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The last
few months have seen a major shift in Australian and world markets. The credit crunch, higher inflation figures and rising interest rates have put many Australians under pressure. After a long period of prosperity, we are now moving into a more challenging economic phase.
The current
climate has caused Mortgage Stress, Falling Super and Margin
Calls. The first article provides my top 10 tips for
tackling these issues.
Self Managed
Super Funds can now invest using
debt
(ironic timing), but would I ever recommend it?
Financial
planning is often focused on retirement and being able to “retire”
comfortably, but what is
retirement
? When should we retire? What should retirement be like?
Discontment can be a good motivater
but it's not always good for us. Our Principle in Focus is Contentment
.
First home
buyers should start planning to save $5,000 next financial
year to take advantage of the First Home Saver
Accounts
...but there are some traps.
Finally, I would like to encourage you to provide feedback on this newsletter, ask a question or suggest a topic you would like addressed.
I hope this newsletter finds you well.
Warm regards
Gavin Martin
Mortgage Stress, Falling Super and
Margin Calls are three of the
major impacts of the current economic climate.
With interest rates exceeding 9% many households are struggling
to meet their monthly loan repayments. Each week 50 Victorian families lose their homes through
bank forecosure...(more)
Recent changes
to superannuation rules allowing superannuation funds to invest in
instalment warrants, have opened
a door that authorities were previously keen to keep shut. Super funds can use
debt to leverage risk and therefore potential return through instalment warrants. This has
instigated creative thinking about how debt can be used within super
funds...(more)
Mr Bayston, as
he is affectionately known in the office, works five days a week. He
is a lawyer in a city based law firm. Mr Bayston gets into the
office at 9am and often has to turn off the lights on his way out as
he is the last person to leave. He likes to play a game of patience
on the computer to wind down from a busy day before heading
home...(more)
Thomas A. Edison
is quoted with saying “Restlessness is discontent and
discontent is the first necessity of progress. Show me a thoroughly
satisfied man and I will show you a failure
.”
How does this statement stack up against
John the Baptist’s reply to the soldiers when they asked him how they
should live?...(more)
From the 1 July
2008 first home buyers will be able to tax effectively save a
deposit for their first home through a combination of a Government
contribution and low taxes...(more)
Back
This
newsletter does not take into account the personal objectives,
financial situation or needs of any person. You should consider the
appropriateness of the information having regard to your own
objectives, financial situation and needs and obtain professional
financial advice prior to making any decision.
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