BLOGS

Should you make additional super contributions?

Employers must contribute 9.5% of your salary (up to a maximum of $20,050 p.a.) into super. But should you make additional super contributions? This is a question I’m asked regularly. Of course, like many financial planning matters, the answer does depend on your individual circumstances. However, there are some fundamental concepts that help us understand …

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Never save money for the future

Many people don’t like to save for the future because they think it’s painful. Saving means they have to do without. Conversely, spending today is fun and enjoyable. Buying a new gadget, a new pair of shoes, dinner at a fancy restaurant, some wine (well, I regard wine as more of an investment). These things …

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Commissions have destroyed the reputation of financial planners. When is a commission ok, if ever? And what fee structures work?

Commissions in financial services is often viewed as a dirty word. The word creates connotations of self-interested sales people flogging products to poor, unsuspecting clients – well, it does in my head. I passionately believe that financial advisors should not accept any commission as a result of making an investment recommendation. But what about commissions …

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The top 3 mistakes people make when investing

I believe that very few investing mistakes are the result of random bad luck. Most mistakes are predictable and preventable. And there are some mistakes that are very common amongst novice investors. My belief is that if you can avoid these most common three mistakes then you will have a very high probability of being …

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Money is an empty victory

What drives you to build wealth? If I deposited $10 million in your bank account today, what would you do differently tomorrow? Do you think money will solve any (or all) of your “problems” and/or fulfil all your dreams? The answers to these questions will reveal how you think about money. And how you think …

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