More working-age Australians intend to take a career break at some point. We’ve calculated the potential impact of doing so on retirement superannuation balances.

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Find out how to save money every day and make a savings plan to stay on track.

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The world is an amazing place, with so much to see and do. In fact, sometimes it can feel as though there is so much to experience it can be quite a challenge selecting a destination, but if you follow your heart and explore your passions when planning a trip you can’t go wrong.

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Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month.

After endless gloomy forecasts, there was a glimmer of hope last month that the cost of living might be easing.

Inflation continued to fall, despite predictions by economists of a rise.

The ASX200 ended the month down with gains in financial stocks being offset by losses in mining and energy shares because of their dependency on China.

Click the video below to view our September update.

Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

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Stay up to date with what’s happened in Australian markets over the past month.

While the price of most goods and services continues to rise, the good news is the rate of increase is continuing to slow.

As a result, the markets are beginning to breathe a sigh of relief.

The ASX rallied to close the month on a positive note due to a combination of stronger than expected growth data, better than expected earnings and lower inflation.

Click the video below to view our August update.

Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

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As our superannuation balances grow larger, it makes more sense than ever to keep track of the many rules changes that have recently happened or are coming up soon.

So, check out these latest changes in case they affect you.

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When you’re faced with a decision, do you trust your feelings or do you look at the situation objectively, making a careful list of pros and cons? Emotions exert a strong influence on our decisions, so it’s important to have a bit of balance between reason and emotion – particularly when it comes to the big decisions in life.

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Global central banks hike rates amidst rising core inflation. Investors brace as economy cools. Equities soar despite the turbulence.

Unruly ride in US equity markets driven by mega cap tech stocks (Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Nvidia, Alphabet), boosting S&P 500, Nasdaq to a record 37% 6-month return, and Apple’s $3 trillion market capitalisation triumph. Artificial intelligence hype soars, but investors should tread carefully with overpriced stocks.

The material change to select portfolios this quarter was the addition of the DNR Capital Australian Equities High Conviction Strategy to replace the Bennelong Australian Equities portfolio in the Core, Growth, and Australian models. Other changes were limited to adjustments to benchmark allocations.

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Think you have been scammed? These steps will help you take action quickly to stop the scammers and limit the damage.

Know that you are not alone and you can recover from this. There is support available, if and when you need it.

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If you need help in your home, or can no longer live independently, the Australian Government provides a range of aged care services.

These services are subsidised, but you need to contribute to the cost if you can afford to.

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Life is pretty frantic, and it is common to feel like it’s a struggle to keep up the pace. In fact, feeling exhausted is so common that it has its own acronym, TATT, which stands for “tired all the time”.

While it’s somewhat comforting to know you’re not alone, it’s certainly not a nice feeling, so let’s look at some of the best ways to get some bounce back into your step.

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The thought of retirement is an enticing one for many of us. Imagine throwing off the shackles of the workforce and being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want. But why wait until you are retired to do the things you love? 

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Concerns leading up to the RBA’s decision on interest rates this month, along with the drama over the US debt ceiling, have affected local markets and the Australian dollar.

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Just like your car needs a periodic service to stay in tune, here’s why you should rebalance your portfolio from time to time.

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When life tosses up an unexpected event – such as retrenchment, a medical emergency or even just a big bill to fix the car – it can be nerve-wracking worrying about how to deal with the crisis. And, if funds are short, that just adds to the stress.

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In the lead up to the Federal Budget, better-than-expected inflation figures were cause for optimism that the lengthy run of cash rate hikes have had an impact.

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It’s no secret that scammers are getting more sophisticated. As this is an ever-evolving space, scammers are constantly developing new ways to part you with your hard-earned cash – and they cast their net wide. 

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Superannuation has dominated recent headlines, with proposed changes announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. While the details of these changes still need to be released, it’s worthwhile turning our focus to superannuation balances as we approach the end of financial year.

