Superannuation Advice Case Study

Retirement shouldn’t hang over anyone’s head as a frightening prospect. The current gender gap statistics that show women retire with 47% less in their superannuation balance compared to men are especially worrying. With the benefits of time and compounding, the earlier you start, the easier it is to retire with a healthy balance. Let me …

Shonky Property Guru or the real deal?

On Friday, I met up with a friend and asked him what he was doing on the weekend.  My friend told me that he had some money he wanted to invest and was doing an online seminar to learn more about the options.  I was immediately interested in finding out more. The seminar was provided …

The Ticking Time Bomb of SMSF

SMSF is by far and away the most popular type of Superannuation fund with the largest in number and average account balance.  It’s the fund of choice for most wealthy investors. The main advantages of an SMSF are: Can use borrowed funds to gear your investments. Can invest in Direct Property and other assets not …

Marketing Strategies for Lawyers

Most legal services are transactional and a lot of clients will only use your services once. In normal times, a good professional largely wouldn’t need to undertake marketing because there are always new clients who need help with their problems.  Now that times have become challenging, nothing is happening.  If you want to generate revenue …

Investment Outlook August 2020

We started the new financial year in optimistic spirits but the second wave in Melbourne has dented it somewhat.  Are we doomed to a long period of low returns? Market Returns to 31 July 2020 6 Months 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years Australian Shares -13.62% -9.02% 5.69% 5.54% 7.43% International Shares -7.06% …

5 Bad Financial Decisions Doctors make

Not planning out your cashflow All professional services firms have an issue with work in progress, billing and accounts receivable.  At the best of times it can take 3 months from commencing work to getting paid.  Bad debts and late payment are not usually a problem for medical services but the Covid-19 cancellation of elective …

5 Bad Financial Decisions Barristers make

Not planning out your cashflow All professional services firms have an issue with work in progress, billing and accounts receivable.  At the best of times it can take 3 months from commencing work to getting paid.  Some plaintiffs (e.g. personal injury) cannot pay their fees until after their case has settled.  If it takes a …

How to invest in the time of Corona viruses?

Many people have described the economic and medical problems caused by COVID-19 as unprecedented.  The phrase “This time it’s different” is used every time we have any kind of crisis.  The reality is that it’s not different or unprecedented.  There have been pandemics and economic crises throughout history.  It’s just that bad events always feel …