News and Tips
Ask Noel
Noel Whittaker My wife and I are 50 and own our home. I have $635,000 in super and she has $280,000. We own two investment properties worth $1.3 million, with a loan of $620,000, and receive $45,000 rent annually. We have a share portfolio of $280,000. We receive a combined salary of $240,000 and hope to retire at 55. What is your advice to ensure we
Betting on outlooks
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS A recent trend in betting is taking a punt on financial markets and, given the shaky performance of the sharemarkets, this could be a better way of making a quick profit. Or loss …
Savings
Lenders rate and see
John Collett Stiff competition for depositors' cash should keep interest cuts down for term deposits.
In praise of thrift
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS Thrift would appear to be an outdated concept in these days when money is well and truly spent before it registers in your online deposit box.
Borrowing
Extra payments a winner
Last week's rate cut gives home loan borrowers a golden opportunity to build equity in their home and pay off their debt sooner, writes John Kavanagh.
Lenders need competition to keep them keen
Mark Bouris AUSTRALIANS look at the Reserve Bank's cash-rate announcement on the first Tuesday of each month and make decisions based on it.
Devil in the detail
Lesley Parker Consolidating your debts may sound like a good idea but it does have risks.
Investing
Nostalgia of note
QUIRKY INVESTMENTS One- and two-dollar notes, long replaced by gold coins, are still worth something today. Most can be exchanged for their face value but a few, very few, are worth a lot more than that.
Hot stock: ANZ
HOT STOCK What's new? ANZ is beating its own drum these days with independent announcements on interest rates and a stronger Asian strategy than its peers.
Planning
Good housekeeping
Annette Sampson Australians are showing enterprise when balancing their personal financial books.
What it pays to teach your kids
Nicole Pedersen-Mckinnon True value lies in teaching children about cash.
Avoid pitfalls of a DIY will
Lesley Parker Self-preparation kits are becoming more popular but beware the hidden dangers of going it alone.
Super & Funds
Eight ways to beat the changes
ANNETTE SAMPSON Budget changes will reduce concessional contributions. But there is still time to maximise earnings, writes Annette Sampson.
Returns bounce back
John Collett After experiencing big losses, superannuation balances are climbing out of the GFC doldrums.
Shining a light on super
Fund members will benefit from greater disclosure and accountability, writes Annette Sampson.
Tax
Business Maxims
Making sense of the GST
MAX NEWNHAM The effect of GST on businesses depends on the type of customers they have. Goods or services supplied to other GST-registered businesses reduces the impact of GST. If your customers are not registered for GST, having to add GST will either make you less competitive, or reduce your after-tax income.
Offshore scrutiny
Lesley Parker Australians not declaring income from overseas sources have been put on notice by the Tax Office.
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