Blog

Housing Affordability in the Wake of Coronavirus
Australia has had poor housing affordability for over a decade. The 2020 Demographia Housing Affordability Survey showed the multiple of median house prices to median annual incomes in Australia is 5.9 times, in Canada is 3.9 times, in the UK is 4.5 times and in the...

Interest Rates on Hold with More Stimulus Likely
The Reserve Bank of Australia left interest rates on hold for the fifth month in a row. The March monetary easing is believed to be working as expected, with continued bond buying to keep the 3 year bond yield at its 0.25% target. The Victorian coronavirus outbreak...

What to consider when withdrawing your Super early | Waiting in cash until share markets fall | Hands up – who wants to save tax?
The Winter issue of infocus includes: What to consider when withdrawing your Super early. Even though you may be able to withdraw your super early due to COVID-19, there are some important considerations. Waiting in cash until share markets fall. If you have money...

Medium to longer term implications from coronavirus
While the impact of the coronavirus has dominated news coverage, there are a mix of positive and negative potential long term implications. Some will depend on your perspective as to whether they are good or bad with economic impacts and changes to our lifestyle and...

Achieving Financial Freedom | Fast way to a life supported by passive income | Insurance – don’t go it alone
The Autumn issue of infocus includes: Achieving Financial Freedom. Financial freedom has a different meaning for everyone, based on personal preferences. If you want to achieve it, a little time spent planning will set you on the right course. The fast way to a life...

Being sensible with Buy Now Pay Later | Taking care of business | Not ready to retire? This might be another option | Retire at 65 but don’t retire your money
The Summer issue of infocus includes: Being sensible with Buy Now Pay Later this silly season. The key is really to have a budget, particularly for your Christmas spend, and put a little thought into your shopping before heading out to avoid getting carried away in...

Beat the scammers at their own game | Traps to avoid in retirement | Is household debt consuming you?
The Spring issue of infocus includes: Beat the scammers at their own game. $90 million was lost to scammers in 2017, with 161,582 reports of scam. Scammers are getting smarter so it's important to be alert to some of the signs, and exercise caution. Traps to avoid...

Setting and Achieving Goals for Financial Freedom
I was recently out to lunch with friends and we were discussing what financial freedom meant to us. Whilst financial freedom means many different things to different people, planning for a secure financial future is something we should all be doing. Financial freedom...

How to play catch up with your super | Take control of your finances | Ways to invest your money
This issue of financial snapshot includes: How to play catch up with your super. Starting from the 2019-20 financial year there are changes to the superannuation contribution rules. Find out what's changing and how this may effect you. Take control of your finances...

End of Financial Year – How To Be Super Smart
With the end of financial year just around the corner it is a good time to make the most out of your super. Now is a good time to think about how you could grow your super and save for retirement. Superannuation remains on the most favoured environments within which...