Beyond Chops and Wors: The Heritage of Wealth

Feel free to reach out to PSG Wealth Adviser Chrisley Botha  directly.

But here’s a thought – what if we thought of financial planning as part of our heritage too?

Heritage isn’t only about the past

When we hear the word heritage, we often think of old photographs, recipes passed down from our grandparents, or a family heirloom. But heritage is just as much about the future as it is about the past.

Every choice we make – how we spend, how we save, how we invest – becomes part of the story we pass on to the next generation.

Think of it like this:

• Your values shape your wealth. If you grew up in a home where debt was avoided at all costs, that value probably influences your money choices today.
• Your decisions shape your children’s future. Teaching your kids about saving and budgeting is as valuable as teaching them the family braai marinade.
• Your plan is your legacy. Having your financial ducks in a row is one of the most powerful gifts you can leave behind.

Building a heritage that lasts
We don’t all have antique furniture or land to pass down. But every one of us has the power to build a financial heritage that stands the test of time. Here’s how:

1. Start with protection. Just as your ancestors built homes with solid foundations, you need one too. That means insurance, a will, and an emergency fund. Without this, everything else is shaky.
2.  Invest in growth. Planting seeds today creates shade tomorrow. Whether it’s retirement savings, a tax-free investment, or education funds for your kids – these are the trees that grow into your family forest.
3. Teach while you build. Don’t just create wealth, communicate it. Share your financial values with your family. Show your children how to save their pocket money or why you prioritise long-term investing over instant gratification.
4. Think generational. True heritage planning isn’t just about you. It’s about the ripple effect. Setting up trusts, planning for estate duties, or even leaving instructions for your funeral costs are ways of easing the burden on those who come after you.

A braai story

Picture this: A family gathers around the fire on Heritage Day. Grandpa turns the wors, kids chase each other on the lawn, and someone brings out the potato salad “just like Ouma used to make it.”

Now imagine that same family, but behind the laughter there’s tension. Grandma never had a will. The family home is tied up in legal battles. Siblings don’t speak because no one knows who gets what.

That’s the difference between leaving a heritage and leaving a headache.

Your heritage is in your hands

Here’s the best part: Building a financial heritage isn’t reserved for the wealthy. It’s not about how much money you make, but how you plan for it.

Small, consistent steps – setting up a debit order into your investment account, updating your beneficiaries, or sitting down with a financial adviser – add up to a story your family will one day be grateful for.

Celebrate more than one kind of heritage this September

So, as you light the fire this Heritage Day, take a moment to think about the other legacy you’re building – the financial one. The one that says:

•  “I protected you.”
•  “I prepared for you.”
• “I wanted life to be easier for you.”

That’s financial heritage. That’s love in numbers.

Because when the boerewors is finished and the fire has gone cold, what remains is not just the taste of today’s braai – but the security of tomorrow’s future.