Finance

5 ways to benefit from record low interest rates

4 December, 20198 September, 2022 Updated on8 September, 2022 Finance

Interest rates have never been lower, and it’s possible they might fall even further. This creates opportunities for householders and businesses, so how can you best take advantage of low interest rates?

1. Pay off your debt more quickly
By maintaining constant repayments as interest rates fall, you’ll reduce the time it takes to pay off your loan. That’s because interest will make up less of each repayment, with more going to reduce the outstanding capital. And the great thing is that to take advantage of this strategy you don’t need to do anything. Lenders usually maintain repayments after each drop in interest rates unless you instruct them otherwise.

2. Refinance your home loan
Lenders vary in the extent to which they pass on cuts in official interest rates. So if you want to reduce your loan repayments it might be worth shopping around to see if you can find a better deal from other lenders. Just make sure that, if switching lenders, you take all fees into account to be certain you really are saving money.

If you are restructuring your borrowing another thing to consider is fixing the interest rate on all or part of your loan. This can provide protection from the impact of rising interest rates in the future, though it may mean you benefit less from any further cuts in rates. However, with interest rates already very low, there simply isn’t the room for rates to fall much further.

3. Buy a first home – or upgrade
Low interest rates create opportunities for first homebuyers to get a toehold in the property market, and for existing homeowners to upgrade to a bigger home or better location. While lower interest rates can be a bit of a two-edged sword, as they tend to drive up property prices, most people are happier borrowing in a low rate environment rather than when rates are high.

4. Borrow to invest
While Australians love to invest in property, borrowing to invest in shares is also a viable wealth creation strategy. Often referred to as gearing, the key to successfully investing borrowed funds is that the total returns must exceed the total costs. As the most significant cost is usually the interest on the loan, low rates make this strategy more attractive.
Take care, however. Gearing can magnify investment returns, but it can also increase your losses. It’s therefore important that you fully understand investment risk and how to minimise it.

5. Expand your business
The whole point of a reduction in interest rates is to stimulate the economy, and that includes encouraging business owners to invest in their enterprises. Low interest rates make it cheaper to borrow to buy equipment to increase productivity, to take on more staff, or buy out a competitor and generally expand the business.

Take advice
Some of these strategies are simple ‘no-brainers’. Others involve significant levels of risk. To take a closer look at how you can make the most of low interest rates, talk to us. We’re here to help.

This is general information only

Quarterly Economic Update: January-March 2022

27 April, 202220 April, 2022 Updated on20 April, 2022 COVID-19, Economy, Investing

Robust domestic economic growth Australia is rebounding from the pandemic, with domestic economic growth forecast to reach 3.5 per cent this financial year. Some analysts predict it might be even stronger, possibly reaching as high as 4 per cent. Driven by Government spending Much of this is due to the lingering impact of the Federal Government’s massive $343 billion health and economic pandemic support packages, as well as further spending in response to recent floods in New South Wales and Queensland. The Government is also spending some $18 billion on infrastructure, mostly rail and road improvements, in an attempt to boost productivity and efficiencies throughout the economy, particularly in the regions. Tightening geo-political tensions in Asia and around the world has prompted the Government to earmark as much spending again on strategic defence measures, including a new naval submarine base on the east coast. Spurred by higher commodity prices The sudden, and largely unexpected, war in Ukraine has prompted a spike in oil prices as a shadow falls over the continued supply of Russian oil and gas to Western Europe. While prices will ease with the arrival of the Northern summer, they are expected to remain stubbornly high. The war, along with continued supply interruptions due to the pandemic’s lingering impact on world trade, means prices for key commodities such as iron ore, coal, and wheat will remain high for the foreseeable future. For Australia, this is, on balance, good news, meaning the price we are paid for key exports will remain strong, driving both domestic profits and Government tax revenue higher. Employment is exploding In line with this strong level of economic growth, domestic unemployment is set to fall to 3.75 per cent in the coming months, its lowest level in some 50 years. Meanwhile, whole sectors, such as the aged care and child-minding sectors and a number of agricultural sectors, are reporting desperate staff shortages, prompting calls to lift migration levels and allow more temporary workers into the country. Nonetheless, low wage growth continues to dog the economy. While the Government is forecasting quarterly wage growth of 3.25 per cent by the middle of next year, this is still below the expected inflation rate, meaning most Australians will face little relief from higher living costs. However, the continued strength of Government spending, combined with prevailing strong terms of trade, should boost profits across the board, leading to higher returns for investors. Despite some clouds on the horizon As always, there are clouds on the horizon. The United States was already facing inflationary pressures, and the impact of the Ukraine war on oil prices is likely to push the US inflation rate higher still, possibly touching 7.9 per cent this year. The US Federal Reserve has started to pull monetary policy back in with a series of interest rate hikes, fanning fears that the US economy may fall into recession later this year. The US is not alone. The Australian Federal Treasury expects global trade bottlenecks (the war in Ukraine and higher oil and food prices) to prompt an uptick in the local inflation rate above the Reserve Bank’s preferred inflation band of 2.5 to 3 per cent. Rising inflation is, in turn, spurring fears of a domestic interest rate hike, with many analysts expecting the cash rate to increase by one full percentage point, which could cause home loan rates to rise across the country. The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.

