First, let me preface this by saying that including ‘HIN’ and ‘SRN’ in your blog post does not make for a catchy title, but you’d be surprised how many people ask me about these. So if you don’t know what they are, or how they’re different, then read on. Purchasing shares through an online broker […]
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Get set for the new year
Financial goals are topping the list for many Australians this time of year, but whatever your goals or new year resolutions, here are some practical tips to get you started and maintain the momentum. 1. Let the big resolutions inspire you but start with what’s reasonable Thinking up a ‘reasonable’ resolution may not sound as […]
Beware of scams this festive season
iPhones, tablets and online shopping are conveniences many people now take for granted, but they’ve also made their users more prone to scams. Scams are dishonest or fraudulent schemes that often prey on people’s good intentions. And they’re prevalent this time of year. Around 1 in 3 scams in Australia still go unreported. – That’s […]
Predictions that (often don’t) come to pass
How quickly the year has passed! Let’s cast our minds back to around this time last year. By the end of 2023, the RBA had raised the cash rate rise five times in the year (from 3.1 per cent to 4.35 per cent) and there was mixed opinion as to where rates were headed next. […]
Seven money mistakes
Over more than two decades working in the financial industry, I’ve seen many people reap the rewards from their financial decisions. Seeking help from a professional adviser often helps people appreciate the long-term impact of their decision-making, especially during major life changes. But it’s the smaller, daily money habits that can also really add up […]
2024 US election results … What it means for investors
It’s said that history repeats itself … With the 2024 United States election results now set to reinstate Trump as its 47th president, many investors are again asking what the change in US leadership will mean for the economy and financial markets. In November 2016, I posted a YouTube clip about what Trump as President […]
Conflicted advice rears its ugly head … again
In yet another cautionary tale to consumers, financial advisory firm United Global Capital (UGC) and its associated Global Capital Property Fund (GCPF) were shut down by the Federal Court in Victoria recently due to serious issues in their operations. UGC’s business model involved several practices that created a clear conflict of interest, with the firm […]
Inflation bites
Inflation – or the increase in the price of goods and services over time – has been in the news a lot lately. In Australia, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is the most well-known indicator of inflation. The CPI measures the percentage change over 12 months in the price of a basket of typical household […]
Ig Noble Prize winner debunks longevity ‘blue zones’
Dr Saul Newman is one of the winners of this year’s Ig Noble Prize – a satiric prize awarded each year to celebrate unusual or trivial achievements in scientific research. (Not to be confused with the Nobel Prize.) As a postdoctoral researcher at the Australian National University, Dr Newman wanted to learn more about the […]
Seven ways to get healthier every day
It’s rare to meet someone who is ‘too healthy’. I find that when it comes to improving health and fitness, there is hard work and easy work. Here I talk about the easy things that can readily be turned into a habit without changing your routine. 1. Drink at least 2 litres of water per […]