Advice Evolution & Fintegrity Newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the tips, news and updates from Advice Evolution and Fintegrity’s latest newsletter.

Understanding dollar cost averaging: A steady approach in volatile markets
Investing can feel overwhelming, especially during market volatility. Dollar cost averaging (DCA) is a simple, long-term strategy that helps manage this uncertainty by focusing on consistency rather than trying to time the market.

DCA involves investing a fixed amount at regular intervals—such as weekly or monthly—regardless of market conditions. This approach means you buy more when prices are low and fewer when prices are high, helping smooth out market fluctuations over time.

Working with an estate planning lawyer: What to expect and how to prepare
Estate planning is often delayed because it feels confronting or complicated, but it’s really about providing clarity, care and reducing stress for loved ones. A valid will helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes, and using a legal professional can help avoid errors, confusion and disputes. In South Australia, a valid will generally must be written, signed, witnessed by two adults, and include beneficiaries and an executor.

Key points to consider to help you in your decision to move your loved one to aged care
Caring for someone in an aged care home can be emotional and challenging, but you still play an important role in supporting their care. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  1. Recognising when extra care is needed: Signs your loved one may benefit from aged care include significant mobility issues, severe incontinence, wandering, communication difficulties, or problems with memory and thinking.

  2. Managing doubts and guilt: It’s normal to question your decision or worry about how others may view it. Try to focus on what is safest and best for both your loved one and yourself.

  3. Looking after your own wellbeing: Talking with a trusted friend, counsellor or carer support group can help you process emotions and feel less alone.

  4. Staying involved in their care: You remain an important part of the care team. Get to know staff members, ask questions, take notes during meetings, and keep track of health concerns, medications and any changes in condition.

Saving for the future
In a world focused on instant gratification, saving money can be overlooked. Yet goals like buying a car, travelling or purchasing a home are achievable with realistic planning and consistent saving habits. Here are some key questions to consider:

  1. Where does my money go?
    Track your income and expenses to understand spending habits and identify areas to save.

  2. How much should I save?
    Save what you can consistently, even if it starts small. Regular contributions add up over time.

  3. How can I grow my savings?
    Consider savings accounts or investment options that suit your goals and risk tolerance.

  4. Where should I keep my money?
    Short-term goals may suit accessible savings accounts, while long-term goals may benefit from investments.

  5. Why start early?
    Starting early allows your savings to grow through compounding and helps build long-term financial security.

Oliver's Insights: The RBA hikes again to control inflation – lessons learned from the 1970s

The key points are:

  • The RBA hiked its cash rate for the third time this year by another 0.25% to 4.35% in response to inflation running above target and concerns that it will likely remain so for longer given price pressures partly flowing from the War with Iran, threatening higher inflation expectations.

  • The key lesson from the 1970s is that the RBA is right to be focussing first on getting inflation back to target – as it will avoid even more pain down the track.

  • We are allowing for a further rate hike in August, but the longer the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked the greater the risk of recession allowing a return to rate cuts next year.

  • The best things the Government can do in the Budget to help alleviate underlying inflation pressures is to lower the level of public spending and boost productivity.

Read full article

Make retirement planning make sense

Retirement planning rarely begins with a spreadsheet—it usually starts with a few key questions. Our recent national research shows that pre-retirees most often ask:

  1. How much will I need?

  2. How can I make my money last?

  3. How do I stay on track?

To help answer these, Moneysmart brought together a range of free, independent, and easy-to-use tools and resources to help you answer those questions and plan your retirement.

Oliver's Insights: “Never waste a crisis” - The top five things needed in the coming Budget

The key points are:

  • The upcoming Budget is an ideal opportunity to reframe government policy to put the economy onto a stronger path. The latest global crisis adds to the case for this.

  • The five key things the Budget needs to do are: limit any “cost-of-living” relief; cut government spending over four years; undertake serious tax reform and not just tax hikes; significant productivity enhancing reforms like less red tape & more incentives to invest; and reform the Charter of Budget Honesty.

