Reporting from the Helm
Dear Clients,
As we reflect on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for your continued trust and partnership. It has been an eventful year, marked by both political and economic uncertainty, but also by the resilience and benefits of staying committed to a well-structured financial plan.
This year has proven that sticking to your plan, even in unpredictable times, truly pays off. Amid the challenges of elections in both South Africa and the US, having a clear strategy has provided stability and ensured progress toward your financial goals. Our Financial Planning Specialists have been by your side every step of the way, helping you navigate with confidence and clarity.
As we approach the holiday season, we hope you take time to enjoy what matters most—precious moments with family and loved ones. It’s in these times that the importance of planning becomes most evident, giving you the freedom to focus on what truly brings joy and fulfillment.
From all of us at Chartered Wealth Solutions, we wish you a joyous holiday season and a prosperous start to 2025. Thank you for allowing us to be part of your journey. We look forward to helping you continue building the life you envision in the year ahead.
Warm regards,
John Campbell
Financial Planning Specialists on a range of crucial topics
Where there’s a Will, there’s a better way
Understanding Power of Attorney in South Africa
Navigating Financial Security as Part of the Sandwich Generation
Each step counts toward living your best life
I have learned that true purpose is not found in one grand pursuit but in the quiet moments of joy, the things we love, and the dreams we allow ourselves to follow every day.
This year, at the age of 56, I ran the Berlin Marathon—achieving my ‘wildly improbable dream!’ Just six weeks later, I became a grandmother for the first time. What I’ve learned is that age doesn’t define you. It just gives you better stories to tell. Yes, running the marathon stretched me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, but when we step beyond what feels comfortable, we grow in ways we never imagined. Each step brings us closer to living a life with fewer regrets.
Dreams are rarely smooth journeys. They challenge us to push through discomfort, teach us to embrace vulnerability, and show up even when there’s no guarantee of success. For me, this year wasn’t just about preparing for a marathon; it was about navigating the shifts of midlife. With all three of my children away from home, I found myself redefining my role as a mother and adjusting to a new chapter in my life. Training for the marathon tested my physical endurance, but the emotional side of empty nest was perhaps the hardest to navigate.
Through it all, I learned the power of small steps: consistently showing up, setting clear goals, and taking it one step at a time. I also came to appreciate having such an incredible support system. Their encouragement carried me through the toughest days and reminded me that life’s journey is best done with the special people in your life.
I’ve come to believe that the best way to look back on life without regret is to align your time with what matters most. Start by knowing where you want to go, then let your actions and decisions lead you there. The beautiful thing is that one dream often leads to another. Achieving a ‘wildly improbable dream’ fills you with a sense of possibility and self-belief. You start to see that you can achieve anything you set your heart on.
Imagine what’s possible if you gave yourself permission to pursue your wildly improbable dreams. This newsletter is filled with inspiring stories of clients who have done just that—finding joy, purpose, and creating lasting memories along the way. Perhaps purpose is simply doing what you love, each experience and memory you make adding a new chapter to who you are.
Living Life to the Fullest
Every day is a chance to embrace new adventures, deepen connections, and discover purpose in unexpected places. Life becomes richer when we follow our passions, give back, and live intentionally. We’ve connected with some clients who show us what it means to live purposefully. Their stories bring the Wheel of Balance to life, inspiring us to shape a meaningful and joyful life at every stage.
Click below to discover our clients’ inspiring stories and take a look at the exciting events we held across the country this year
A Living Legacy
Riding the Waves of Joy with the Granny Grommets
Faith and Flour: From Finance to Baking
Purpose on the Beach: A Journey with SMART
Looking Back on a Memorable 2024
Navigating midlife on your terms
This year has been all about recalibration and embracing the messy middle of midlife. At 56, I ran the Berlin Marathon, became a granny, and adjusted to life as an empty nester. Some changes were planned, others weren’t, but every experience taught me this: the only way to navigate this life stage is to be kind to yourself and brave enough to follow your heart.
Becoming a granny was magical, but it also reminded me how much we limit ourselves with numbers. Imagine if the marathon and grannyhood had happened in the other order. Can you picture the headline? “Granny Runs the Berlin Marathon!” It sounds a bit outrageous! But also a reminder that it’s never too late to dream big or take on new challenges.
Give yourself permission
How often do we wait for someone else to tell us it’s okay to step out of the box? To follow our hearts? This year, I learned that the only permission we need is the one we give ourselves.
When the kids leave home, it’s not just the house that feels different—you feel different too. It’s an identity shift, and it takes time to adjust. To do that, I gave myself permission to pause, reflect, and dream new dreams. It’s been an “AND” year: I said yes to opportunities like running the marathon and learning at the Modern Elder Academy in Baja, Mexico.
Dream big or small – but dream
Trying something new doesn’t have to mean taking huge risks. It could be following your heart to step into the best version of yourself, exploring a side hustle, enrolling in a course, or putting your CV out there for the job you’ve always wanted. I love the idea of a “permission fund”— money you set aside to enable your dreams. My wild dream this year? Running the Berlin marathon!
Editing and letting go
Sometimes, the best gift we can give ourselves is the freedom to let go. We’re so good at adding commitments, responsibilities, and expectations—but when was the last time you subtracted? Letting go might mean walking away from a draining career, habit, or expectation that exhausts you. Use your spending plan to align your money with what truly matters.
Be the best version of yourself
One of the most liberating shifts this year has been showing up as my authentic self. What would life look like if you stopped living for others and started living for You? This might mean prioritising well-being, leaning into passions, or aligning your money with your values.
Always remember, when it comes to your money and your life, be inspired, be brave, and be on purpose.
Midlife Stories: Lessons Learned and Insights Shared
We’ve been inspired by your incredible stories of resilience, reinvention, and growth during midlife. Here are some of the highlights—along with the valuable lessons we’ve learned.
A Balanced Holiday Season
Recipes Inspired by the Wheel of Balance™
At Chartered Wealth Solutions, we believe in a balanced life where health, play, relationships, and purpose come together to create fulfillment. That’s why we’ve curated a collection of recipes, each inspired by a key area of the Wheel of Balance™, to bring joy, nourishment, and meaning to your holiday season. Enjoy making and sharing these meals with loved ones!
Please fill in the form below and you will be redirected to a copy of the cookbook!