Widespread changes to superannuation for high income earners announced in the Federal Budget on 3 May have compelled many investors to review their investment strategies as they seek to ensure they are tax effective and will deliver them the necessary lump sum to fund their retirement goals.
With this in mind, a key capital growth and income investment strategy worthy of consideration in the current climate is negatively gearing into equities. Continue reading Negative Gearing and Equities
There is an increasing range of options available when it comes to investing in property.
For many people, the first property they may own is the family home. This may be 
followed by the purchase of a second residential property or a commercial property such as an office, a shop or a warehouse, bringing with it the potential for a rental income stream and capital growth. Many business owners find it attractive to purchase the building in which they conduct or intend to conduct their business.
Pick up a newspaper, turn on the radio, watch TV, go online – wherever you look or listen, superannuation has been constantly in the spotlight lately.
While there has been much discussion of possible changes to superannuation in the future, one thing remains certain – super is, and will remain, one of the key methods for Australians to save for retirement.
Because super is such a crucial part of most people’s plans for retirement it is important to ensure that you are doing all you can to maximise the benefits superannuation offers. An excellent place to start is by conducting an annual review of how much is going into your super, and, most importantly, whether this amount best meets your saving and investing needs – without incurring unexpected and unnecessary taxes. Continue reading Time to review your super contribution caps and transition to retirement pension
While it is crucial to maintain a diversified investment portfolio at all times, it is understandable that in the current market there has been a renewed interest in defensive assets.
Defensive assets generally act as a counter to market volatility by offering greater certainty compared to other investment options, although the trade-off may be lower returns and reduced flexibility.
The main type of defensive asset classes are cash (savings accounts and term deposits) and fixed interest investments such as bonds, and it is the latter category which is the focus of this blog. Continue reading Sometimes defence is the best form of offense
Often the reason for Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSF) not having a Corporate Trustee is the cost of setting up a company. It is the company which becomes the legal entity that acts as the Trustee of the SMSF. Typically two members of the fund become the directors of the trustee company. The company may have just one director or more.
However when you consider the advantages and the life span of an SMSF (which can be many years and inter-generational in some cases), it would seem that the costs are fairly insignificant when weighed up again the advantages (particular on an ongoing basis). Continue reading Why your SMSF should consider a Corporate Trustee
A myriad of options exist for people who are contemplating becoming more active on the investing front.
I say “more active” because all of us are already investors in one way or another. The choice of bank with which we deposit our money and the type of superannuation fund we are members of (including our investment options within these super funds) represent types of investments.
Put simply, investing is putting your money to work to help you achieve your personal goals, and it is always worthwhile to make the time to invest in your future.
Continue reading Time to Invest in Your Future
Many people ask me what I enjoy about being a financial adviser and my answer is simple: “I get to help smart people make smart decisions about securing their financial future.”
Our clients at Falconer Advisers are successful and highly motivated, be they business owners, executives, employees or those transitioning into or enjoying their retirement.
They want to do all they can to achieve their financial goals and they see the value of working with experts whose sole focus is their gain.
Sometimes they might not have specific goals in mind but are experienced enough to know they could and should be doing more to maximise their financial position and safeguard their financial future.
As advisers, it is our role to continually add value to the lives of our clients, and this process starts the first time we meet.