Articles

Economic Update: Looking ahead to 2022

If you can imagine the economy as a road, 2020 saw a major earthquake emerge with the Coronavirus pandemic, and the lockdown restrictions that followed to halt its spread, and the Government and RBA support helping to divert traffic around this major obstacle. 2021 will be a year of bouncing back and looking forward to the economic recovery, with rebuilding and a gradual resumption of normal activity. However, the world in many ways has now changed.

21 May 2021

Retirees’ Fears and Expectations

For many, the word ‘retirement’ is associated with the idea of extended holidays to far-flung locations or spending quality time with grandchildren. However, there are a range of financial, emotional and psychological fears that are often linked to retirement – and for good reason.

21 May 2021

How do you know when the advice is right?

Seeking financial advice can turn your life around and put you on a path to a happier and more secure financial future. But where do you start? Who do you trust? How do you know you are going to get value for money?

21 May 2021

Can social media affect our spending?

Social media could influence us to spend impulsively. Can social media use be linked to spending? Research shows it can. For example, one study found that social networks such as Facebook and Instagram can motivate impulsive buying behaviours.1 But how does social media affect our spending?

21 May 2021

Cyber security

According to the Australian Cyber Security Centre, Australians lost over $634 million to scams in 2019.

24 February 2021

Three trends driving real estate investments in a post-pandemic economy

Office real estate is undergoing a fundamental shift, while COVID-19 has accelerated a number of global real estate investment trends, including the continued growth of e-commerce and falling home ownership.

24 February 2021

Do you need to review your insurance?

Since December 2020 the world has embarked upon a mass effort to vaccinate against the Coronavirus pandemic. The leading solutions have been produced by joint ventures led by Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca respectively. Israel and the UAE are amongst the leaders on a per-person basis and are beginning to see a decline in the severity severity and mortality rates amongst its elderly citizens.

24 February 2021

Economic Update

24 February 2021

Economic outlook: looking ahead to 2021

How we get past the Coronavirus pandemic will be a defining moment of 2021. The direction of the United States under its new President, Joe Biden*, will also be watching closely around the world.

16 November 2020

Which are you – a saver or investor?

Whether you are a saver or investor could make a major difference to your lifestyle in the long run.

16 November 2020

Transitioning to retirement

If you have reached preservation age, currently 58, the Australian Government has made it possible for you to access your super as a non-commutable income stream while you are still working.

16 November 2020

How to seek out positivity and improve your wellbeing

In April 2020, online searches for “good news” spiked to a five year high.1 Amid all the uncertainty in the world right now, people are actively searching for uplifting stories to act as a counterbalance to all the negative news we’re hearing.

16 November 2020

Self-employed? Don’t leave your business at risk.

What would you do if you became sick or injured and were unable to keep your business running? It’s not something that is often thought about, but it is important to take a moment to consider it.

13 August 2020

Make technology work for you

Are you a new technology pioneer, or a proud ‘technophobe’? Wherever you sit on the digital spectrum, the transformative power of technology is undeniable. What’s important is how you harness it.

13 August 2020

Top tips when preparing your Will

Preparing a Will can be complicated, especially if you have a complex family structure. Here are some tips to consider when writing a Will

13 August 2020

How did interest rates get so low?

We are operating in a world where interest rates are now very low both overseas and here in Australia.

13 August 2020

Economic Update

The spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been one of the most devastating global pandemics we have seen for decades with over 4.3 million confirmed cases and almost 300,000 deaths globally (as of mid-May).

25 May 2020

Taking control of your finances post-divorce

There’s no doubt a divorce takes a toll emotionally. However, there are also financial implications that can leave you feeling vulnerable, especially if you’re retired or approaching retirement.

25 May 2020

The electric car revolution

Previously occupying a niche luxury market dominated by Nissan and Tesla, EVs are growing in popularity and are set to become more mainstream with manufacturers such as Hyundai, Kia and Mini looking to release more affordable options in the future.

25 May 2020

The real value of financial advice

The real value of financial advice Financial advice is NOT all about money, it’s a big part of it of course, but there’s so much more to it than that. It’s about having an expert guide to help you reach your goals sooner – giving you more confidence, peace of mind and freedom.

25 May 2020

Economic Update

Markets fall on oil price and coronavirus shocks

12 March 2020

Retirement income worry - who worries and why?

Two-thirds of retirees who have been retired five years expect to spend their savings over the next 20 years.

10 March 2020

5 investing questions everyone should ask (and answer)

The thought of investing can be daunting to some. To help, we’ve compiled a series of questions every investor should ask themselves and be able to answer.

10 March 2020

Are you still covered by Insurance inside super?

Insurance inside super or ‘Group Insurance’ is the life insurance cover you may have through your employer or your superfund.

10 March 2020

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – What does it mean?

What does Gross Domestic Product (GDP) mean? Well, it depends who you ask. If you ask the renowned artist Banksy, it is a means by which trademarks can be registered.

28 November 2019

Be conscious of how you invest in equities during the ‘retirement risk zone’

In the years just before and after your retirement is a period known as the retirement risk zone. It’s a decade when your nest egg is likely to be its highest.

