Get goal savvy No matter what your financial and lifestyle goals may be, here are some proven techniques for setting yourself up to succeed in reaching them. Write your goals down, and review regularly CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Brendan Burrows of PSK Financial Services in Sydney says financial goals “need to be specific, clear and measurable. If this formula is not followed, the goal loses its relevance, and you may never know if you have actually …
Taking your first step towards financial freedom (video) You might think that financial planners solve money problems. Financial planning is about so much more than this. It’s about bringing your dreams to life, identifying your life goals, hopes and dreams – and putting in place a financial plan to get you there. Here, Jen explains how meeting a financial adviser made her feel like she had taken the first steps to future financial stability …
Should your investment journey start with property? When you’re priced out of owning a home in your neighbourhood, is property investing a good solution for growing your wealth? Will renting for the rest of your life cost more and make you more vulnerable? We talked to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Rebecca Fergusson, financial planner at Main Street Financial Solutions, about the pros and cons of property investing as a strategy for securing your financial future. …
The wallet challenge: Step 1 – your financial audit This 4 part series will get you ready to grow your wealth in the new financial year. Starting with an audit of your current financial position, this checklist will guide you through a review of all your assets – savings, super, properties etc and liabilities – loan payments, insurance policies, bills so you can get a clear picture of where you are at financially and where …
Market Drawdowns Overview As the profit cycle matures, we are increasingly being asked how long-term investors should best position themselves should the economic backdrop and equity markets become more challenging. As the profit cycle matures, we are increasingly being asked how long-term investors should best position themselves should the economic backdrop and equity markets become more challenging. Key points Markets mark-to-market in the short term and are inefficient in the long run. The impact …
How to achieve goals with scarce capital It’s all well and good to think about goals when you have a million dollars in the super account, but what about people who want to achieve financial goals in circumstances where they have limited current capital. How can a goals-based approach serve them? There are many people in this position and there are some useful goals-based investment strategies customers can use. It is extremely important to be …
What is an index? When people talk about the share market having gone up or down, what they are usually are referring to is an index. But what is an index and why is it important? An index measures how a certain part of the share market is performing. Typically, each index consists of the shares that make up that part of the market. By combining these shares together, the index will give you a …
What is diversification? Diversifying your investments will reduce their risks and volatility, but what does it involve? Often described as “not putting all your eggs in one basket”, diversification is crucial to reducing the volatility of investing. It’s about spreading your risks. We know that the markets for different asset classes – such as bonds, shares, property or infrastructure – can go up and down for many reasons, but they usually don’t move in exactly the same way. While one market …
Investment 101: what are your options? Nobody has a crystal ball to look into the future, but it’s important to have a general understanding of how investing works so you can build your assets for financial security. And it doesn’t hurt to know your options and be aware of potential associated risks and returns. Investment 101: what are your options? Risky business You may have heard the term “risk” mentioned when it comes to investing, but …
What are managed funds? You’ve probably heard friends or family say they have invested in managed funds, but what are these, how do they work and are they right for you? What is a managed fund? A managed fund is run by a professional fund manager, who pools together money from individual investors to invest in assets. There are many types of managed funds. Each will have a specific investment objective, usually focused on different asset …
