After a difficult year of COVID disruptions and uncertainty, the summer holidays can’t come quickly enough. It’s a chance to refresh and reflect on the year that was and hopefully set some goals for year ahead. Yet this year more than most, many of us may feel that our personal and financial priorities have shifted … Read more
Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. As November drew to a close, and we look towards the end of the year, all eyes were on the new strain of the coronavirus, Omicron. Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.
Inflation appears to be firmly on the rise and while that is bad news for consumers it’s not necessarily bad news for investors. In fact, inflation may provide new opportunities. In the September quarter, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 3 per cent year on year, a level previously not forecast to be reached until … Read more
Greater flexibility in working arrangements has been a by-product of the pandemic, as working from home has become more widespread. In fact, The Families in Australia Survey: Towards COVID Normal reported in November 2020 that two thirds of Aussies were working from home. While this flexibility has many benefits, it does also bring downsides, such … Read more
Asset rich and income poor is the dilemma faced by many retirees. But there may be opportunities to boost your income in retirement by tapping into your biggest asset – your home. With property prices booming, many retirees are finding that the home they have lived in for decades is worth a small fortune, but … Read more
Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. All eyes were on the September quarter inflation figures in October, as speculation mounted that the Reserve Bank may be forced to raise interest rates sooner than planned. Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.
Buying your first home is always a big step, but with property prices rising faster than pay packets taking that first step seems more challenging than ever. National house prices rose 20 per cent in the year to September, the fastest growth since 1989. Higher prices have also fanned out from capital cities to the … Read more
With property prices continuing to rise across the country, it’s becoming much harder for many Australians to take that first step onto the property ladder. Even though interest rates are at historic lows, it is still increasingly difficult for young families or first home buyers, in particular, to save for a home deposit. Unfortunately, as … Read more
Superannuation has provided most fund members with stellar returns since last year’s COVID lows. As always though, some funds performed better than others and recent government reforms make it easier to find out how your fund compares. Indeed, you may have noticed recent media reports naming 13 super funds that failed a performance test conducted … Read more
For many people, there’s much more to choosing investments than focusing exclusively on financial returns. Returns are important, but a growing number of people also want their investments align with their values. Everyone’s values are different but given the choice most people would wish to make a positive difference to their community and/or the planet. … Read more
