Income Solutions Archives - Income Solutions

31^st Oct 2018

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, Finance Information, Financial Advice, Geelong Financial Planner, Income Process, Income Solutions, Superannuation Permalink

How to kill a conversation – ‘lets talk about super’

Sticky Post On October 31, 2018

Gareth Daniels is an Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

Driving home from work last night there was a conversation the radio relating to super funds and how they perform relative to each other.

Many people would reach for the dial or press the button to change channels but the nerd in me resisted.

The item was a simple one; a firm has compiled independent research into the performance of super funds every year for the last five years and rates them accordingly on an annual basis.

The cynic in me listened intently for the criteria by which they had categorised the funds, but I had a bit of a ‘Wow!’ moment when they stated that they had looked at performance net of all fees and charges and had reached the overall conclusion that funds that charge lower fees typically outperformed funds that charged higher fees!

Further, in most cases, Australians would see a better performance from their super fund if they selected a low-cost index option that tracked the broader market rather than paying performance fees to active fund managers who fell short of the bench mark over the long-term.

Now I know I can be a bit sarcastic, but that ‘Wow!’ moment was genuine.

Simple, common sense advice can sadly be lacking in the superannuation space, frankly in financial planning in general. So when I hear it from an external source it jumps out at me and I realise that maybe we are not alone in our philosophies.

I downloaded the report that the firm produced, and a couple of key comments shouted at me from the pages;

Our research shows there is a clear correlation between high fees and long-term underperformance in super (The Fat Cat Funds Report Super Fund Guide 2018 page 3)

Poor fund performance comes predominantly from active management fees as well as higher administration and operating expenses than necessary (The Fat Cat Funds Report Super Fund Guide 2018 page 3)1

The funny thing is this information probably doesn’t surprise you. It is logical; it is common sense. So why don’t more of us follow it?

Like superannuation itself, the concept at the heart of following an index approach is BORING! We don’t want to talk about so its sits at the back of our minds. Over time we might not fully remember

why we are following that strategy anyway, particularly with the drip drip effect of other people’s opinions impacting on us. The reality is, what is there to talk about anyway?

Imagine the barbeque conversation;

“Yeah so I er um yeah paid no attention to my superfund again this year but as I track the broader Aussie market I got a nice steady long-term average return and I er um received a good level of fully franked dividends and I didn’t have to manage or worry about anything to get that…”

Well, that’s not very interesting is it? Not compared to the person who runs their self-managed super fund and trades shares daily and has a no recourse loan for the residential unit development that they are building up there in wherever and they had to meet with their accountant for three hours last week because there was some problem with the audit and now it seems like they might have to take that piece of art off the wall an put it storage because it “doesn’t really meet the sole purpose test after all”…. What?

Superannuation is an investment vehicle for you to set yourself up for the retirement lifestyle that you want. Research shows that a lower cost fund with an indexing approach will typically provide better long-term result than any other investment option. The point is that the more you pay in fees through more complex investment options the more likely that the long-term returns will be lower.

Our research shows that 96% of balanced super funds underperformed a simple low-cost index strategy after fees and taxes. This is consistent with research from Finalytiq4 which found similar results in the UK, and S&P Dow Jones whose SPIVA research shows that 80% of active Australian share fund managers have underperformed the index over 15 years. (The Fat Cat Funds Report Super Fund Guide 2018 page 35)

Why does superannuation need to be an interesting conversation anyway? Why does managing money have to be at all? Far more interesting is what you do with the time you have to enjoy life rather than worrying about money and what you spend your passive income on!

So how does any of this impact you? If you have made it this far through the article, then you have already met more than half of your required quota for paying attention to superannuation this year. Well done!

From here, check in with your adviser and (subject to your risk profile) determine your level of exposure to growth assets which should come via an index approach, balance that with your need for defensive assets and then ensure that you are on a fee favourable platform.

Simple but not easy I know; but it is common sense!