What to consider when withdrawing your super early

17 June, 202021 December, 2020 Updated on21 December, 2020 Finance

[fsn_row][fsn_column width=”12″][fsn_text] As the COVID-19 virus took a sledgehammer to the economy, the federal government rapidly introduced a range of initiatives to help individuals who lost income as a result of the measures taken to control the virus. One of those initiatives was to allow qualifying individuals access to a portion of their superannuation to help them meet their living costs. Withdrawals are tax free and don’t need to be included in tax returns. Most people can withdraw up to $10,000 in the 2019/2020 financial year and up to a further $10,000 in the 2020/2021 financial year. For many people this early access to super will prove to be a financial lifesaver, but for others the short-term gain may lead to a significant dip in wealth at retirement. And the younger you are, the greater that impact on retirement is likely to be. Alexander provides an example that many people will be able to relate to. He’s a 30-year-old hospitality worker, and due to the casual nature of his recent employment he is not eligible for the JobKeeper allowance. He is eligible to apply for early release of his super under the COVID-19 provisions, however before going down this route he wants an idea of what the withdrawal will mean to his long term situation. Taking the maxMuch depends, of course, on the future performance of his superannuation fund. However, if Alexander withdraws $20,000 over the two financial years, and if his super fund delivers a modest 3% per annum net return (after fees, tax and inflation), then by age pension age (currently 67), Alexander will have $39,700 less in retirement savings than if he doesn’t make the withdrawal. At a 4% net return, he will be $65,360 worse off if he makes the super withdrawal. But that’s not the only disadvantage for Alexander. A smaller lump sum at retirement means a lower annual income. If Alexander draws down his super over a 20 year period, at a 3% net return, he will be around $2,670 worse off each year as a result of making the withdrawal. Over 20 years that adds up to a total loss of $53,375. At a 4% return, his youthful withdrawal will cost him over $96,000 by the time he reaches 87. Reducing the riskOn the plus side, if Alexander is eligible for a part age pension when he retires, his smaller superannuation balance may see him receive a bigger age pension. There are other things Alexander can do to reduce the financial consequences of accessing his super early. One is to only make the withdrawal if he absolutely has to. Or if he does make the withdrawal, to use the bare minimum and, when his employment situation improves, to contribute the remaining amount back to his super fund as a non-concessional contribution. COVID-19 is adding further complexity to our financial lives, so before making decisions that may have a long-term impact, speak to us. The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. [/fsn_text][/fsn_column][/fsn_row]

Retirement wrongs that could send you broke!

