There’s a variety of thoughts happening in our brain at any one point in time. We’re thinking about our to-do list, worrying about a heap of different things, replaying the past and planning for the future. Sometimes, your head space can feel rather full. And it’s during these times that we often neglect what we […]
Blog
Threats, Tariffs and Trade-Wars
President Trump’s tariffs on foreign imports continue to attract strong reactions from China, the European Union and other US trading partners. This is perfectly understandable given the tariffs threaten to weaken the economic livelihood of those places. As can be expected, share markets have taken these factors into account. Starting on 30 August 2018, the […]
What is Life Insurance and what does it cover?
I don’t meet many people that like paying for insurance, but being insured provides a level of comfort in knowing that should something nasty occur, you have transferred the financial risk of an unforeseen event to a third party. So what is life insurance and what exactly does it cover? Take a moment to ask […]
What are Bonds?
Investment bonds have been around for a long time, but many people are not completely familiar with how they work. Here’s a quick summary on what Bonds are, and their risks and benefits. What is a Bond? A ‘bond’ is essentially a loan. It’s where governments and large businesses borrow money, with interest and principal […]
7 Reasons Why You Should Invest Overseas
In the 2016 Russell Investments/ASX Long-term investing report, domestic shares, bonds and cash yielded sub-3% returns for 2015. In the last ten years, traditional asset classes have lost momentum and investors have been encouraged to diversify their portfolio to include global asset classes. Incorporating a global approach to your portfolio can provide valuable diversification and […]
Airbnb and Tax – is it even worth it?
We are living in the era of a ‘share economy’ where access to goods and services can often be peer-to-peer, facilitated by apps and online platforms. Airbnb is reportedly worth around $31 billion dollars according to Forbes and it’s easy to see why. There are nearly 5 million lodging options and that number is not […]
What is an ETF?
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are essentially managed investments that are bought and sold on a stock exchange. ETFs are traded in the same way you buy shares on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). They can be a simple and low-cost way to get investment returns and provide a diversified investment in one simple transaction. How […]
Why Do Share Prices Drop After a Dividend Payment?
Share prices often drop by the amount the dividends are paid. Why does this happen? The answer is quite logical; when the company pays out the dividend, the value of the company is reduced by the amount of the total payout. In other words, the amount paid out in dividends no longer belongs to the […]
7 Golden Rules for Lending Money to Family and Friends
Money, more often than not, comes in-between relationships and it can be difficult to say ‘no’ to a loved one or someone important to you. However, if you explain to them the reasons for saying ‘no’ and they genuinely care for you, they should understand and respect your decision. Having said this, if you find […]
Don’t believe everything you think about your retirement wealth
There is increasing investor autonomy in today’s world – the range of information available online and in the form of apps give investors an abundance of knowledge to manage their finances on their own. Theoretically anyway. On the one hand, freedom of information is great for expanding the financial literacy of individuals and allowing them […]