MANAGED MONEY
View our insights on how to retire better.
2024
We are at the time of the year where people are either going strong with their financial goals, or they’ve completely abandoned them.
It’s time to revisit our earlier blog post “Get financially sorted in 2024 with these steps”? and take the time to break them up into easy steps.
Let’s do it together—shall we, starting with Estate Planning.
2023
Heading into 2024, it’s time to revisit your finances and curate some achievable financial goals – that you can actually stick to! Here are 4 financial resolutions that will have a lasting effect on your financial wellbeing.
Whilst finances (for some) may not seem as exciting as making other new year resolutions, such as, eating healthier or working out more – we think that taking control and understanding your finances with a well-drawn up plan can often help with your physical and mental health.
Traditionally, young adults most commonly receive financial ‘advice’ from their family members (sometimes unsolicited) at the family BBQ, or from their mates (boastfully) sharing how they bought shares in XYZ – “and you should too”. However, key findings from this Forbes news article suggests a large number of young adults are turning to Social Media for their financial matters.
The vehicles for reducing the tax you pay on investment returns both force you to make a trade, accessibility for preferential tax treatment.
Have you thought about changing your superfund based on a news article like this?
There are three types of superannuation funds that are most common in Australia. These are the Industry Super Fund, the Retail Super Fund and the Self-Managed Super Fund.
In the investing world, there are two broad classes of investments, growth and defensive assets.
Ah, the defined benefit pension. What I would give to be allowed into one of these schemes.
Your home is the biggest investment you will make in your life! How many times have you heard this from real estate agents? Of course the people whose job it is to facilitate as many real estate transactions as possible wouldn’t have any other incentives…..
There are generally two main wealth creation vehicles commonly used by Australians to create wealth, shares and direct property. However, in retirement we are in favour of shares over property. Why is this?
What seems riskier to you? Having all your money in shares or having all your money in the bank?
Depending on your definition of risk and your goals, you could either say it is the shares that are riskier or you could say that the cash in the bank is riskier.
I was speaking with a young professional the other day about a range of investing topics. One topic that came up is whether it would be worth it for him to learn how to pick his own stocks.
What seems more likely to you, that you will die in a shark attack or that a falling coconut will kill you?
If you answered the falling coconuts, you would be right.
Every year around 5 humans per year die in shark attacks whereas 150 people get killed by falling coconuts. Are you reconsidering that trip to Fiji yet?
Clients often don’t really believe us when we talk about a 30-year retirement. Why would they when the average life expectancy is 83 years old? If you retire at 65 and live until the average life expectancy you only live another 18 years, so where does this number of 30 come from?
2022
A range of new measures are being introduced as of 1 July 2022. These changes are based around allowing you to get more money into super and leave more money in super to assist you in your retirement.
The Reserve Bank of Australia has today raised the cash rate from 0.1% to 0.35% after having slashed it to 0.1% in the midst of the pandemic. What does this mean for you?
That depends on your situation.
The ABC has written a great article keeping people up to date with all of the potential flood relief payments, grants and loans that may be available. It appears as though it is being updated as new information is being released.
2021
2021
[2 minute read] Click the link below to access your Quarterly Economic and Market Update. This report is produced by Vanguard Australia who manage much of our client retirement portfolio assets.
A traditional single family office is a business run by and for a single family. The assets are the family's own wealth, often accumulated over many family generations.
There are many lifestyle and financial changes that occur at retirement. Whilst you will have increased leisure time, you will no longer be earning an income from work activities.
Check out this video where Steve Harvey explains how he is not going to leave everything to his kids when he passes away but, rather, consume much of the assets that he and his wife have built.
This is a great ad from Tourism Australia created to entice the Poms back to the country they sent their convicts to.
Many financial planning firms today are focussed on asset gathering their clients funds. Business models that mean the more money you bring in then you can slap a % based fee against these and in turn, bring in greater revenue. In our view, this is a lazy approach to providing comprehensive financial planning advice.
An analogy that I use with many clients when discussing retirement income strategies is around wanting to be able to eat the eggs ( yield ) or income) and to leave the Chook (capital) intact.
An important component of a great wealth management plan especially for young business owners and professionals is to ensure that they have suitable personal protection plans in place.
I am seeing many posts and articles where “ financial experts” explain how they can protect your retirement capital when the inevitable downturn in asset prices happens. ( We don't call it a crash.)