1 The Fat Cat Funds Report Super Fund Guide 2018 is produced by by Stockspot Stockspot Pty Ltd ABN 163 214 319 is a Corporate Authorised Representative (No. 453421) of Sanlam Private Wealth (AFS License No. 337927). They are a Robbo Advice firm and have no affiliation or connection to Income Solutions. We still believe that personal relationships are at the heart of quality financial advice, and have referenced the The Fat Cat Funds Report Super Fund Guide 2018 as an opinion piece.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way.

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24^th Oct 2018

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, Finance Information, Financial Planning, Geelong, Income Solutions Permalink

Your home – the best investment you will ever make

Sticky Post On October 24, 2018

Gareth Daniels is an Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

It has been said before and it will be said again, “your home is the best investment you will ever make!”

Those of you familiar with our philosophies on wealth creation (being income focussed and the fact that the best investment that you will ever make is in yourself, your career or your business) will know that we do not subscribe to this mantra about the family home.

Recent legislative changes however, have created an opportunity to make the home you have loved, cared for and put money into over the years pay a little something back.

The downsizer

As people settle into their retirement it is common for them to realise that the home they have enjoyed for so many years is in fact now a bit too big, the garden a bit too much work, and the level of maintenance needed is now a bit too daunting. The decision to downsize is therefore made.

Moving to a smaller, more manageable property can result in substantial funds being left over from the transaction as the bigger family home is of a higher value than the new property. So, what to do with those funds?

Superannuation

Super has many rules about the amount of money that can be contributed to it, before tax contributions (concessional contributions) capped at $25,000 pa and after-tax contributions (non-concessional contributions) capped at $100,000 pa or $300,000 under the draw forward rule.

Legislative changes that came into effect on the 1st of July 2018 now mean that when the source of funds are identified as coming from the sale of the primary residence, money can be added to super as an after tax contribution above and beyond the normal annual limits; up to $300,000 per member.

Having additional money inside the superannuation environment as a retiree could provide a significant boost to the provision of passive, tax-free income to support the lifestyle that you want to live.

Eligibility

There are criteria that must be met, a summary of which includes:

* 65 years of age or older when the Downsizer Contribution is made

* You or your spouse has owned the home for 10 years or more

* It is a home in Australia (not a caravan, mobile home or houseboat)

* It is your main residence and so exempt or partially exempt from CGT

* The contribution to super is made within 90 days of receiving the proceeds

* The maximum contribution is $300,000 per person and the contributions must not exceed the total sale proceeds of the house

Next Steps

To determine if the strategy is relevant and beneficial there are some steps to work through:

* If you have determined to move, ensure the house that you are moving to meets your long term needs and that you are not ‘cutting your nose to spite your face’ by purchasing a cheaper place to boost what you can get into super only to find after a few years you are unhappy in that property

* Work with your adviser to determine what is genuinely ‘spare’ as a result of the sale of the family home. Most people incur some lump sum expenses when they move to a new house; new couch, new blinds, changing that ugly carpet in the spare room.

* Once the total available funds are known, again, work with your adviser to ensure that the correct Downsizer Contribution into Super form is completed and submitted with the contribution

* Also work with your adviser to be clear on the how the funds should be allocated within super in regard to your risk tolerance and goals and when to use the super monies to purchase an income stream.

In the truest sense of the word it may be hard to call the family home an investment. Hopefully it has been a space that has created many happy memories over the years; and now with the right implementation of strategy it may prove to be a boost to enjoying the retirement you have dreamed of.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way.

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10^th Aug 2018

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, Credit Cards, Debt, education, Estate Planning, finance for women, Financial Advice, Geelong Financial Planner, Geelong Financial Planning, Geelong Office, Geelong Office, Income Solutions, Income Solutions for Women, women Permalink

Ladies, it’s time to take control!

Sticky Post On August 10, 2018

Elise Ryan is an Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

I was reading an article entitled ‘More women will end up alone and managing their own money’ by Georgina Dent in The Age¹ and was astounded at the lack of confidence women have in their abilities.

It really struck a cord with me and I was trying to work out why and I think a quote from the article summed it up quite nicely

“women not only underestimate their own capabilities but they overestimate what is required to be financially involved.”

