Weekly Market Update 21 September 2018

Weekly Market Update 21 September 2018 Investment markets and key developments over the past week The past week saw “risk on” with the latest escalation in the US/China trade conflict being less than feared and reports that China is planning cuts to its import tariffs. This saw shares rally, bond yields rise, commodity prices gain, the US dollar fall and the Australian dollar rise. While the Australian share market participated in the global share market …

Finding your disappearing dollars

Finding your disappearing dollars Do you earn a decent salary but still find it hard to live within your means or save? If your strategy is to save what is left in your bank account at the end of the month, you probably won’t have any savings at all. Invariably there is nothing left at the end of the month, so this is not really a strategy. We talk to two CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professionals about …

Insider’s guide to invisible money

Insider’s guide to invisible money If you feel like you’ll never keep up with your tech-savvy kids, don’t despair. One of the most important tech topics they need to learn about is spending money in a digital world. Find out just how much kids are getting to grips with invisible money and get some talking points to help the whole family keep up with the move towards a cashless society. Technology use is a common …

Taking your first step towards financial freedom (video)

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?

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. …

How to max your tax refund

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)

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?

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

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?

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 …