(03) 9020 2905

Welcome to Bruce Brammall Financial

Author: Helen

A dozen do’s and dont’s for SMSFs

PORTFOLIO POINT: The temperature is rising in SMSF-land. Time to apply some protection. Here’s 12 do’s and don’ts to get you prepared for 2012. It’s looking like another daunting year for investors. If you’re shaking in your boots at the prospect for returns, you won’t be alone. Europe’s sovereign debt woes are here for a […]

Super conspiracy

Smelling a government cover-up doesn’t always require heightened political senses, such as those of Watergate journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. And you certainly don’t need to be a batty loner like Mel Gibson in “Conspiracy Theory”, or an alien abductee like David Duchovny in “The X-Files”. Sometimes it’s pretty straight forward. The only thing […]

Pre xmas stuffing Christmas

Debt Man column – The West Australian (Business) December 23, 2011. Bruce Brammall Debt Man Okay, I’m stuffed. Like a turkey with a heartbeat at this time of year, I’ve just been praying to make it through to Christmas. If a turkey is still gobbling on December 25, it can relax. The next major threat […]

Super heavyweights

PORTFOLIO POINT: There’s nothing average about SMSFs. But what’s interesting is how much the really big SMSFs throw out the averages. The chasm between SMSFs and managed fund super is, literally, light years. They’re in different leagues. It’s like putting up Muhammad Ali in his prime against … well, me, now. SMSFs are lean machines […]

Is 2012 your year of DIY property?

PORTFOLIO POINT: Property price declines are raising the interest of SMSF trustees. If the thought has crossed your mind, here’s what you need to do to be ready to pounce in 2012. I don’t know about you, but I was gagging for the Christmas break. Professionally and personally, 2011 was an eventful year, in a […]

Doctor Debt Man

Damnit. I hate to play Grinch. But someone has to. You need a cold dose of reality injected into your veins. And that requires a qualified professional. Lucky I am such a person. Dr Debt Man. Given I’ve delivered my share of good news to West readers on interest rates this year (see below), I […]

Super? Make that ‘safety net’

PORTFOLIO POINT: The short-term future for superannuation for even average income earners is looking increasingly grim. Lower your expectations for super to being nothing more than a safety net. Here’s what’s changed It might be stating the bleeding obvious, but sometimes you need to take a step back to view the bigger picture. And what’s […]

Two pensions better

PORTFOLIO POINT: Why take two pensions instead of one? Because the estate planning ramifications are potentially worth tens of thousands of dollars. Here’s why. It can often make sense to start a pension well before you’re ready to retire. The introduction of transition to retirement (TTR) pensions in 2005 meant many as young as 55 […]

Super good news bad news

I do love a “do you want the good news, or the bad news” scenario. A little bit Divinyls’ “Pleasure and Pain” all rolled into one. Good news first, or the bad news? And which choice makes me a glass half-full, or glass half-empty, sort of guy? Choosing the good news first means you’re setting […]

Give back your super pension

PORTFOLIO POINT: Looking to adjust your pension mid-year because of market volatility? Here’s a strategy to keep in mind. Super pensions can be a relatively simple affair. Take the value at June 30 of the previous year and decide what percentage – within your limits – you want to take for the year. If you’re […]