Why investing for retirement is different
When you’re still employed and earning a salary, there’s money coming in you can rely on. In retirement, in the absence of a regular salary you’ll need to find a …
Ways to expand SMSF investment horizons
The mix of investments that is right for an SMSF will depend on very personal factors, including SMSF members’ age, lifestyle, attitude to risk and personal goals. And it’s not …
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, …
Five long term global trends and implications for markets
This article looks at some longer term structural trends in the economy and their impact on economic growth and investments. A decline in routine based jobs Fear of technology replacing …
Economic update February 2023
Risk assets performed strongly in January, following further indications that inflation may have peaked in key regions. Global economic growth forecasts were lowered by both the World Bank and the …
Understanding reverse mortgages
Reverse mortgages are home mortgages that work in the opposite way to a normal home mortgage. Instead of interest and capital being repaid over a fixed term, there are no …
How to deal with rising inflation
Between March 2021-22, inflation in Australia rose by 5.1%. Meanwhile, wages only rose by 2.4%1. With the bare essentials becoming – well, expensive, it’s not surprising that many people are …
Are you on track with your finances?
When it comes to life stages, we’re all different. Some of us are all set up with a mortgage, a steady career and possibly even kids in our mid-20s, while …
Review of 2022, outlook for 2023
Key points 2022 was dominated by high inflation, rising interest rates, war in Ukraine and recession fears. This hit bonds and shares hard, driving losses for balanced growth super funds. …
How does the First Home Super Saver Scheme (FHSSS) work?
If you’re a first home buyer, you may be eligible to withdraw voluntary super contributions you’ve made (plus earnings) to put towards a home deposit. Through the First Home Super …
Don’t let overspending be your undoing
Do you struggle to control your spending around your friends and family? If the urge to ‘keep up’ with a certain lifestyle is stretching your finances, it could be time …
Christmas gifts that won’t blow your budget
Christmas is a wonderful time of year in Australia, filled with summer foods, decorations and of course, gift giving. Here are a few ideas to help you stretch your Christmas …
9 ways to teach kids the value of money at Christmas
What’s the meaning of Christmas in your household? While it can sometimes feel like spending a small fortune on gifts and food is non-negotiable, it’s not the only option. And, …
3 golden rules that make saving for retirement easier
If you’ve thought about how much money you need to save so you can retire comfortably, it might feel a little daunting. Maybe so much so, you’d rather not think about …
How do hedge funds work in a volatile market?
While an exposure to hedge funds can provide a lift to a portfolio’s performance, they also offer the potential to generate high returns – at a risk. Hedge funds play …
How old is too old for insurance?
As you age and your health starts to deteriorate, having a financial safety net and protecting your nearest and dearest may become even more important. So, how old is too …
Impacts from Falling Home Prices: The Wealth Effect
The impacts of interest rate hikes on consumers are well known; higher interest means that mortgage debt servicing costs will go up which is negative for consumer spending. Rate hikes …
Alternative Thinking: Diversifying Beyond Traditional Asset Classes
Once a staple investment allocation, the traditional balanced portfolio of shares and bonds has had some challenges in delivering positive returns in today’s market environment. Institutional investors, such as superannuation …