Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
This calculator helps you work out:
- how long it will take to reach your savings goals
- steps to take to put your plan into action
Is your super working for you?
Money & Life
Chances are your super savings could make a big difference to how you’ll be living in retirement. So it’s important to understand exactly what you’re looking at when it comes to comparing different funds and investment options.
Your money goals and how to reach them
Money & Life.
It’s easy to have big ideas about your financial future, but harder to achieve them. As most dieters know, you can follow the best dieting program, but struggle to stick to it.
The key points are as follow :
- Be realistic
- Be clear
- Prioritise
- Get motivated
- Set realistic timeframes
- Create a budget
- Introduce processes
- Don’t be too austere
- Be flexible
- Review your progress
- Get back on the horse
- Get advice
Salary sacrifice: A lot less painful than it sounds
Money & Life.
Maybe you’ve heard about salary sacrifice as a way to increase your retirement savings. But did you know it can be a very tax-effective way to make voluntary super contributions? Find out how you could boost your retirement savings and pay less tax all in one go.
Trumponomics and investment markets
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
The following note looks at the risks for investors from President Trump’s approach and policies.
The key points are as follows:
- So far President Trump has been positive for share markets but this year the focus is increasingly shifting to populist policies with greater risk for investors.
- The key risks to keep an eye on in this regard relate to trade conflict and the expanding US budget deficit, although the latter is more a risk for when the US economy next turns down.
- However, the best approach for investors in relation to Trump is to turn down the noise given the often contradictory and confusing news flow he generates.
Better health, better business
Jayson Forrest, managing editor of Money & Life Magazine.
The attached note looks at seven planners's answer to the following question:
What have you seen and adapted from other sectors or businesses that is helping you improve the health and wellbeing of your staff and/or clients?
Want to get ahead? Make health your top priority
Michelle Gibbings, founder of the consulting firm, Change Meridian.
The attached note looks at seven easy tips that will help you improve your mental and physical wellbeing.
The key points are as follow:
- Release the pressure valve
- Be kind to yourself
- Get enough sleep
- Build your routine
- Slow your mind
- Set daily intentions
- Be grateful
It’s OK not to be OK
Jayson Forrest, managing editor of Money & Life Magazine.
The attached note looks at the power of conversations to change lives for the better.
The key points are as follow:
- It is about connectivity and discussion
- Breaking it down into processes
- Dismantling traditional barriers
- 4 steps that could change a life
How are Australia’s states and territories tracking?
Diana Mousina, Senior Economist, AMP Capital.
The attached note looks at the recent performance of Australia’s states and territories.
The key points are as follow:
- An end to the fall in mining investment is helping to stabilise growth in Australia’s mining states and territories (WA, Qld and NT to a lesser extent) while a slowing housing sector is starting to act as a drag on NSW and Vic. Tas is benefitting from a lift in population growth and housing “refugee” demand from Sydney and Melbourne. Growth in SA and the ACT has been stable.
- After years of growth divergences across the states and territories, expect a convergence in growth across the regions over the near-term which means more comparable activity across the nation.
Your end of financial year checklist
Who doesn’t love the end of the financial year? Okay, so maybe sorting through a shoebox full of receipts isn’t your idea of fun, but don’t worry. With our handy checklist, you can take some of the headache out of tax time. You might even find ways to give your finances a boost.
The key points are as follow :
- 1. Getting ready for the tax man
- 2. Sorting out your super
- 3. Taking care of business
Drive your wealth strategy this EOFY
Here are some simple but powerful tips to consider when building your retirement savings. Which ones will you add to your todo list before the end of this financial year?
