Finance

Why you shouldn’t panic when share prices fall

For almost all of us, the bulk of our Superannuation is invested in the share market, whether that be locally or overseas. In my...

Prepare for the future, but don’t ignore today

As far as I’m concerned, the aim of building wealth is to be able to provide us with the lifestyle that we choose, both now and into the future.

Money and the biggest moments of our lives

As our life changes so do our financial planning needs. I have created a list of some important life events that are commonplace and highlight some of the issues associated.

Fixed or variable?

In a “practice what you preach” moment, I’m currently reviewing my finances and part of that process involves addressing my mortgage. I’m happy with...

Preparation is the key

There are times in our life where we are spending far more than usual or earning less than we normally do; it is good...

Investment bonds still have a place

In the 70’s and 80’s an investment bond, also known as an insurance bond, was a very popular investment vehicle that went out of...

Escaping from the pain of debt

Over the years I have come across many clients who are drowning in debt and seem to be caught in a hole from which they can’t escape.

Pensioners and the assets test

The rules surrounding Centrelink entitlements are quite complex. It is therefore extremely important, when developing retirement strategies, to be mindful of the Centrelink implications. Most...

An overview of the Federal Budget

The Federal Budget was announced on Tuesday night and with a looming election it was full of goodies for all. I don’t need to tell...

The difference the right insurance can make

Coincidentally, I spoke to two tradies recently who both suffered serious long-term injuries from seemingly innocuous workplace falls, with vastly different results. The first tradie...

Early financial habits can last a lifetime

At our office, we firmly believe the earlier you start saving, the better.

How much money do you need to retire?

Last week, I was reviewing a client who was overly worried that she would essentially be living on the poverty line in retirement. Thankfully,...

Investing in super deserves serious thought

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had a client tell me they don’t believe in superannuation or superannuation is too risky along...

Helping your kids enter the property market

It has never been harder to enter the housing market with the average household now spending 40 per cent of net income on their...

Self-managed super when divorce strikes

Self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF) have a lot of complexities that are often overlooked when established.

Milestone birthdays offer a chance for reflection

Last week I turned 40! I’m really not sure where all the years went. I think back fondly on my 21st and 30th birthdays...

Three mistakes you may be making in your small business

Here’s some of the most common financial planning mistakes in small business... The business doesn’t know where their profit comes from Most businesses have a pretty...

How to boost your retirement savings

We all know the old adage, if it seems too good to be true it probably is! This is almost always the case; however...

Planning now can save you in the future

There are times in our life when we are spending far more than usual or earning less than we normally do; it is good practice to prepare for these moments in advance.

The important difference between price and value

When developing a spending plan (or budget), an easy trap to fall into is focusing on the cost of something as opposed to the...