Entries by The Webmaster

How are Australia’s states and territories tracking?

June 2018 An end to the fall in mining investment is helping to stabilise growth in Australia’s mining states and territories (WA, Qld and NT to a lesser extent) while a slowing housing sector is starting to act as a drag on NSW and Vic. Tas is benefitting from a lift in population growth and […]

Retirement travel: Holiday money saving tips

Ways to save when your bank balance doesn’t quite match your retirement travel goals. One of the great perks of life after work is your ability to travel whenever you like, but what do you do when your bank balance doesn’t quite match your retirement travel goals? Never fear, these five holiday hacks will help […]

5 lessons from a cash only week

Will paying cash change my spending habits? What I learned when I could only pay with cash for a week. Firstly, an admission. I never – ever – have cash. I’m that annoying friend who doesn’t have cash to cover her share when spitting bills, that colleague who borrows money to chip into the birthday […]

Work Expenses – what can you claim on tax?

With the ATO keeping a close eye on deductions, make sure you’re across what you can and can’t claim. If you’re claiming back some of the money you’ve spent as part of your job this year, it’s a good idea to ensure you’ve kept the appropriate records that may be required ahead of lodging your […]

How to build equity in your home and use it to invest

Whether you’re looking to renovate, invest or pay off something big, home equity can be a valuable resource when it’s used correctly. The equity in your property can be a valuable resource, as it may allow you to secure finance to achieve your goals, whether they be investment or lifestyle oriented. If it’s something you’ve […]

Watch out for tax scams.

  Watch out for tax scams by Paul Clitheroe     The end of the financial year will likely bring the usual wave of scams. Here’s what to look for. The federal budget is behind us, and amid the celebrations over tax cuts (around $500 annually for low to middle income earners if proposals are […]

Enhancing retirement outcomes using downsizer contributions

Enhancing retirement outcomes using downsizer contributions   Legislation to make superannuation downsizer contributions (downsizer contributions) has now passed enabling individuals who are 65 or over to contribute proceeds from the sale of one eligible property to superannuation without needing to satisfy the work test. The new rules provide more flexibility for retirees to fund their […]

A word from Matt and Robyn Cronin

Many of you will be aware that Pat Cronin, the son of Matt and Robyn Cronin, was killed in April 2016 by a coward punch and since then Matt and his family have endured an arduous legal battle through the courts. Thankfully the process has come to a conclusion with the killer being sentenced in […]

2017 in review

2017 in review As we head towards the end of 2017, it’s worth taking a look at how investment markets have fared over the year. It turns out we’ve enjoyed a pretty good 12 months – especially if you haven’t had a significant chunk of your wealth tied up in cash. The last 12 months […]