The importance of SMSF succession planning

Preparing for loss of capacity or death is vital for SMSF members. It’s important to ensure your trust deed is watertight. There are more than 600,000 self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) in Australia, managing close to $900 billion of assets on behalf of over a million Australians. Each SMSF’s trust deed is legally required to set…

Read More

Bridging loans: should you buy or sell first?

What is a bridging loan? A bridging loan, or bridging finance, is a short-term loan that can help you finance the purchase of a new property while you sell your current property. Most people sell their old home first, and then buy their new home with the available equity. But there are times when buying…

Read More

How Can I Apply for a Higher Level Home Care Package?

As we age, we may require additional support to maintain our independence and quality of life. For many seniors, this can involve accessing home care services that help with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal care. One way to access more comprehensive home care services is by applying for a higher level home care…

Read More

Investing on the share market: Passive or active?

Index funds continue to outperform the majority of active managers over time, but a blend of passive and active funds can be a powerful combination. The Australian share market ended 2022 lower than where it started the year, and in between it was a bumpy ride for investors. Over 251 trading days, the S&P/ASX 200…

Read More

Devil in the detail on super changes

Proposed changes to superannuation have the potential to reshape the retirement landscape. The objective of super remains the missing ingredient in the mix. At its most fundamental, successful investing is about getting the balance right between risk and reward. Some risks are front and centre; they are in your face (or at least on your…

Read More

Cryptocurrencies

Crypto-assets (crypto) mean digital assets including cryptocurrencies, coins or tokens. They digitally represent your ownership of a value or rights to something. They may or may not be backed by physical assets. Crypto is a high-risk investment. The value of crypto is very volatile, often fluctuating by huge amounts within a short period. More than…

Read More

Market Update – June 2022

Highlights: Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 Index finished the month of May -2.6%, with all sectors of the market lower except Materials. The US Federal Reserve has raised rates by 0.5%, the most aggressive interest rate increase in over 20 years, in response to the high inflation rate.  Annual inflation rose to 8.1% in the Euro zone,…

Read More

The looming fixed-rate cliff

The Reserve Bank has expressed concerns over how some borrowers on low fixed-rate mortgages will cope once their loan expires. Incremental home loan interest rate hikes have been eating into the household budgets of millions of Australians ever since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) began lifting its official cash rate in May 2022. This…

Read More

Look beyond the latest dividend returns

The latest earning season proves that company dividend payouts are choppy. Casting your net wider will help capture broader income returns. If you own shares in one or more listed Australian companies, you may have been keeping an eye on the latest round of corporate earnings announcements. Earnings season is the equivalent of “peak hour”…

Read More