2017 Budget Summary

The announcements in this update are proposals unless stated otherwise. These proposals need to successfully pass through Parliament before becoming law and may be subject to change during this process. Budget projected to return to balance in 2020–21 and remain in surplus over the medium term Growing consensus that the global economic outlook is improving…

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Control, Alt, Delete: Reset your approach to money in 2017

We are officially a quarter of the way into the new year. So how are those new year’s resolutions tracking? If you resolved to eat healthier, sleep more, or actually attend that pump class that’s been in the diary since forever – you should hopefully be brimming full of energy by this point. If you…

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Wellbeing Trumps Wealth

  It is so easy to get swept into the cycle of thinking that having more money leads to a happier, more fulfilling life. But wealth isn’t a golden ticket to happiness, and a good financial plan will find the balance between wealth and well-being. Here are three outcomes from a good financial plan that…

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Safeguarding your retirement plan

From wills to long-term budgeting, there’s a lot to think about when making your retirement to-do list. Here’s some tips to make sure you’ve ticked all the boxes. 1. Check your will Without a valid will, an administrator will be appointed to manage your estate, which may cause your family plenty of problems. To save…

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Super Reforms

Significant changes to contribution limits to super could prove a challenge The changes to super and tax laws proposed in this year’s federal budget, then revised and adjusted by the government in September, have been passed through Parliament and are mostly due to take effect from July 1, 2017. That means that you have until…

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Worry-Free Retirement

Time to take action for a worry-free retirement. As another year draws to a close we reflect on the events and changes we have seen and how life seems to pass by more quickly every year. For those of us approaching or in retirement, it’s a great time to take stock of your situation and…

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End of year checklist

It’s that time of year when thoughts turn to relaxing with family and friends and perhaps getting away from it all. Now is also a great time to reflect on the changes to your situation over the last 12 months and ask yourself – does your financial plan need tweaking or updating?

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When the market doesn't matter

A goals-based investment approach isn’t focused on ‘beating the market’. It’s about tailoring your investments to meet your personal goals. Performance comparisons are unavoidable in the investment world. Every day you see investment managers  measuring their success by how much they’ve outperformed the market, or their peers, over a given time period. The problem with…

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How to protect your assets from expensive mistakes

Protecting yourself from frivolous creditors and lawsuits is becoming an increasingly common concern. Here we outline some of the ways you can insulate your assets. Check your insurances Liability insurance is a must if you want to safeguard your assets in the event that you need to pay compensation. Lawsuits can arise for a range…

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