While conventional wisdom tells us to stay away from meals served in foam containers or paper wraps, not all unhealthy food is bad for one's health. Hippo.co.za reached out to two nutrition experts to find out which foods, snacks and beverages traditionally considered dietary no-no's, may actually have positive health outcomes when taken in very limited portions and cooked the right way.

Looking to get the best possible Car Insurance premiums? Hippo.co.za digs deep into some of the aspects your insurer will look at, so that you get a money-saving deal. View the world through the eyes of your Car Insurance company and possibly save a fortune.

We are all aware of the fact that we will die someday and that death can catch anyone at any time. The only thing that remains uncertain is its coming. We take a look at some of the strangest ways people have died over the years.

The faster you can sell your home, the faster you can access the capital you’ve invested in it and move on with your life. The reality, though, is that many houses sit stagnant on the market for several months. This not only eats into profit but may prevent you from moving forward with your property investments. It also means that expenses, like your bond and Household Insurance, keep ticking over all the time while it’s on the market.

Buying your morning cup of coffee. Filling up your car with fuel. Planning your weekly meals. From petrol to milk and bread, everything has gone up in price recently as both globally and locally, economies start to feel the pinch.

If you've already started planning for the future, you probably have the more important things like Funeral Cover and your estate sorted out by now. But, here's something you probably haven't considered: what happens to your Facebook account when you're gone?

Have you ever been saved from a potentially life-threatening situation with the help of an app on your smartphone? Find out which apps can turn your smartphone into a survival device.

Every year, companies and researchers run surveys across a variety of disciplines. Most of these studies shed light on customer or civil behaviour, but some also serve as eye-openers that can help us make informed decisions about certain aspects of our lives. Hippo.co.za gathered five statistics from the last three years to illustrate the importance of Life Insurance and planning ahead.

There are dozens of good reasons to get an affordable Funeral Cover policy in place, but this winter season may be one of the best.

So you’ve bought a new home, successfully made the big jump to owning something a bit bigger, but inevitably this comes with some additional costs. Suddenly everything from your home improvement ideas, and even your entertainment, needs to be reassessed to account for the higher costs

When it comes to your family's financial future, the only thing worse than not having the right type, and amount, of Life Insurance cover is being unaware of a benefit payout that is due – sometimes long after they needed it the most.

While the rain is coming down at right angles in Cape Town, and Johannesburg locals are shivering in icy temperatures, Durbanites are still going on day trips to the beach. Such is the balmy winter weather of this central KwaZulu-Natal city, and that’s what makes it the perfect place to escape to when you just can’t take the cold anymore. So book your flights to Durban, organise a Car Rental for your arrival, and make sure you’re protected with affordable Travel Insurance so you can enjoy fun in the sun with peace of mind.

It’s an inevitable part of being a parent that at some point you’ll have a sick child on your hands. For more serious illnesses like chickenpox or ear infections, you’ll probably have to make a trip to the doctor, but for minor things like scrapes and cuts, sniffles and tummy bugs you can usually buy over-the-counter medicine to help relieve your little one’s discomfort.

Be it a brand new baby, an unexpected divorce or the inevitability of growing old, various life stages or significant events turn us into new versions of ourselves. The footloose and fancy-free youngster makes way for an adult with fresh interests and gradual capacity to take on responsibility.

It was a turbulent year for the South African economy. From power shortages, drought and the axing of the finance minister to being downgraded by ratings agencies to a notch above “junk”, the country took a serious financial hit. But, with the reinstatement of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and a steadying Rand offering some relief, all may not be lost. Even though economic growth is of concern, we also know that where there have been problems, there are lessons for us to learn as well.

In the past, holidays were all about working on your tan, lounging by the swimming pool and eating too many pastries at the restaurant’s buffet. But, with the growing worldwide trend of personal health and wellness on the rise, holidays have become about much more than that – they’ve become another chance to work on your long-term health, another health investment on top of your Medical Aid plan.

The recent interest rate hikes, food price increases and generally tough economic times in South Africa right now mean that you’re probably feeling a little stretched financially. Personal Loans can help bridge the gap by providing financing in the short-term, which you can pay off in smaller amounts later.

Many of us fear being diagnosed with common diseases such as cancer or diabetes, but for a small percentage of the population, visiting a doctor has yielded more terrifying results. More people than you might think, worldwide, suffer from strange and shocking illnesses, many of which you may never have heard of. In this article, you’ll learn more about these conditions, which continue to perplex the medical industry.

Great filmmakers move us because they splice together the joy and heartache of life. Nowhere is this emotional rollercoaster more apparent than in comic portrayals of funerals. As the playwright George Bernard Shaw so aptly put it: “Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.”

Waiting for a Personal Loan to be approved is a bit like going on a first date. Your hands are sweaty and your stomach’s tied in knots, as you wonder whether this is your best option and worry over potential rejection.

While the concept of Life Insurance is simple – it provides your loved ones with a financial cushion when you’re no longer able to – the different levels of life insurance cover available can make choosing a policy a complex decision.

