MARKET AND ECONOMIC OVERVIEW Australia –  The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) eased monetary policy on 3 February 2015, cutting the official cash rate to a record low of 2.25%, from 2.5%. The first move in interest rates since August 2013. The RBA followed up on 3 March 2015 with no change to the official […]

As humans, we’re instinctively attuned to follow the mindset of the crowd. In fact, it wasn’t that long ago that prevailing wisdom dictated that the world was the centre of the universe.  While we all know that to be eminently false today, at the time it was accepted as a widely held, and undeniable fact. […]

While school teaches children many valuable lessons, it’s becoming apparent that not nearly enough time is dedicated to teaching our kids about money. Think about the last time you heard a child come home from school saying “today I learnt how to read a bank statement”. Probably never. However, these skills are of utmost importance, […]

They are a boon for those with mortgages but not entirely good news for everyone. Interest rates are now at record lows in Australia. The most recent rate cut announced by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) was made on the back of weak economic growth, low inflation and a rising unemployment rate.  The move […]

We’ve all heard the terms “estate plan”, “will” and “trust”,  however not everyone understands what they mean. Estate planning is the process of putting in place structures to ensure that the wealth you have accumulated over your lifetime is transferred to your beneficiaries in a tax-effective manner and in accordance with your wishes. A will […]

As you get closer to retirement, you may be faced with a choice: whether you can afford a modest or comfortable retirement. But what is a comfortable retirement, and are you likely to be able to afford one? According to a new report by Deloitte1, Australians need to have a lump sum of at least […]

Australia already has record-low interest rates – but in a recent speech, Governor Glenn Stevens noted that there is still scope for further rate cuts. So could rates fall further? And why have they stayed so low for so long?  Australian borrowers have been enjoying record low interest rates over recent years. But for investors […]

Divorce is not only emotionally distressing, it can also be financially devastating if not managed carefully. Here are some essential facts to help you navigate the complexities of a divorce settlement and get your retirement savings back on track. Recent research led by the Australian Institute of Family Studies confirms what most people probably suspect […]

Being 30 today is very different from what it may have looked like for our parents. While many baby boomers were married with children by the 25, people today are settling down later, taking time in their 20’s to establish their careers and explore the world. This makes financial security potentially both easier and harder […]