Welcome to spring and our next edition of our monthly newsletters.
For a change of pace, our top article shares five life lessons that seem to have stood the test of time. Whether they resonate with you or provide inspiration for conversations with loved ones, we hope you find them useful.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
3 ways to protect the Bank of Mum and Dad
Putting legal arrangements in place with family members might seem unnecessary, but it may help protect you and your children if things go wrong.
Budgeting tips you may not have heard of
Is the thought of budgeting enough to make your eyes glaze over? Here are a few ideas to turn budgeting boredom on its head.
Q&A: When should I retire?
Is retirement something you dream about, or dread? We look at some things to weigh up when planning your retirement timeline.
5 things I’d tell my younger self
Often the biggest realisations in life only come with lived experience. We share 5 life lessons that seem to have stood the test of time.
With rising inflation and interest rate hikes expected to hang around for some time, households will be waiting to see what unfolds. Whether you’re feeling confident or cautious about your finances, now is the time to make sure they’re in the best shape possible.
Are you nearing retirement? Our sequencing risk animation below could be worth a moment of your time.
This months Q&A can be found on our website, which looks at the difference between good and bad debt.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Three ways to stress-test mortgage repayments
One way to prepare for uncertainty is to consider and plan for alternative outcomes. We discuss putting higher lending rates and mortgage repayments to the test.
Infographic: 5 principles to keep in mind when markets are volatile
When markets go up and down, revisiting the ‘golden rules’ of investing can often help with staying calm and confident.
Protecting retirement savings from inflation
Explore the strategies that can help with protecting the value of retirement savings, now and into the future.
ESG investing: weighing up what matters
With ESG investing continuing to be on the rise in Australia, we look at potential considerations when thinking about your investment portfolio.
Vanessa Stoykov: 4 ways to potentially make better money choices as a family
Letting your kids in on money decisions can provide a great opportunity to pass on some money wisdom and learn a few lessons of your own.
The 2021-22 financial year can be separated into two contrasting halves, MLC’s Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist, Bob Cunneen, provides a review of what happened in investment markets over the year, and why.
We’ve introduced our new Q&A feature, where each month we’ll answer a common question on a hot financial topic. For July; What should I do with my inheritance?
Enjoy!
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Q&A: What should I do with my inheritance?
Deciding whether to boost your super, pay down your mortgage, or help your kids out is a common dilemma. We look at some of the considerations to weigh up.
2021-22 financial year in review
The 2021-22 financial year can be separated into two contrasting halves, with global economic recovery threatened by high inflation and rising interest rates.
The secrets to a successful retirement
Dr Joanne Earl from Macquarie University shares her research insights on the key ingredients to a positive and happy retirement.
3 ways to start an investing conversation with kids
Introducing kids to the idea of investing to build long-term wealth could be life changing. We share some ideas on how to get the conversation started.
A round up of 1 July changes and what they mean
Read about some of the key changes to super, tax, and social security measures as the new financial year gets underway.
Why life insurance premiums have gone up
The effects of the pandemic have led to significant increases in life insurance premiums in recent months. We look at what to consider before making any changes to your policy.
For many of us, rising interest rates and inflation are in sharp focus at the moment. While no one can predict exactly what will happen with investment markets or interest rates, focusing on your mindset and money matters closer to home can be a good way to stay mentally resilient and fiscally prepared.
With this being said, our top article this month looks at various ways of stress testing mortgage repayments against future rate increases.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Three ways to stress-test mortgage repayments
One way to prepare for uncertainty is to consider and plan for alternative outcomes. We discuss putting higher lending rates and mortgage repayments to the test.
Infographic: 5 principles to keep in mind when markets are volatile
When markets go up and down, revisiting the ‘golden rules’ of investing can often help with staying calm and confident.
Protecting retirement savings from inflation
Explore the strategies that can help with protecting the value of retirement savings, now and into the future.
ESG investing: weighing up what matters
With ESG investing continuing to be on the rise in Australia, we look at potential considerations when thinking about your investment portfolio.
Vanessa Stoykov: 4 ways to potentially make better money choices as a family
Letting your kids in on money decisions can provide a great opportunity to pass on some money wisdom and learn a few lessons of your own.
The 2021-22 Federal Budget was announced yesterday by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
This year’s Budget papers have provided key information on Australia’s current and forecast economic and fiscal position (including expenditure and revenue), the Government’s policy priorities, and accompanying proposed policy measures to achieve them.
The focus for this Budget is securing Australia’s recovery by creating jobs, guaranteeing essential services and building a more secure and resilient Australia.
Below we have provided an article covering the main proposed policy measures that may be relevant to you and two videos that further explain the finer details of the Budget.
Please contact us if you wish to discuss any aspect of this year’s Budget.
Don’t forget to make the most of the Bellwether Knowledge Centre. Browse member-only industry information and help improve your personal financial circumstances. Click here to join today for an exclusive login.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
2021 Budget: The ‘Securing Australia’s Recovery’ proposed measures
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the 2021-22 Federal Budget on 11 May 2021. We provide an overview of several key proposed policy measures that may be relevant to you.
2021 Budget: Leigh Sales and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
In the 2021-22 Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced many proposed policy measures—ABC News’ Leigh Sales interviews the Treasurer to further discuss these proposed policy measures.
2021 Budget: Key proposed policy measures explained
ABC News’ James Glenday unpacks the 2021-22 Federal Budget—Australia’s economic and fiscal position, as well as the Government’s policy priorities (and proposed policy measures).