Read full article

Oliver's Insights: Nine key longer term consequences of the US/Israeli war with Iran

The key points are:

  • Uncertainty remains high over the US/Iran War with a ceasefire declared but no agreement in talks so far. Tensions continue to remain high and oil flows remain restricted, with Trump announcing his own blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. But pressure on Trump to back down on the War is very high.

  • A stagflationary hit of higher inflation and weaker growth is now baked in with the uncertainty being how long it’s sustained. The flow of ships through the Strait of Hormuz remains the key - as it has been since day one of the War.

  • Beyond the near term uncertainty, there are likely to be nine key longer term consequences of the War: higher prices and inflation; escalated geopolitical risk; a renewed global terrorist threat; increased defence spending; increased spending on oil and gas infrastructure; increased focus on renewables and nuclear energy; more pressure to onshore supply chains; yet another reminder that the world is now more crisis prone; and bigger government and more public debt.

  • This is all flowing from and reinforcing the rise of populism. Over the long term this risks weaker growth, more inflation prone economies and more volatility which should mean higher risk premiums and risks lower investment returns.

Read full article

Advice Evolution & Fintegrity Newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the tips, news and updates from Advice Evolution and Fintegrity’s latest newsletter.

Building the right team when buying an investment property
Purchasing an investment property is a major financial commitment that can generate rental income and long-term growth, but it also carries risks. One of the best ways to manage those risks is by building a strong team of professionals. Since property investing involves finance, tax, legal, construction, and management considerations, expert guidance helps ensure your decisions are informed and aligned with your financial goals.

Who speaks for you when you can’t? Why planning ahead in aged care matters
There may come a time when you’re unable to make decisions due to illness, injury, or cognitive decline. It’s not easy to consider, but it’s essential—because someone else will need to act on your behalf. The key question is: have you chosen who that person will be?

Retirement success… but at what cost?
After years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice, you’ve reached retirement. Your finances are in place, and your time is finally your own.

Starting or restarting a Fitness Regime in Your 60s
If you’re over 60, regular exercise is key to maintaining health, energy, and independence, while reducing the risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.

A life well lived: Reflections from aged care on living without regret
In later life, reflection brings clarity. As ambition fades, what remains are the moments and choices that shaped your life—raising one question: was it well lived?

For many, the answer lies not in wealth, but in the qualities that defined the journey.

Your greatest asset isn’t what you think: Why protecting your income matters most
When asked about their biggest asset, most people point to their home, super, or investments—built through years of hard work.

But one asset underpins them all, and it’s often overlooked.

Oliver's insights: Shares down on the oil shock - 5 key charts for investors to keep in mind

The key points are:

  • The War with Iran has led to a surge in oil prices & worries of stagflation which has pushed share markets sharply lower.

  • Predicting how this will all unfold is hard. The key is to stay focussed on the basic principles of successful investing.

  • These five charts focus on principles of investing critical in times like now: the power of compound interest; don’t get blown off by the cycle; the roller coaster of investor emotion; the wall of worry; and market timing is hard.

Read full article

Moneysmart tips: A monthly e-newsletter with free tools, tips and guidance

It's Global Money Week!

Global Money Week is focused on helping young people build financial awareness, and Moneysmart’s Gen Z study highlights the importance of verifying the reliability of information sources.

Read more

What to know about share market volatility

When share markets rise and fall, it can make us feel uneasy about our money. Here’s what to understand about market volatility, why it happens, and what to keep in mind.

Read more

How to spot lead generation

Do you know what lead generation is? Stay informed about the signs so you can better protect your super and savings.

Read more

Super boost

Explore some ways to keep your super on track, no matter your age or stage of life.

Read more

Cost of retirement goes up

Industry estimates show that the super balances needed by homeowners at age 67 to fund a comfortable retirement in Australia have reached a record high.

Read more

AI and money decisions

Moneysmart’s Gen Z study found that around one in five Gen Zs are using AI to make decisions about their financial future, and most trust the information. If that sounds like you, read this first.

