As inscribed on the cover of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “DON’T PANIC!” I know superannuation seems a bit scary, perhaps pointless. But it’s compulsory and you’ll notice it’s a not insignificant amount now, so stay calm. Here’s what Gen Xers need to check when your super statement comes in. First up, don’t stuff […]
The Olympics is an interesting armchair spectator sport in a philosophical sense. Every four years, for two weeks, we all become experts in sports we know absolutely nothing about. “Oooh, bad rotation.” “Great double pike with twist!” “Lift your stroke rate girls”. But the Olympics is for all ages. Four years ago, when the Beijing […]
JUST one? I could write a book. Well, a chapter. They’ve all been learning experiences, so I don’t know how much “regret” there really is. Investments that don’t wipe you out, make you wiser. I’d score okay for saving early. My biggest regret would be taking too long to learn the benefits of diversification. I […]
PORTFOLIO POINT: How good/bad was your performance as SMSF investment manager last year? The number to beat was 3.35%. Maybe, just maybe, if the Australian market hadn’t crapped out in the last two months of the financial year, SMSF trustees would all have a little more spring in their step. As Australian shares are generally […]
Sometimes you just get “a sign”. And you just know IT is about to happen. There’s that vacant stare from a two-year-old that means: “I’m filling my nappy”. There’s that look from your wife that says: “Don’t say a word!” If you do, hell will visit your earth. The first-night waitress says: “Hmm, are you […]
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 […]
Not all debt is the devil. There are actually three kinds of debt: “dumb”; “okay”; and “great” debt. To categorise them, you need to ask two questions. One: Will the purchase increase in value? Two: Is the interest tax deductible? Dumb debt answers “no” to both. These assets fall in value and the interest is […]
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 […]
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 […]
January is a pretty good time to be alive in Australia. The sun’s out. The tennis is on. We’re annihilating India by complete innings. Driving to work’s a breeze. Beer tastes better. The extra daylight hours knacker the kids. It’s Happy Days, without Richie Cunningham’s moaning. February brings reality. Traffic returns to chaos. The workload returns […]
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