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If money’s too tight to mention, here’s some small steps that can make a big difference in achieving your financial goals.

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Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

March was marked by banking failures in the US that sent ripples through global sharemarkets.

However, the first quarter of 2023 ended on a note of optimism in Australia due to better-than-expected inflation figures and expectations of a tempering in rate rises.

Please get in touch if you’d like assistance with your personal financial situation.

Many individuals are not adequately prepared for retirement and may find it challenging to navigate the complex financial decisions involved in planning for this phase of life. This is the situation most financial advisers are passionate about avoiding, and where their expertise can be the key to a smooth transition to what can be a wonderful phase of life – done properly! For those new to the ‘retirement’ conversation, we’re going to explore the benefits of having a financial adviser to help you retire well.

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Retirement is a phase of life most of us look forward to. It’s a chance to pursue other interests, travel and maybe do some part-time work or volunteering.

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Gut health has become one of the hottest health topics in recent years as we have started to learn about the complex connection between gut health and overall health. So why is gut health so important and how can we support and boost our own microbiomes?

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Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

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Thousands of years ago, Polynesian explorers using basic, wooden outrigger canoes embarked on long-distance voyages across the vast Pacific Ocean to travel between regional islands.

They did so long before the advent of any maritime navigational instruments, relying heavily on the night sky to guide them.

More precisely, they used two stars in particular – Polaris and Polaris Australis.

Why these stars? Both are bright, and both are polar stars. Because they’re respectively aligned to the North and South Poles, the Polynesians effectively had fixed points in the stars to help triangulate their nautical positions and navigate to different islands.

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The just-finished Australian Open had most spectators gripping the edge of their seats at times over its 14 days of play.

From the opening round, right through to the women’s and men’s finals, you could say the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2023 had it all.

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Getting more money into superannuation is a proven way of building wealth to spend in retirement.

Ongoing contributions from your employer over the course of your working life, and potentially extra contributions made by you, can make a huge difference to your super balance over the long term as your account balance continues to grow.

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Travelling cheaply needn’t mean you miss out. Find out the best ways to save big on your overseas holiday plans, and make the most of every dollar.

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Key Points:

• Never use the same password or variations of the same password, utilise different numbers and letters with a mixture of capital and lower case letters
• Online quizzes may be fun but usually there is a catch, and that catch can be your personal data
• Scammers either attempt to build rapport with their targets or are very aggressive and frightening

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Retirement is a phase of life most of us look forward to. It’s a chance to pursue other interests, travel and maybe do some part-time work or volunteering.

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Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

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Frustrated with your current rate of progress? Here are seven types of busy that could be holding you up, plus tips on how to overcome them. Which one are you?

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‘The business is my retirement,’ say many business owners. The reality is far more complicated – and devastating if you get it wrong.

The risks of using your business as your sole retirement nest egg or as the majority of it, are numerous and diverse. And they continue to ensnare many Aussie business owners looking to retire.

With this in mind, consider the common perils of making this gamble and options for safeguarding both your business and your retirement.

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When markets fall, it’s natural to want to take action to prevent further losses. Doing so however can do more harm than good. Here’s why timing the market to buy low and sell high is not as easy as it sounds.

If you’re invested in the financial markets and also keeping up with the news, you’re probably wondering if you should do anything to insulate your portfolio from incurring further losses alongside rising interest rates and inflation.

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Rising inflation brings about concern for many, but Vanguard’s time-tested investment philosophy—and a long-term focus—can help any investor navigate choppy waters.

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We’re serving up the truth about some common scam myths that you might have heard, especially around tax time.

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If you’ve ever hosted a visitor from overseas during the festive season you may have seen them a little bemused by the way we celebrate. It’s quite understandable as we do things a little bit differently down under.

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Stay up to date with what’s happened in the Australian economy and markets over the past month.