The start of June brings cooler temps and the smell of backyard fires and an extra 2 minutes under the Doona as you psyche up to face the day. June 30 is an important date in the financial year as it is the last day in which to complete your tax planning tasks.
So aside that the Jack Bogle (Vanguard Founder) book that I am currently reading is titled “Stay the Course,” I thought it would be a good time to share the Vanguard Index Chart.
2020
Like every year, everybody starts off with the best intentions of seizing the morning and getting their lives sorted. New Year's resolutions are the eternal enigma that we use to change our lives overnight.
Check out this video from the founder of Vanguard, where he simplifies the process of investing and provides a clear path to a comfortable retirement by investing small and often.
When I discuss regular investing with clients who are accumulating assets for their retirement, I spend a fair amount of time explaining the benefits of (DCA) dollar cost-averaging. I relate this strategy to looking after your garden.
So like many others who have been locked down due to isolation and Covid restrictions, I have taken up the 30 day trial with Stan as I have pretty well exhausted Netflix, Foxtel and Google movies.
The end of the financial year is a good time to think about how you could grow your super and get started with saving for retirement. Here are some options you could consider to help your super work harder for you.
So this week, I got a sense that many clients were dealing with our new normal that has been thrust upon us.
The speed at which change is occurring is like a runaway freight train. An event unseen in our generations, this Covid - 19 virus will affect us all globally.
Just a brief introduction. Click through and listen to James explain some of the stimulus items that you may want to access if you are feeling the pinch financially.
It has been amazing how much has changed in such a short period. A health crisis that seems to provide uncertainty. Global equity markets reacting with a 20 - 30% fall in prices giving an indication that we maybe in a recession. Who knows?
It has been a rough couple of weeks for investment markets, but as I have discussed with clients one - on one, this is a temporary decline in a permanent uptrend. For those who have been clients for longer than a few years will attest to, we have a consistent message when asset prices take a fall like theses have done.
2019
I get that most people think that getting wills witnessed and power of attorneys signed off by a prescribed person can be frustrating and confronting but as an integral component of a well structured wealth management plan, we should all plan with the end in mind.
Read how independent advice is being popularised since the Hayne Royal Commission and read our case study of how a local professional family searched independent advice and how we were able to assist them with their money worries.
Check out all the financial changes about to kick off for financial year 2019 - 20.
Please check out the latest episodes of Managed Money where I provide insights and highlights of how to build and maintain a comprehensive wealth management plan to create a retirement of confidence and certainty.
Listen in as James Cruz explains the different types of advice that family business owners can access and why a virtual family office is best suited for family businesses.
Hear how James explains what is considered a comfortable amount for retirement and how a combination of capital and Centrelink can produce great results.
Feel free to leave a message for a question for us to answer. Let's make retirement more confident and certain.
As many of you may know, I can certainly talk faster than I can type, so it was almost inevitable that I would start a podcast. A relaxed vehicle in which you can play in your car or with headphones as you go for a run. A podcast has really become the thinking persons escape from the daily humdrum and have a chance to listen to topics that interest you.
So as an independent reviewer of managed funds in the world, the S + P Spiva scorecard is like the bible of fund performances. They collate and compare the universe of available funds and indicate their performance against their respective index benchmarks.
The silent assasin of any retirement plan is the affects of inflation on your purchasing power. Even with record low inflation rates, the increase in life expectancies has made it so more important to seek advice to build capital to fund a retirement that can last 20 - 30 years.
So following on from my 2 bobs worth last week where I tried to provide a distinction between Financial Planning and Life Coaching, this week I want to reflect on my experiences and explain how I work with my clients by focussing on less. Yes, that’s right. I have taken a road whereby I try to be inch wide and mile deep in regards to how I work with Financial Planning clients.
I have really gotten into some podcasts over the last 12 months. They are an easy way to take in content on a whole range of different topics. Obviously, I listen to financial planning podcasts as well as related topics such as property, sport and comedy. These are all topics that I am interested in.
Our office recently worked with a client to assist them with an income protection claim. We needed to support the claim with forms and financial details.
Do you think that the claim was paid?
You bet it was. Check out this story.
Not many investors in Australia would know of a bloke named Jack Bogle but he passed away last week.
Let me share my thoughts on how this great man changed investing in managed money for the better.
I came across this video which while it is based on the U.S. market, still relates to our own markets in Australia.