Some people are simply far too driven to be slowed down by the march of years. Their work will never be done, and although they may stop to smell the roses it will be when their schedules permit. It’s this sense of ambition and drive which inspires us all and assists in bolstering our otherwise flagging economy.

According to an article on Fin24, only about 10% of South Africans have a will. This seems like risky behaviour when the cost of drafting a will is the same amount you might spend on a gift for someone or a night out on the town. But in fact, a proper will could be the most important gift you ever give your loved ones besides having things like Life Insurance and Funeral Cover policies in place, so that they’re looked after when you’re gone. A will is a way of protecting your legacy and ensuring that after you pass away, your belongings and money are distributed as you want them to be.

As human beings, we're always pursuing meaningful experiences that add value to our lives. For some people, living life to the fullest often means pushing the boundaries. We want to accomplish great things before we depart this earth. That’s why we sometimes deliberately challenge our senses – which serve to shield us from danger – by engaging in extreme activities. We broaden our horizons by travelling to every country in the world, even the ones that top the "Most Dangerous Countries" list.

With food prices expected to increase by 10% by the middle of this year, many South Africans will have to rely on a Personal Loan to make ends meet. But, even when money is tight and we've obtained some extra bucks to help us get through the month, we sometimes get tempted to spoil ourselves with luxury indulgences. There are many high-priced lifestyle options ordinary folk may desire such as a R2 000 pair of designer shoes or a meal worth R600 at an upscale restaurant. Then, there is a pair of headphones that is worth over R800 000.

Are you aware of what you're eating? Of course you are, otherwise you wouldn't have ordered your favourite burger from your local fast food outlet. But do you know what it consists of? It may just seem like a tasty compilation of a bun, beef patty, cheese and tomato, but there may be more to that burger than meets the eye.

As we head into autumn, Mother Nature will be treating us to a few more weeks of extra daylight, clear skies and warm temperatures. Why not take advantage of the glorious weather and have some fun in the sun with your loved ones. If you prefer to seek excitement away from home, Travel Insurance may be all you need to ensure that your family enjoys a worry-free trip.

Every car runs the risk of malfunctioning at the worst possible time, which is why it's best to have Car Insurance so that you can protect yourself in the event of a car accident that may result from mechanical failure. Fortunately, you don't always need to be a mechanic to know when something is wrong with your precious set of wheels. Most of these problems can actually be detected by just listening, feeling and being alert while driving.

In an era where tobacco is one of the biggest public health threats, many smokers have embraced electronic cigarettes as a less harmful alternative to tobacco products. Some of these battery-powered devices look like traditional cigarettes and cigars, and all of them produce flavoured steam that not only simulate tobacco smoke, but also deliver a smaller amount of toxin-containing nicotine.

The transition from high school to university is a remarkable event for young adults and their parents. Not only does it reward twelve years of hard work and dedication, but it's also a step closer to fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Your car suddenly won’t start. You lose your job unexpectedly. Your child needs urgent medical treatment. We don’t like to think about these things, but the reality is that life is unpredictable and you won’t always have enough savings to cover these unexpected expenses. That’s where emergency funds such as a Personal Loan can come in handy: they give you access to cash quickly in times when you need it most.

Let’s face it – credit has a bad reputation. When most of us think of short-term loans and credit cards, we think of high interest rates, huge monthly repayments and being stuck in an endless cycle of debt. But the truth is, having a credit facility can actually be really useful in managing your finances – as long as you know which product best suits your circumstances, and how to manage any resulting debt properly.

You may think of debt collectors as heavyset men with crowbars but the reality is that there may come a time where you are required to collect debt too. Maybe you lent your sister some cash to cover the cost of a new set of brake pads for her car? Maybe a friend needed to buy an engagement ring and you loaned him the money so he could marry the girl of his dreams?

Money. We all need it. We all want more of it. But sometimes, it can be difficult to get your head around how investments work with all the complex financial terms and concepts. Luckily, the team at Hippo.co.za is here to help. We went out and interviewed some of the brightest minds in the industry to get explanations on some financial and economic terms you may not understand.

Life is full of unforeseen challenges and complications, which is why having Life Insurance can help you care for your family's future. But, what if you are unable to afford your monthly premiums in the event of a sudden disability that forced you to quit your current job?

Travelling around the world provides you with the opportunity to experience new cultures, see incredible sights, meet new people and, most importantly, sample new food! Yes, when you travel abroad not only do you feed your mind, but your stomach gets a healthy dose of adventure too.

“Netflix is finally here”. You might have seen this statement or others like it on your social media pages last week. This after Netflix announced that its service is now available in 130 new countries around the world, including South Africa. And, while most South Africans are eager to start streaming and argue the pros and cons of Netflix vs. ShowMax, some might have a few questions as to how video streaming actually works. Luckily Hippo.co.za is here to help. We’ve consulted various sources to ensure that you don’t experience any technical difficulties while binge-watching your favourite TV shows or movies.

Buying a first car is a huge decision for both parents and the young adult who’ll actually be driving it. Motives can often differ however, with the driver typically being focused on aesthetics, trends and fuel costs. The parents, though wanting to take the above into account, may still be more concerned with safety features and mechanical soundness – and, of course, Car Insurance options.