(03) 9020 2905

Welcome to Bruce Brammall Financial

Tag: Gen X

Australians aspire to own their own home. How do you do it?

Oh, I dunno. Let’s ask a financial expert. The man in charge of Australia’s finances, Treasurer Joe Hockey. “If you’ve got a good job and it pays good money …” Um, Joe, had to punish you for that one again. You walked into it, buddy. The “how” you do it is dependent on only one […]

Is all debt bad? What’s the difference between good and bad debt?

            All bad? Hell no! Stupid question! Are you bat-crazy, like Kanye West? Or just out-of-your-mind, like Charlie Sheen? Seriously? How can all debt be bad? If you’re not convinced, ask yourself the following simple question: “Who could buy their first home without debt?” A tiny fraction of 1 per […]

Which financial professionals do you need in your life?

Hire professionals? Why would a Gen Xer do that? We’re smart enough to do it ourselves. Plus, our careers and kids aren’t terribly time-taxing. We don’t need social lives, or to spend time with our partners. Thpppt! Crazy. Gen Xers need financial professionals, or need their heads read. Outsource the jobs you hate, won’t find […]

What expenses are the easiest to save money on?

Is that the sound of a chainsaw firing up on a Monday morning? Love it! “Chainsaw” Al Dunlap was an American executive legendary for downsizing by sacking staff. Kerry Packer hired him and briefly bought him to Australia. In his honour, I’ll take a chainsaw to my expenses … slash people costs. Personal trainer? Sacked. […]

Sydney fears get the lapdogs cowering

You know that feeling when you’re stretching something rubbery to its absolute limits? That creaking feeling right at the point of maximum tension? The rubber band on your fingers stretched a foot or so wide. Exert a little more pressure and watch it explode? Hold it and hope it doesn’t snap? Or, release the tension […]

What is the best piece of financial advice you were ever given?

I’m a melting pot of thousands of ideas that I’ve heard over the years. Singling out one? Whoa. Tough. I learn the most while reading. So the best “advice” I’ve ever received has usually come via books, or the media. And I’ve read some truly crappy advice during that time also. Some so inately offending my […]

All markets move up and down so what is the best way to manage the fluctuations?

  STAY cool. Gen Xers need to channel Douglas Adams’ advice from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. “DON’T PANIC!” Market fluctuations? Schmucktuations. A Gen Xer’s long-term investment plan, when it comes to The Big Game, needs to accept that a market’s next move is as random as a deck of cards. With shares and property, […]

Success is a great feeling. What’s been your greatest financial achievement?

BLOWING our own trumpets? Most un-Australian. We don’t like bragging. Usually makes us sound like tossers. But that’s what the editor wants, so … I’ve got two answers. One personal, one professional. And, neatly, they’re linked. As a kid, I was always a good saver. Sure, I spent money on lollies and footy cards and […]

Even the experts can make mistakes. What’s the silliest financial blunder you’ve made?

It’s natural to feel like an idiot when you make a mistake. But if soon afterwards you feel smarter, it’s because you’ve learned something. Yeah, I’ve stuffed up on occasion. Some of my errors have cost me thousands. Youthful exuberance. But the most annoying are not always the most costly. The cab driver in Santiago, […]

It’s budget day tomorrow. What are your top three budgeting tips?

    WHOA! Let’s bugger off this word “budget”, okay? It puts everyone, except Treasury officials, to sleep. Tomorrow night’s federal snorefest – well, I’ll be watching – has virtually no similarities to your own home finances. Pollies can raise taxes. They negotiate with dozens of vested interests in parliament. They quibble over billions of […]