Smart Money
Solve Greece, then save Europe
Debt forgiveness would not send Europe broke and could help keep the euro zone intact. But Europe also needs a growth solution.
Put your planner in the spotlight
Choose wisely and a financial planner can help you grow your assets, and reforms in the offing should minimise ‘bad eggs’.
action plan
Placing your wealth in a financial planner’s hands is a monumental decision which could strongly influence the outcome of your financial future. Asking a financial adviser the right questions and ensuring they meet high standards can mitigate the risk of choosing the wrong planner. These questions include:
NAB offer hits the right note
Income investments paying interest returns that rise and fall with the money market are in the news constantly, with companies and big banks offering them on a regular basis.
Safe, and a sound income for retirees
As more Australian’s approach retirement, there’s a rush to provide them with investment products that suit their more conservative needs.
Aim high if you’re on a low income
Readers ask about the government’s low-income super contribution and its super co-contribution plan, as well as after-tax contributions for those over 65.
How to identify the best takeover targets
Big gains can come from spotting companies that are candidates for reverse takeovers, and it is a strategy that suits speculators comfortable with high risk. Here are 10 tips to find targets:
Traps for investors in backdoor listings
Companies finding it difficult to list on the stock exchange are getting in another way. But this is no guarantee of success and canny investors know timing is key.
Cold comfort for frozen fund investors
Thousands of investors are stuck in mortgage funds that were frozen during the global financial crisis, and some of them fear they won’t get their capital back.
If you can’t beat ’em, get rid of ’em
Sydney businessman Curt Roberts has a simple message for shareholders who are unhappy with their board: toss ‘em out.
Aston Martin adds some sparkle
Hayes | There’s little evidence of a slowdown in the consumption of luxury goods. The battle in future will involve catching buyers’ attention.
Adventures in foreign exchange trading
Before heading into foreign exchange trading, investors should master some basic strategies.
With tax loss, small business gains
Business and industry groups have thrashed the federal government for its failure to implement the promised company tax cut in the budget, but at least one sector has benefited from the funds provided by that backflip: small businesses.
Means testing to hit home
The budget helps those with school-aged children, but families may pay more for medical expenses and insurance.
Transition not so attractive
The government’s decision to limit super contribution caps for everyone to $25,000 a year will mean that super savers attracted to transition to retirement pensions from July 1 will need to think carefully.
Golden hand shake-up
Unless paid as a result of redundancy, job termination payments will mostly lose their concessional tax treatment from July 1 under a change to the tax rules.
Threat to your savings
Labor’s commitment to balancing the budget means many tax-effective savings options, starting with super, could be facing a shake-up.
Local signs fine but beware Europe
Some of the more dour predictions about the economy look a little stretched.
High-flyers fall to earth
The budget included further cuts to executives’ living allowances, but their lament is likely to fall on deaf ears.
Get ready for aged care changes
Entering a nursing home can be expensive, so how does the proposed assets and income tests affect the aged-care means test?
ATO wises up to buyer ruse
The Tax Office has closed a loophole that enabled people to avoid tax when buying both a home and investment property.
Money for nothing
Coles has upped the ante in the supermarket wars with its revamped loyalty card. But for customers some of the benefits are marginal.
The risks of owning a foreign home
High returns can await those willing to take the plunge overseas, but if you’re offered a deal on a foreign house, ask why locals aren’t so keen.
Good time to lock in rates
The RBA’s decision to slash official interest rates by 0.5 of a percentage point raises several important implications for investors.
Property securities register attracts complaints
The personal property securities register is complicated and unnecessarily time-consuming, a business adviser says.
Broaden the home office boundaries
When start-ups and small businesses need to leave home, a serviced office can provide more than just space.
What to tell Centrelink
A retired couple, who get account-based pensions from their DIY super fund and part government aged pensions, want to know how often they have to advise Centrelink of regular changes in the value of their share portfolio.
Green light for fee for service
New rules about trustees of do-it-yourself funds being paid for services to their funds should clarify what trustees can and can’t do, especially in relation to finance or property.
If the cap fits, the strategy might not
Changes to the amount certain members can contribute to super from July 1 may require a rethink of the transition to retirement strategy.
Brothers flat out in London
The De Rohan brothers have found London property yields far better than those in Australia.
