How to max your tax refund Expecting a refund from your 2017/18 tax return? 77 out of 100 Aussies are likely to get one and many could already have plans to spend it. If you’re one of them, find out how to treat yourself right with your windfall and be better off for good. For most of us, tax refunds rarely come as a complete surprise. In fact, sometimes we might even be using the …
Are you living your dream life? (Video) Financial planning starts with understanding what’s important to you and your family. If you are not living the life that you have always wanted, so far, then talking to a financial planner to identify what you want and map out a plan, is a good place to start. People who plan have more control of their lives because they can see options to move forward. This provides them …
Are the troubles in Turkey easing? Investors may be eyeing off value in emerging markets after the recent sell-off triggered by concerns about the Turkish economy. Emerging market (EM) shares in local currency terms are down around 14% from their January high, and emerging market currencies are down 16% since their February high. Emerging markets are now trading on a forward PE of around 11 times, making them quite cheap, as are their currencies. …
Why a job means more to kids than money Getting your kids out to work isn’t just about teaching them the value of an honest day’s work. It’s also a great way for them to start taking an interest in all sorts of financial matters. Find out more about what your kids stand to learn from their earliest years in the workforce. Kids are quick to learn that money doesn’t grow on trees. According to …
What’s the most important thing you should do to make a success of your life? Keeping success in your sights What’s the most important thing you should do to make a success of your life? CEO, author and mentor Kylie Travers tells us how she overcame big challenges to get where she is today. The last few years have been an extraordinary journey for Kylie Travers. After leaving an abusive relationship and facing the future …
Weekly Market Update 14 September 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw most share markets rise helped by good economic data, talk of another round of US/China trade talks and a bounce in emerging market shares after Turkey raised interest rates. However, while US, Eurozone and Japanese shares saw strong gains, Australian shares only rose marginally, and Chinese shares remained under pressure. Bond yields mostly rose. Commodity prices …
Defining enough – the fundamental question for your financial plan Do all your future plans rely on having a lot more money than you do now? If the answer is yes, it might be time to think carefully about your values so you can put together a realistic financial plan that will bring you closer to the sort of life you want. Planning for your financial future doesn’t have to be about chasing more money. …
Five ways money can wreck your relationship Although women are often portrayed in television and film as “shopaholics” – for example spending thousands of dollars on shoes – in reality it is more likely for women in relationships to be the conservatives and the men the risk takers, says Kane Jiang, managing director at AA Financial Planning in Perth. “From a financial planner’s perspective,” Jiang says that couples often argue due to their “different risk …
Troubleshooting family finances Are your family finances a battleground where good and bad habits collide? Find out how to support your family towards better financial wellbeing without risking your relationship. Sometimes money can really drive a wedge between family members. When you have a parent, sibling, child or maybe even a partner who seems determined to sabotage their finances, it can be difficult to know how to help or where to draw the line with …
Seven lessons from the Global Financial Crisis for investors Key points The key lessons for investors from the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) are that: there is always a cycle; while each cycle is different, markets are pushed to extremes of valuation and sentiment; high returns come with higher risk; be sceptical of financial engineering or hard-to-understand products; avoid too much gearing or gearing of the wrong sort; the importance of proper diversification; and the importance …
