New Superannuation Caps
29 February
The annual contribution caps will increase on 1st July, 2024. Concessional contribution caps will increase from $27,500 to $30,000 Non concessional contribution caps will increase from $110,000 to $120,000 This presents increased...[Read More]
Tax Cuts Passed
29 February
The Government's revised Stage 3 tax cuts have passed. Effective 1st July, 2024, there are changes to a number of thresholds and tax brackets. What does this mean for you? There is opportunity to make contributions to Superannuation and...[Read More]
Tackling inflation
30 November
We all understand the effects of inflation. We are seeing the increase in prices when we visit the supermarket or go out to dinner. But is inflation higher for some households? Inflation peaked at 8% last year, has averaged over 5% for the...[Read More]
Why is my investment not performing? Some context for lower returns.
30 November
You may have received your statement or looked at your superannuation balance online lately and be wondering? Why has it gone backwards? Why is my investment not performing as well as the benchmark? These are all very valid questions. ...[Read More]
Changes to Taxation – reduced refunds & some pensioners paying tax!
5 October
The Low to Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO) expired on June 30, 2022. We have found a number of clients impacted by this as they are getting their tax returns completed and finding their tax refunds are much less. In addition, retirees may be...[Read More]
TED TALK: The 4 phases of retirement | Dr. Riley Moynes
28 January
Imagine squeezing all the juice out of retirement! When interviewed on his research, Dr. Riley Moynes commented, By interviewing hundreds of retirees, he has discovered a framework that can help make more sense of this challenging...[Read More]
With Love and Legacy: Guiding Our Aging Parents with Compassion and Care
25 April
Watching a parent age and come to terms with their diminishing independence is a profound and emotional journey, one that blends love, duty, and at times, uncomfortable pragmatism. As children, the shift from being cared for to caring for is a...[Read More]
Steps to building an emergency fund & why do you need one
25 April
Life is unpredictable, and financial surprises can arise when you least expect them. This is where an emergency fund comes in. This financial safety net is designed to cover unexpected expenses, like car repairs or medical bills, or provide support...[Read More]
Ensuring Harmony and Legality: The Critical Role of Legal Advice in Family Estate Planning
25 April
Estate planning is a crucial but often challenging aspect of managing familial wealth and assets, particularly as parents age. The process involves making decisions about how to allocate assets such as businesses and property among siblings, which...[Read More]
‘Jam packed with love’: the story of the Anzac biscuit
25 April
Young digger Paul Teesdale Smith wrote to his girlfriend from Gallipoli, describing care packages filled with biscuits, peanuts, butterscotch, cigarettes and socks. “It’s wonderful how little things, no matter what they are, break the...[Read More]
Cheaper renewable energy driving electricity costs down
25 April
Rising demand for electricity has been met by more solar and wind generation, which is keeping a lid on prices and carbon emissions, the market operator says. Renewable energy generation drove down wholesale prices in the first three months of 2024...[Read More]
Senators want property tax reforms back on the agenda
25 April
Tweaking property investor taxes could save the federal budget billions and boost home ownership, even with exemptions for those operating under the old rules, analysis commissioned by two senators suggests. Independent senators David Pocock and...[Read More]
Consumer price temperature check key to rates outlook
25 April
Australia’s hotly anticipated quarterly consumer price index will land amid fears inflation progress is stalling in some advanced economies and threatening to delay interest rate cuts. Consecutive months of hotter-than-expected United States...[Read More]
‘Why not walk?’ Google Maps to roll out green features
25 April
Google Maps will politely pester Australian travellers to take public transport or walk to their destination in one of several of green changes introduced to the service to celebrate Earth Day. Users who still intend to drive to their destination...[Read More]
More cost of living relief on cards in federal budget
24 April
Cost of living help in addition to well-signposted tax relief remains on the cards if the federal government can find room for it in the upcoming budget. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says the tax relief, due to kick in midway through this year, will be...[Read More]
Investment markets and key developments – Weekly market update19/4/2024
24 April
Global and Australian shares fell again over the last week on the back of concerns about an escalation of the war in the Middle East (as Iran attacked Israel and then Israel retaliated), US Fed officials added to expectations for a delay in rate...[Read More]
Electric cars to make bigger impact than electric homes
24 April
Selling more fuel-efficient cars in Australia will have a bigger environmental impact than disconnecting all homes from gas, a report has found. Analysis by the Climate Council, released on Wednesday, found Australia’s New Vehicle Efficiency...[Read More]
Farmers must innovate or risk profits says CSIRO
24 April
Australian farmers must continue to adapt to a changing climate or risk seeing their profits halve by 2050, say CSIRO experts. A new report from Australia’s national science agency has been released after examining what a sustainable future for...[Read More]
Housing crisis to ‘get worse before it gets better’
24 April
Australia’s housing crisis is expected to get worse before it gets better and the federal government is facing growing pressure to do more to fix it in the May budget. Deloitte Access Economics partner Stephen Smith said the nation had not been...[Read More]
Federal-state deal powers up for more clean energy
24 April
One million homes in NSW could be powered by renewable energy and more electricity could flow to South Australia and Western Australia, under a deal struck between the federal and state governments. The deal is part of the the taxpayer-funded...[Read More]
Securing Peace of Mind: The Undervalued Comfort of Life Insurance
18 April
Life insurance is often perceived as a rather morbid necessity—an acknowledgment of mortality that many prefer to defer. However, its value extends beyond mere financial security; it encompasses emotional and psychological comfort for both...[Read More]