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Welcome to Bruce Brammall Financial

Federal Budget: Can super tax concessions be saved?

  SUMMARY: Pressure is building for major change on retirement incomes. Which bitter pill will we be asked to swallow? We must be in Budget kite-flying season again. That time when ideas are run up flagpoles to gauge public reaction. The public purse, we are told, is empty. It needs restocking. And one area judged […]

Mortgage rates remain at historical lows. How you can make the most of them?

Don’t cheer too hard. Leave the champagne on ice. Suck up to the boss. Batten down hatches. Interest rate cuts, sure, are like a pay rise. Sort of. Sadly, they can be taken away from you. They eventually will. You have no control over it. I don’t want to get all Nouriel Roubini (the guy […]

Property in a DIY fund can be a monstrous investment

SUMMARY: Low interest rate warning for SMSFs and potential property investment. Just when you thought the bonfire was fizzling out, the Reserve Bank throws on a little fuel. The Reserve Bank’s surprise interest rate cut last week will, no doubt, have property players frothing at the mouth. Or, perhaps, knocking the top off a frothy […]

Self-managed super is growing in popularity for all age groups. But how do you know if it is right for you?

With membership surging through one million in 2014, SMSFs seem to be the hip and cool fashion accessory for investors. But be warned. This is not like spending some coin to join the trendoids with the latest shades, shoes, or road bike. SMSFs are not just about taking investment control of your super. Running a […]

Avoiding super estate problems

SUMMARY: Who gets your super when you die? You might be surprised that your wishes won’t necessarily be followed. The perfect plan for your superannuation would see it to last you until the day you die. But what happens if you pass away first? If you die and there’s superannuation still left, who is going […]

Lessons learnt — let’s dive back in

It’s about this time of year that I become thankful. If I’m writing this, my liver held out for another summer. Come February, we’ve still got warmer weather. And the cold beer that accompanies it. Beer gardens are good times. I loved the (too-short) holiday I get, to hang out with the kids and with […]

What are three consumer insurance products that most people can do without?

When life turns all pear-shaped, the “Great Grudge Purchase” is the thing you’re glad you bought. Or wished you’d had. Insurance is a crucial element of protecting your finances. You need protection against events that could either wipe you out financially, or set you back years. Some events you would recover from in a few […]

Has your SMSF been missing out on offshore gains?

SUMMARY: Failing to attain international exposure continues to cost SMSFs big bucks. Here are three ways you can do it easily. It’s not quite “mutual exclusivity”, but Australia’s self-managed super fund investors and international equities are, let’s say, not well acquainted. It’s a pity. A huge shame. That’s partly because, ignoring how much myself and […]

Australia Day is fun but it signals the end of the summer holiday season so what money matters should you be working on?

After a beach holiday spent with “classy bogan” (well, they think they are) mates, with music suggesting we were trying to recreate the summer of 1985 … Returning to work? Ugh! Though, sadly, did two weeks ago. For Xers’ urgent attention: Square off the Christmas credit card. Pay for the tin lids’ school gear. Restock […]

Children’s savings accounts can be tricky. How do parents make sure they’re getting the best deal?

DANG! A job on my to-do list! This is my kids’ age group and a conversation I need to have with them. It will go hand-in-hand with DebtBoy and DebtGirl getting pocket money, which should also start soon. As covered well by Kerrin (right), the accounts themselves can be full of traps. And that’s to […]