14 September, 202229 September, 2022 Updated on29 September, 2022 Finance

While retirement should be the best years of your life, many Australians make simple, avoidable mistakes with their finances that can leave them without the funds to really enjoy life. However, with some simple good advice at the start of retirement, these mistakes can usually be avoided, leaving retirees to focus on what is really important and that is, simply enjoying life. Making emotional investment decisions Many people reach retirement age and panic that they don’t have enough money. This then prompts them to make high risk investments in the vague hope of catching up on lost time. Too often their dreams of big profits blind them to risks and many end up losing a chunk, if not all, of their money. All retirement savings are irreplaceable and should be invested with this in mind. Ignoring your portfolio At the other end of the spectrum are retirees who think they have so little saved for retirement that it doesn’t matter what they do with it, in terms of their investments, it won’t make any difference to their lives. This is almost as big a mistake as taking excessive risks. No matter how much money you have saved for retirement, you should be pro-active in making sure these funds are safely invested and providing for you. Miscalculating your retirement funds Many misjudge either the total amount they have to retire on, and/or, the level of income it will generate. This is particularly the case when the decision is made to keep an investment property in retirement. The high value can often give a false sense of financial security, while the actual income generated after all the costs are deducted, can be extremely low. Determine just how much money you have saved for retirement, conservatively judge how much income will be generated from those savings and ensure you don’t spend more than your investments generate. Changing asset allocations to conservative assets, such as cash For many, retirement is the first time they have had to manage or decide how to invest a large amount of money. This can be unnerving at the best of times. Throw in a small market downturn and it is not unusual for people to panic and sell perfectly good investments. This is, of course, the worst option. By panicking and selling investments when the market has taken a step down, losses are locked in and any chance of recovering those funds as the market improves, is lost. Keeping up with the “Joneses” Too often, we’re swept along by what others do. Focus on how you want to live. Think about what will make you happy in retirement and then invest your savings safely so you can focus on enjoying life. For most, the things that make them happiest are free. Time spent with grandchildren, walking barefoot on a beach, or spending time in the garden, all cost very little money and are a fabulous boost to the body, health and mind. If you have any doubts at all about how you should structure your finances, make the decision to get quality advice before you make any of these mistakes. It will be the best investment you make in retirement. The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.

Financial advice is not the same for everyone

20 March, 20198 September, 2022 Updated on8 September, 2022 Finance

Investment planning is an important part of financial planning but underpinning the whole process of creating wealth in the first place is having a good financial strategy. For many people that strategy is taking each day as it comes and letting the future look after itself; but in a complex and ever-changing world, isn’t a more active approach a good idea? Each of us has specific needs and desires, of course, but there are a number of common challenges that we need to think about when developing our financial strategies. Stage of life Baby boomers are moving into retirement in droves, so Gen X is taking on the mantle of being the great wealth accumulators. For the most part, this generation has their strategies in place: pay down the mortgage, contribute to super, maybe buy an investment property, and wait for the kids to leave home. Generationally, it’s millennials who face the greatest challenges in developing a financial strategy. Younger millennials are just embarking on careers and the focus is, understandably, on having a good time. Many feel priced out of the housing market, and while the ‘gig’ economy promises greater work flexibility, this comes with reduced job security and often no employer superannuation contributions. Then there’s the challenge of balancing starting a family with establishing a career. All up there’s a lot to plan for. Gender The path to income equality is a slow and frustrating one. In general, over their working lives, women continue to earn significantly less than men. This is largely due to time out of the workforce to look after children. However, progress is being made, and an increasing number of women are earning more than their partners. Having Dad take time off to look after the kids then becomes a viable financial strategy. On top of that, the gig economy, and technology in general, is opening up more opportunities for stay-at-home parents to earn a decent income. Relationship breakdown Sadly, many long-term relationships end, and the emotional and financial costs can be high. This isn’t an issue that anyone wants to think about but is obviously a trigger for developing a new financial strategy. This is particularly important when children are involved, and expert help will likely be needed. Inheritance More wealth is being transferred from older to younger generations than ever before, and thanks to superannuation, this trend can only grow. Receiving an inheritance is often the event that leads many people to seek financial advice. While the focus may be on creating an investment plan, this is an ideal time to look at the broader financial strategy to make the most of any inheritance. Never too soon to start The upshot is that pretty much everyone can benefit from having a financial plan. It doesn’t need to be complicated and you can get the ball rolling yourself. A simple savings plan or paying off credit card debt can be good places start. To make the most of your situation it’s a good idea to talk to a financial adviser. A qualified financial adviser can help you understand the complex financial environment and what you need to know to work out the likely outcomes of different strategies. Contact us today! This is general information only

