Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Interest rate rises: a 2 phase move by the RBA

I met with UBS Investment Bank during a function on Monday, who gave some very interesting insights about the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) and their thoughts on interest rate rises.

UBS Economists predict that with the improved business investment outlook in Australia and a positive view on the improving global economy, we can expect the RBA to completely move away from the current 3.25% cash rate to a more 'normal' 4.25% by the end of March next year, rather than gradually raising the cash rates through to the end of 2010 as previously forecasted.

We can also expect the RBA to another hike 50 basis points (0.5%) before Christmas (with the risk of a 50 basis points move in November alone). While unemployment is likely to drift up towards a peak of 6% by the end of June 2010, the labour market should be steadying and fulltime jobs growth recovering. This strengthening will allow the RBA to justify a further 50 basis points increase to reach a still low 4.25% cash rate by the end of March 2010.

Economists at UBS suggest that by September 2010, the RBA will start the next phase of its tightening cycle and we can expect to see further increases towards the end of 2010 taking the cash rate up to around 4.75%, and then rising to 5.5% in 2011.

Make sure you're prepared for the rate rises, either by putting in place a simple budgeting or savings plan or by fixing your home or investment loans to cope with the increase in repayments. Please feel free to email or speak to one of the financial consultants in the office for a finance health check by calling 1300 55 10 45.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Is Lady Luck to blame for your financial woes?

According to the results of a recent survey conducted by Sunsuper of more than 750 people from around Australia, many respondents blamed 'bad luck' for their financial dissatisfaction, while 'good luck' and 'positive thinking' on the other hand, played a big role in the financial happiness stakes.

Of those who said they were dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their finances, 51% stated they were 'not earning enough money.' Approximately 48% said they were dissatisfied with their finances because of poor financial planning, followed by bad luck at 24%. Surprisingly, the two most likely reasons for financial stress, the economic downturn and having too much debt, came in at only 3 and 2 percent respectively.

The survey also found nearly twice as many men as women put their financial frustration down to fate and Gen Y more than any other age group attributed their financial woes to bad fortune, with 30% saying if they were luckier, they would be richer.

Those surveyed who earned under AU$60,000 per annum were also more likely than those who earned more to put the blame at Lady Luck's door.

The survey found that 69% were satisfied with their financial lives because they worked hard, although interestingly, 20% gave 'positive thinking' as a top reason, while 13% attributed it to 'good luck'. Only a quarter listed 'good financial planning' as playing a part in their financial satisfaction.

The survey also found that only 3% of Gen Y who responded attributed their financial fulfillment to their parents, which seems to contradict the notion that under 35s enjoy sponging off mum and dad.

Gen Ys also said they were not satisfied with how their lives were turning out financially, with the survey finding the older you get, the more your financial dissatisfaction grows. Only 15% of Gen Ys said they were financially dissatisfied, in comparison to 27% of Gen Xs and 32% of Baby Boomers.

It's very concerning to learn from this survey that so many people believe that their financial situation is largely out of their hands and that fate or chance plays are part in their financial satisfaction or dissatisfaction.

There are many things people can do to improve their situation and take control of their finances - for example, someething as simple as doing a budget or getting financial advice from a qualified financial planner is a start in the right direction. It does not have to be expensive or complicated and can make all the difference for a stable financial future.

For more information on how a financial planner can help you boost your financial satisfaction (without leaving it to Lady Luck or Lotto), call 1300 55 10 45 to speak to an Intellichoice Financial Adviser.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Aussies follow Brits pushing financial advice aside

According to Guardian executive manager Steve Browning, there is still an alarming amount of people who are not seeking financial advice and taking control of their finances one year into the global financial crisis.

'The British Institute of Financial Planning released a survey this month that showed 80% of the country's population were not satisfied with their financial position but only 5% would seek professional help. Of the rest, most were banking on winning lott.' said Browning.

Here in Australia, it's not much better, wth the recent Suncorp WealthSmart survey finding about 51% of respondents thought seeing a financial adviser was important, but only 12% had actually sought advice.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Can you afford to retire?

The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) has affected superannuation balances across the board. This has left many people questioning their retirement plans.

Have you asked yourself these questions:

1. Can I still afford to retire?
2. Is there anything I can do to build my balance up again?
3. Is superannuation still the best option for me?

