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Category: Articles

Getting started in investing is often the biggest hurdle. How much money do you need to take the plunge?

You don’t need money! You need a mindset! One big cup of concrete to harden up, mixed with another cup of one of those sandshoe slogans. About doing it, just. Michelle Bridges famously added an expletive into it. Cue Eye of the Tiger from Rocky III:“… just a man and his will to survive.” You […]

Bust the backroom deal and take super control

The best things in life – like a hug from your kids – are free. But, sadly, you can’t survive on free stuff, without turning to crime and pinching everything else. Want a life with a nicer sweet treats? Have more money. The more of it, the better. Want a nicer long life? Well, knuckle […]

If only I knew then…

I’d like to bump into myself in the street 20 years ago, but right now. That would be right cool. And rather enlightening. For him. Of course, if I did, I’d suggest we head off to the rubbity dub. Assuming Young Me didn’t say “Bugger off old man”, I’d buy him a drink. “Pull up […]

The franking credit fallacy

SUMMARY: SMSFs like franked dividends. And as a result, they pay more tax, not less, than regular super funds. The DIY super army is under fire again. Now the claim is that they don’t pay tax, or “evade” paying tax. It’s a flimsy argument, based on the premise that self-managed super funds invest in companies […]

Aussies are often told they don’t care enough about super. When should you start caring?

Well, it’s your money. When do you think you should start caring about it? Your answer should be “now”. Followed by: “Okay, so what do I do next?” Australians, on average, couldn’t give a toss about super. I blame Government. Firstly, they’ve never run a public education campaign, despite making super mandatory. And secondly, they […]

SGC freeze frame

SUMMARY: Government delay on superannuation guarantee puts onus back on YOU to look after YOUR super. THE Government gave a big shove to super this week – pushing super increases into the never-never and thrusting responsibility for your own super back to you. Simply, employees aren’t going to get a higher rate of super dumped […]

Rice Warner urges rethink on super pensions structure

SUMMARY: Rice Warner proposes a copy of SMSF pension investment strategies in middle of a super ideas fest. I think these chartered accountants mob might have a point. Perhaps it’s time to stop, survey the mayhem and consolidate some of the thinking. We are being absolutely overwhelmed with ideas at the moment. “There are at […]

Act first and beat maddening crowd

I’ve got a fair bit of contrarian in me. It comes from the same part of my brain that screams: “I hate crowds”. I like people, just not lots of them doing the same thing simultaneously. Writhing throngs annoy me. We get in each others’ way. I holiday where people aren’t – you might consider […]

The rising cost of living continues to eat into household budgets. What are your top three tips for keeping up with it?

Are you talking about a little inflation? Paying a bit extra each year to buy the groceries? The cost of fueling up the car jumping a few bucks? Bah! They’re the least of Gen X’s spending concerns. When it comes to rising living costs, we’ve got far bigger pressures smashing our finances every day. Like […]

Renewed threat to SMSF property gearing

SUMMARY: Is the end nigh for SMSF property gearing strategies? If you’ve been considering making a geared property investment inside a SMSF for a while, I don’t know that I would be dithering for much longer. It’s beginning to feel like the vice handle is being turned and squeezing SMSFs. The end could be in […]