Thoughts on money, from a Financial Planner in Perth
Should you hold more Australian shares, or more American? It’s a question that sounds simple enough. But ask six experienced investment professionals and you’ll get six different answers—often contradicting each other directly. One argues that up to 87% of apparent US outperformance disappears when you adjust for currency movements. Another insists the US dominates global … Read more
Interest rates and monetary decision making processes are complex things. Sometimes you’ve just got to close your eyes and hope it all pans out the way you want it to…
Hands up all those who enjoy sitting down to update their finances and submit themselves to a new year financial health check? There aren’t a lot of you, are there?
OK. It’s time to stop avoiding this little financial task. Prepare yourself because I’m about to give you The-Just-Do-It Stare.
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country” – John F Kennedy’s powerful call for Americans to put aside self-interest, and strive to build a better nation. This is what I think the Federal Government has asked Australians to do when judging its 2016 Budget … Read more
Financial planning ethics are of paramount importance to sound financial planning. Yet this self-explanatory and seemingly obvious statement cloaks the areas of ‘grey’ within which financial planning ethics may not be at all obvious or not at all relevant. Financial planning ethics is all about communication. What works and what doesn’t; how things work and … Read more
The Reserve Bank of Australia today announced that it has dropped interest rates yet again. Borrowers on variable rates linked to the RBA cash rate will rejoice when their particular financial institution eventually agrees to pass on the interest rate cut. Pensioners and people living off interest income will find their next interest payment is … Read more
Is there a financial bias in media and commentary towards do-it-yourself strategies? And if there is, is it disclosed or obvious or even apparent?
Financial planners and life insurance have been in the headlines recently. It’s a strange development, for a variety of reasons that i will cover later in this post. For the moment however, let’s just say that the current debate is highly superficial, and there’s a need for greater clarity – so read on! Financial planners … Read more
The Medibank float is likely to be the largest and most keenly sought-after Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”) retail float for a very long time.The high level of interest is a reflection of many issues – some valid and some not so valid from an objective investor point of view. In this post, i muse on … Read more
What is Australia’s cheapest super fund? Should fees be the sole basis for choosing a super fund?