You shouldn’t need a man or spouse to provide you with a sense of financial security, your knowledge and understanding of your finances should be all the security you need. It can be as simple as understanding where your money is going and track your expenditures, it isn’t even hard these days you can do it on an app on your phone.

It is common in a relationship for one person to take the lead with the finances, like with a lot of household tasks. However, you are a partnership and should have an understanding of what is going on and not just leave it up to the other person so there are no surprises as to your financial position.

It is interesting that this trend is not changing with millennials, with the greater focus on women’s independence there is no trend in women stepping up and taking control of the finances, they are behaving quite primitively.

My experience from growing up is that the overall finances was a team effort. My Mum did the grunt work of paying the bills and banking but both Mum and Dad together with their Financial Advisor would look at the strategic side of things.

My relationship with my Fiancé is no different. James is happy for me to look after the day to day but he wants to be involved with the long term strategic planning.

Women should be paying more attention. We live longer, tend to have more gaps in employment and average lower pay throughout our careers.

This means that at some point in time we will need to be the ones in control and making the decisions.

Don’t know where to start, book an appointment with a Financial Advisor, find someone you can trust and identify with. They should help educate you and not make you feel dumb or silly for asking questions. Worrying about how much advice will cost or thinking that you don’t have enough money shouldn’t be a barrier for booking an appointment.

¹ The Age 17/06/2018, More women will end up alone and managing their own money, Georgina Dent.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way

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03^rd Aug 2018

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, Debt, education, finance for women, Finance Information, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Geelong, Income Solutions, Income Solutions for Women, women Permalink

Who is making your Financial Decisions?

Sticky Post On August 3, 2018

In January 2018, women marched in all 50 American States, in 92 Countries, on all 7 continents in protest of the policies and positions of the Trump administration. Women worldwide are channelling their energies to articulate their right to take up equal opportunities, with respect, safety and dignity. Women worldwide are becoming outspoken and active political participants.

The #metoo movement has broadened the global dialogue on the widespread prevalence of violence and sexual assault. Women are demanding accountability and beginning provocative conversations. Women are becoming more outspoken, more educated, and the opinions of women are being represented politically and socially. Women are becoming publicly progressive in their endeavour for gender equality.

In light of the current political and social climate, I was surprised to read in an article published in the Sydney Morning Herald by Georgina Dent, where Financial Coach Julia Sotas stated that ‘56% of married women leave investment and financial decisions to their husbands…because they believe their husbands know more’.¹ In a world where women are progressive, and willing to actively participate in the global political and social dialogue of gender equality, it is interesting that women still believe that they are incapable of making investment and financial decisions.

In your partnership is your partner taking control of your financial future?

Curious to discover what motivates financial decisions of the women around me, whether they be married, in defacto relationships or single, I decided to ask some questions. I am overwhelmed by the responses I received from these educated and determined women. There is a trend, indistinguishable from cultural traditions, that most women are influenced financially by the men in their lives.

Empowered and progressive women, I urge you to become eager for not only political but also financial freedom. I urge you to take up equal opportunities and to stop underestimating your capabilities to manage your investment and financial decisions. It is time to become financially aware, involved and secure.

At Income Solutions we run regular Income Solutions for Women seminars. If you would like to register for an upcoming event please contact us or go to www.incomesolutions.com.au/events for more information.

Dent, G. (2018). More women will end up alone and managing their own money. Sydney Morning Herald. [online] Available at: https://wwwsmh.com.au/money/investing/more-women-will-end-up-along-and-managing-their-money-by-themselves-20180614-p4zlfy.html [Accessed 3 Aug. 2018]

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way

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25^th Jul 2018

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, education, finance for women, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Geelong, Geelong Office, Income Solutions, Income Solutions for Women Permalink

Interviewing a New Financial Planner

Sticky Post On July 25, 2018

Elise Ryan is an Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

How do you find the right financial planner?

Seeking financial advice can be a daunting task. You work hard for your money, so, in turn, you need to have faith that your financial advisor will make your money work hard for you to achieve your goals.

When you are looking for someone that you will trust it’s a good idea to start the search by asking your friends and family for recommendations. A referral from a trusted person will help you find an adviser with a good reputation, and someone you can have confidence in from the outset.

