A Clear Direction Financial Planning

04/09/2024

Many people start out managing their own investments. But as their earnings and assets grow, their financial needs and challenges become more complex—and continuing to go it alone could prove costly in terms of investing miscues. This article lists three common mistakes that can reduce returns and increase anxiety.

Consider three common mistakes that can lower investment returns while raising anxiety—and why having an advisor could help you avoid such miscues.

02/09/2024

Education in any field tends to focus on showing students the best practices for success. With long-term investing, in contrast, you may learn more quickly by getting a grasp of all the things to avoid doing. In this article, a personal finance writer, with tongue firmly in cheek, lists nine ways to ensure you will be financially miserable

How do we get our finances right? Let's think of the WORST financial life possible, and then "invert, always invert."

29/07/2024

An estimated transfer of $4.9 trillion from one generation to the next between now and 2034 should be a great incentive for us all to get our estate planning strategy in order. A recent article in the Fin Review sets out 6 questions to ask your adult children. https://www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance/six-questions-to-ask-your-adult-kids-before-writing-a-will-20240711-p5jsv7

At A Clear Direction we are working with families to ensure that the transfer is a success for all parties.

Not everybody has the financial literacy and emotional intelligence to handle a significant inheritance.

29/07/2024

I came across an interesting analysis of the residential property under supply that we are seeing in Australia. https://www.amp.com.au/insights-hub/blog/investing/econosights-state-housing?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Live_Send_240729%20Econosights%20(1)&utm_content=

Diana Mousina from AMP sets out the following key points in her article:

- Housing demand in Australia has been running above
housing supply for the past two decades causing a dwelling
shortage.
- High population growth in recent years and low levels of
dwelling construction has made the housing shortage
worse.
- However, there are variations across the states and
territories, with some in a housing shortage (Qld and NSW)
and some likely in oversupply (Victoria) which is influencing
dwelling prices in capital cities, rental vacancy rates and
rental growth

Well worth a read if you are interested in getting a better understanding of this issue.

Most of the usual analysis on the Australian housing market focusses on the national problem of housing undersupply. However, this disguises the mixed outcomes across the states and territories which influence housing values and rents across capital and regional cities.

03/07/2024

Now that the new financial year has commenced a possible strategy for couples to consider is splitting super from one spouse to another. This should be particularly of interest if there is a reasonable age difference or one couple has a much larger balance and is likely to reach the $1.9 million super balance cap.

Meg Heffron set out the key details in this AFR article -

It can make a material difference to your total retirement kitty and the tax you pay – but you need to get it right.

11/05/2024

Through my what seems endless professional reading each week I came across this article in the Harvard Business Review regarding coping with the stress of retirement. Whilst it has an American focus a lot of the discussion is applicable to here in Australia. Well worth a read.

Retirement can seem like a dream. Will we ever be able to stop working? Will we want to? Will we be able to afford it? For those of us who have built our lives around work, the transition to not working can be stressful. Whether your worry about retirement is grounded in financial questions, health....

07/05/2024

Our Client Referral program sees additional funds added to our KIVA account and loaned on to borrowers in parts of the world where there is limited access to funds to build their businesses and overall quality of life. If you would like to know more about KIVA take a look at their recently released 2023 Impact Report.

https://www.kiva.org/impact/annual-report-2023?utm_source=campaign&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=no-promo_engagement_05.06.24_all-users-annual-impact-report-p_na_MPV1

12/03/2024

Want to improve your health and wellbeing this year? If so, have you considered if all your health checks are up to date?

Preventative health screening can be an effective way to identify potential health issues before they become a problem. It can help you take proactive steps to prevent disease, increase longevity and feel your best. However, with so many different screening options available, it can be confusing to know which ones are right for you.

To take the uncertainty out of it, Zurich has put together this guide to help you understand what health screening is all about. Additionally, booking in to see your GP is the best way to know which screening tests are most suitable for you, considering factors such as your age, gender, family history, and lifestyle.

Your guide to recommended health checks by age

09/03/2024

The SPIVA scorecard comes of age this year. For 21 years it’s been the go-to report for investors and others interested in the ‘active vs. passive’ debate. With more than two decades of data to refer to, Richard Montgomery at Betashares looks at what we can learn from these reports.

After 20 years of data from the SPIVA Report, what can we learn on active vs passive when it comes to investing? Learn more.

09/03/2024

We have just added another two loans to our portfolio as part of the client referral appreciation program. Join us to help provide micro loans to women across the globe this International Women's Day.

Support Kiva's mission for global financial access and opportunity

16/12/2023

The bucketing approach to investing in retirement whilst looking simplistic on the outside is a really effective approach especially when compared next to a single diversifies investment option used by a lot of default superannuation income account approaches.

This article in the Australian Financial Review sets out a great explanation of the approach and its benefits.

A timeless game plan invented in 1985 helps retirees – and younger investors – avoid worries during sharemarket downturns by planning ahead.

29/10/2023

A new report suggests that Australians, both young and old, are ill prepared for the largest wealth transfer in history. James Gruber writing for the Firstlinks weekly newsletter sets out the main findings from the Productivity Commission report and sets out some key considerations for those grappling with how best to pass on wealth in their letter years.

A new report suggests that Australians are ill prepared for the largest intergenerational wealth handover in history. It's estimated $3.5 trillion in assets will be transferred from Baby Boomers to their children by 2050.