I wanted to showcase this because even after the Hayne Royal Commission, there will still be financial services providers who will continue to gouge fees from your retirement capital.
2018
You don't know how good it feels to be able to write this heading. It's really important to understand that you have to be careful calling yourself an independent Financial Planner in the current environment. There is so much that needs to be done and ticked off before you can call yourself this term. The fallout from ASIC is immense if you have not got all your ducks in a row. Let me explain what this means to us and to our current and prospective clients.
Farm Management Deposits are a risk-management tool to help primary producers deal with uneven cash flows. Uneven income is common in primary production businesses because of things such as natural disasters, climate and market variability. The FMD scheme allows primary producers to set aside pre-tax income from primary production in years of good cash flow to draw on in years of lesser cash flow.
You might have heard about In and Out Burgers in the U.S.A. I personally have never been there but I follow a financial planner - Jeff Rose from Good Financial Cents who is absolutely in love with this burger place which he believes is better than McDonalds.
Part of their allure is that they have a simple menu, so unlike McDonalds that has huge options, they have 3 burger options and that's it. Double Double, Cheeseburger and a Hamburger. That's it.
I was reading Ben Carlson's - A Wealth Of Common Sense blog last week and he has highlighted 50 ways that the world is better than it used to be. Out of all the points that he stated, this was the point that stuck out most for me.
A frequent question I get asked when talking to prospective and current clients is, " what would happen if you died?" A real risk of placing your trust with a wealth management firm is having your plans go into a tailspin if the inevitable happened to your trusted financial planner.
This is how I answer this question.
SMSFs will potentially be affected by the Federal Opposition’s recently announced intentions to remove the ability for excess imputation credits to be refunded (albeit with clarification that pensioners and some self managed super funds (SMSF) may be exempt from this change).
Getting your finances sorted begins with a budget and understanding your cashflow. See the steps required to own your cashflow so that you can control your finances and your finances not controlling you.
A brief outline of how you can sell your home and then contribute to super to access a tax free income stream. Check with us what hurdles you need to jump over to maximise this opportunity.
2017
We haven't heard the term "correction" in regards to financial markets in a while.
Everything seems rosy if you are earning double digit returns but we like to remind our clients what might happen and prepare them for this also.
Check out this summary of a technical correction in regards to financial assets.
The growth of our firm is built on the support and advocacy of our Happy Clients.
Take some to read this wonderful testimonial and a link to our Happy Clients page that shows how clients feel about working with our team.
These testimonials provide enormous confidence to our team and empowers us to do our best for our client's retirement plans.
After being asked my view on what I thought of cryptocurrencies, I thought I had better do some research.
Check it out.
Here’s a confronting question: what would you do if the main breadwinner in your household could no longer bring in an income? Do you have a Plan B? Most people don’t. That’s where insurance comes in.
“Don't sail out farther than you can row back.” This Danish saying is sound advice for anyone thinking of borrowing to buy a home, particularly now that interest rates are low and house prices are generally rising.
Did you know that in 2012/2013, in Australia, step and blended families accounted for approximately 6% of all families with children under 18. The days where mum, dad and 2-3 blood children made up the average Australian family are a thing of the past.
Early planning can take away a lot of the stress and uncertainty that can arise when considering aged care at home or a residential aged care facility.
2016
As we move through life, find a partner, raise a family, and maybe start a business, the importance of insurance in a long term plan increases.
When news of Donald Trump’s impending election victory started filtering through in the afternoon of 9 November 2016, markets were thrown into turmoil.
It may be hard to believe, particularly with all the discussions since the 2016 Budget announcements regarding changes to the system, but at its core, super still remains a relatively simple concept.
In Australia, the National Accounts released in September showed the economy grew 0.5% in the June quarter to be 3.3% above year ago levels.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the official cash rate by 0.25% to 1.5% at its August board meeting, having last cut rates by the same amount in May.
In today’s hectic world we often spend so much time worrying about the future or lingering in the past we forget to enjoy the present. But tuning into the wonderful things happening around us as they happen can be life changing.
Many clients are concerned of the affect of Donald Trump winning office of POTUS in the upcoming U.S. Elections. BT Investment Solutions have provided a one page description and explanation of how the Donald has progressed this far.
Check out how our firm has worked with a business client for over 15 years and implemented strategies to eliminate CGT and to provide a possible tax free income stream for this clients family. Excited? You bet I am.