28 November 2019

Two common errors investors make…and how to overcome them

Understanding compounding and portfolio rebalancing could have helped investors overcome emotion-driven decisions during a turbulent six months for stock markets. Duncan Lamont shares why.

28 November 2019

Economic update

Global economy The trade war between the United States (US) and China, fixed income and currencies, the impact of the Reserve Bank of Australia's rate cuts.

28 November 2019

How social media is affecting your spending

Social media use has been linked to our mood, self-esteem and even sleep. Research shows that it can also be linked to our spending.

17 September 2019

Get insurance while you’re still bulletproof

According to research by TAL insurance, the cost of personal insurance soars after the age of 35. This is also the time in our lives that you may be going through significant change such as marriage, children, a bigger mortgage and more responsibilities.

17 September 2019

Economic Update

In the US there are signs of slow economic growth this year. This is apparent from some leading indicators, such as the Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) and, to an extent, official economic data. Slow economic growth is a global theme, with few exceptions. The Australian economy is not immune to this slowdown.

17 September 2019

What changes to the social security means test rules for lifetime income streams could mean for you

In February of this year the Government passed new law that changes the means testing rules for certain lifetime retirement income streams (super and non-super lifetime pensions and annuities). This commenced from 1 July 2019.

17 September 2019

Cash flow can make or break your business, so take time to safeguard it

So what might you do to improve your cash flow and sleep better at night? Here are five tips.

01 August 2019

Successful Investor Secrets

The investment world can change dramatically from one month to the next. But these secrets of successful investors never go out of style.

01 August 2019

Economic Outlook

Overall, we are likely to see a slowdown in growth for both the Australian and global economies over the next year. Upcoming elections, including our own Federal election, will have a major influence on the economy as will government spending.

24 May 2019

Tax tips and tax return hints

As we come close to the end of June, here are some initial tips and hints to help you get started.

22 May 2019

Heart health by numbers

Some risks for cardiovascular disease can’t be changed, such as age and family history, but many are lifestyle-related, which is good news – you have the power to reduce your risk(1). This is vital given that heart disease is the single biggest killer of Australians(2). Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and eating well are some of the best ways to prevent heart disease. Keep the following numbers in mind.

22 May 2019

2019 Federal Budget announcement

This year’s Federal Budget is an ‘election budget’ with future tax cuts for all Australians, especially low and middle income earners. Overall, there were minimal changes to super proposed in the Budget, with minor changes to super contributions for older Australians.

03 April 2019

7 technology disruptions happening now: Autumn 2019

Australia looks to be in the later stages of the business cycle, and is not alone here among its developed economy peers. In an environment of potentially slowing growth, we propose that a way forward is to invest in companies which are “share-takers” – companies that can gain market share from technology-enabled advances in their business model, and in changes in consumer behaviour.

22 March 2019

Bullet-proofing your equity income portfolio

It’s obvious, if you’re a retiree you need income. With cash and fixed interest offering low yields, equities are a good place to look for income.

22 March 2019

3 ways a financial adviser can help you plan for retirement

When it comes to creating the retirement lifestyle you dream of, a little support goes a long way.

22 March 2019

Economic update: Autumn 2019

In this issue 1. Economic update 2. 3 ways a financial adviser can help you plan retirement 3. Bullet-proofing your income equity portfolio 4. 7 technology disruptions

22 March 2019

All I want for Christmas… is to survive it debt free!

Getting into the Christmas spirit doesn’t mean you have to get into debt

01 December 2016

Keys to de-stressing a mortgage

Don't sail out farther than you can row back.

01 December 2016

Retirement is different

The four stages to a better retirement

01 December 2016

Boosting inflation – Central banks struggle

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) reduced the official cash rate by 25 basis points to 1.50 per cent in the September quarter.

01 December 2016

The Great Rotation

After almost a decade of underemployment, low rates and sub-optimal growth across the globe, it appears as if investors have formed the view that Trumpenomics will be the dawn of a new era.

22 November 2016

Why choose us

We pride ourselves on being the best in helping to secure financial futures. You may have thought about applying for insurance or consolidating your superannuation, but not many people have the time, or expertise to get these matters sorted efficiently or effectively on their own.

08 September 2016

How to avoid investment behavioural traps

Many people don’t realise the greatest impact on their investment returns could in fact be their own behaviour.

08 September 2016

Estate planning triggers

Although it includes the preparation of a valid Will, effective estate planning goes far beyond one single document.

08 September 2016

Getting financially prepared to start a family

Having a baby is a wonderful experience, but are you financially ready for it?

07 September 2016

Federal Budget Q&A – Lifetime non-concessional contributions cap

One of the proposed changes announced in the May Federal Budget was to replace the annual cap for concessional contributions with a lifetime cap of $500,000.

07 September 2016

The secrets to a healthy work/life balance

Work life balance means different things to different people and for many of us it no longer means working nine to five.

07 September 2016

Trauma insurance fills the gaps

Heart disease and stroke continue to be the two most common causes of death in Australia for people over the age of 45, and accounted for over 30,000 Australian fatalities in 2012.

07 September 2016