Read more

How a mortgage offset account works

Mortgage offset accounts can be useful—but do they really help your savings? Learn how they operate in practice.

Read more

Oliver's Insights: The RBA hikes again on the back of the boost to inflation from the Iran War

The key points are:

  • The RBA hiked its cash rate for the second time this year by another 0.25% to 4.1% in response to inflation running above target and the War with Iran likely to boost it further. 

  • A further rate hike is highly possible, but the longer the conflict persists the greater the risk that the inflation shock  will turn into an output shock.  

  • As such our base case is for the RBA to leave rates on hold at its May meeting. 

  • The best thing the Government can do to help alleviate underlying inflation pressures is to lower the level of public spending and introduce reforms to help boost productivity. 

Read full article

Oliver’s Insights: The impact of the US/Iran war on economies and markets – Q and A

The key points are:

  • Uncertainty around the duration of the US/Israel war with Iran has intensified with oil prices spiking to $US119/barrel only to then plunge as President Trump hinted that the war may be close to over. This is in turn driving big gyrations in investment markets.  

  • While a limited war remains more likely than a long war, it could still push oil prices higher & shares lower in the near term. Trump may be getting close to an off ramp though. 

  • For the RBA, there is a strong case to wait till May on rates as the boost to inflation could prove temporary.

Read full article

Advice Evolution & Fintegrity Newsletter

Stay up-to-date with the tips, news and updates from Advice Evolution and Fintegrity’s latest newsletter.

Warning of ‘supercharged harm’ from unregulated AI

Australia must urgently increase investment in AI and research and development to prevent a generation of young people being “sacrificed for the profits of big tech.”

Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, UNSW Professor Toby Walsh will warn that Australia is failing to properly regulate AI and risks repeating past mistakes made with social media safeguards.

Should you move your super to cash when markets fall? Think again.

Whenever markets fall, the same question comes up: Should I move my super to cash before things get worse?

It’s a natural reaction — watching your balance drop is uncomfortable. But super is built for long-term growth, not short-term comfort. As the saying goes, it’s time in the market, not timing the market, that builds wealth.

Key ways to invest through an SMSF and how to create a solid investment strategy

A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) gives individuals greater control over their retirement savings and investment choices.

To maximise long-term returns and financial security, it’s important to understand the available options and adopt a clear strategy.

Trademarking your business name: When is the right time?

For many small business owners, choosing a name is an exciting early milestone. But trademarking it is often delayed due to cost, complexity or the belief it can wait. In reality, getting the timing right can prevent costly disputes and brand confusion later.

So when should you trademark your business name — and is it worth it?

What is key person insurance — and why small business owners should care

Running a small business means wearing many hats. Often, one or two key people hold the knowledge, relationships or leadership that keep it thriving. If something unexpected happened to them, the financial impact could be severe.

That’s where key person insurance comes in.

How a new generation of investors are teaching their parents about investing

In the 1950s, investing was expensive and time-consuming. Those who could afford it had to go through stockbrokers, who dominated the market and charged high, fixed commissions.

Investment options were limited, overseas investing was rare, and real-time price updates didn’t exist. Investors had to contact their broker just to get current stock prices.

Conflict in Iran: Macro and market implications

As events continue to unfold in Iran, we recognise the uncertainty facing global investors. The team from Fidelity International is closely monitoring developments across asset classes and sharing updated insights.

While the situation remains fluid, we do not see this as a regime shift akin to Venezuela, given Iran’s highly institutionalised governance. Using our node-based framework, we assess potential scenarios and likely paths ahead.

In this note:

  • Salman Ahmed, Global Head of Macro and Strategic Asset Allocation, outlines key conflict scenarios.

  • Niamh Brodie Machura, Chief Investment Officer, Equities, highlights risks and equity positioning.

  • Marion Le Morhedec, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, reviews fixed income implications.

  • Matthew Quaife, Global Head of Multi Asset, emphasizes resilient, diversified portfolios.

