Articles | Galileo Capital

Why Smart People Still Make Bad Money Decisions

by Jonathan Theunissen
Posted on April 21, 2026
in Budgeting, Financial planning, Investing

By Jonathan Theunissen, CFP ® Intelligence helps people solve problems, build careers, and handle complexity. But money does not always reward intelligence. Many capable, successful people still overspend, delay investing, take unnecessary risks, or avoid basic financial planning. That may seem surprising, but it is common because money decisions are rarely driven by knowledge alone.[...]

Stienemarié Bonsma-Potgieter, CFP® – Financial Planner Investing is often described as a rational process shaped by facts, data, and careful decision-making. In reality, it is far more human than that. Every investor brings emotion into the process, whether they realise it or not. Fear, doubt, impatience, and even optimism influence the way people respond to[...]

By Katlego Mei, CFP ® For many people, earning more should mean making real financial progress. Yet that is often not what happens. Income rises, but savings do not. Debt remains. Financial stress stays close. The reason is usually lifestyle creep. Lifestyle creep happens when your spending rises as your income rises. At first, it[...]

By Frank Daubenton, CFP ® Every retiree eventually asks the same question. How much can I safely draw each month without running out of money? It is a reasonable question, but it is often answered in the wrong way. Too many retirement conversations start with percentages. Drawdown rates, returns, and assumptions dominate the discussion. None[...]

By Jonathan Theunissen, CFP ® For many South African parents, the idea of teaching children about money can feel overwhelming. Budgets are tight, costs are rising, and it’s tempting to think that “they’ll learn later.” But the truth is that the most important money lessons don’t come from spreadsheets or apps – they come from[...]

Stienemarié Bonsma-Potgieter, CFP® – Financial Planner In many households, one parent manages the finances. One pays the bills, monitors the accounts, and makes most of the decisions, while the other keeps the household running. Often that second parent has stepped back from paid work to raise children, or may simply not feel equipped or confident[...]

By Frank Daubenton, CFP® Property decisions in later life are rarely neutral. A home carries memory, identity, and comfort. That makes the financial choices harder, and often delayed. Yet housing is usually one of the largest asset on a retiree’s balance sheet. Decisions around it deserve clear thinking before emotions take over. Whether you sell[...]

By Katlego Mei, CFP ® Planning for mental incapacity is never an easy topic. It touches on ageing, loss of independence, and difficult family conversations. Yet it is one of the kindest and most practical steps you can take for an elderly parent or loved one. When planning is absent, families are often forced to[...]

By Jonathan Theunissen, CFP ® For many South Africans approaching retirement, the biggest challenge is not whether they have saved enough. It is what comes next once the payslip stops. After years — often decades — of structured routines, professional identity, and daily interaction with colleagues, stepping away from work can feel deeply unsettling. While[...]

Stienemarié Bonsma-Potgieter, CFP® – Financial Planner For many households, the pressure is constant. Groceries cost more than they used to, school and childcare expenses rise every year, and essentials like fuel, insurance, and medical cover seem to increase all at once. Even families who have always managed their money carefully are finding that it feels[...]

Blog

Why Smart People Still Make Bad Money Decisions

Why Long-Term Investors Need Perspective During Short-Term Noise

Lifestyle Creep: The Quiet Threat to Building Wealth

How Much Is Enough? Turning Retirement Savings Into a Reliable Monthly Income

Teaching Children About Money Without Making It Complicated

How to Make Everyone in the Household Feel Secure About the Family Money Plan

Downsizing, Semigration, or Staying Put in Retirement: The Real Financial Trade-Offs

Planning Ahead: Caring for Your Parents’ Finances When They Need You Most

Retirement Is More Than a Number: Navigating the Emotional Shift Away from Work

What to Do When Everything Feels Too Expensive

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