It’s almost the end of the financial year, so this month we’re bringing you some things to consider as we approach June 30, including 5 important considerations for the EOFY. We also share ideas that may help you accelerate your savings with the help of behavioral science.
We hope you enjoy this edition!
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Proceed with caution Bank of Mum and Dad
Stepping in to help children enter the property market might be a noble thing to do. But it can come with a few risks that are worth being aware of.
5 important considerations for 2021-22 EOFY
EOFY is just around the corner. Learn 5 things that may help to reduce your personal income tax and/or provide for your retirement.
Accelerate your savings with the help of science
If your saving efforts are feeling sluggish, here are some simple yet effective science-backed ideas to try on for size. One might just work for you.
Vanessa Stoykov: How to stop money ruling your emotions
Your money and emotions are interconnected, more than you might realise. Learn some handy tips on how to navigate uncomfortable emotions and make smarter money decisions.
How to get through life’s unexpected challenges
Just when you thought you’d reached your limit, life throws more unexpected challenges directly in your path. Read on for some tips to get you through a difficult time.
This month’s feature article explores the conditions of release for superannuation.
Benefit Payment Standards is a term which encompasses the conditions of release in which you are eligible to access your super and the cashing restrictions that can apply, for example, whether your super benefits can be paid as a lump sum, income stream or both. Read the full overview below.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Talking crypto – a story of caution
Between June and November of 2021, a group of Australians collectively lost an estimated $374,000 to a crypto investment scam. We hear a lot about the highs but there are also many lows.
Superannuation: conditions of release
To be eligible to access super, you must be able to meet a specified condition of release. In this article, we give an overview of the conditions of release—which isn’t limited to ‘attaining age…
Delayed gratification is a key to wealth (if you can wait long enough)
Becoming a master of delayed gratification means you can buy as many marshmallows as you want, forever. Delayed gratification is basically your ability to resist the allure of an instant reward.
Two billionaire traits you can adopt
Vanessa Stoykov has known billionaires, millionaires, and those who aspire to be—and there are two common denominators that come up time and time again. Find out what they are.
Home loans and refinancing
Your home loan will likely be the largest debt you pay off in your lifetime, by taking a proactive approach you could free up cash flow sooner.
4 tips to stop bad decisions during a crisis
Dr. Kirsten MacDonald from Griffith University provides critical insights on how to avoid a triple whammy when making investment decisions in a crisis.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
The 2022-23 Federal Budget was delivered on 29 March 2022 by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
Notably, in this year’s Federal Budget, the Government’s policy priorities—and the proposed measures announced to help achieve these priorities—centre on delivering a plan to strengthen the future for all Australians by:
- building a stronger and more productive economy to create more jobs,
- addressing the cost of living pressures and managing current challenges,
- strengthening our regions and critical infrastructure,
- guaranteeing essential services,
- protecting our interests, and
- extending the temporary reduction in superannuation minimum drawdown rate, until June 2023.
Below is an article highlighting the main proposed measures followed by two videos that may be of interest.
Please contact us if you wish to discuss any aspect of this year’s Federal Budget and how it may affect you. We’re here to guide you through life’s challenges and opportunities with trusted financial and lifestyle solutions.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
2022 Budget: The ‘Stronger Future For All Australians’ proposed measures
On 29 March 2022, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the 2022-23 Federal Budget. We provide an overview of key proposed policy measures that may be relevant to you and your personal finances.
2022 Budget: Leigh Sales’ interview with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced many proposed policy measures in the 2022-23 Federal Budget. ABC News’ Leigh Sales interviews the Treasurer to discuss these measures in more detail.
2022 Budget: James Glenday’s Budget papers overview
The 2022-23 Federal Budget papers provided information on the Government’s policy priorities (and proposed policy measures). ABC News’ James Glenday delves further into this information.
Welcome to March 2022. This month we dive into an overview of self-managed super funds (SMSF) trustee responsibility, eligibility, and structure types. As at 30 June 2021, there were over 598,000 SMSFs and over 1.115 million members of SMSFs in Australia.
While the above figures suggest an SMSF is a popular choice for some, it may not be appropriate for everyone. In terms of setting up an SMSF, there are a number of steps involved—several of which centre on trusteeship. Read the full overview below.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
SMSFs: Individual trustee vs. corporate trustee
At 30 June 2021, 65% of all SMSFs had a corporate trustee structure—instead of individual trustee. In this article, we discuss SMSF trustee responsibility, eligibility, and structure types.
The 2021 HILDA Survey: Retirement trends
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey collects information on many aspects of life. In this article, we explore retirement trends highlighted in the 2021 HILDA Survey.
Small business CGT concessions
If considering the sale of business assets, you may be eligible for CGT concessions, which could help with any associated capital gain. In this animation, we illustrate small business CGT concessions.
Jargon buster: Personal insurance edition
In the finance industry, there can be a considerable amount of jargon. In this article, we help clarify some of the commonly used jargon within the personal insurance space.
ABC News: Home loans and interest rate considerations
On 1 February 2022, the RBA made the decision to maintain the cash rate target at 10 basis points. In this ABC News video, Alan Kohler discusses his thoughts on home loans and interest rates.
Vanessa Stoykov: 5 questions that could save you thousands
Vanessa Stoykov is a renowned Australian money educator. In this special financial education piece, Vanessa shares five simple questions worth asking yourself that could very well save you thousands.