Having a financial adviser by your side can help to answer these questions and guide you to make the right choices with your money.

You're invited to come in for a complimentary appointment with one of our financial advisers and discuss how we may be able to help get your retirement plans back on track.

Call 1300 55 10 45 or email us directly for a complimentary review.

Financial Planning advice at a minimal fee: How we helped James

James came to us to enquire about our financial planning services. He had over the past few years spoken to 5 financial planners. Initially, the planners were excited with the prospect of dealing with a young professional with a high disposable income.

However, James had structured his financial situation to partially reduce his tax liability and more importantly, protect the family assets. This structure appeared complex and daunting to the other advisers and to James’s frustration, no positive outcome was achieved. The advisers would have charged him a huge fee to try to manage his finances or found it too hard and couldn’t help him.

When James came to see Intellichoice, not only were we able to meet his expectations, but the fee was far less than what the other planners were charging.

With minimal cost to James, we have been able to utilise his existing financial structure and further reduce his tax liability. We have also managed to establish an investment portfolio for the long term, whilst also creating a tax effective income stream for his partner.

We will be there with James and his family as they progress through the various life stages and will assist them to achieve their long term financial goals.

To find out more about our minimal fee financial planning service, speak to one of the advisors at 1300 55 10 45 or email us at planning@intellichoicefp.com.au.

Visit www.intellichoice.com.au for more details on our services.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Australian house values breach $400,000

The median value of an Australian house has breached the $400,000 mark for the first time.

According to information recently released by Residex, the median value of a house in Australia reached $408,500 in August 2009, an increase of 2.51% on the figure recorded at the same time last year. Unit values followed a similar trend, with the nationwide median value increasing by 4.34% to $364,000 in the 12 months from August 2008.

In the Northern Territory, unit prices recorded a massive 19.4% increase over the same period while Darwin registered a similarly impressive 15.05%. Perth and Western Australia Country recorded house value falls of 6.21% and 8.33% respectively, while unit prices in Perth dropped by 2.30% and 3.79% in WA Country.

Residex CEO John Edwards said the data suggested confidence was returning to the Australian property market and that residential investments are once again providing buyers with positive gains. Edwards added that further milestones were within reach: "Without doubt, we can be sure that by the end of September [2009] the median value of a property in Sydney will exceed $600,000."

However, he pointed out that in order to purchase a property at that price, buyers with a deposit of $144,000 would need to be able to make monthly repayments of approximately $2,950 per month at current interest rates.

If you are interested in purchasing property in Australia, please contact Intellichoice for more details. We have a wide range of real estate developments all around Australia, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Tips to safeguard your financial identity

An increasing numbers of Australian home owners are becoming victims of fraud as criminals steal their identity and take out mortgages in their name.

"What we're seeing is organised crime groups taking over the identities of people who own their properties, which are unencumbered, and then masquerading as them and getting loans using the property as security," said Detective Superintendent Colin Dyson of New South Wales Police.

While traditionally fraudsters had to commit many crimes to receive a reasonable amount of money, just one high value mortgage fraud could net over one million dollars.

The criminals obtained identity information by stealing mail, stealing discarded documents from rubbish or stealing details online using keylogging viruses said Dyson. They then used that stolen information to create fake driver’s licenses and Medicare cards to show to prospective lenders.

Below are some tips to help protect your personal information.

Beware of phishers and vishers
Be wary of emails or phone calls that appear to come from your bank – these may be phishing (email) or vishing (phone) scams to get your personal details. Do not give your personal details out!

Don’t post your personal details online
Fraudsters may scour your profile for personal information which they can use to pass themselves off as you. Never put your personal financial information in an email.

Disable pop-ups
Clicking pop-up messages may allow others to download and install a program on your PC to spay on you and steal your identity.

Change your password often
Use a combination of letters, numbers and punctuation and change passwords frequently.

Safe online banking
When you visit secure sites, make sure you always log out. Avoid using public computers for internet banking. Most banks have PC’s in their branches where you can access internet banking securely.

Is the website secure?
If you’re asked to provide personal information online, check that the details in the address bar of the browser start with ‘https’ – the ‘s’ stands for ‘secure.’

Don’t throw out personal information
Fraudsters may go through your rubbish. Destroy account statements and cards to stop them getting hold of your personal information.