View the full Fidelity International note (PDF)

Oliver's Insights: Gulf War 3 – the threat to economies and markets from the US/Iran war

The key points are:

  • The start of a war between the US and Israel and Iran poses the risk of a significant disruption to global economic growth given the likelihood of significant disruption to the supply of oil, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz.

  • This in turn could contribute to a correction in share prices.

  • A $US40 a barrel spike in oil prices could add 40 cents a litre to petrol prices with a threat to growth & inflation. As a “tax on spending” the RBA should look through it.

  • For investors: share market falls are normal, timing markets is hard and the key is to stick to a long-term strategy.

Read full article

Oliver's Insights: The outlook for Australian shares – is the long underperformance versus global shares over?

The key points are:

  • Over the long-term Australian shares have been a relatively strong performer, but it does go through relatively long periods of out and underperformance versus global shares.

  • We see more upside in Australian shares supported by the return of profit growth. And its underperformance over the last 16 years is getting long in the tooth.

  • Nine key charts worth watching are: business conditions PMIs; US tariffs; inflation; inflation expectations; profit growth; share market valuations; the rotation trade from tech to non-tech shares; the $US; and geopolitical risk. At present they are sending mixed signals.

Full article here

Oliver's Insights: Nine key charts for investors to keep an eye on

The key points are:

  • This year has started off rather messy with geopolitical threats and worries around AI disruption and valuations.

  • We are mildly upbeat on shares for the year but see a 15% or so correction as likely along the way.

  • Nine key charts worth watching are: business conditions PMIs; US tariffs; inflation; inflation expectations; profit growth; share market valuations; the rotation trade from tech to non-tech shares; the $US; and geopolitical risk. At present they are sending mixed signals.

Read full article

Oliver's Insights: Inflation, rate hikes and public spending – Q&A

The key points are:

  • Keeping inflation low and around the 2-3% target is important in terms of maximising living standards in Australia.

  • We are optimistic that much of the recent rise in inflation will prove temporary.

  • But some may reflect the economy hitting capacity constraints as a pickup in household and business spending combines with historically high levels of public spending.

  • The best things governments can do to help lower inflation is reduce the level of spending in the near term and help boost the supply side of the economy in the long term.

Read full article

Moneysmart tips: A monthly e-newsletter with free tools, tips and guidance.

Moneysmart tips: Rate rises, share market volatility and keeping super safe

With a cash rate increase and share market volatility, February has started fast out of the gates. So, below we have tips on managing your mortgage, your super, and your credit profile.
We also have guidance on keeping your super safe.

Switching home loans

The Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points this month, which could add almost $100 per month to the repayments on a $600,000 loan. Now could be a great time to compare your home loan options.

Calculate your savings

Check your score

Did you know you can access your credit score and credit report for free? A good credit score gives you negotiating power when it comes to getting a loan. So, it's worth checking how you're rated. 

Find out how

Are you underinsured?

We’re still in natural disaster season and when something happens the last thing you want to find out is that you’re underinsured. Find out how it happens and what it means.

Protect yourself

Keep your super safe

Share market volatility can make you feel worried about your savings. Don’t turn that worry into a rushed decision.

Learn more

"I’m happy this was the right decision for me"

How support and superannuation options helped Lillian balance health and financial security. 

Case study

Oliver's Insights: The RBA starts the year off with a rate hike

The key points are:

  • The RBA hiked its cash rate by 0.25% to 3.85% as widely expected in response to inflation running above target.

  • Its commentary was cautious and hawkish with inflation now expected to stay above target for longer even with assumptions for two more rate hikes and the stronger $A.

  • We thought it was a close call and leaned to a hold. But having hiked we expect the RBA to hold for the remainder of the year as we see underlying inflation as having peaked in the September quarter and falling back to target.

  • Valid concerns about capacity constraints though are likely to keep the risk of a further rate hike high.

  • The best thing government can do to help alleviate this is to lower the level of public spending.

Read full article