Insights
The financial rewards of optimism
If it wasn’t already clear, the past 12 months certainly cemented the fact that life has a habit of throwing us the occasional curveball. The reality is we all face challenges, however approaching life with a positive mindset can help us deal with any issues we may...
Good budget news for aged care
The good news is that this year's Budget did not increase how much we pay for the aged care services that we access. But an additional $17.7 billion spend – which will be fully paid for by the Government - was aimed at increasing access and improving quality. With an...
June 2021 Insights
It’s June which means winter has officially arrived. As we rug up and spend more time indoors, it’s a perfect time to get your financial house in order as another financial year draws to a close. And what a year it has been! The local economic news in May was...
Federal Budget 2021: What it means for you
The Federal Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg MP, delivered his third Federal Budget on Tuesday 11 May 2021. The Budget papers include a number of measures that may impact you, especially in the superannuation area. It is important to note that the policies outlined in this...
Should we pay the accommodation amount as a RAD or a DAP?
It is common for our clients to ask us if they should pay the accommodation amount as a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) or Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) when a loved one enters care. Often, the answer will depend on the resident’s financial assets, their...
Here’s to a happy, healthy, long life!
One of the things that we all have in common as living beings is our finite lifespan and our awareness of this also contributes to motivating us to make each and every moment count.Yet while many of us don’t want to reflect much on our mortality, we all want to live...
Salary packaging – worth the sacrifice
The principle of ‘salary sacrificing’ may not sound very appealing. After all, who in their right mind would voluntarily give up their hard-earned cash. But it can have real financial benefits for some in terms of reducing your taxable income, which could see you pay...
SMSF member limit to rise
While it’s not yet in force, the limit on SMSF member numbers is set to increase from the current four to six members later this year. For some SMSFs, this will be a welcome change and will mean additional family members can join their existing fund. Implications of...
May 2021 Insights
May is here and in cooler regions the colours of autumn are all around. In Canberra, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is putting the finishing touches to the May 11 Federal Budget which will no doubt dominate the national conversation in coming weeks. Australia’s economic...
What happens when a parent needs to go into a nursing home?
Our clients often tell us that the decision to move a parent into residential care leaves them feeling overwhelmed with emotion and apprehension. While they know permanent residential care is the right step for their loved one, the financial considerations can...
Making a super split
Separation and divorce can be a challenging time, often made all the more difficult when you have to divide your assets. So how do you go about decoupling your superannuation? In years gone by, superannuation was not treated as matrimonial property, so divorce...
Weighing up costs and benefits of an SMSF
For many people, the idea of managing and investing your own retirement savings is very appealing. But there is ongoing debate over whether running your own self-managed super fund (SMSF) is cost effective. So, what are the arguments for and against having your own...