December
It’s December and the countdown to Christmas and the summer holidays has begun. But before we tuck into our Christmas turkey (or prawns), switch on the cricket and head for the beach, there is always work to complete and loose ends to tie up.
One good news story this festive season is a slowdown in house price growth. Our first article in this summer newsletter asks if the property boom is over and if young Australians stand a better chance of buying their first home in 2018.
As the Christmas buying frenzy shifts into top gear, we also delve into a discussion of needs versus wants. Could knowing the difference save you a post-holiday financial hangover?
Our final article examines the emotional impact of music, that seems all the more potent at Christmas time.
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter don’t hesitate to call our office.
Wishing you all the best for the festive season and a happy and prosperous New Year!
November
It’s November and there’s no surer sign that summer is on the way than the reappearance of men’s and women’s international cricket on our screens.
Given that it’s been 10 years since the onset of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), we take a look at the issues that contributed to the GFC. Unlike the 1987 Wall Street crash, which wiped 25 per cent of share prices overnight, the GFC was a slow-motion crash that took 16 months from market peak to market trough. This month’s newsletter provides some lessons that can be learnt from the crisis to inform your approach to investing.
As always, if you would like to discuss your situation or have questions please contact us.
October
October is here after the record-breaking heat of September and all the signs point to a hot summer. Things are also beginning to heat up on the global interest rate front.
One of the rules of successful investing is diversification, otherwise known as not putting all your eggs in one basket. Luckily, building a diversified portfolio has never been easier thanks to a recent explosion in the number of Listed Investment Companies (LICs) and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) available on the local share market. In this snapshot we explain how they work and the technical differences between them.
As always, if you would like to discuss your investment portfolio don’t hesitate to call us.
September
Spring is finally here and it’s not just nature showing signs of growth. The Australian economy is also bearing fruit.
There’s little doubt that the next move in interest rates, when it comes, will be up. While no-one’s expecting a rate rise any time soon, all borrowers need to be prepared for an eventual return to more normal interest rate settings. Our first article provides you with some steps you can take now to make the most of low interest rates while they last and minimise the impact of future rate rises.
We also take a look at insurance inside super. While obtaining insurance within super may be inexpensive, it’s important to ensure that you have coverage that meets your needs.
Finally, if you are feeling like many of your relationships are being conducted via text, email and social media, here are some tips to help you to reclaim the lost art of conversation.
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter don’t hesitate to call our office.
August
August is here and the wattle is beginning to bloom, a sure sign that spring is just around the corner. The Australian economy has been a bit slower to spring to life, but there are some green shoots.
Housing affordability continues to be a BBQ stopper in Australia’s backyards, whether you’re a young person wanting to get a foot on the property ladder, a parent worried that your children will never be able to afford their own home or a retiree wanting to downsize but unable to find suitable housing. In this snapshot, we take the broad view of the housing affordability issue and look at government measures to tackle the problem.
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter don’t hesitate to call our office.
July
July is here and the good news is that the shortest day and longest night are behind us. It’s also the start of the new financial year, which is always a good time to reflect on your financial progress over the past 12 months and plan your strategy for the year ahead.
Over the past 12 months the surprises have just kept coming, from the British decision to leave the European Union to the election of Donald Trump as President of the United States and Emmanuel Macron as French President. And then a snap British election ended in a hung Parliament just as the Brexit negotiations were about to begin. In this snapshot, we look at the year that was and the impact these events had on global markets, including our own.
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter don’t hesitate to call our office.
June
After the long Indian summer, winter is finally here. It’s time to light the fire and settle in for long winter nights or rug up and head for the snow. The political heat should also begin to die down a little after the release of the May Budget, giving us all time to digest what it means for us and the nation.
June is also tax time so we’ve included some last-minute tips to help you reduce your tax bill and boost the value of your savings and investments.
We also turn the spotlight on trauma insurance, an often overlooked form of coverage but one that can make a big difference to your family’s financial security if you suffer a critical illness.
Finally if you are feeling a bit flat as the cooler weather sets in, we explore your options for a winter escape - without breaking the bank!
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter don’t hesitate to call our office.
May - Budget Special
After three years of budgets that focused on debt and deficit, jobs and growth, Treasurer Scott Morrison has delivered a budget makeover.
For the first budget of the Coalition’s second term in office he has tried to strike a balance between positive measures to promote economic activity such as increased spending on infrastructure and housing and offset this with spending cuts to recurrent spending on welfare, universities and elsewhere.
As always, if you would like to discuss your financial plan in the light of any of the changes announced in the budget, don’t hesitate to call.
April
As April arrives Queenslanders are clearing up after the devastation of Cyclone Debbie which damaged homes, businesses and agricultural crops. The full financial cost won’t be known for some time, but in the meantime our thoughts and best wishes go out to all those affected.
When there is so much bad news in the world it’s easy to overlook a positive news story, especially when it creeps up slowly over time. In this snapshot, we put the spotlight on Australia’s world record-beating economy. We’re on track to overtake the Netherlands’ record for the longest period without recession after more than 25 years of continuous growth. The corporate sector is in good shape as the transition from the mining investment boom continues.
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this article in the light of your investment strategy, don’t hesitate to call us.
March
After a summer of extreme weather, from record heatwaves to snow in the high country, many of us will be looking forward to the more forgiving temperatures of Autumn. It’s a great time to get outdoors and be active before winter sets in.
Superannuation is rarely out of the news these days; with big changes set to come into force on July 1, the first article in our Autumn newsletter looks at ways to take advantage of the existing rules while you can.
Our March Tax alert brings you up to date on all the legislative and ATO changes you need to be aware of.
Our final article looks at the things we can learn from children. Kids are good at so many things that we adults can struggle at - making friends, dreaming big and asking for help, just to name a few...
As always, if you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter, don’t hesitate to call our office.
February
It’s hard to believe it’s February already, with the nation back at work and kids back at school after the summer holidays.
In this month’s snapshot we look at the new pension asset test rules and the importance of reviewing all sources of income before making any rash decisions. By now, retirees will know the impact, if any, of the tightening of the pension assets test that came into force on January 1. Many retirees who previously qualified for a part Age Pension are worse off, prompting suggestions in some quarters for retirees to dispose of assets so they continue to qualify. But is this wise in the long run?
As always, if you would like to discuss your retirement income strategy, don’t hesitate to call.
January
It’s January 2017 and the start of a new year. The sights and sounds of the Australian summer are everywhere, with test cricket, the Australian Open, surf, sand and cicadas. While 2016 may seem like a distant memory, December was a big month on the economic front.
It’s generally contended that financial markets hate surprises. And from Brexit to Trump and a stunning rebound in commodity prices in between, 2016 was certainly a year of surprises. Yet, surprisingly, markets finished the year with a positive burst of energy. In this month’s snapshot, we look at the year that was, what it meant for your portfolio and what’s in store for the year ahead.
If you would like to discuss the contents of this newsletter don’t hesitate to call us, we will be happy to help.