In a world of constant financial noise, from market updates and interest rate speculation to economic forecasts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and choose to do nothing. But inaction can be costly when it comes to building long-term wealth. Whether it’s leaving money in cash, delaying investment decisions or ignoring the power of regular contributions, the financial consequences of sitting still can quietly erode your future goals. Small, consistent actions can make a significant...

Bonds are not usually the flashy upstarts of the investment world with their every move reported, like stocks. But the Trump Administration’s extraordinary refashioning of world trade, with on-again off-again tariffs of eye watering amounts, has put bond markets in a similar position to share markets – in turmoil. So, with the bond markets attracting more attention than usual, we take a closer look at the asset class. What is a bond? A bond is a bit like an interest-only loan ...

SMSFs - Keeping it in the Family Self managed super funds (SMSFs) can offer their members many benefits, but one that is often overlooked is their potential as a multigenerational wealth creation and transfer vehicle. Family SMSFs are relatively rare. According to the most recent ATO statistics (2022-23), the majority of SMSFs (93.2 per cent) have only one or two members.i Just 6.6 per cent have three or four members and only 0.3 per cent have five or six members (the maximum allo...

How to end the financial year on a high note   As the financial year draws to a close, it's the perfect time to review your financial affairs and set the stage for a successful new financial year. By taking care of essential tasks and implementing strategic planning, you can position yourself for a smooth transition and a strong start for the year to come. Topping up super One important item for the To Do list is to top up your super with either concessional (pre-tax) or non-conc...

Understanding the new $3m super tax The much-debated tax on superannuation balances over $3 million is inching closer and those who may be affected should ensure they have considered the implications. Although it is not yet law, the Division 296 tax should be taken into account when it comes to investment strategy and planning, particularly in relation to any end-of-financial-year contributions into super. Tax for higher account balances The new tax follows a Federal Government annou...