It's Valentine's Day. Love is in the air, and some of us are searching for that perfect gift to express our affection for those closest to us.  And despite a grisly past, this day has come to be known for lovers...  So just what is the ultimate gift of love this Valentine's Day? While chocolates and flowers are lovely, this...

Should I pay off my HECS debt early? Many are asking in light of the coming large CPI increase.

Silicon Valley Bank Failure! Market volatility has been elevated over the past week driven by the failure of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).  Global banking system volatility is on the rise! The unfolding situation in the US could be seen by some as having echoes of the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) from 2008. This, combined with recent falls in Credit Suisse...

Time is running out to apply for a Director Identification Number (director ID) You may have heard about the new rules which require directors of Australian companies to obtain a Director Identification Number (director ID). It is a unique 15-digit identifier that directors apply for once and keep forever. The following provides some useful further information. As a director of...

Staying the Course Heightened global markets volatility can easily trigger kneejerk reactions by panicked investors. Widespread selling, triggered by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, has been behind recent big swings on global financial markets.  This includes stock markets, commodities and currency markets. As serious as the current events are, heightened market volatility is nothing new. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic also...

Volatility is Normal The volatility that we've seen over the last six months, while significant, is not an unusual occurrence for a normal and healthy functioning market. Heightened volatility is an uncomfortable experience in the short- term.  Equity markets and some parts of the bond markets will continue to be an important contributor to overall long-term returns. We appreciate that...

Are you approaching retirement? Chances are the funding of your lifestyle in retirement may be on your mind! Take steps now to avoid getting caught short on retirement income and live the retirement lifestyle you want.  It's time to take control of your retirement. The qualifying age is increasing by six months every two years until it reaches 67 in...

Russia Ukraine Event Update On 21 February, Russia asserted its view on the independence of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic.  Russia began mobilising troops to conduct peacekeeping operations. This was a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence, the Minsk agreement, and has been widely denounced by the West. Subsequently, Russia instigated military strikes on Ukraine and...

Worried about the impact of Russian Ukraine concerns and your finances?  Please reach out directly to the Wealth Planning Partners team if you want to discuss your personal financial plan. So, a little perspective on the Ukraine and Russian situation. This geopolitical event is concerning on practically every level. And there are a wide range of potential outcomes and scenarios....

Do you dream about money?  Daydream even?  When you have dreams about money, it can be a bit of an interesting view into what your subconscious is thinking about when it comes to the topic of money or finances. Your dreams can influence your decisions, so it's a good idea to delve deeper into what you're dreaming about.  Are you...

What is ‘Tenancy In Common' 1. "Tenancy in common" allows two or more people to be owners in a property.  Each owner has the authority to will their share to anyone on death. 2. "Tenancy in common" is different as the transfer of the property in the event of death differs.  In joint tenancy, the title of the property automatically...

From a young age we are taught… GOOD GRADE = GOOD UNIVERSITY = GOOD JOB = GOOD MONEY Teenagers are believing that this is the only route to lead a success. It’s a cycle, churning throughout time – being handed down from generation to generation, merely reciting what they heard from parents and teachers in the early stages of their...

Gold Coast based financial adviser Amanda Cassar says " advisers need skills to handle financial abuse."  Could you confidently recognise a warning sign of financial abuse? Unfortunately, financial abuse is becoming increasingly more visible on a global scale.  It does not discriminate. This type of abuse can occur irrespective of someone's economic status, level of education, race, gender or ethnicity. ...

How do you save for a house after being hit by the fallout from COVID? Have you been struggling financially with the COVID-19 pandemic? Has the global pandemic affected your income? How's you financial stress level, not only in your household, but your overall mental health?  If so, how can you get back on track after being hit by CoVid?...

Are you teaching your kids how to manage their money?  Teaching our children about money is vital.  Do you know how to teach your kids to manage money? When interviewing for her book “Financial Secrets Revealed,” Amanda Cassar found most of us haven’t been taught how to manage money by their parents.  Are you self taught? And what do you...

Get ready for storm season! The Queensland Government want everyone to Get Ready for disaster season.  Use the 3 Step "Get Ready" Plan. Prepare your household this storm season by completing these 3 simple steps: Have a plan  Firstly, ensure your family is equipped with an emergency and evacuation plan.  Make sure everyone knows what to do in a disaster.  Team-up...

How does Federal Budget 2020 impact Families?

Are you affected by the increase in the Age Pension’s qualifying age? Take steps now to avoid getting caught short on retirement income. The minimum age to qualify for the Age Pension has started going up. For those born on or after 1 July 1952, the qualifying age increases by six months every two years until it reaches 67 in...

So, how do you invest your money?  When deciding how to go about investing those hard earned dollars, you need to decide whether you'll: do it yourself, or pay a financial advisor to do it for you Both options have their pros and cons. However, you can - of course, do a bit of both. Buy, sell or invest yourself...