Finances are not always straight forward. Depending upon your financial personality and your personal situation, your first whiff of your own cash most likely went one of two ways: you were either overcome with a sense of freedom and extravagance and blew it all in one hit OR you became Scrooge and stocked it all…
There’s no doubt that travel is one of the most highly anticipated events of retirement. You finally have the time to follow your dreams and explore new and exciting places. Whether it means jumping in the car and hitting the road to explore new parts of Australia or international travel, it always pays to plan…
Highlight: Continued improvement in US economic growth following a revised down Q1 GDP of -2.9%. European economic data impacted by the Iraq civil war crisis. Chinese economy stabilising, with manufacturing data at a six month high. Australian economic data suggests interest rates will be on hold well into 2015. Content JUNE MARKET PERFORMANCE The Pulse…
MAY MARKET PERFORMANCE Global economies Last month global economic data returned mixed results, with the US continuing to show considerable improvement, while the Eurozone struggled and China remained sluggish. Global bond yields climbed during May – a reflection of the growing expectation that global growth will improve. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)…
In one of the more highly anticipated Federal Budgets, the Government announced major changes that could warrant a review of your financial plans. Note: The changes announced are proposals only and may or may not be made law. Summary A Temporary Budget Repair Levy of 2% will be payable on taxable incomes over $180,000 pa…
There’s something to be said for expert advice in an area that affects the lives of every single one of us – our finances. It’s natural to want to stay in control of your finances, but keeping up to date via the Financial Review simply doesn’t cut it when it comes to getting ahead and…
The end of financial year is almost here. With a little planning, you can increase your chances of a healthy tax return and start the new financial year in top financial shape. Here are three tips to get you started. 1. Focus on deductions Whether you’re an employee or a business owner, chances are you’re…
The key initiatives in this year’s Federal Budget include: • A Temporary Budget Repair Levy of 2% will be payable on taxable incomes over $180,000 pa for the next three financial years. • The levy will increase the Fringe Benefits Tax rate to 49% for three years, starting on 1 April 2015. • Changes to…
In the Budget Speech 2014-2015 delivered on 13 MAY 2014 on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014‑15 by the Honourable J. B. Hockey MP, Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Australia, Medicare Co-contribution has been introduced. The Medical Research Future Fund will receive all the savings from the introduction of a $7…
The National Commission of Audit report (released 1 May 2014) contains 86 recommendations aimed at saving the budget up to $70 billion annually. The key recommendations affecting financial planning strategies are outlined below. Note: these are proposals only and may not be in the Budget or passed into law. Superannuation Superannuation preservation age •• Preservation…