Economic Update
Introduction Investors continued to focus on rampant inflation and, in turn, potential changes in monetary policy settings. By the end of January, five interest rate increases in the US had been priced in to markets; …
All News
Do you value your assets more than yourself?
Value is a funny thing. One person’s trash can be another person’s treasure, as the old saying goes. The value we place on something tends to be very individual, and is generally a product of …
Constructing a retirement portfolio in a low return world
Portfolio construction is a much-used term that can be misunderstood. Fundamentally, the term portfolio construction refers to the process of selecting investments to create the optimal balance of risk and return. By mixing different types …
5 money mistakes to avoid if you’re going guarantor
If you have a family member who wants to get into the market sooner than that, you may have discussed whether you’d be willing to speed up the process (if you’re in a position to) …
What alternative assets bring to your super investment mix
Most of us have heard of the main asset classes: shares, property, fixed interest and cash, but alternative assets are less well known. However, these types of assets can provide further diversification and enhanced returns …
Market volatility during COVID-19
Market volatility refers to extreme price movements over a given period. These movements may occur in a particular area, such as real estate or shares, and may be upward or downward. Ever since COVID-19 started …
What happens to my super when I move overseas?
You might be leaving the country for a variety of reasons – career prospects, love, adventure, new opportunities – or you may be returning home. While you’ve probably got a checklist of things to cover …
Investing in investment bonds
Investment bonds are long-term investments that may offer tax efficiency to investors on a high marginal tax rate and those investing for children or grandchildren. Unlike traditional investment products, such as managed funds, bonds are …
Retirees: How to beat Inflation before it beats you
Investors with long memories – or a good education – will recall the bad old days when inflation was the economic bogeyman. It broke Germany’s Weimar Republic in the 1930s and nearly cratered America’s economy …
Economic and market commentary
Investors remained focused on rising inflation and the possibility of policy settings being tightened worldwide. Bond yields continued to rise – particularly in Australia – as investors brought forward their expectations for interest rate hikes. …
Do life insurance products cover mortgage payments?
You’ve worked tirelessly to own the home of your dreams. But if you suffered from an injury or illness that prevents you from working, would you be able to cover your mortgage repayments? A government …
An overview of the main residence CGT exemption
Generally, a property, including a taxpayer’s main residence, ie their family home, is considered to be a Capital Gains Tax (CGT) asset. When CGT assets are sold, taxpayers may be liable to pay tax on …
Five things you and your partner should know about super
Money issues are often cited as the biggest causes of stress in a relationship. Yet despite their importance, a recent survey of Australian couples found that 43% hadn’t discussed how they’d share their incomes before …
Smart strategies for paying down debt
Being in debt can really wear you down, both financially and emotionally. Whether it’s a single large credit card balance or multiple loans, store and credit cards owing, getting clear of your debts is going …
Salary sacrificing into super – how it works
Salary sacrificing into super is where you choose to have some of your before-tax income paid into your super account by your employer. This is on top of what your employer might pay you under …
Creating an emergency budget that works for you
It could take months, even years, to clear debt – especially if you used your credit card and you know you’ll be slugged with snowballing compound interest each month you don’t pay it off. Things …
Women and superannuation – how the pay gap can impact your super
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, women are retiring with 37% less than men in their super accounts, which is a frightening thought considering women, on average, live up to five years longer. So, …
Should you use your super to save for a home?
Getting money together to buy your first home can be a big ask. As well as a deposit (ideally 20% of the house price), you also need to consider stamp duty and other expenses like …
Money worries and your mental health
It’s been a trying time for many people, with our collective mental health taking a toll as the COVID-19 pandemic rolls on. The Melbourne Institute says one-in-three Australians are now reporting financial stress, while one-in-five …
How to use your tax return to build a stronger financial future
Whether you breeze through tax time or dread the extra admin, receiving a tax refund makes the effort worthwhile. For many of us, getting a financial boost will be even more welcome this year, and …
Aussies are losing millions to financial scams: Here’s how to spot one
Scams and cybercrime are booming in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving thousands of people out of pocket. Investment scams in particular have surged, costing victims more than $26,000 on average. What is an …
What is capital gains tax and when might I have to pay it?
Capital gains tax is charged on the profit you make from the sale of certain assets. These could be assets that you’ve purchased or inherited. To give you a few examples, capital gains tax might …
Learning the lessons of 2020: An extraordinary year
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia in March 2020 it brought immediate and severe financial gloom. Shares plunged 37% and the economy slumped to its first recession in nearly 30 years. However against that backdrop, …
Economic Update and Market Commentary
Risk assets including equities and credit continued to power ahead in April. Locally, the share market and the Australian dollar were supported by rising commodity prices. Investors continued to monitor Covid cases and the pace …
Good news – Super contribution caps to rise
On 1 July 2021, both the concessional and non-concessional superannuation contribution limits, also known as ‘super contribution caps’, will rise. This is good news because this is the first time these limits have changed since …
Saving for your child’s future
As every parent knows (even before they become one), raising a child isn’t cheap. And those expenses don’t necessarily stop once they reach 18. Parents often hope to help their adult children with significant financial …
Transfer balance cap set to increase to $1.7 million
The amount of super savings that can be transferred into a retirement pension (whether you have one or more than one) will increase from $1.6 million to $1.7 million on 1 July this year, but …
Why insurance is important: real benefits for you and your family
Insurance plays a central role in providing financial security for you and your family when it’s needed most. You insure your car and your home. But nothing is more important than your life and your …
Your investment options and strategy
Building your wealth for the long term starts with a sound investment strategy. But with so many options outside your superannuation fund – from bonds to managed funds – where might you begin? Almost every …
A family affair: Children, super contributions and SMSFs
The potential increase in members from four to six a in self-managed fund has led to many to consider about whether it is worthwhile to have children as members of the parents’ or ‘family’ SMSF. …