As was widely leaked, last night’s Federal Budget is set to make significant changes to how investors are taxed. The government has taken aim at investors by taking away the tax benefits of both negative gearing and capital gains tax, both of which have traditionally played a big role in how Australians build wealth. From […]
Beware the costs of a (not so) ‘free’ Will
I stumbled across an interesting article in the Sydney Morning Herald recently.[1] The article recounts the case of the late Margaret Greaves, who had her Will prepared ‘for free’ by the NSW Trustee and Guardian. Her Will was relatively straight forward and she bequeathed all assets to her son, Tony. When Margaret died in December […]
Beyond the bowser: the cost of rising fuel
Like many countries around the world, Australia’s been feeling the economic impact of sharply higher fuel prices since the outbreak of the war in Iran, as ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt international oil supplies with no clear end in sight. For many households, this means fuel costs are taking a noticeably […]
Market volatility: staying afloat through the turbulence
For all those investors tuning in to the latest share market dips, swings and other movements, let me offer yet another anecdote to help assuage your anxieties and weather the changes that inevitably come with investing. Sometimes the market reminds me of a day out on a tinny in the Harbour – one minute the […]
Start in March: your early bird guide to EOFY success
March is that time of year that, as a financial adviser, I’m inclined to encourage people to start thinking about tax time. Sure, it still feels a little early. And – I get it – preparing tax documents isn’t most people’s idea of a fun. But if you find yourself with a little extra time […]