Gold, like diamonds, holds a fascination much greater than its simple financial value. It is malleable, resistant to tarnishing, highly conductive and a fantastic metal to work with (in a previous life i completed a jewellery making course and came to appreciate just how easy gold is as a medium). In some countries, the open…
Higher super contributions aren’t as helpful as they seem
It’s interesting to read notes and articles and research that shows Australia’s pensioners “sitting on a time bomb” or that there is a shortfall in retirement savings of hundreds of billions of dollars. For what it is worth, the bulk of these appear to be a beat-up. For the morosely disinterested or even the remotely…
Is adviser bashing the new black?
One of my favourite stupid sayings goes something along the lines of “…. is the new black” (insert whatever is the trend of the moment. It is ridiculous because you cannot be “new” and considered a classic both at the same time). So i am actually being terribly clever on this lovely Friday, by using…
RBA Rate Rise – “Just in case”
The RBA has increased interest rates by another 0.25%. Most people won’t notice for a while, as they are still busy enjoying Melbourne Cup luncheons and the like. It is an interesting move, this one. Obviously, any move of rates is a keenly watched event – much like the 150 year old horse race –…
How do you simplify Superannuation documents?
Todays’ Australian Financial Review includes an article “Disclosure statements found wanting” (page 56 Financial Services, AFR Friday 29th October 2010). Now there is a non sequitur if ever i’ve seen one! That statement assumes that there would be a time when superannuation statements would NOT be found wanting – and i really can’t see that…
Why accept a negative yield on your cash?
Back in the depths of the Global Financial Crisis (the “GFC”…) investors in the United States were paying money for the right to hold Treasury Notes. In other words, the notes showed a negative return. How is that for strange? Why would you put your capital into cash when you know it is going to…
Overseas charities – helping or hindering?
This note is to highlight a very clever form of helping others that recently came to my attention. Australia has a reputation for “lending a hand”, and charity is one area where many people regularly dip into their own pockets as a practical way of helping others. There are lots of aid agencies of one…
Property – Perth and Elsewhere
It’s a Friday, and a beautiful one at that. Here in Perth, the city skyline is dotted with the slender silhouettes of huge cranes from construction sites. All rather pretty, and reflective of a city vibrant with energy, growth and cash. Sometimes it can seem as if the local “feel” is reflective of the world.…
Personal Financial Advice and “Infobesity”
Just what constitutes “personal financial advice”? We here in Wealth & Security Planners have noticed a marked increase in the number of people who are looking at various forms of money market news as “advice”. It is a development that has both good and bad aspects to it. This post is a quick look at…
Long Term Investment and Averaging
Financial planners are fond of using the phrase “long term” when talking about investing. It is a concept based upon an awful lot of research and analysis of markets, investor behaviour and trends. However, the phrase quite rightly gets questioned every time there is a significant fall in markets. A lot of people worry about…
