Latest Blog Posts
The Sequence of Our Behaviour
Hearing someone being able to confidently state they have enough may provoke some envy, but it shouldn’t. Enough will always mean different things to different people. ‘Enough’ can be a mental luxury; the ability to assess what really matters. It’s being able to identify our needs, wants, motivations and any triggers that might derail our contentment.
The Case for Bitcoin
At the end of 2017, Bitcoin was indisputably the hottest topic in the investment world. Christmas parties and family barbecues alike were filled with curiosity surrounding the rapid rise of cryptocurrencies. It truly felt like everyone else was making a fortune from an investment that didn’t seem well understood. Now, three years down the track, Bitcoin is once again back in vogue. Having quadrupled in value last year and comfortably eclipsing its 2017 heights, we ponder whether this is simply a case of déjà vu or if there is evidence to suggest that it might be different this time around?
Temporary Loss Carry-Back Provisions: What They Mean for You & Your Business
The aim of the loss carry-back legislation is to provide temporary cashflow support to Australian companies that were in a tax-paying position prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but who now find themselves in a tax-loss position as a result of the pandemic and/or through obtaining accelerated deductions for depreciation under the new instant asset write-off measures.
"Low Risk" Term Deposit Alternatives
It’s very tough to earn a dollar without risk and effort these days. While that’s always been the case for our labour, we’ve previously enjoyed the illusion of some free cream from our money in the bank. We may have even neglected the reality of tax and inflation eroding our savings, while there was still a certain risk free return. If an investor thought they were getting a good enough return, then they wouldn’t go out of their way to chase one. However, an RBA cash rate of 0.10% presents a whole new mind game for investors.
Top Tips to Ensure Your Estate Plan is Working for You and Your Family
Ensuring your estate planning and Wills are up to date is an important but often forgotten task. Life is unpredictable and if for some reason the unthinkable did happen, having your estate and Will in order guarantees that those you love are looked after how you want them to be. In the following video we will guide you through the why, what, who and how of estate planning and Wills so that you can rest assured regardless of what might be around the corner.
5 Tips to help get Financially Healthy in 2021
It’s that time of year and we know a lot of your New Year’s resolutions may include money. Saving more, spending less, increasing earnings - most of us include some form of financial health as one of our goals for the New Year. Getting started can be a daunting task, and many are intimidated to do so - but you don’t have to be a sophisticated investor to manage your finances well.
2020 ... The Year That Was
In media forecasts for 2020, a global pandemic and the worst recession since the 1930s weren’t high on everyone’s list of threats. But even had these events been foreseen, who would have tipped global equities to reach record highs a year later?
Understand the Power of the Sharemarket and Start Planning your 2021 Success Now
Once you understand that buying shares is the same as becoming a part-owner of a company, it’s somewhat easier to understand how prices can move up and down each day. Enjoy the following video where we explore the share market in its entirety and give you a full overview of what you need to know to start your share market adventure today.
Focus on What Matters this Christmas & Stay Debt-Free
This week we thought we’d address that fast approaching date on the 25th of December with a tips list. If the festive season usually leaves you out of pocket and feeling like you spent more time and money battling the crowds than relaxing with friends and loved ones, why not simplify things this year?
When Gifting Becomes Taking
The psychology around gifting isn’t so straightforward. It’s money, it’s family, and it’s real people with various influences. They may behave differently than we expect or hope.
The Ins and Outs of Borrowing Through Your Business
Borrowing can be a great strategy, but it can also be a hindrance depending on the reason that you are borrowing. Learn the power of borrowing and when it is a good idea in the following video.
Elections and You
We are now nearly a week past the US Presidential election. We’ve deliberately avoided the election until the very last moment. Why? Its lack of importance. We hear ‘this is the most important election of our lifetime’ almost every election and on some issues, maybe it is. When it comes to investing, it rarely is. Nor should an election ever be regarded as something to focus on.
2020 September Quarter Review
As to be expected, the ongoing and dominant economic and market theme remains COVID-19. More so than ever, with COVID present no quarter will be quite like the previous. While Q1 was one of steep decline and pain, Q2 was sharp recovery and euphoria, while in Q3 markets took a slightly more subdued, albeit positive direction. Accommodating monetary and fiscal policy kept markets happy.
Bookkeeping 101 - How to Stay Ahead of the Game
Bookkeeping can be an often-overlooked component of any small business, but it can sometimes be the difference between success and failure. Bookkeeping refers to the keeping of records of the financial affairs of a business, but it is also a legal requirement for businesses to have records that are up to date. In this video, you will learn what you need to know to ensure that you have the best bookkeeping practices in place for success.
2020 Federal Budget Review
The Federal Treasurer, the Hon. Josh Frydenberg MP, delivered the 2020 Federal Budget on 6 October 2020.
As widely anticipated, the announcement included bringing forward personal income tax cuts already legislated. Together, these changes deliver tax relief to low- and middle-income earners for the 2020-21 income year of up to $2,745 for individuals and up to $5,490 for dual income families. The Treasurer also announced a range of taxation benefits for small and medium businesses, intended to stimulate the business sector leading to jobs growth.
This summary provides coverage of the key issues of most interest to you.
A Closer Look at Sustainable Investing
“ESG Investing.” You’ve probably heard the term, but what does it actually mean? ESG stands for Environmental, Social and Governance, it may also be termed “sustainable investing.” It is a wide term as it can cover several areas, but essentially, it’s for investors who still want positive returns, but also consider their long-term impact on society, environment and the behaviour of a business.
JobKeeper 2.0 - Breaking Down How the Changes Will Affect Your Business
As we move closer to the shakeup of the JobKeeper payments, our team have put together a concise summary of the many parts that business and clients need to consider. Key dates, assessment of eligibility and how your employees will be paid are all considered in this article.
Important changes to jobkeeper
As we near the end of September, important changes will be happening for all business including Sole Traders currently receiving Jobkeeper support. Now is the time to make sure you are on track to meet all new lodgement and re-assessment obligations to ensure you continue to receive support for your business through these trying times.
2021 Superannuation Contributions Cap Update
At the beginning of the new financial year, the ATO announced changes to the way superannuation contributions are managed and governed. Most of these changes are effective from 1 July 2020 so it’s important to get across them and understand how they affect your individual financial situation. This article will take you through the main superannuation contributions rules and changes.
The Ins & Outs of Super - How to Choose What is Best For You
We talk about super a lot when it comes to tax planning and wealth creation, but you certainly want to make sure you’ve got the right vehicle for the job. If you get the selection right, you’ll have many happy years of investment returns ticking away in the background. If, on the other hand, you get it wrong, you’ll literally see thousands of dollars pass you by over the lifetime of your fund.