Is it really Friday again? This week's personal advice: get a dog.

In a lovely New York Times article titled 10 Tips for being happily 85 years old, Roger Rosenblatt writes:

"Dogs are rarely trouble. They take more naps than you do, and they listen to you intently. That's because they think you might have food, to satisfy their bottomless appetites. Care not about their motives. No creature on Earth will ever find you more fascinating than your dog does. I'm excluding yourself, of course."

The photo here is of my family's two dogs. Rosie at the front, Lily at the back.

During Covid, business and society rallied to help those who were on the verge of losing everything. I was reminded of this recently when placing a MrD order, and remembered how back then you could add an extra tip for the restaurant. The money would go to them to help offset lost sales due to months of lockdowns. Many South African companies donated to a national salvation fund.

Airbnb was another company that tried to empower those who lost their income by launching an online experience feature - they also needed to find a new way to make a bit of money for themselves. During Covid, I signed up for a coffee-brewing course hosted by a barista in South America.

Humans are intrinsically good. Those who weren't as impacted by lockdowns pulled together to help those who were. When people face big challenges, we usually rise to the occasion.

As a parent, I spend a lot of time thinking about how to raise my sons. I want them to grow up curious, capable, and grounded. I want them to enjoy the same things I do: saving and investing, learning new languages, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, braaing, exploring, and chasing dogs around the garden.

But beyond the mud-streaked adventures and piggy-bank savings, there's a bigger mission here - making sure they understand the investing lifestyle. Not just the numbers and the charts, but the mindset: delayed gratification, compounding, staying the course. And equally important, understanding what to do and who to speak to when I'm not around anymore.

Many clients ask me: "When should I start teaching my kids about money?" The answer is always: "Now." You don't need to start with ETFs or estate plans - start with why you save. Let them hear you talk about your investments. Show them how your portfolio is connected to your values, to time, freedom, and family.

If your kids grow up knowing who your advisor is, what your long-term goals are, and how to think about risk and reward, they won't be lost in the fog if something ever happens to you. You don't need to "train your replacement," you need to raise someone who understands your financial philosophy.

It's not just about money, it's about continuity, legacy, and confidence. And it starts around the braai fire, on the trails, and in the simple conversations you have today.

Staying hydrated has numerous benefits. Including weight loss - Drink more water.

How should you spend your money? Managing your finances isn't a science - Morgan Housel on the art of spending money.

Asian markets slipped this morning. Traders are jittery about the legal limbo surrounding Trump's latest tariff threats. Chinese tech took the brunt, Hong Kong's tech index slumped 2.4%, with Alibaba down 4.3%.

In local company news, Spar warned that headline earnings per share for its half year to end March will come in flat to 10% lower. The retailer announced it's in talks to offload both the UK-based Appleby Westward Group and its perennially underperforming unit in Switzerland. Over the last 5 years, Spar has managed to destroy shareholder value at the scale of an industrial shredder.

US equity futures are slightly lower pre-market. The Rand is holding steady at around R17.84 to the US Dollar.

Have a relaxing weekend.