Oct272025
Estate PlanningFinancial PlannersNews Estate Planning

Is it Time to Think about Estate Planning?

Estate Planning, Financial Planners, News

Many people assume that having a will is sufficient estate planning. But in Australia, a will is only one part of a broader, more complex set of decisions. Not fully planning can lead to legal uncertainty, family conflict, tax inefficiencies, loss of asset value, and an emotional burden on loved ones.

Below are key reasons to begin estate planning proactively:

  • Avoiding intestacy: If you die without a valid will (or with an outdated or invalid will), your estate enters intestacy. That means your assets are distributed under laws you did not choose. In Western Australia, for example, around 42% of people either don’t have a will or aren't sure whether they do. (Solomon Hollett Lawyers)
  • Outdated wishes: Many people who do have wills do not feel they are up to date. In a major Australian survey, about half of adults with wills felt their wills did not fully reflect their current wishes. (Charles Sturt University Research Output)
  • Incapacity and decision-making: It’s not just death. Many people do not plan for what happens if they are incapacitated (due to illness, dementia, or accident). Having powers of attorney, advance care directives etc. can make a significant difference. For instance, the “Estate Planning in Australia” survey found that relatively few people have arranged durable powers of attorney or equivalent arrangements, and even fewer have guardianship arrangements for children. (Charles Sturt University Research Output)
  • Emotional cost & family stress: Unclear instructions, surprise distributions, disputes among heirs—these all impose emotional distress. Loved ones may be unsure of what their relative would have wanted, or may be left to deal with a legal and financial mess, precisely at times when grief and shock make decision-making hard.
  • Financial cost & value lost: Delays, legal challenges, probate or administration overhead, mismanagement—all can erode estate value, sometimes significantly.
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Oct272025
Financial PlannersNewsSuperannuation Fund Splitting Superannuation

Splitting Superannuation Contributions with Your Spouse

Financial Planners, News, Superannuation Fund

Splitting Superannuation (also called contribution splitting) is a strategy that allows one spouse (or de facto partner) to transfer (in effect) part of the super contributions (before-tax/concessional contributions) made in a financial year into the other spouse’s super account.

  • The key idea is not splitting the current super balance, but splitting certain contributions made in the past financial year. (Australian Taxation Office)

  • This is different from super under family law splitting, which refers to dividing superannuation interests as part of a separation or divorce settlement. That is a legal process under the Family Law Act. But contribution-splitting is done during ongoing relationships (or after, but usually before separation), for strategic retirement planning. (Canstar)

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Oct272025
Financial PlannersInvestment PlanningNewsRetirement Planning Clear Investment Goals

Why It’s Important to be Clear on Investment Goals

Financial Planners, Investment Planning, News, Retirement Planning

In today’s uncertain global economy, knowing exactly what you want from your investments has never been more important. The financial environment is evolving quickly. Shifts in global power such as the rise of BRICS, the growing influence of cryptocurrencies, the strong performance of gold and silver, and renewed interest in mining stocks all add layers of complexity to investment decisions. At the same time, persistently low interest rates on cash savings force investors to rethink where they put their money.

Being clear on your investment goals is not about predicting the future. It’s about aligning your financial choices with your values, time horizon, and risk tolerance—so that no matter what happens globally, you stay on track.

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Oct232025
Financial PlannersInsurance ProtectionNews Self-Employed

A Business Survival Checklist for the Self-Employed

Financial Planners, Insurance Protection, News

Being self-employed offers independence, flexibility, and control. But with that comes extra financial responsibility and risk. Unlike employees who have regular pay, tax withholding, employer superannuation, leave, etc., you must manage much of that yourself. If you don’t plan, it’s easy for unexpected shocks, cash shortfalls, or misfortune to derail both business and personal finances.

Below, I lay out the key challenges, backed by recent Australian statistics, and then practical actions to stay financially healthy over the short and long term.