Quarterly Economic Update: Oct – Dec 2023

10 January, 202410 January, 2024 Economy, Finance, Investing

Global growth is forecast to slow and remain below its historical average in 2024, reflective of tighter monetary policy in advanced economies, as well as a soft outlook for China. Australians can expect higher prices, higher interest rates and higher population growth, with economic growth and unemployment decreasing. Inflation continues to bite With a new Governor at the helm of the RBA, and inflation tracking down since its peak in the December quarter 2022, public sentiment hoped that rate rises would be paused. However, the RBA delivered another rate hike at the November 2023 meeting, bringing the official interest rate to 4.35% – the highest level since 2011. It is likely that an increase in the monthly CPI indicator was a key trigger for the RBA to raise rates, as the monthly indicator rose to 5.2 per cent in August, and then rose again to 5.6 per cent in the September data. However, the next monthly data point, for October (which came out after the November rate rise) had inflation decreasing to 4.9 per cent. Services inflation remains high and was the primary driver of stronger-than-expected underlying inflation in the September quarter. Interest rates – will they or won’t they? The RBA continues to be cautious about the inflation outlook for Australia for several reasons: high and sticky inflation in the services market, house prices recovering sooner than anticipated, a tight labour market and increasing population growth due to migration. A survey of 40 economists by the Australian Financial Review shows that the median forecast is that the RBA will start cutting rates in September 2024, whilst the bond market is projecting an easing of rates by mid-2024. The RBA will meet only eight times in 2024, reduced from 11, beginning in February – following an independent review ordered by the Treasury. Coupled with the RBA governor’s commitment to return inflation to the target range of 2-3%, more rate hikes may be on the cards. Holiday spending to remain flat A survey by Roy Morgan forecast shoppers to spend $66.8 billion during the pre-Christmas sales period, only up 0.1% from the same period in 2022, likely as a result of cost of living impacts. Sales spending for the Boxing Day period to December 31 was expected to be about $9 billion, including $3 billion on Boxing Day itself, as retailers prepared larger discounts than usual after a slow year. Hot Property House and unit prices grew steadily in 2023, with a national annual growth rate of 5.42% (6.54% in capital cities). The main drivers include the highest net overseas migration levels ever recorded, few vacant properties and stronger demand for established homes due to the construction industry facing capacity and cost issues. This growth forecast is expected to continue as most experts believe demand for housing will continue to outstrip supply. However, Australia’s cost of living increases and interest rate uncertainty will keep biting—leading to weaker price growth than previous years. The rental market remains in a critical shortage of available dwellings according to SQM Research. Due to the ongoing supply and demand imbalance, the market is expecting capital city rental increases of 7-10% for 2024, on top of an average 10% market increase in 2023. The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. 

Retirement: it’s time to get busy living!

6 March, 20198 September, 2022 Updated on8 September, 2022 Finance

Many people eagerly anticipate retirement. Others view its approach with trepidation, worried over how they’ll fill their days. Australians are living longer; it’s not unreasonable to assume you’ll be retired for 20 or 30 years. Not sure how you’ll fill all those days? We have a few ideas to kick-start your new life. Learn/Teach something Do you have skills and talents you can share with others? Are you interested in learning from others in return? The University of the Third Age (U3A) may be your kind of group. Located all over Australia, U3A groups meet regularly to provide learning and engagement for older people and disabled younger people. Organisers run structured courses with professional leaders or casual knowledge-share sessions conducted by group members or invited guests. Look up the U3A in your area or visit www.u3a.org.au for information. Become an Olympic athlete Return to your favourite sport or learn a new one. Sports like archery and golf are Olympic sports! It’s true, and organisers of the 2020 Tokyo games are considering including bowls as well. Or closer to home, you can begin preparing now to enter the Pan Pacific Masters Games on the Gold Coast in 2020. Write your memoirs Everyone has a story to tell – yes, even you! You may think your life is rather ho-hum, but your children and grandchildren might disagree. Many independent publishers will help you produce a beautiful memoir with a short print run, perfect for family and friends. Community Feel like giving something back? The Australian Men’s Shed Association is a body that supports the health and wellbeing of men. It’s a terrific organisation for retirees with academic or practical skills to share through events and learning activities. To find a Men’s Shed near you, go to www.mensshed.org for details. If that’s not your thing consider helping 4-legged friends at your local animal shelter. Love children? What about becoming a “Pyjama Angel”? Full details can be found on the Pyjama Foundation website www.thepyjamafoundation.com. Or check out your community notice board for local opportunities. If retirement has snuck up and caught you unprepared, think about what you enjoy doing, what your skills and interests are and get busy. You’ve still got a lot of living to do – and finally, it’s all about you! This is general information only

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