Check your credit report
Make sure your name isn’t being used to run up debts. Your credit report contains your personal details and shows credit applications and defaults. You can get a free copy of your credit report from My Credit File (Veda Advantage), Dun and Bradstreet or Tasmanian Collection Service.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Reviewing your finances for the new year? Some money saving tips

Many people refinance their homes or investment properties to reduce their monthly home loan repayments. What other aspects of your finances can you review to help save money?

Review the frequency of your home loan repayments
If you are paid weekly or fortnightly, see if you can change the frequency of your home loan repayments to fit in. The interest on your home loan is calculated daily and making a payment two weeks earlier each month saves you money in the long term. In the short term, it will help make ongoing budgeting easier.

Consolidate debt
If you’re paying high interest rates on your credit and store cards – each of which will probably have an annual charge – think about consolidating all your debts in one loan with a debt consolidation loan. You may very well be able to access a lower overall interest rate, reducing your monthly outgoings and you will also avoid paying duplicate fees. Plus, a single monthly debt repayment is easier to manage than having to pay multiple credit card bills.

Cars
Cars are often the biggest family expense after home loan repayments. But as family needs change over time, and the price of petrol rises, we can find we have more expensive cars than we need. Could you downsize your car/s, not only reducing monthly repayments, but also potentially saving in maintenance, insurance and fuel costs? Have you thought about buying a scooter for short, local trips? Are you getting the best deal for the money you spend on your car insurance and repairs?

Insurance
There are three ways you may be able to save money on your insurance premiums. First, shop around when your renewals fall due rather than simply continue with your existing provider.

Also, you may be able to reduce monthly premiums raising the excess payable, or improving the security of your home.

Finally, some insurers provide discounted rates for bundling together policies such as home, contents, car, health or life insurance. If in doublt, speak to a financial advisor from Intellichoice - they will be able to assist you in finding an insurance policy that suits your needs and budget.

Clear out the shed
Do you have items of value gathering dust in your shed or garage? Whether you hold an old-fashioned garage sale or go onto e-bay, perhaps now is a good time to get money for the belongings you’ll never use.

Financial planning
If you’d like personal advice with regards to your financial future, speak to one of our qualified financial planners at Intellichoice. A financial planner can help you to set goals and implement a plan to help you reach them. Speak to our financial planner now on 1300 55 10 45 for an obligation free appointment.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Don't listen to everything the media tells you

The media (TV, radio and newspapers) will always deliver the bad news. But there is plenty of good news out there for investors.

The global financial crisis (GFC) was big news - we haven't seen the like since the Great Depression. While it's reasonable to expect a high volume of commentary on the GFC, media reports (because of their doom and gloom nature) have tended to focus only on the bad news.

This continual negative reporting has had a powerful impact on the individual's psychology and the collective psychology of the economic community, not to mention investors.

Bad news becomes a conversation starter - everybody knows somebody who has lost their business or job. People start to worry and stop spending - just in case it happens to them. The media continues to tout its bad news and good news ceases to exist.

How the media works
Let's stop and think about media reporting. It's all about the here and now. And if the news had an equal mix of bad news and good, it simply wouldn't have the same impact.

It's short-sighted because it doesn't consider how things are likely to change in the future. It doesn't say 'things are really bad, but...' it just tells us 'things are really bad.'

As investors, we need to filter out all the bad short-term news and shift our focus to the long term where the future looks somewhat brighter.

And now for the good news
Interest rates are at 50 year lows. Fuel prices have fallen from last year's highs. Unemployment and inflation are still within reasonable limits. Business opportunities abound. The talent pool to recruit from has improved, which means employers can choose the best fit for their businesses. Employees are more focused on job security which is also good for employers, as it means lower staff turnover. Suppliers are offering lower prices, better terms and value-added offerings.

There have also been some good news from the US financial sector, in particular, the US Administration's plan to remove 'toxic' assets from the balance sheets of US financial institutions. This may help relieve the global credit squeeze and allow banks to start lending again.

Although March 2009 saw the Australian sharemarket plummet to a low of 3120.80, it's since rallied strongly. It has rebounded 26.7% to 3954.90 as at the end of June 2009. There may still be some uncertainty in investment markets, but we consider that the worst may be over.

