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 […]
Sure, they come in degrees of seriousness, but they’re all emergencies. A good drama-queen can make an emergency out of anything! Bar, 2.30am. You’re exceedingly intoxicated and have been acting like Dudley Moore in Arthur for several hours. Alas, without scoring. Pockets contain only coins. Hope you stashed an emergency $50 for the cab home. […]
PORTFOLIO POINT: Four things you need to check to make sure more of your super keeps on breathing after you stop. The prime driver for people getting into self-managed super funds is control. In rough order, of the types of control that SMSF trustees want to exert, it’s usually control over investments, control over tax […]
There’s a fringe element out there – certifiably crazy, in my opinion, like Charlie Sheen’s spectacular brain implosion – that believes debt is the devil. These, um, fools, claim embracing debt is essentially Russian roulette, using a revolver with ammo in every cylinder. Forfeit enjoyment until all debt is repaid. If debt is evil, how […]
Time to name your weakness. What’s the stupid thing you do time and again? I’ll go first. Buffet. I’m hopeless. If a waiter hands me an empty plate (with more empties ready for courses two to 13) and says “Knock yourself out”, I follow orders. I have an exemplary record. When I finish at a […]
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