Many people wait until their home loan is paid off before investing more in super. However, if you are currently making more than the minimum home loan repayments, you may be better off when you retire if you make additional super contributions instead.
Early planning can take away a lot of the stress and uncertainty that can arise when considering aged care at home or a residential aged care facility.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut the cash rate by 0.25% to 1.75% at its May board meeting.
A number of important announcements about superannuation were released at this year’s federal budget on 3 May.
New research by super fund REST has found younger people are concerned about their financial future and worried they will have to support their parents in retirement.
Challenging times call for unusual solutions, and the idea of negative interest rates is particularly unorthodox.
I have an apology to make. I did something this week that I am not very proud of.
See how you can structure your finances to live week to week and still be in control of your financial goals.
Before you set up a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) you need to ensure you are eligible to be a member and trustee, and understand your responsibilities.
If you’re like many business owners you have already insured the physical assets of your business from theft, fire and damage. But have you considered the importance of insuring yourself - and other key people in your business - against the possibility of death, disability and illness.
While as a nation we collectively face a large retirement savings gap, there are a number of smart things you could consider doing to help make sure your future financial security isn’t at risk.
Given the financial demands of everyday life, planning your retirement may be a relatively low priority. You may also think that you have plenty of time to plan.
Selling a small business can be a challenging, complicated and uncertain time. So too can retiring. Combine the two and you have a situation where early planning and advice is critical.
A new career is one of the best ways to change your life for the better. The transition can be daunting but it can be done if you follow some simple steps.
Whether you are retired, or perhaps in need of extra cash to support the kids, your investments can play a role in helping you with a regular source of income.
It’s really important to consistently focus on how to improve your personal finances, and there’s nothing like a deadline and the end of the financial year (EOFY) to aim for when it comes to tax planning.
Low growth, low inflation, flat sharemarkets and a falling Australian dollar are set to continue into 2016, according to forecasts from some of Australia's leading economists.
2015
Travel has evolved significantly over the past 20 years, with many travellers looking for something with more adventure such as walking treks in New Zealand, cooking experiences in Tuscany, cruising on the Mekong River, or travelling through Australia’s beautiful outback.
“Lower for longer” has been a common theme running through interest rate markets for the past few years. So how should investors be positioning their portfolios in this environment?
Australia’s property market has enjoyed very strong returns in recent years. So where is the market headed in the years ahead?
Economic growth of a meagre 0.2% last quarter, more than 770,000 Australians unemployed, paltry wages growth and a flailing sharemarket – is Australia going to be OK or could we be heading for a recession?
You may recall that in March this year, I spoke about The Greatest Gift of Being a Financial Planner. This seemed to be a straight forward case whereby the policy holder, met the definitions and was going to be paid his insured amount. Well, let me fill you in.
Everyone wants the best for their children. Providing a good education is a huge part of preparing them for the best possible future. But as education becomes more expensive, planning and budgeting for these costs becomes essential.
Keeping an eye on the value of the Australian dollar has always been a sensible approach for travellers and it’s something investors should also keep sight of too.
Although the troubles in Greece’s economy have been the main event in global share markets in recent times, there’s a more pressing worry in international markets that’s closer to home.
BT Financial Group’s Head of Diversified Portfolio Management, Piers Bolger, looks at what’s happening in investment markets at home and around the world.
A couple of weekends ago, Emma Walsh who is the awesome Client Service Manager in our Ballina office, attended the Queensland Ladies Classic Tenpin Bowling Championship held at Caboolture.
It’s happened again. A long-time client who holds life cover and income protection called me yesterday very disheartened at the annual cost of her income protection cover.
Without adequate income protection cover, an accident or serious illness could have terrible consequences for the lifestyle you wish to lead when you do transition out of the workforce.
The price of oil may only be something you think about when you’re filling up at a petrol station or when you book a flight and see fuel excises.
Work-life balance for four out of every ten working Australians is actually getting worse, according to a report by The Australian Institute Think Tank in November of last year.
The outlook for the domestic economy is mixed, with its performance likely to be led by events on global markets for the remainder of 2015.
So if you are like me, one would assume with technology as advanced as it is, that if you dial triple zero, the operator will know exactly where you are calling from right? Wrong!
If you travel, especially overseas, you know the importance of travel insurance – lost luggage anyone? And if you have a car or motorbike then you know it’s a no brainer to insure your wheels. But there are other kinds of insurance even if you’re young, single and healthy today that are important to help you protect your lifestyle and independence.
