Keeping success in your sights What’s the most important thing you should do to make a success of your life? We talked to singer and actress Charmaine Bingwa about the X-factor that gets her where she wants to be. Discipline from the very beginning I was born in Australia, but my parents moved here from Zimbabwe. They arrived with almost nothing, about $500 was all the money they had. And so they worked hard, saved …
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 …
What is financial planning? (Video) Are you a money optimist, or a money pessimist? The way we perceive our finances strongly influences how we spend our money, and make plans for the future. Whichever way you see the world, financial planning can help you reach your goals. What is financial planning? If you have a question you’d like answered by a professional financial planner please email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. This video …
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 …
What are the traits, behaviours and attitudes that lead to success? “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail,” said Benjamin Franklin over 200 years ago and countless others since. When it comes to financial planning, the three top regrets of Australians who don’t have a financial plan are: not saving enough; poor decisions; and not taking care of themselves. But the good news is research has found that one in four Australians …
Five good reasons for seeking financial advice Financial advice isn’t just for people with wealth. Whether you’ve set your sights on owning a home or retiring early, advice from a financial planner can help you make it happen. Buying a home Managing your budget and cash flow to save for a deposit are key to getting you into your first home. A financial planner can help you simplify and prioritise your finances and manage existing …
Getting ahead with your superannuation when you’re self-employed If you’re self-employed in Australia, there’s a good chance your retirement savings aren’t all they could be. In fact, research from the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (AFSA) found in the run up to retirement, the self-employed have around half the superannuation of employees. We talked to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Dacian Moses, financial planner at Waterfall Way Associates, about strategies for the self-employed to get on …
Your money goals and how to reach them It’s easy to have big ideas about your financial future, but harder to achieve them. As most dieters know, you can follow the best dieting program, but struggle to stick to it. The same is true for your financial goals, whatever they include, and the plan you draw up to achieve them. Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to fall “off the wagon”. Life is full …
Financial planning for business owners With the freedom you get from running your own business comes the responsibility for generating your own income and building your enterprise into something you can retire on. We talked to CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional Steven Monaco, Associate Director at Hood Sweeney, about how financial advice can help you look forward to a better future for you and your business. Why is good financial advice particularly important when you run …
