersen: If we had to give every listener a cape today, I would say start where you are with what you have and say true to your why.
• 28:57
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Yes, preach, preach, malika, shivani, I mean it's been incredible having you sharing all of these different pieces.
• 29:06
  Arthi Rabikrisson: All right, so we're coming Shivani to the end of our conversation, but I mean we could go on and on everybody.
• 29:11
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I mean we're really Malika enjoying this right.
• 29:13
  Arthi Rabikrisson: But okay, shivani, for any woman who's listening in or will be listening in the future, if they're still feeling unsure, still feeling that you know what investing?
• 29:23
  Arthi Rabikrisson: No, that's not for me.
• 29:24
  Arthi Rabikrisson: What would your final message be for this woman's month?
• 29:28
  Shivani Naidoo: I think.
• 29:28
  Shivani Naidoo: First and foremost.
• 29:29
  Shivani Naidoo: Thank you, Malika and Arthi, and everyone listening.
• 29:32
  Shivani Naidoo: If there's one thing I want you to take away from today, it's that investing is really not about the numbers.
• 29:38
  Shivani Naidoo: It's about alignment of purpose and alignment with your value and really having a plan you believe in.
• 29:44
  Shivani Naidoo: When you build your portfolio around what matters to you, you're not just growing your wealth.
• 29:49
  Shivani Naidoo: You're empowering yourself for every chapter ahead.
• 29:51
  Shivani Naidoo: So I just want you to give yourself permission.
• 29:54
  Shivani Naidoo: Just give yourself permission to start, even if it feels uncomfortable or new or uncertain.
• 30:00
  Shivani Naidoo: Your first step is always the bravest and every action-oriented intention moves you closer to your goals.
• 30:06
  Shivani Naidoo: Mostly, I want you to remember that your future isn't a trade-off.
• 30:11
  Shivani Naidoo: It's actually a trade-up.
• 30:12
  Shivani Naidoo: You're not giving up something today.
• 30:14
  Shivani Naidoo: You're investing in something greater for tomorrow.
• 30:17
  Shivani Naidoo: So really just take the first step.
• 30:19
  Shivani Naidoo: Start now, and your future self will be thanking you.
• 30:25
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Its ,not a trade-off, its a trade up, I mean.
• 30:25
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I love that.
• 30:26
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Your future isn't a further, everybody.
• 31:10
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Gosh It's so uplifting.
• 30:30
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Thank you so much, Shivani, for showing us how equity, when rooted in purpose, can multiply into so much more than money.
• 30:39
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Oh, Malika, I don't know about you.
• 30:41
  Arthi Rabikrisson: I can't believe we're at the end.
• 30:42
  Arthi Rabikrisson: What is your parting shot for our episode?
• 30:47
  Malika Petersen: Yeah, no, I think, to all our listeners.
• 30:49
  Malika Petersen: Your financial choices today shape the world that you're walking tomorrow.
• 30:55
  Malika Petersen: So, like Shivani said, assemble your superhero squad and start.
• 31:01
  Malika Petersen: Just start, right.
• 31:02
  Malika Petersen: How about you, Arthi?
• 31:04
  Malika Petersen: What is your parting shot?
• 31:06
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Oh, I'm going to follow on from you.
• 31:08
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Don't delay further, everybody.
• 31:10
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Gosh superheroes.
• 31:11
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Just don't wait until they're ready.
• 31:12
  Arthi Rabikrisson: No, in order to save the world, they show up regardless, because their purpose of mission matters and that fuels them.
• 31:20
  Arthi Rabikrisson: So, everyone, do the same for yourself too.
• 31:22
  Malika Petersen: Yeah, no, definitely A big thank you from us, Shivani.
• 31:25
  Malika Petersen: We really do appreciate you for joining us today and, as an added bonus, we're dropping a free draft IPS template in the show notes so that everybody can start building your mission brief today.
• 31:40
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Amazing.
• 31:41
  Arthi Rabikrisson: We love freebies.
• 31:42
  Arthi Rabikrisson: It's an awesome gift.
• 31:43
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Everyone, take care.
• 31:45
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Thanks for joining.
• 31:45
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Ciao for now, ciao.
• 31:51
  Malika Petersen: Thanks for joining us.
• 31:52
  Malika Petersen: We hope you found these ideas and guidance useful.
• 31:56
  Arthi Rabikrisson: We're both seasoned in the investments industry.
• 31:59
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Malika is at the coalface of how, where and why people invest the way they do.
• 32:06
  Malika Petersen: I certainly am, and you, aarti.
• 32:08
  Malika Petersen: You've witnessed different types of investor behaviors around money too, and now work as a global award-winning coach to free us from the mindsets that stop us from becoming financially free.
• 32:22
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Do subscribe, share and write a review, or send us comments.
• 32:26
  Arthi Rabikrisson: We would love to hear from you.
• 32:28
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Catch you on the next episode After Swan Effect podcast.
• 32:32
  Arthi Rabikrisson: Bye for now, ciao.