The next port of call that we suggest is the Financial Planning Association. They have a list of highly qualified professionals here: https://fpa.com.au/find-a-planner/

When you find an advisor that you are interested in meeting, have a look at their education. Look for qualifications like:

Bachelor of Commerce (BComm)
Certified Financial PlannerTM
Master of Financial Planning (MoFP)

Another key indicator is the business that they are working in. Have a look at their website and the offices where they work. If it is a growing, thriving business, they must be doing something right!

When you meet with your potential planner, make sure to interview them, this is your chance to ask them questions like:

Are they a specialist in a certain area or for a certain type of client? – for example: women, retirees, young professionals etc
What are their qualifications?
How many years have they been in the industry? (this is not necessarily the years they have been advising. Many advisors start in the industry and learn the ropes for years before becoming an advisor)
What is the process to become a client?
What can you expect from the service?
Are there additional services such as Accounting, Mortgage Broking & Cash Flow Management?
What technology is available to clients interact?

Don’t feel like you must go with the first planner you meet, if you don’t connect with them its ok to interview other planners even within the same business.

At Income Solutions, our first meeting is call The Right Fit.

It is a no obligation “getting to know you” meeting for both the client and the planner. Is it a chance for you to get to know if Income Solutions is the right fit for you and your financial needs and the planner to find out if you are the right client for Income Solutions.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way

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29^th Jun 2018

Sticky Post Posted in children, education, events, finance for women, Finance Information, Financial Planning, Geelong, Geelong Financial Planner, Geelong Financial Planning, Geelong Office, Income Solutions, Income Solutions for Women, retirement, saving, savings, Special Events, women Permalink

Managing Family and Finances

Sticky Post On June 29, 2018

Elise Ryan is an Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

Everyone leads a busy life, but it’s important to take time out to think about your current finances and your financial future.

When you are planning or have a young family, there are a lot of important tasks that are on your mind. It is easy to let every day things like managing your finances fall to the wayside.

Paying the bills is quick and easy, but thinking about the big picture in 10, 20 or 30 years down the track can feel like a daunting task. Many people think retirement is so far away and that they have plenty of time before they need to start looking at planning for that phase of their lives. There is also the belief that it will just work itself out.

But you are reading this, so take the time now to think about your life in 30 years’ time.

You don’t want to regret not planning for your future.

By engaging an advisor, it forces you to take time out once or twice a year to chat about your goals and strategy and make adjustment where needed. This helps you to not only be aware but also re-evaluate what’s important to you and what your goals are year to year.

Research shows that by writing down your goals, you are more likely to plan and work towards achieving them.

By having a trusted financial advisor to look at your goals and create a tailored strategy, you will have to spend less time thinking about your financial future, and you will be in a much better position in the future.

At Income Solutions, we place a lot of time educating our clients on our investment philosophy so that they walk out of their meetings with complete understanding of what their strategy will be and how it will help them reach their financial goals.

It’s never too late to re-assess your financial position and change your strategy, and it’s never too early for your teenage children to start understanding their finances.

We run 4 events each month that will help you start making a plan, no matter what stage you are in for planning your finances:

Common Sense Investing

Common Sense Estate Planning

Kickstart: Your Financial Future

Pivot: Choose Your Financial Direction

We urge you to have a look at our website – www.incomesolutions.com.au/events or have a chat to one of our financial advisors to see which event would help you to achieve your goals, for you and your family.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way

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20^th Jun 2018

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, education, Finance Information, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Geelong, Geelong Office, Income Solutions, opinion Permalink

Peace of Mind is King

Sticky Post On June 20, 2018

We have all heard both sides of the argument between owning a home and renting a home. You would have all experienced loyalists to both sides of the argument passionately lecturing you about why their side is superior to the other. It all comes down to what it is you want to achieve, and above all else, peace of mind.

It is an interesting phrase, peace of mind, often referred to as a sleep at night factor. The Collins Dictionary defines it to mean ‘the absence of worry’.¹ Whenever making a decision in life – financial or not – I believe the criterion we should give the most weighting to is whichever option gives you the best sleep at night. There is no point making a decision and lying in bed at 2am every night worrying if you made the right one or not. That is not what life is about.

