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Category: Articles

What are three worthwhile goals to set for the new financial year, and can you share one of yours?

Click here to download Debt Man Investment Newsletter #45 It’s an immortal movie scene. Cuba Gooding Jr is on the phone, half-naked, dancing around his kitchen. The guy on the other end of the line is screaming. Tom Cruise (Jerry Maguire) is prepared to say anything. “SHOW ME THE MONEY!” he shouts repeatedly. Jerry’s desperate. […]

Super delays, but property is hot

PORTFOLIO POINT: A reprieve on the in-specie transfer ban? In any case, SMSF trustees are moving on … and moving pretty smartly. There appears to be a pattern. The government announces sweeping changes to superannuation policy. And, just as it’s due to come into force, something gets in the way and the changes are postponed. […]

Deciding when to shop online … and off

Next time you order in a pizza, put a big dollop of ice cream in the centre. Let it melt, then eat. Bad combination? Right, now you get Debt Man and shopping. If you ever see me in a retail environment – anything except a restaurant, pub, or bottle shop – do not approach or […]

As blended families become more common, how do you structure wills and super to be fair to everyone?

Ah, the Brady Bunch. Would you want that conniving little so-and-so Marcia to get an equal portion? She was a piece of work, that Marcia. Never liked her. Usually up to no good. If she was my half-sister, I’d … I’d … And, bingo, there’s the problem. Death only makes things worse. There’s nothing like […]

The six big questions on superannuation

PORTFOLIO POINT: Yikes! The questions overflowed at last week’s bumper super webinar. Here’s some answers to the top six topics on your collective minds. Wow, it was an awesome response to the super webinar we held jointly with Business Spectator last week. James Kirby quizzed Bernie Ripoll and myself for an hour about the latest […]

Doomsayers are getting louder as global financial markets struggle. What are your predictions?

In the next 12 months, a Brazilian transexual will win Eurovision, Tanzania’s swim team will scoop the pool in London, I will make the next Who magazine’s “sexiest people” list … and the world’s financial markets will get a freakin’ grip on it and come to their senses. The first three have a chance of […]

As interest rates head lower, what are some of the best ways to make this benefit your finances?

Something to cheer about? “Yeah, yeah!” There would really be something to celebrate if the bastard banks had passed on the cuts in full. No generation has more to gain from lower rates than Gen X. To generalise, our generation is geared to the gizzards. (It’s Aunty Kerrin’s retirees who are going to suffer.) Monster […]

Combating fear the way to go for first home buyers

Virgins, it must be said, don’t know what they’re missing. No matter how countless the hours they spend anticipating, fantasising and obsessing about “it”, they simply can’t know what the fuss is about until they’ve actually done it. It’s the same thing with virgins of the first home owner variety. They longingly visit open homes. […]

Falling property prices have renewed the debate about renting versus buying a home. What are your views?

Listen up: If rent money is “dead” money, it’s no more “dead” money than mortgage interest. So, that is what you compare. Short term, renting is far cheaper. Long term, however, buying … kicks … ass. Let’s assume two identical houses, side by side. One is up for rent, the other for sale. The rent […]

Clear skies for geared property

PORTFOLIO POINT: SMSF property borrowing gets more appealing, thanks to the ATO’s response to trustee’s queries. It would appear there have been more questions than at a post-grand final press conference on the subject of SMSF property borrowing. But amid all the confusion, the good news is … your side won! Congratulations. Particularly those who […]