PORTFOLIO POINT: Want financial advice on retirement, pensions or Centrelink entitlements? Read this before you make your first phone call. You wouldn’t have believed some of the squealing that followed the release of the latest adviser shadow shopping report. Responses from advisers included gems such as “staggered with the arrogance of ASIC” and “why not […]
It’s been a big and bruising 10 days in the financial services sector. First, a legislative bomb landed. Then a hand-grenade report was tossed in to finish off the wounded. So, today I’m reporting from the financial advice frontline in the “war of independence”. It’s chaos out there. Looks more like the aliens from “Independence […]
Share the actual monetary reward or loss? Oh, no, no, no, NO! That would be … communism! No commies in these pages, thanks very much. But talking about what created success and failure? Absolutely. In my opinion, your salary/income should be private. Outside of that, friends and family should talk more about investment successes and […]
PORTFOLIO POINT: Here’s another major benefit of SMSFs – managing contributions over two years. The power of super as a retirement vehicle has plenty of boundaries. There are plenty of brakes stopping you getting money in, for a start. But there are a few boundaries that are allowed to be pushed a little further to […]
In utero! Derrr! Expectant parents are told to “play soothing music” to their unborns. I hate soothing music. Reminds me of elevators. Claustrophobia. No room in the womb. But L’il DebtBoy and DebtGirl weren’t deprived. They were played music. Money music! On 24/7 loop cycle through the house were tunes including Billionaire by Travie McCoy, […]
PORTFOLIO POINT: A last-minute backroom deal on FoFA’s “iconic” opt-in arrangements will dilute benefits to super members and investors. What does it mean for you? When two usual bedfellows break out in a spiteful stoush in an industry as big as financial services, you know something a bit fishy has gone on. At first glance, […]
PORTFOLIO POINT: Super investment risk is ultimately in your control. Do you have a finger on the panic button? Using extreme examples to try to prove a point rarely does anyone any favours. And when it comes to super, one that former Treasury Secretary Dr Ken Henry used last week is a good case of […]
A no-win situation. Kiss the money goodbye if you do. And feel like a mean bastard of Judge Judy proportions if you don’t. Hey, idea! Treat the situation like you would if you were a bookie. Lay off your bets! Let’s say you loan your mate Paddy $1000. Next, go borrow $500 from Mick. Now, […]
I’ve nearly had a lot of car accidents recently. The closest calls have always been just after crèche pick-up. The crèche teachers, bless ’em, are awesome. Boundless love and encouragement wrapped in an overdose of community spirit. And that’s to the stressed parents. They’re even better with the children. But I’m often left pondering what […]
PORTFOLIO POINT: The primary investment driver of SMSF trustees has changed. Has it taken hold of you? Some shifts in direction are subtle, like a cruise liner slowly changing its course. Some are not. Like a politician back-pedalling on a broken election promise. There was something you, as SMSF trustees, underwent last year that would […]
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