Circling back to the argument of renting a house versus buying a house. Each side has its own logic and merit, there is no doubt about that. A house is a lifestyle asset so we need to be prudent in ensuring the costs associated with owning or renting one does not adversely affect our lifestyle too much. Let’s break down some advantages and disadvantages of the two, and I will focus on living in the Geelong area as a reference point.

When you own your home, the first thing people realise is a sense of stability. The home is now yours, and provided you have no issues repaying the mortgage, it is very difficult for anybody to take it off you. Although, it can be done², think ‘The Castle’.

What’s more than the sense of stability is the emotional attachment you have with your home. This is often deemed priceless. Most people would have memories of their family home growing up. Because you own it, you can do what you like, such as drawing a height chart on the wall that you add to on your children’s birthdays, renovating, putting picture frames wherever you like, and if you’re lucky, you could even put a pool in.

Arguably, the most valuable aspect of home ownership is the opportunity to use the equity you potentially own to invest for the future. For this opportunity to become beneficial, you have either got to paydown the principal of your mortgage significantly, or are lucky enough to own a home in an area that has experienced large capital growth. The lifestyle on offer in the Geelong area is envied all around the world, which has lead to capital growth in recent years. So much so, they have developed a new estate in Armstrong Creek. The demand for homes in this area is so strong, that the average time a home listed by local agent, Armstrong Real Estate, spends advertised on the market is just 16 days. This estate is situated only 10-15 minutes from the Geelong CBD and numerous coastal beaches, what a great lifestyle that would be? If owning a home and having this sort of lifestyle sounds decent, at Income Solutions, we can help assist implementing the strategies necessary to ensure you can lead your desired lifestyle and still get a sound nights sleep without any worries.

Of course, as Gary Ablett now knows, the value of your house can just as easily drop³. There are risks. They do not always go up in value, and, as the owner of a mortgage, you are a slave to interest rates. Interest rates are an obvious issue and can affect your peace of mind. They’re currently quite low, however, they are on the increase. This can cause severe financial stress (4) and is something you’re unlikely to experience whilst renting. On top of rising interest rates are the costs of owning a home. Rates, insurances, maintenance, stamp duty when buying etc. These all add up and it is mandatory to allow for these kinds of costs in your annual budget before making the decision to buy a home. Remember, planning for these can still give you great peace of mind.

Alternatively, there is the option of renting. Viewed with a lot of unfair stigma in this country, renting can be seen as ‘dead money’. I agree, to an extent. In most cases, it can be cheaper to rent a house than it is to buy it. You can live in an area that best suits your lifestyle at a cheaper price. The demand for rentals in the Geelong area is also booming due to the lifestyle on offer; the supply of homes cannot keep up with the demand. Armstrong Real Estate lease out advertised homes in an average of 7 days, such is the popularity of this area.

A prudent renter should use the cash they save on their dwelling and invest this for their future. It is when this cash saving is simply squandered on lifestyle that rent does become dead money. Everybody’s favourite finance commentator, The Barefoot Investor, says in his book that if a person rented the same house their friend had bought, invested the difference in their associated costs, the renter would be in a better financial position in 20-30 years time. True, for the most part.

Another aspect of renting is the flexibility. This can also be seen as uncertainty. If the freezing winter’s of Geelong become too much to handle, it is very easy to simply sign a new lease and move to a place like the Whitsunday’s, not needing to worry about the extremely lengthy time it can take to sell your home. The other side of the same coin is also very real. A family of 5 receiving a letter from their property manager telling them they have 30 days to vacate the premises is surely going to cause a few sleepless nights. If the potential of this happening to you as a renter causes you severe angst and little-to-no peace of mind, then renting is probably not for you.

Personally, I understand that owning a home will cost me more money than renting one. Unfortunately, this country does not offer 10-20 years leases like other countries of the world(5). Therefore, I currently rent, with the goal to own a home in the near future for two reasons. Primarily, I would like to buy a nice little acreage around Geelong. These types of properties are hard to come by as rentals, and I would like to have full control over it. I am aware of the opportunity cost and it is a risk I am willing to take. Secondly, I plan to use the equity I build in my house to invest in my capital base. I will turn my bricks and mortar into an asset, and have it earn me some cash, rather than force me to spend cash on it.

