So many, I could write a list. Right, well I’ll do that then. First up is definitely to work smarter, not harder. I’ve worked to sensibly adopt technology in the last 12 months. Some will argue you can’t go too far in embracing technology, but spending is a balancing act and I need to insure […]
SUMMARY: Should I start my own SMSF? Why should I, and why should I not? Their numbers topped 500,000 a while ago. And their members have recently passed through the one million mark. Self-managed super funds seem to be the most popular thing since Bob Hawke declared a defacto public holiday for Australia II winning […]
A boss from a previous life gave me a talking to. In essence, he said: You are only as successful as the car you drive. Cars give the appearance of prosperity. “You can afford this (expensive) car? You must be good!” Followed with obligatory yarn about winning a business pitch, after pointing to his expensive […]
“Banks giving away free money! Hold the front page! Yours to collect. Got a mortgage? You’re eligible. Don’t delay – they want to give it to you … NOW!” Sounds like a crock? Debt Man gone daft? No. Deadly serious. It’s just a matter of whether you’re prepared to ask for it. And for certain banks: […]
They say “you get what you pay for”. But my experience with travel insurance suggests, um, not so much. Two years ago, mine and two other families were Bali-bound. Airline (whom I won’t name, but their jets usually offer star service) cancelled the flight. While this is inconvenient, I see it positively. Planes have a […]
SUMMARY: On zero interest SMSF loans, the ATO shocked everyone with a nod of approval. Now it has changed its mind. Self-managed super funds have again been tarnished with the “rorters” brush – this time on zero interest loans to their super funds. A private ruling, followed by some public comments, from the ATO in […]
Ah, being a Gen Xer is like living in Queensland. “Beautiful one day, perfect the next”. Could life get better? Our careers are blooming, our tin lids bring us mountainous joy and we have our own versions of The Castle, complete with a “pool room” for the extra special stuff. Have I forgotten something? Oh, […]
TINY? That’s generous! Cash returns are dead! D-E-A-D. They’re in negative hyperspace. Yes, less than zero. How? If you’re earning 4 per cent interest, then take off tax (at the average rate of 34 per cent), you get 2.64 per cent. The RBA says inflation is 2.9 per cent. That’s a negative real return. If […]
SUMMARY: If you’re comfortable with property outside super, why wouldn’t you invest in property inside your SMSF? The power of property investment is a broadly understood wealth-creation concept by those Australians who have been doing it for a long time. Australians are increasingly getting used to building property portfolios, and are at ease with the […]
Go ahead, Canberra. Raise the pension age. Delay me access to my super fund. Do what you think you’ve got to do. But mark my words, Tony. And, Joe, can you hear me? Let’s get one thing very clear … you will not determine when I retire. I’ll make that call. I’ll choose when I […]
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