Your end of financial year checklist

The end of financial year has a way of creeping up and catching us unprepared. But this time you can be ready, with a to-do list of tasks that you can tick off as you go. For instance, now may be the perfect time to put a bit extra into your super before 1 July to make the most of the annual contribution caps. And if you’re a business owner, we’ve also got some useful tips to help you manage your financial obligations and plan for the year ahead.

So, as the countdown to 30 June begins, here’s our checklist to start you on your way.

 The key points are as follows:

  • Getting ready for the tax man

  • Sorting out your super

  • Taking care of business

  • Start the next financial year on the right foot

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Raising money confident kids

Set your kids up for financial success by teaching them about money and taking care of your own financial wellbeing.

 The key points are as follows:

  • What type of money parent are you?

  • Learning from ‘engaged’ money parents

  • How you can look after your own financial wellbeing and role model good money behaviour

  • Start a conversation today

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5 reasons to save for retirement

Saving for retirement might not seem important, especially when there’s the super guarantee and aged pension to fall back on. But employer contributions and government benefits may not keep you as comfortable in later life as you’d like. Here are 5 reasons to make saving for your super a priority in the coming year.

 The key points are as follows:

  1. You can expect to live longer

  2. You have a bucket list

  3. You don’t have a crystal ball

  4. You could save on your tax bill

  5. You can harness the power of compounding

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7 Steps to wealth and living well

In more than a decade working as a financial planner, Elliot Watson CFP® has met with hundreds of clients and learnt a great deal about what it takes to build a wealthier and happier life. Above all, he believes planning for a better future is as much about people as their money. Here Elliot shares 7 key insights into how you can transform your fortunes.

 The key points are as follows:

  1. Time is critically important

  2. No one has a crystal ball

  3. Cure yourself of debt

  4. Face the music, feel the pain

  5. Make the leap

  6. Being retirement ready

  7. Bring your ideas - and commitment

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Inflation undershoots in Australia

Dr Shane Oliver, AMP Capital.

Surprisingly weak Australian inflation has led to expectations the Reserve Bank will soon cut rates. But what’s driving low inflation? Is it really that bad? Why not just lower the inflation target? Will rate cuts help?And what does it mean for investors?

 The key points are as follows:

  1. Surprisingly low inflation in Australia has increased the pressure on the RBA to cut interest rates again.

  2. We continue to see the cash rate falling to 1% by year end and now see the first cut coming as soon as May.

  3. For investors, it’s going to remain a low interest rate environment for some time to come.

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Is working more the answer to your financial problems?

When working more means earning more, it makes sense to take that promotion or extra shift to get ahead financially. But when expenses go up and quality of life goes down, is the price you’re paying for longer hours too high?

 The key points are as follows:

  1. Where will you be spending more?

  2. What will you be missing out on?

  3. Could you be better off without earning more?

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A time for imagining

Market leaders have changed dramatically over the last ten years. We’ve seen the rise of companies that have either disrupted an existing industry or challenged incumbents. So what have we learnt from the past decade that we can apply for the future?

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The financial power of women

A state-of-the-nation report on the barriers to women investing.

The key points are as follow :

  • The hurdles women face

  • What women want

  • Unlocking our financial power

  • Myths busted

  • What the investment industry can do

  • A level playing field in retirement

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Australia slides into a “per capita recession”

This article looks at the outlook for the Australian economy following another quarter of very weak growth and what it means for investors.

 The key points are as follows

  • Australian growth slowed even more in the December quarter. Growth may bounce back a bit this year, but the housing downturn will likely constrain it to around 2-2.5%.

  • As a result, unemployment is likely to drift up and wages growth and inflation remain lower for longer.

  • The RBA is on track to cut rates this year and the housing downturn will likely see Australian shares continue to underperform global shares.

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Five charts and a table that are critical to watch regarding the global economy and markets this year

This note looks at  five charts and a table that are critical to watch this year regarding the outlook for the global economy and markets.

 The key points are as follows:

  • After a strong rebound since December share markets are at risk of a short-term pull back. However, despite this we see this year as being a decent year for share market returns.

  • Five key global charts to watch as to whether this will be the case are: global business conditions PMIs; global inflation; the US yield curve; the US dollar; and global trade growth.

  • US recession indicators remain ok, but the yield curve is worth watching.

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Women and money: What needs to change?

