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7 tips for choosing the right school for your kids
March 31, 2017
If you’re thinking about what school to enrol your children into, it might be a more complicated decision than merely opting for something in the local area. Family values, student facilities, extra-curricular activities and your financial situation could all come into play. We look at some of the things to consider and what you can...Read More
Having an estate plan is more than just having a will
March 24, 2017
There seems to be a common misconception that having an estate plan is for wealthy people. Wrong. Having an estate plan is for everyone. It is about being prepared, minimising risk and making sure your loved ones receive the benefit of your estate. Today, there are many factors which influence an estate plan. Simply having...Read More
7 ways to prepare financially for a baby
March 20, 2017
If you’ve got a baby on the way or are thinking about having one in the future, it’s worth being aware of the upfront and ongoing costs likely to be coming your way, so you can plan ahead accordingly. After all, according to AMP.NATSEM research, it costs an average of $144 a week to raise...Read More
How to set your kids on the road to success
March 13, 2017
Raising children is a rewarding and, often complex, responsibility. We all want to do our best to ensure we give our kids a platform from which to lead a successful life, but there are many different ways to describe success. The Oxford dictionary defines success as the “accomplishment of an aim or purpose, the attainment...Read More
Preparing for your family’s future
March 13, 2017
No-one wants to think about death in the prime of life. But it’s important to decide what will happen to your assets when you die. Find out how you can give instructions to your family about your legal and medical preferences should you fall ill or lose the capacity to make those decisions yourself. Estate...Read More
Infrastructure characteristics and driving returns
March 10, 2017
The infrastructure asset class has been growing in popularity as an investment destination for both institutional and SMSF investors. This is because infrastructure offers a range of investment characteristics that can be particularly attractive in the low interest rate and volatile market conditions we have seen in recent times. Attractive, consistent returns For example, infrastructure...Read More
The Australian dollar showed resilience during the second half of 2016 due to a number of variables. Commodity prices rallied, the US Federal Reserve pushed back interest rate hikes, the market started pricing out interest rate cuts from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and Australian and global economic data was generally positive. The Australian...Read More
If higher education is on the cards for your children in the not too distant future, sitting down with them to discuss the costs and considerations could go a long way. This is particularly important when you take into account that the average debt for a tertiary student in Australia is estimated at $17,500, with...Read More
Commercial property and SMSFs: insurance considerations
February 27, 2017
It is common for businesses to have a buy/sell agreement in place, in case a director or owner dies or becomes incapacitated. The agreement is an insurance contract, which allows the remaining directors to buy out the deceased partner’s interest in the business. This allows the business to continue operating, with the proceeds from the...Read More
Do you value your input as much as your income?
February 15, 2017
At least one in five Australians will be unable to work due to an unexpected accident, injury or illness at some point in their life.1 Despite the statistics most of us go about our daily routine as if we’re indestructible, invincible or unbreakable. If something were to happen though, who’d step in on your behalf?...Read More