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Scam awareness is something we feel so passionately about here at RFS Advice and we
continuously aim to provide the most up-to-date information and advice for our clients to
keep them safe in the digital age. We have been lucky to partner with Claire Robinson and
the team at Basic Tech this year offering our clients educational sessions to teach and
empower clients to actively use technology to maintain their independence. Together
during Scams Awareness Week we want to ensure our clients and the wider community are
reminded of potential threats and remain equipped to identify common red flags.

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Despite it seeming increasingly difficult to get on the property ladder, there are still a few ways younger investors can realistically work towards a house deposit.

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In volatile market conditions, not doing anything at all – staying the course – is generally the best investment strategy overall.

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The rising cost of living is on everyone’s mind. Here’s why having a budget could help get you through the tough times ahead.

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With the 30^th June 2022 approaching, it is timely you attend to or be aware of a number of factual matters. 

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The phrase ‘no man is an island’ is from a poem written by John Donne and expresses the idea that humans need to be part of a community to thrive. That’s certainly true, by nature we are social creatures and connection is a core human need. So why do so many of us feel alone and what can we do to feel more connected?

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Succession planning can be difficult at the best of times without dealing with the added pressures farmers have recently faced with droughts, fires and floods.

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Trying to time investment markets is difficult if not impossible at the best of times, let alone now. The war in Ukraine, rising inflation and interest rates and an upcoming federal election have all added to market uncertainty and volatility.

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Welcome to May, and while the weather is cooling the economic and political landscape is heating up. All eyes are on interest rates as the federal election campaign shifts into top gear ahead of the May 21 polling day.

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The RFS client survey was circulating throughout April and a very big thank-you to all of those who took the time to respond.  We understand that there are lots of competing priorities and really do appreciate the chance to get some feedback.

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As we continue to see significant market volatility, we thought we would provide you with an update on what the Committee has been implementing in the Investment models as we move through this investment cycle.

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During this 45-minute webinar, RFS Advice Director and AANAM Chair Troy Theobald joins Evalesco’s Jeff and Marshall, as they discuss the latest investment insights and news.

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Decades of peace in Europe were shattered on February 24^th, 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine. We extend our thoughts and sympathy to everyone affected and our hearts go out to all those suffering. What is reassuring is the amount of support throughout the world in standing with Ukraine. 

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Australia’s superannuation system is based on individual accounts, with men and women treated equally. But that’s where equality ends. It’s a simple fact that women generally retire with much less super than men.

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There is a saying ‘a fool and his money are often parted’ but with scammers becoming ever more devious and sophisticated in their methods, it pays for everyone to be aware of the latest tricks being employed.

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With all eyes on the Federal Budget and balancing the nation’s books, it’s a good time to review your personal balance sheet. If it’s not as healthy as you would like, perhaps it’s time to do a little budget repair of your own.

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Welcome to an early Federal Budget edition of our April newsletter. As the Morrison Government clears the decks ahead of a May election, Australians will be weighing up the impact on their household budgets.

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We have had a few calls recently about this last quarter and what is happening in portfolios.  I just wanted to walk you through some of the ‘behind the scenes’ machinations that drive portfolio construction and why despite a solid twelve months, we can still have a bad quarter.

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As many of you will note, the AAN Investment Committee have long maintained the policy of rebalancing models on a quarterly basis, and this was actioned last Friday. This process involves trimming positions that have performed well, topping up those that haven’t and as part of this rebalance a number of changes were made to the Core, Growth and Australian models, and we wanted to share those with you. 

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A balancing act

Billed as a Budget for families with a focus on relieving short-term cost of living pressures, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s fourth Budget also has one eye firmly on the federal election in May.

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I feel more than a little guilty talking about travel with the human tragedy that is unfolding in Ukraine but I have just been to Canada and back and I know there is a genuine interest in how to manage the additional complexities of international travel in the current environment.

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If it’s been a while since you had that wonderful feeling of euphoria, there are measures you can take to elevate your mood by encouraging production of your bodies naturally occurring ‘happy hormones’.

