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Welcome to Bruce Brammall Financial

2015: Super changes ahead?

SUMMARY: What’s in store for super in 2015? Hopefully little, but there’s a lot being considered by the Abbott Government. When it comes to predicting investment markets, I’m not a great crystal ball gazer. The riskier the asset class, the more I believe the “gazing” becomes “punting”. It is similarly risky trying to predict how […]

The nine risks for DIY fund operators in 2016

SUMMARY: No time to relax. SMSF trustees need to consider the risks ahead in 2016 and act now. It’s been nicely quiet out there in DIY super regulation land. Occasional jawboning, the odd threat, but little to no action. The lack of big changes in recent years has been welcome, given the turmoil of the period […]

It’s time to turn over a new financial leaf. What money matters should you be focussing on in 2015?

CONFUCIOUS say: “Focus long enough on financial problem, it go ‘poof’ and disappear.” Okay, the great philosopher did not say that. He’s way smarter. All the focus in the world won’t fix a problem, unless it’s backed up with actions. What financial issues should Gen X be addressing now, in 2015? We’ve all got different […]

Lending to your SMSF? Look out

SUMMARY: SMSFs who were pushing the boundaries on 0% related-party loans face big tax penalties from the ATO. When the Tax Office wants to close a door, they’ve been known to slam it with a noise that can be heard for miles. This sometimes happens even where they themselves opened the door and then left […]

Most of us overindulge at Christmas. What are your tips for having a fun and happy silly season without the financial hangover?

NAH! Go the whole hog! Literally. Buy the fattened pig! It’s the annual Christmas spendathon. Make it your mission to kick-start the economy. Why deny retailers a little Christmas joy? Get your credit card into a frenzy. Work it, baby! Until you can smell burning plastic. I don’t need to tell you to do that. […]

Here comes the investment property squeeze

SUMMARY: Property investors copping one in the neck – intense focus from regulators and FSI to cool the property market. Property investors must be wondering why a red bullseye suddenly appeared smack over their heart. Attacks are coming from everywhere. Two more financial watchdog heavyweights said this week that they wanted to tighten the screws on […]

What are the best ways for people to save money on their life insurance?

Let’s start easy – no insurance at all will save thousands of dollars a year. And if you’re a nihilist, don’t really love your spouse and kids, or believe you’re invincible and that bullets rebound off you like Superman, this could work for you. (Do you want me to tell your kids, or will you?) […]

What are the best ways for people to save money on their life insurance?

  Let’s start easy – no insurance at all will save thousands of dollars a year. And if you’re a nihilist, don’t really love your spouse and kids, or believe you’re invincible and that bullets rebound off you like Superman, this could work for you. (Do you want me to tell your kids, or will […]

Morphing mortgage from millstone to firm friend

When you decide that you really hate something, it’s funny how you can see all of the faults so much more clearly. Like the snivelling moron you sit next to at work, who is not only lazy and a slob in the kitchen, but it turns out he’s also a liar, disrespectful and a mummy’s […]

Protect yourself using super

SUMMARY: Superannuation is not just about your retirement. A secondary purpose is to protect yourself and your family. Super is that great promise that you’ll have a grand sum of money to take yourself, and your betrothed, into a fabulous retirement. As you work and earn, it grows, in a compounding fashion, so that when […]