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has recently changed the way it assesses income earned by assets paid for by a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF) borrowings. In some cases, income earned by assets in this category will be treated as non-arm’s length and won’t qualify for the tax concessions available within super.
Investment properties in Australia are being hit by falling rental earnings. So is it possible to still make money from investment properties? We consider the challenges and opportunities of the current Australian property market and how to navigate both.
Investors have endured volatile market conditions so far in 2015. While economic growth is improving in the US and UK, in other regions it has been more subdued.
The plight of a cancer sufferer may seem hopeless but the fight that I saw in this family showed a resolve that is captured in adversity. I mean real adversity. Not a market fluctuation where your capital drops by 20% or changes to legislation which means you may have to pay some tax. The realisation that nobody believes you can survive a terminal illness.
I was talking to a business client last week, and the topic of the value their current Accountant is delivering came up. So it got me thinking, what is the best set up for a burgeoning business? Based upon my experience, I believe that EVERY business owner should have their A-team around them.
Having a baby is one of the most exciting and scary times in your life. Getting on top of your finances can help alleviate some of the pressure, so that you can enjoy your time with your newborn.
2014
Fraud is a serious problem in Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ latest figures, 1.2 million Australians were the victims of fraud in the year to 2010/2011, or 6.7 per cent of the population.
If you run a business, or you’re thinking of starting one, one of the first lessons you learn as a business owner is that cash is king. It’s the lifeblood of every business. Without it, it’s impossible to meet the obligations of the business, plan for the future or gain a real picture of the health of the enterprise.
It’s been a long year. The three months off work recovering from open heart surgery wasn’t really a break.
Being pretty well immobilised and laying on the lounge room floor watching videos and reading books kept me busy, but not rejuvenated.
It’s been more than five years since the worst of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) hit equity and bond markets. While flow-on effects continue to affect financial markets, there are many lessons we have taken from the crisis that can be applied to wealth planning. Here are our top five lessons from the GFC to consider when making investment decisions.
Do you receive an income support payment from Centrelink? Then you need to know about changes that start from 1 January 2015 that have the potential to reduce your income support payments in the future.
Let’s take a look at what the changes are and who is affected.
I received a call this week from a client’s son. He is 19 and has just moved to Port Hedland in pursuit of the Great Western Dream as I call it. Adventure, work and a high paying salary, and as I keep saying to these hard workers, there is a reason why they pay you that much!
The superannuation environment is a very competitive industry. Understanding the best vehicle to manage your retirement capital can be complex and confusing.
Please take some time to view our brief video that outlines two of our preferred Superannuation vehicles.
As the saying goes, money doesn’t grow on trees. But, just like nurturing a beautiful garden, if you give your nest egg the right attention throughout the seasons, it will grow into a substantial asset. Let’s take a look at what you need to do throughout the year to cultivate a great financial future.
Right now, residential aged care costs are heavily subsidised by the Federal Government. But, with the Government’s aged care costs estimated to double from $13 billion now to $26 billion by 2023/24, there will be substantial changes to the aged care system.
Investments, insurance and superannuation are some of the “things” people suggest are the main roles of what a financial planner can offer. In a transactional model, this would be a fair assumption. Generally, when the relationship with a financial planner is transaction based, there is less substance to the personal relationship.
In case you didn't know, I am a massive fan of Twitter. Unlike other social media platforms, Twitter is simple and effective. I can obtain information and communicate with all types of people without getting their permission and I can get most of my news from there. It really is a fascinating concept.
The Government co-contribution is an initiative that gives eligible low income earners the ability to boost their superannuation savings by matching personal non concessional contributions up to $1,000.
Income protection insurance comes across most people’s radar when they’re starting out in their career. Often, people take out this type of policy when they buy a house, so if a serious illness or a bad accident strikes, your children and your spouse are covered.
There are lots of things to consider when you’re looking at aged care.
You’ll need to think about the type of care that’s available, depending on how healthy you are. You’ll also need to factor in different options for paying for your accommodation, based on your means.
1 July 2014 marks the start of a new financial year. But it’s important not to leave wealth accumulation and wealth protection until the last minute. There are many things you can do in the lead up to the end of this financial year to prepare for the new one.
Grandparents really are the jewels in the crown of our community. Having raised their own children, many are now helping raise their grandchildren. This often extends to providing financial support to the grandkids. If you’re in this situation, how can you make sure your generosity is as financially effective as possible?
