The Blog

Until recently it was very difficult for retirees to borrow money for investment properties or indeed for their own homes. This was because most lenders wanted them to be earning an income, either a job (which they by definition don’t have) or rental income or dividend income. Recently we discovered a lender that will recognise the income you are or … Read More

Recently Steve was profiled on the back page of IFA Magazine. Here is a copy of it.

Different Investment Vehicles Reading the financial press can be confusing for consumers – companies are using and promoting different investment vehicles. What are the main types of investment vehicles and what are their pros and cons? Managed Funds The most common investment vehicle in Australia is a Managed Fund (the US equivalent being a Mutual Fund). Most public superannuation funds … Read More

When one is looking at finishing up work and investing your money (the word ‘retirement’ has too many negative connotations), one of the finest tools available to us is the Account Based Pension. Formerly referred to as an Allocated Pension, it is also called other names; for example Sunsuper call it a Retirement Income Account. Use of the word ‘pension’, … Read More

There are some great home loan interest rates available at the moment: 2.19% (Variable, Principal and Interest, Owner Occupied) 3.04% (Variable, Principal and Interest, Investment) 2.09% (2 Year Fixed, Principal and Interest, Owner Occupied) 2.39% (2 Year Fixed, Principal and Interest, Investment). Also we still have a $2,500 cashback offer for refinance.

Clients come to see us primarily for financial advice. If retirement is approaching, we often talk about what they plan to do when they retire. It seems to me that many folk do not concern themselves enough with what they will do when they ‘retire’. Should You Retire? We are living longer than ever. When the first government aged pension … Read More

Recently I had dinner with a friend who follows US politics even closer than I do. And he reckons that Trump is going to win his second election. However most polls have Senator Biden winning. The Double Haters You may be aware that in the last Presidential election, Hilary Clinton was also winning in the polls – and lost. Many … Read More

I rarely recommend fixed rate loans, especially longer term loans. Several years ago we had a 5 year fixed rate home loan. When we sold our home and went to repay the loan, Big Bank hit us with $25k in costs. But it seems to me that one or two year fixed rate loans might be worth considering at the … Read More