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Welcome to Bruce Brammall Financial

You must learn from your mistakes

Life is about learning and most of us like to achieve those little milestones at our own pace. Some pick up things fast, some slow. And some, not at all. When it comes to drinking, I’m Sean Connery. I’ll “never say never again”, as doing so would threaten way too many social (and business) opportunities. […]

“Debt became a dirty word during the global financial crisis. What debts should people banish immediately, and should any debt be embraced?”

Bah! Here we go again! People trying to make out that debt is either diseased, the devil, or a financial death sentence. Debt doesn’t cause cancer, it doesn’t wear Prada and it won’t kill you (unless you owe The Mob). Debt is, however, a four-letter word, so be careful how and when you use it. […]

Beware super’s penalty zone

On the super contributions front, there’s a clock ticking. It’s attached to a bomb and if you don’t act quickly, it has the potential to cost you thousands of dollars in tax. For others, particularly those aged roughly 40-55, a completely new approach for super is required. And failing to grasp this reasonably early could […]

“The share market’s slump since late 2007 has been punctuated by company failures. How do investors avoid getting stung by these?”

There are only two sure ways. Option one: “Use The Force, Luke”. Option two: Don’t invest. Sadly, precious few of us have completed any formal Jedi training with Obi-Wan Kenobi or Yoda.  And not investing isn’t a viable option. Company failures suck. Big ones. As do markets that fall by 55 per cent. But while […]

“Protecting your assets is just as important as trying to increase them. What should people do to keep hold of their hard-earned gains?”

Trick question Gen X: “What’s your most valuable asset?” The standard answers are predictable – car, home, shares or super. My mate, Simon, includes his 80s superhero comic collection. Seriously. Those answers are all wrong. (And Simon, we need another chat.) A Gen Xer’s most valuable asset is his/her ability to work. A 35-year-old earning […]

Exclusive: DIY investors sitting in the sweet spot

PORTFOLIO POINT: Exclusive: DIY fund trustees … Memo to Australia’s politicians: The proof is out. Self-managed super fund trustees are no bunch of uneducated or lazy cash hoarders. They know what they’re doing. They’re active in their investment choices. And they certainly don’t need regulatory nannying. A pilot survey, exclusively released to Eureka Report, shows […]

Debt agreement could be better than bankruptcy

Amid the hail of economic gunfire, it will be little comfort to some Australians that some sunshine is trying to poke through. Banks are, selectively, lending again. Australia’s stockmarket is well off its bottom. Profits aren’t looking too bad. Inflation and interest rates are still low. And it all seems to have happened, as Con […]

““The great Australian dream of home ownership has become tougher in the past decade, but a house is still one of the best building blocks for financial security. How can your family home be used to grow your wealth”

Australia’s obsession with property clearly has more power and passion (and longevity) than Peter Garrett’s opposition to uranium. But is it still the “great Australian dream”? That is so ’60s – so Boomers and Retirees! Haven’t Gen Xers moved on from all that? Absolutely not. And nor should we. While it became known as Australians’ […]

““Tax time is scary for some, painfully boring for others, and brings the joy of a small financial windfall to many. How should we approach our tax returns?””

Like sex, if you find tax time scary or boring, then you’re not doing it right. A Gen Xer’s life is hectic. For some, it is long working hours and a busy social life. For Gen X parents, it’s juggling a crazy career and/or never-ending home duties with a mortgage, investments and controlling a household […]

Annuities big comeback?

PORTFOLIO POINT: How can you assure an income stream above the government age pension for life? With an annuity. And they’re back on the agenda. Superannuation annuities became as popular as the browning bananas in the fruit bowl. You know they’ve been there for ages. You know they’ve got a use. But who wants them […]