One plan of particular importance regardless of your life events is your financial plan. This living document helps you map out your income against the investment milestones you would like to achieve to help you reach and maintain your desired lifestyle.
As a nation, both our level of savings, as well as our level of investment, are higher than many other developed countries. But over the last five years there has been a shift in the relationship between how much we save and how much we invest.
Sydney’s property market may be running hot but there are still ways to buy real estate “trash” and turn it into real estate “cash”, according to celebrity home renovation queen Cherie Barber.
Most people believe you can make money on property but it’s usually through capital growth, which you often have to wait for the market to deliver.
When you read headlines about Australia’s rising unemployment or the slowdown in the mining boom, it’s easy to lose confidence in investment markets. But there’s a lot to be gained from ignoring the background noise and sticking to your long-term goals.
2013
Do you know what's going to happen with your estate? Here are 10 things to consider in your planning.
Low interest rates are giving many investors an added incentive to look at investing in property – either directly or through their SMSF. We look at some of the things you should look out for before you sign on that dotted line.
When buying a house, it is standard to consult the help of a local real estate agent and a home loan specialist because you want expert help with one of the biggest financial decisions in your life.
Why then wouldn't you also enlist the services of a financial adviser?
Planning for the future while you are still young can have a lot of benefits for you in the long term, particularly when it comes to your retirement. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), in 2006, 31% of young people in their twenties were still living with their parents, mainly for financial reasons.
When you take out life insurance, it’s an investment for your future. With that cover in place, you know that if you ever experience a serious accident or illness, you have financial support to help pay your medical bills and maintain your lifestyle.
I have been trying for years to poach the perfect egg. Don't get me wrong, nobody does an Eggs Benedict better than Sirocco in Ballina, but to be able to cook a couple of poached eggs on toast on a Sunday morning has always eluded me.
If you have a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF), you should be keeping a close eye on your contributions throughout the financial year – not just at year-end.
There’s always a lot of talk about super contributions towards the end of the financial year. But 30 June doesn’t have exclusive rights on super strategies.
No longer is it enough to simply make money, we want to know how that money is being made. In particular, that the money isn’t being made at the expense of people and the environment.
This socially-responsible mindset is changing the way people choose what they buy, which companies they want to work for, and where they invest their money.
With the new financial year upon us, we thought it would be a great time to update you on the new Fee Disclosure Statements.
Beginning 1 July 2013, all clients who pay a fee for ongoing advice and services will be provided with a Fee Disclosure Statement.
Financial markets have experienced a solid run in the last six to 12 months, with both higher (i.e. equities) and lower (i.e. fixed income) risk investments all performing relatively well.
Financial planning is all about making it easier for you to be who you want to be and live the lifestyle you aspire to.
Insurance is much more than just protecting the family home and car. Here are some insurance facts you should know.
You’ve been paying the mortgage for a while now. It’s reducing steadily. So what now? Your number one commitment may still be to reduce your mortgage as quickly as possible. However, during this time there are other things you can do to secure your financial future.
We all like to think we’ll leave a lasting legacy — but good planning is key. If you’re not sure what would happen to your assets if you passed away, it might be time to formalise your estate plan.
Worldwide, women are increasingly making the key financial decisions — yet research shows they are often held back by a lack of confidence in their investment knowledge. Can financial advice help bridge the gap?
Every year around this time, a window of opportunity opens to help maximise your end of financial year tax strategies. And if you leave it too late, the chance to improve your financial position could go begging.
The equity market rally at the back-end of 2012 has continued into 2013 with ‘risk’ seemingly now well and truly back in vogue with global equity markets continuing to move higher.
When it comes to making investment decisions, research shows we are our own worst enemies, with our brains better hardwired for stone-age survival than complex economic decisions in the modern world.
Investors are reaping the benefits of developments across the financial planning landscape.
Major changes to the way financial advice is provided are leading to a growing professionalism in financial planning.
If you are one of the many Australians who does not have a current will, your family could be left financially vulnerable if you were to die unexpectedly. Having a valid will is important for everyone, but it becomes particularly essential in the event that you have dependents or a family.
Managing all the information and multiple documents relating to your life and family estate is complex and confusing for anyone not directly involved every day.
Given the financial demands of everyday life, planning your retirement may be a relatively low priority. You may also think that you have plenty of time to plan. But before you put off planning for your retirement any longer, here are some key facts you should consider.