The basic thing is I have a plan. This plan is what gives me peace of mind. At Income Solutions, we can help you create your plan, and, with a bit of luck and forethought, some decent peace of mind as well.

1 https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/peace-of-mind

2 https://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/cancelled-east-west-link-houses-are-being-sold-to-the-public-with-conditions-20150416-1mmedq

3 https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/geelong-star-gary-ablett-caps-off-homecoming-with-sale-of-gold-coast-home/news-story/017f13105e10ae150a73b0b8215497a0

4 https://www.yourmortgage.com.au/mortgage-news/nearly-one-million-households-are-in-mortgage-stress/248566/

5 https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/renting-property-dont-hold-your-breath-for-a-long-lease-20141104-11eftx.html

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way.

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24^th Apr 2018

Sticky Post Posted in education, Income Solutions, Insurance, Melbourne, Melbourne Financial Planner, Melbourne Financial Planning, Melbourne Office, opinion Permalink

Insuring Your Most Valuable Asset

Sticky Post On April 24, 2018

There is a good chance that your largest, most valuable asset is underinsured. It is not your car, it is not your home, it is your ability to generate an income. Income protection insurance can replace up to 75% of your income through your inability to work due to injury or illness. Knowing what cover is appropriate for yourself is an important step in safeguarding your financial life goals. If there are people dependant on you to provide an income, we recommend a review of your existing insurance cover.

Many Australians may not be concerned with insuring their largest financial asset, as it does not immediately impact them. A 2015 report completed by Rice Warner ‘Underinsurance in Australia’ states that, existing levels of Income Protection Insurance for Australians only meets 16% of their needs.

It is possible that you have some default cover within your Superannuation account.

This can be checked by calling you Superannuation provider or reading your Annual Superannuation Statement.

However, this level of cover may only provide you with Income Replacement for a period of two years. There is a possibility that you might not be able to return to work after a period of two years.

What then?
Can you still achieve your personal financial goals with no income?
What happens if you cannot work because of injury or illness?
Where will you get an income to meet your daily living expenses?

These are important questions you should ask yourself if others rely on you to provide for them. The best time to act is now.

By taking the time to talk to a Financial Advisor or completing an online insurance calculator you can determine what cover amounts and period is sustainable for your needs.

Do not put others in a worse off position because you did not take the time out to check what level of cover is appropriate for you.

Rice Warner. (2018). Australia’s relentless underinsurance gap. [online] Available at: http://www.ricewarner.com/australias-relentless-underinsurance-gap/

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product. Past performance is not a reliable guide to future returns. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way

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10^th Jul 2017

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, children, education, Finance Information, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Geelong Financial Planner, Income Process, Income Solutions, Insurance, kids, loans, property, tax, Uncategorized Permalink

Income Protection Insurance

Sticky Post On July 10, 2017

Gareth Daniels from Income Solutions

Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

Are you looking at purchasing your first home or planning on starting a family soon? If so this is the perfect time to look at getting an income protection insurance policy in place or re-evaluating your current policy.

Buying a new home or starting a family, or both, is such an exciting time and you’re probably getting lots of different opinions from family and friends on what you should be doing, so let’s break down the facts.

What is Income Protection Insurance?

Essentially, it pays up to 75% of your income if you are unable to work due to injury or illness. If you have debt, dependants, or both. We all know that whether your income is coming in or not, the bills still need to be paid. It is advisable to have income protection insurance to help pay those bills and support your loved ones in unforeseen circumstances.

When paying your income protection insurance, you have main 2 options, paying through your superannuation fund or paying directly from your income.

Paying through your super fund

If you choose to pay your income protection through your super fund, it will cover the premium giving you more money in your pocket to pay for other things. This strategy is useful if you are trying to pay down your mortgage or have school fees to pay as the premium is coming from your superannuation, not your wage, so there is more money in your pocket to pay down your mortgage or pay for childcare or school fees.

