How to protect yourself from being scammed Since the earliest days of commerce there have always been people prepared to commit fraud against others. With easy access to millions of people via the internet, modern fraud has increased the opportunities for the bad guys and heightened the risk for the […]
Are you and your partner financially compatible? A marriage between a saver and a spender comes with its problems, but nothing true love can’t overcome – right? According to the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), household finances are among the main reasons couples argue. When Anna met Tony they […]
Personal risk management is a critical foundation stone of any financial plan. The key personal insurances are: Life insurance. This pays a lump sum benefit when you die. Total and permanent disability insurance (TPD). A lump sum is paid if you meet the policy definition of being totally and permanently […]
None of us likes to consider our own mortality. For our older loved ones, it’s an even more confronting topic and difficult to discuss. When Lindsay became ill, his family’s priority was to support him through his treatment, and keep him positive and as comfortable as possible. Typical of his […]
Arranging aged care can be stressful, but when it involves someone who is a farmer, unique circumstances apply. If your loved one is a farmer on his or her own land, would you know how best to help? Farmers – often a husband and wife team – may continue working […]
Estate planning ensures that when we die, our assets can be passed promptly and tax-effectively to the people we love or the charities we support. As life changes, your Will should be updated to reflect those changes. Many events can trigger a need to review your Will, such as: • […]
There are now almost 600,000 Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) in Australia where the members of the fund are also the trustees. These trustees are responsible for running the fund according to the superannuation rules. If they get it wrong, the consequences can be dire. Each year, SMSFs lose their concessional […]
Is a DIY Will kit enough? More than 45% of Australians don’t have a valid Will. If you die without one, your hard-earned wealth (your estate) will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy – a government-determined formula. That may not divide your estate as you would like, and […]