Market movements & review video – May 2022

Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. The economic event that overshadowed all others in April was the increase in inflation. The release of the March quarter Consumer Price Index (CPI) showed inflation up 2.1% in the quarter and 5.1% on an annual basis. This was the biggest … Read more

The road ahead for shares

Trying to time investment markets is difficult if not impossible at the best of times, let alone now. The war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates and an upcoming federal election have all added to market uncertainty and volatility. At times like these investors may be tempted to retreat to the ‘’safety” of cash, … Read more

Scams to beware (and be aware) of

There is a saying ‘a fool and his money are often parted’ but with scammers becoming ever more devious and sophisticated in their methods, it pays for everyone to be aware of the latest tricks being employed. According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) data, last year was the worst year on record for … Read more

Budgeting for success in 4 easy steps

With all eyes on the Federal Budget and balancing the nation’s books, it’s a good time to review your personal balance sheet. If it’s not as healthy as you would like, perhaps it’s time to do a little budget repair of your own. Just as governments need to set policy objectives and budget for future … Read more

Market movements & review video – April 2022

Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. The war in Ukraine added a major new source of uncertainty to the local and global economic outlook in March. Inflationary pressure continued as global economies recover from the pandemic and as crude oil prices surged due to economic sanctions against … Read more

Federal Budget 2022-23 Analysis

A balancing act Billed as a Budget for families with a focus on relieving short-term cost of living pressures, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s fourth Budget also has one eye firmly on the federal election in May. At the same time, the government is relying on rising commodity prices and a forecast lift in wages as unemployment … Read more

Sharing super a win-win for couples

Australia’s superannuation system is based on individual accounts, with men and women treated equally. But that’s where equality ends. It’s a simple fact that women generally retire with much less super than men. The latest figures show women aged 60-64 have an average super balance of $289,179, almost 25 per cent less than men the … Read more

Elevating your mood…naturally

If it’s been a while since you had that wonderful feeling of euphoria, there are measures you can take to elevate your mood by encouraging production of your bodies naturally occurring ‘happy hormones’. Our hormones control many aspects of our body’s responses and certain hormones are known to help promote positive feelings, including happiness and … Read more

How to calm those market jitters

It’s been a rocky start to the year on world markets but that doesn’t mean you should hit the panic button. Staying the course is generally the best course, but that’s easier said than done when there’s a big market fall. In January markets plunged some 10 per cent but then staged a recovery. That … Read more

Market movements & review video – March 2022

Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February increased volatility on global financial markets and fuelled uncertainty about the pace of global economic recovery. Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Avoid the rush: Get ready for June 30

It seems like June 30 rolls around quicker every year, so why wait until the last minute to get your personal finances in order? With all the uncertainty and special support measures of the past two years, it’s possible your finances have changed for better, or for worse. So it’s a good idea to ensure … Read more

Tree change or sea change on the horizon?

Australians are leaving capital cities in droves in a phenomenon being referred to as ‘The Great Relocation’. However, there’s a lot to consider beyond the obvious appeal of waking up to the laughter of kookaburras or enjoying a long walk on the beach. The terms ‘sea change’ or ‘tree change’ have been around for a … Read more