However, there can be some restrictions on claims, dependant on your policy, we advise that you speak to your financial advisor to clarify these specifics.

Paying income protection from your wage

Alternatively, you can pay your premium straight from your wage, and in many cases, this can prove a greater tax deduction compared to the tax rebate that will be paid into your super fund.

For example, take the average Australian wage of $60,000. This person will pay around 32.5% tax each financial year (not including the Medicare levy). If they pay their income protection insurance from their wage they will get back about 32.5% of that premium at tax time.

How do I know if I have the right cover?

These days everyone has a super fund, and you may have a level of income protection insurance by default, however this policy may not be right for your personal situation. So, feel free to grab your super fund statement and come in for a coffee and a chat and we can look at the right coverage for your current situation.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information.

The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way.

Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document.

Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product.

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30^th Jun 2017

Sticky Post Posted in Blog, children, education, Estate Planning, Finance Information, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Income Solutions, money management, property, saving, savings, shares, tax, Uncategorized Permalink

Generations of Wealth

Sticky Post On June 30, 2017

Alison Adams from Income Solutions

Authorised Representative, GWM Adviser Services Limited, Australian Financial Services Licensee

Sometimes financial advice is not about dollars and cents but instead becomes more about goals and objectives. As Financial Advisors, in the business of building wealth for our clients, we felt it was important to define “wealth” The concept sounds simple enough, and in many ways it is simple. We like to quote John C Bogle, the author of The little book of Common Sense Investing, “simple but not easy”. Often, the “not easy” part involves the goal of leaving a meaningful legacy to those whom you love. We find this is a common theme amongst our clients. It is one thing to invest for your own future but once you have successfully taken that journey, commonly thoughts turn to making sure your hard work benefits your children and grandchildren. So, what is needed? Successful estate planning takes an investment of time, careful consideration of your desired outcomes and the assistance of a quality Financial Advisor and specialist Estate Planning Lawyer. Did you know that your superannuation account balance and jointly held assets are not administered by your Will? For estate planning purposes, these types of financial assets are called “non estate assets”. For the majority of people, their superannuation account is likely to be one of their biggest assets. Another contender for biggest asset may be the family home, commonly jointly owned. In summary, the two assets often representing the bulk of an individual’s wealth may not be dealt with by their Will. What about if the bulk of your financial assets are deemed “estate assets” and in the event of your death, these assets will be distributed to your loved ones in accordance with your Will. That should set them up for a financially sound future, right? One of the biggest destroyers of wealth is the transfer of wealth from generation to generation. Consider your own family circumstances. Even if your family has so far been lucky enough to have escaped the statistics around relationship breakdowns, gambling or drug addiction, how do you know what the future holds for your children or even for your grandchildren? There are ways that a quality Will can provide a regular income stream to your loved ones and at the same time, protect their inheritance. David Ramsay, founder and Principal Financial Advisor at Income Solutions likes to say “you love your children and grandchildren; at best, you hope to like their partners”. Here’s some food for thought, consider these scenarios:

Sadly your father passes away and in accordance with his Will, you and your brother inherit the family home. The home sits in prime real estate, with upcoming re-zoning changes making you and your brother think it’s a good idea to rent the house out for a couple of years and sell when all of the changes have passed, holding out for a bigger profit. It’s currently worth $1m, however you believe your strategy could triple that value. Your father had a very simple Will and the home passes to you and your brother, held jointly at 50% each (currently a $500,00 inheritance to each brother). Both you and your brother are married, with young children. 3 months later, you unfortunately pass away in a car accident. Your Will makes provisions for your wife and young family. Your wife meets with the lawyer and lists all of your assets, including the $500,000 share of the inherited family house. Her Lawyer tells her that unfortunately a jointly held asset is not governed by the Will, and by law, the surviving brother is now the sole owner of the inherited family home. Your wife and children have no legal claim over your share of the house.

