16 Feb

Posted at 09:18h in Uncategorized

Setting up a lifetime income stream is one way to get regular payments in retirement. What is a lifetime income stream? A lifetime income stream is a financial product that pays you regular income for as long as you live. You buy a lifetime income stream with a lump sum of money, such as your superannuation savings or your personal savings. The provider guarantees regular payments to you during your lifetime, which can give you peace of mind that you won’t outlive your savings. This type of product might be known as a lifetime pension when you buy it from a superannuation fund and...

16 Feb

Posted at 09:18h in Uncategorized

Thinking of buying a home? That’s a big step and an exciting one too. But before you start scrolling through real estate listings, it’s important to consider how any debt you are holding will impact your application. When you apply for a home loan, lenders look at more than just your income. They assess the whole picture to determine how much they’re willing to lend you. One of the key pieces of that puzzle is your existing debt. Depending on what you owe and to whom, it could either reduce the amount you can borrow or impact your chances of being...

16 Feb

Posted at 09:18h in Uncategorized

Quoting a tax file number When you buy shares, you have a choice whether you quote a tax file number (TFN). If you quote a TFN, you pay taxes on the dividends when you lodge the tax return. If the shareholder is the: child, quote the child’s TFN parent, as trustee for the child, and no formal trust exists, quote the parent’s TFN there is a formal trust, quote the trust’s TFN. A child can apply for a tax file number (TFN) – there is no minimum age. Children are not exempt from quoting a TFN. If you don’t quote a TFN, pay as you go (PAYG) tax...

09 Feb

Posted at 08:09h in Uncategorized

Why you should review your super Your super could be one of the biggest assets you’ll accumulate in your lifetime. However, many Australians think they don’t need to worry about their super until retirement. Some don’t think about it at all. It’s never too early to think about your super and the earlier you get on top of it, the better. It’s a good idea to regularly review and manage your super at least once a year. It’s important to make sure you: are getting the super you’re entitled to from your employer know where your super is. Small decisions you make today can have a...

09 Feb

Posted at 08:09h in Uncategorized

The key factors that influenced trading on global financial markets 2025 was defined by dramatic shifts and surprising outcomes across global investment markets. From the surge in precious metals to the resilience of equities and the evolving landscape of fixed income, investors navigated a world shaped by economic uncertainty, technological innovation, and shifting government policies. Here are five key themes that defined investing in 2025. 1. International markets take centre stage Despite a turbulent start – marked by tariff scares, ongoing wars, a government shutdown in the United States, and persistent inflation – global equities ended the year with robust gains. Among other things, the...

09 Feb

Posted at 08:09h in Uncategorized

Why depreciation matters for investors of new property? Depreciation is what the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) recognises as the gradual decrease in value of your investment property’s assets over time. In simple terms, it reflects the fact that buildings and assets inside them lose value as they age. For savvy investors building or buying a brand-new property, this isn’t just a technicality; it’s a financial strategy that can significantly improve your cash flow and tax savings. This is because depreciation allows you to claim the wear and tear on a new property as a tax deduction. What’s more, you can spread these costs...

02 Feb

Posted at 07:05h in Uncategorized

Self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) trustees always have a lot on their to-do lists but the first few months of 2026 are likely to be busier than usual. Topping the list is preparing for the introduction of Payday Super and the Better Targeted Superannuation Concessions on 1 July 2026. Payday Super is a change to when you make your employees’ Superannuation Guarantee (SG) payment. From 1 July 2026, the SG must be paid to an employee’s super fund on payday and be received by the fund within seven business days. If you are taking on new employees or paying to a new super...

02 Feb

Posted at 07:05h in Uncategorized

We plan for holidays, home renovations, and retirement but we’re less likely to plan for the unexpected. Life insurance is one quiet but powerful way to protect the people you love from financial stress if something happens to you. Whether you’re raising a family, supporting a partner, or building a business, life insurance helps ensure that your legacy includes stability rather than uncertainty. It can be a powerful tool for your family’s financial resilience. Life insurance is designed to provide a lump sum payment to your nominated beneficiaries when you die or, in some cases, are diagnosed with a terminal illness. The...

02 Feb

Posted at 07:04h in Uncategorized

Getting on top of your finances is one of the most common new year’s resolutions. But sticking to them can be hard. If you want to get your finances unstuck, here’s five money tasks you can tick off during your summer down time, that will help set you up for success this year. Check your credit card’s working for you Australians owe around $33 billion on credit cards with $18 billion of that money accruing interest. At an average credit card interest rate of 18%, it’s an expensive habit. If you pay your credit card off every month then the interest rate doesn’t matter...

27 Jan

Posted at 05:44h in Uncategorized

Few investment sectors combine geopolitical intrigue, technological innovation and long-term growth potential quite like rare earth elements (REEs). For Australians, the recent deal with the United States to supply rare earths to seed US$8.5 billion worth of new projects, has thrust the sector into the spotlight.i What are rare earths? Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metallic elements that, despite the name, are not particularly rare but are difficult and costly to refine. Their unique properties are essential in the powerful magnets that drive electronic devices such as headphones, speakers and computers, wind turbine generators, electric vehicles and medical technology such...