The key points are as follow:
- 1. Make personal concessional super contributions
- 2. Receive the Super co-contribution
- 3. Check your eligibility for a low-income Super Tax Offset (LISTO)
- 4. Sacrifice your surprise earnings
- 5. Contribute to your spouse’s super
- 6. Gather your investment and work-related expenses
- 7. Prepay where you can
- 8. Plan how you’ll use your tax refund
May 2018
As the months get cooler and the days are shorter, many of us find it hard to get motivated. We may also delay those activities that require some extra effort – like preparing a tax return. So with 30 June approaching, May is crunch time for those important end-of-financial-year preparations. For instance, now may be the perfect time to put a bit extra into your super before 1 July to make the most of the annual contribution caps. If you need help getting your finances in shape, please give us a call.
This month also sees the Government hand down its Federal Budget on Tuesday 8 May. Depending on your circumstances and financial objectives, these proposals could have an impact on your financial situation. As always, we will be on hand to explain how the Federal Budget announcements may impact your personal situation and your long term financial plan. We can discuss these during your next review, but if you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.
In this edition to keep you informed and inspired we discuss about Fitness for Life, How much Super is enough and Making the aged care journey smoother.
Italy is a worry - but 3 reasons not to be concerned about an Itexit
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
The following note looks at the 3 reasons not to be concerned about an Itexit
The key points are as follow:
- A populist coalition government in Italy is negative for Italian assets. Lingering uncertainty about a push for Italy to exit the Euro is likely a negative for the Euro too, though an Itexit and a Euro break up remain unlikely.
Eurozone shares are likely to be relative outperformers globally thanks to more attractive valuations than the US, easier monetary policy and a falling Euro.
How women can narrow the retirement gap
MLC Investments Limited.
The financial wellbeing of women in retirement is a significant and growing concern, as women still lag substantially when it comes to retirement balances. On average, a woman retires with $157,000, while a man’s average balance is 72% more, at $270,0001. So why is this? And what can women do now to change their outcome in retirement?
After the Australian household debt and east coast housing booms – interest rates on hold until 2020
Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist.
The following note looks at after the Australian household debt and east coast housing booms.
The key points are as follow:
- The RBA has left interest rates on hold for 21 months.
- A rate hike is now unlikely until 2020: as growth is likely to remain weaker than the RBA expects; wages growth and inflation are likely to remain low for longer; bank lending standards are tightening further, and; house prices in Sydney and Melbourne are falling with more downside ahead. In fact, raising rates at time of falling house prices could be dangerous.
- For investors: bank deposits will continue to offer poor returns; Australian bonds offer better returns relative to global bonds; and remain wary of the $A.
Count your superannuation contributions by end of the financial year
Leading up to the end of the financial year it is important for members of self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) to review the contributions made during the year to determine how much more can be contributed before July 1.
The key points are as follow:
- The bring-forward rule
- Counting the right contributions
- Administering the contributions
Will you be renting in retirement?
Is owning your home the best option for your senior years? Discover why renting in retirement could be on the rise and explore some advantages of being a tenant in later life.
The key points are as follow:
- What's the problem with renting?
- The silver lining for renting in retirement
- A secure future for all tenants
Teaching kids about money
In a rapidly changing world, teaching your children about managing money has never been more important. Here we explain how to raise money smart kids.
The key points are as follow:
- Why teaching financial skills is important
- When should you talk to your kids about money
- MoneySmart Teaching in schools
- Which money concepts to teach for different ages
- Practical ways to raison money smart kids
Women's money goals
Research shows that many Australian women find it overwhelming and stressful to deal with money issues. Here we explain the three key steps you can take to start building a better financial future.
The key points are as follow:
- Build your financial confidence
- Know the basics of investing
- Keep track of your super balance
March 2018
March is a special time for women, with International Women’s Day being celebrated around the world earlier this month. And because many women face unique financial challenges throughout their lives – from wage inequality to the super gap – we’re committed to helping our female clients enjoy the same level of financial security as men.
March also tends to be when the property market starts to pick up again after the summer lull. And with the new downsizer super contributions for seniors coming into effect on 1 July this year, some of you may be already considering your housing options.
To keep you informed and inspired, in this edition we discuss about 5 economic trends shaping 2018, 5 things to consider before a sea or tree change and life stage financial planning for women.
We look forward to hearing from you if you have any questions.