Money & Life

With gender pay and super gaps coming up more often in the equality conversation, are we seeing meaningful change for women’s financial security and well-being or is there still a long way to go?

The main points are as follows:

  • Measuring to keep moving forward

  • Redefining relationships at home and work

  • A fresh perspective on finances

  • Support from experts and leaders

  • The drivers of change

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Super Contributions Guide

Money & Life

As well as super guarantee payments from your employer, there are all sorts of ways to save more into super and boost retirement savings. 

The main ways are as follows:

  • Super Guarantee contributions

  • Concessional contributions

  • Non-concessional contributions

  • Government contributions for low-income earners

  • Tax offset for low-income earners

  • Spouse contributions and tax offsets

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Autumn Insights 2019

Financial Wisdom Insights

Working flexibly…. even in retirement & 5 ways women can take control

Today’s workforce offers a wealth of opportunities for Australians to shape their career paths – from self-employment and freelance work, to flexible working hours and career breaks. But while many older Australians may not have enjoyed this flexibility throughout their working lives, they now have more options available to find a work-life balance that suits them.

Some of the options offered are:

  • Ease into retirement

  • Become a consultant

  • Turn your hobby into a business

  • Take on a carer’s role

In many households, women often take a back seat when it comes to navigating their family’s financial future. But this can make it difficult for women to become financially independent – especially if they’re ever faced with divorce, separation or widowhood.

The 5 ways women can take control are:

  • Create a household budget

  • Keep track of spending

  • Boost your super

  • Review your will

  • Talk to your financial adviser

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Lunar New Year money tips

ASIC’s MoneySmart

Eight money tips for a prosperous Year of the Pig

The Year of the Pig represents wealth and fortune, a great time to assess your finances and make a plan to improve your financial position. Our eight money tips will help you to take the first steps to creating your own prosperity.  

The main points are as follows:

  • Focus on your money goals

  • Take charge of your money

  • Create a financial calendar

  • Change up your spending habits

  • Track your progress

  • Clean house and clean up your home loan

  • Plan for your future wealth

  • Become a savvy investor

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The Royal Commission verdict is out

Money and Life

The FPA is continuing in its work to deliver better consumer protections and improve professional and educational standards as highlighted in the final Royal Commission report handed down by Justice Kenneth Hayne.

The key recommendations for financial advice are as follows:

  • No more trailing commissions

  • Ongoing advice fees to be annually reviewed

  • Reducing commissions on life insurance

  • A new disciplinary system for financial planners

  • Quarterly reporting of misconduct concerns

  • A renewed commitment to the clients’ best interests

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Quarterly Market Insights - January 2019

Perpetual Investments

Please find below the new edition of the Quarterly Market Insights from the Multi Asset team at Perpetual Investments, which is a compilation of their thoughts and views of key issues in financial markets, the earnings and economic cycle, the interaction of policy makers, and how this affects investment goals.

The main points are as follows:

  • 2018 will be remembered as a year where market volatility returned

  • The 2019 share market outlook is challenged as expectations remain elevated, growth is slowing across the world and margins are under considerable revenue and cost side pressure.

  • Global growth has entered its third deceleration phase of this cycle

  • After two years of above-trend growth, the global economy is set to return to a below-trend pace in 2019

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Tips to make this year the best one ever

Money & Life

Making New Year resolutions are one thing. Actually sticking to them is an entirely different matter altogether. Here are some surefire tips to help you succeed.

The main points are as follows:

  • Let go

  • Ditch the expectations

  • Know your principles

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Four ways to declutter your finances

Money & Life

Your home may be looking minimal and serene in 2019 thanks to author and TV host Marie Kondo. But could your finances do with some decluttering too? Find out how to go about it with our guide to simplifying your budget, bank accounts, super and debts.

The main points are as follows:

  • Less really is more

  • Budgeting based on your values

  • How many bank accounts?

  • Simplify your super

  • Do away with debt

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Volatility: 10 key messages for investors

Fidelity International

Financial markets can be subject to periods of event-related volatility during which investor confidence can be significantly undermined. Here, we provide 10 key messages to help investors steer their portfolios through volatile times.

The main points are as follows:

  • Volatility is a normal part of long-term investing

  • Over the long term, equity risk is usually rewarded

  • Market corrections can create attractive opportunities

  • Avoid stopping and starting investments

  • The benefits of regular investing stack up

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