Money Smart Week 2025 is about Smart Money: Financial Foundations for a Resilient Future. On this episode of The Education Show, David speaks with Duane Kohl, founder of Strategic Financial Services, about the building blocks of financial literacy and why they matter at every stage of life.

Duane shares his own journey from dental technology to financial planning, and unpacks the realities many South Africans face: living beyond their means, ignoring wills, misunderstanding compound interest, and waiting too long to save.

In this conversation we cover:

• Why wills are essential, even in your 20s

• The “insecurity trap” that drives unnecessary debt and spending

• How to build good money habits, starting with paying yourself first

• The rule of thumb for saving percentages by age

• The miracle of compound interest (and why boring investing works)

• Why financial advisors are not only for the rich

Financial literacy is not about doing everything at once. It’s about small, consistent steps that protect your future self. This episode is a practical reminder that resilience starts with the choices we make today.

🔗 Find out more: strategic.org.za 📲 Connect with Duane Kohl on LinkedIn: Strategic Financial Services

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