6 years ago you met your second wife, married and now have 3 beautiful girls together. You believe that your family is complete; you have your 3 girls and also 2 sons from your first marriage. Your ex-wife lives nearby and, although you’ve had rough patches in the past, your 2 sons come and stay every other weekend and because you live nearby you are able to attend their various sporting and school events and enjoy a good relationship with them. The boys have a good relationship with their step sisters, however as they are entering their late teens, lately the relationship between your second wife and the boys is often strained. Your motto is that things will improve once they get through their teenage years. Unfortunately you have an industrial accident at work and pass away. You have a current Will which makes provisions for your current wife to inherit the majority of your assets, with smaller amounts distributed to all of your children. You’ve had discussions with your second wife about how you would like her look after all of your children, and upon her passing, distribute your assets evenly. These wishes were reflected in her Will, drafted at the same time you drafted your Will. Your second wife is advised that, following your death, her existing Will is invalid and she makes arrangements with her Lawyer to draft a new Will immediately. After all, she’s the only parent left for her girls. The new Will is drawn, making provisions for your 3 daughters but excluding any provisions for your 2 sons.

You have worked hard and sacrificed through the years to build a sizeable investment portfolio. The portfolio derives enough income to support your lifestyle and consists of growth assets that should continue to support both your children and grandchildren when you pass. You have never been in the business of spending money “for the sake of it” and when you hear about DIY Will kits that you can purchase for $69.95 at the local newsagents, you go for it. After all, it’s pretty simple – you want your kids to inherit it, don’t touch it and live off the income, just as you have. When they pass, you want their Will to provide the same directions to their children. You’ve even sat all of your kids down and told them as much and they all agreed. You pass away a contented man, proud of your life’s achievements and the way you’ve provided for your family’s future. Only problem is:

Daughter number 1 has a marriage breakdown 2 years after you pass away. She directly inherited your assets in her own name, meaning they formed part of the divorce settlement. Half of your inheritance has now been distributed to her ex-husband, who, truth be known, you never really liked anyway.
Son number 2 has never been good at managing his money. Before you passed, you asked your other children to keep an eye on him, but they’re so busy with their own lives that they can’t keep track of him as well. A few ill advised investment decisions later and he’s lost at least 3/4 of his inheritance.
Son number 3 is self employed and just prior to your passing, he ran one of the biggest engineering businesses in town (a great source of pride for you). Unfortunately the majority of his business involved supplying and servicing the machinery at 2 local car manufacturers. Since those manufacturers have closed down, he’s put on a brave face but in truth, new business has proved too hard to find and he’s just about to declare bankruptcy. The only thing that can save him is your inheritance but due to a quirk of bad timing, he is forced to use the inheritance to pay his debts and close his business. He’s not in debt, however he has no business and no inheritance.

These 3 scenarios are fictitious, however similar scenarios are happening each and every day. Sadly, they are preventable. Advice from a good quality Financial Advisor and specialist Estate Planning Lawyer would ensure sound investment strategies could accompany estate planning protections. The outcome being that the transfer of wealth through generations can successfully be achieved.

Any advice in this publication is of a general nature only and has not been tailored to your personal circumstances. Please seek personal advice prior to acting on this information. The information in this document reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue. In some cases the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Opinions constitute our judgement at the time of issue and are subject to change. Neither, the Licensee or any of the National Australia group of companies, nor their employees or directors give any warranty of accuracy, nor accept any responsibility for errors or omissions in this document. Before making a decision to acquire a financial product, you should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product.

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Peace of Mind is King

1 https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/peace-of-mind

2 https://www.afr.com/real-estate/residential/cancelled-east-west-link-houses-are-being-sold-to-the-public-with-conditions-20150416-1mmedq

3 https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/geelong-star-gary-ablett-caps-off-homecoming-with-sale-of-gold-coast-home/news-story/017f13105e10ae150a73b0b8215497a0

4 https://www.yourmortgage.com.au/mortgage-news/nearly-one-million-households-are-in-mortgage-stress/248566/

5 https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/renting-property-dont-hold-your-breath-for-a-long-lease-20141104-11eftx.html

Insuring Your Most Valuable Asset

Rice Warner. (2018). Australia’s relentless underinsurance gap. [online] Available at: http://www.ricewarner.com/australias-relentless-underinsurance-gap/

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