Don't wait for the economic recovery
Media reports may indicate that the Australian economy may still not be in good shape and we're experiencing a recession; but historically, investment markets have tended to recover well ahead of the economy. That's because investment markets are forward-looking; they anticipate better growth in earnings and then economies follow. The sharemarket is a leading indicator and the economy is a lagging indicator of economic recovery. If you rely solely on economic recovery to guide your investment decisions you may miss the boat. Speak to one of the financial advisors at Intellichoice about which investments may potentially help you grow your wealth in the safest way possible.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Sleep better at night with the right financial advice

Do you want financial advice that suits your needs?
Seeking financial advice from a professional financial planner can make a huge difference to your financial future. They can help you make financial decisions to give you peace of mind.

Good advice advice from an experienced, qualified and well-informed financial advisor can help you save money, protect against risk, grow your wealth, reduce tax, plan for retirement, identify entitlements for government benefits and plan what inheritance is to be left for the next generation.

At Intellichoice Financial Planning, our first responsibility is to you. We will take into account your goals and circumstances and recommend an appropriate financial strategy. Any financial strategies we recommend is in your best interests and not based on commission.

Do you want to be worth over a million dollars?
Everyone has some kind of financial goal and it doesn't hurt to aim high. Think about it - what sort of lifestyle do you want in the future? What are your priorities? What do you need to achieve? Start by deciding what you want to achieve and how long it might take to get there and we will sit with you to advise on the best way to attain those goals.

Do you want peace of mind that your famimly is secure, whatever happens?
Unexpected events, like losing your job because of illness or injury, or losing your home in a fire, can have a disastrous impact, which goes far beyond the immediate problem. Your family could be financially ruined, losing the standard of living you've worked so hard to achieve.

Having the right protection will safeguard your financial safety, as well as your family and your assets. If in doubt, speak to one of the financial planners at Intellichoice - we will do all the reserch for you and find a policy that suits your needs.

Do you want to turn the tables on the taxman?
No one likes to pay more tax than they need to and there are a number of strategies you can employ to get the most out of your tax rebate, including super co-contributions, salary sacrificing, investment property and other investment expenses.

There may be even more that may apply based on your specific situation and you should speak to Intellichoice to find out the best ways to manage and reduce your tax payable.

Do you want to feel like there's never a bill you can't pay?
Being able to pay bills without going into more debt is a tough call if you're spending more than you earn - and it's surprising how many people do! The best way to find 'extra' money is to follow a budget. Use the free budgeting calculator for a better understanding on where you can cut down on unnecessary expenses.

For more tips and assistance on budgeting, speak to one of our financial advisors at 1300 55 10 45 or email us directly.

Do you want to retire and live the life you have always dreamed of?
The biggest question most of us ask is - how much money will I need for a comfortable retirement? Naturally, this depends on how long you live and how you want to live.

Deciding how much to keep in super (to save tax and access Government benefits) is part of the equation. But be sure to keep enough for emergencies and day-to-day expenses. The rules are complex and can be expensive for those who get it wrong, so make sure you get professional financial advice.

We have some very unique and innovative cost-effective financial solutions, which means you could effectively pay very little for any financial advice you receive through Intellichoice when compared to industry standard. This gives everyone, regardless of age and income, the chance to achieve financial freedom and live the life you truly deserve.

Financial planning is not reserved just for the rich. Speak to us today to find out how you too can have the opportunity to enjoy financial freedom. If you are keen to find out more, speak to us at 1300 55 10 45 or the financial planning website more details on our services.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Your wealth creation journey starts here

Darin and Jo are proud to introduce a new addition to the Intellichoice Financial Planning team – Kevin Cuthbert.

Kevin has provided trusted advice to thousands of personal clients for over 10 years and specialises in the areas of superannuation, investments, risk (insurances), gearing and debt management. Kevin has over 30 years experience in the finance industry. He is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and has a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Financial Planning and Investments.

Kevin brings his incredible wealth of experience to help Intellichoice clients who wish to optimise their investments, prepare for retirement or make changes to their superannuation arrangements.

Let Kevin help you achieve your lifestyle goals and take advantage of a free 30 minute finance review now. Simply call 1300 55 10 45 or email planning@intellichoicefp.com.au to arrange an obligation free appointment. Kevin is an authorised representative of Securitor Financial Group Limited (AFSL 240687).

Visit our website www.intellichoice.com.au for more information on our range of services.