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Oct222025
NewsSuperannuation Fund How Managed Funds Work

How Managed Funds Work

News, Superannuation Fund

Definition and basic idea

  • A managed investment scheme (MIS) in Australia is a pooling vehicle: many investors contribute money (or something of value) to acquire interests in the scheme, the contributions are pooled or used for a common purpose, and investors do not have day-to-day control over how the scheme is run. (Dentons)
  • The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) governs them. There are registered schemes (with specific regulatory obligations) and unregistered schemes. If you have 20 or more members, or a person promoting the scheme, then registration with ASIC is generally required unless only wholesale investors are involved. (Dentons)
  • Let's now dig deeper into how managed funds work.

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Oct222025
Mortgage BrokingNews Debt Consolidation Loans

What Are The Basics of Debt Consolidation Loans

Mortgage Broking, News

Debt is a normal part of modern life, but managing multiple credit cards, personal loans, and other financial commitments can be stressful. One option Australians often consider is a debt consolidation loan—rolling several debts into a single repayment, usually with a lower interest rate or a more manageable schedule. While this can be useful, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Regulators such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) stress the need for caution and informed decision-making.

This article will explore the basics of debt consolidation loans, what ASIC says about them, the risks to watch for, and why professional advice is essential.

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Oct212025
NewsSuperannuation Fund Online Super Funds

Online Super Funds: A Recipe for Financial Disaster?

News, Superannuation Fund

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) have become an increasingly popular choice among Australians who want more control over their retirement savings. According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), there are over 610,000 SMSFs with more than 1.1 million members, controlling nearly one-third of the country’s superannuation assets.

While SMSFs offer flexibility, tax strategies, and the ability to invest in a broad range of assets—including direct property and private equity—the decision to set one up without professional advice carries serious risks. Many Australians are turning to online super funds, “no advice” platforms, or DIY approaches to establish their SMSF, assuming that cost savings outweigh the need for guidance. However, evidence suggests the opposite: the absence of professional advice can expose trustees to compliance risks, poor investment outcomes, and long-term financial loss.

This article compares the risks of a no-advice SMSF setup against the benefits of working with a qualified financial planner, highlighting why tailored, ongoing advice is critical for achieving retirement goals.

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Oct212025
News Successful Investing

11 Tips for Successful Investing

News

Investing means putting money somewhere now, in hope it will grow (or give you income) in the future. Rather than leaving cash under your mattress (or in a low-interest savings account), investing involves accepting some risk in return for a chance of better returns than inflation or simple savings. Returns might come from:

  • capital growth (the value of what you own goes up)
  • income (dividends, rent, interest)
  • sometimes both

Risk is the chance that you lose money (or that real returns after costs/inflation come up short). Time, diversification, and understanding what you are investing in are key.

Understanding the fundamentals of Successful Investing can greatly enhance your ability to build wealth.

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Oct202025
News Property Investors

70% of Property Investors Use a Home Loan Broker

News

Investing in property in Australia is rarely a simple matter of buying and holding. Regulatory constraints, tax factors, interest rate risk, credit policy changes, and evolving lending rules often mean that property investors face complexity that goes well beyond standard homebuyers’ scenarios. Many property investors, therefore, prefer to enlist the services of a mortgage broker. Below, I explain what a mortgage broker is, outline the advantages of using one (especially for investors), cite evidence of high satisfaction with brokers, and show how a skilled broker can add value in structuring loans for long-term wealth creation.

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Oct202025
News Financial Stress

Why Australian Men Feel Financial Stress

News

Retirement is often portrayed as a time of relief, yet for many Australian men, it brings anxiety rather than peace. Rising living costs, debt, and uncertainty around superannuation and how long savings will last can lead to financial stress. That stress doesn’t stay “just financial” — it spills over into health, relationships, and mental wellbeing. But financial planning isn’t just about numbers; done well, it provides clarity, control, and confidence.

This article examines recent findings about men’s financial stress, discusses why professional advice is important (including mental health expert views), and outlines how financial planners help with budgeting, debt management, and long-term wealth creation.

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