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It’s easy to walk into debt, but so much harder to get out of it. You must own your mess and know that your financial reason for living is to pay down your debt, writes Glen James author of Sort Your Money Out & Get Invested.

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It’s been a rocky start to the year on world markets but that doesn’t mean you should hit the panic button. Staying the course is generally the best course, but that’s easier said than done when there’s a big market fall.

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It’s March already which marks the beginning of Autumn. While this is traditionally the season when things cool down, the economic and political scene is gearing up with the Federal Budget later this month and a federal election expected by May.

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The pandemic has changed the way so many of us live, with jobs, travel and lifestyle all transformed during COVID. Now, as we start emerging on the other side, it may be a good idea to check whether these changes have impacted on your life insurance needs.

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Australians are leaving capital cities in droves in a phenomenon being referred to as ‘The Great Relocation’. However, there’s a lot to consider beyond the obvious appeal of waking up to the laughter of kookaburras or enjoying a long walk on the beach.

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By RFS Advice CEO Paul Forbes

There has been a bit of a rebirth of old games in my household with three students home for the summer, really going to miss them when they go back to university….

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Dear Investor

2021 presented a year of ups and downs for most of us. The ups included a strong start for the Australian economy and markets, with Australia’s strong quarantine system buffering us from a new highly contagious Covid-19 variant labelled Delta.

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Two steps forward, one step back

For the second year running, the pandemic was the focus for policy makers, markets, businesses, and individuals alike.

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The calendar turns over to a fresh, brand new year, full of promise, so how do we keep these promises we make to ourselves and get to the end of the year with our resolutions intact and goals realised?

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As we start 2022, it seems nothing is normal or is it the continuation of the abnormal?

What we do know is most states (except WA) want to get back to the old days of 2019.

If we look to overseas, we are seeing countries emerge from the last few years stronger. Inflation is increasing and central banks are talking about tapering and potential interest rate increases.

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Slightly out of context but the quote points to watching something continually, can make it feel like it is never going to happen – in this case boil.

Investment markets can feel the same way.

The answer to the question, ‘is a correction coming?’ is ‘ALWAYS’.

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After a difficult year of COVID disruptions and uncertainty, the summer holidays can’t come quickly enough. It’s a chance to refresh and reflect on the year that was and hopefully set some goals for year ahead.

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Inflation appears to be firmly on the rise and while that is bad news for consumers it’s not necessarily bad news for investors. In fact, inflation may provide new opportunities.

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Christmas is a time when we come together to celebrate with our family and friends. And, for those who haven’t been able to see friends and family due to border closures, it will be an even more joyous occasion this year.

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December and summer have finally arrived, and you can almost hear the collective sigh of relief as 2021 draws to a close.

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Greater flexibility in working arrangements has been a by-product of the pandemic, as working from home has become more widespread. In fact, The Families in Australia Survey: Towards COVID Normal reported in November 2020 that two thirds of Aussies were working from home.

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You could be forgiven for thinking Australia is in dire straits based on the ‘news’ reporting and I do have fears that our media is promoting the same partisan rubbish we saw play out in the Biden/Trump election.

Instead of reporting, it seems that individuals’ opinions in the media are the only thing that matters.

In the last two years, Australia has done remarkably well.

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Throughout our lives, making a decision is something we do thousands of times a day. Our first thought occurs as soon as we wake, and our final thought when we drift off to sleep. Researchers have found on average, that most people will have approximately 6,200 thoughts per day.ⁱ

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For many people, there’s much more to choosing investments than focusing exclusively on financial returns. Returns are important, but a growing number of people also want their investments align with their values.

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Superannuation has provided most fund members with stellar returns since last year’s COVID lows. As always though, some funds performed better than others and recent government reforms make it easier to find out how your fund compares.

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Over the last 40 years interest rates have largely been on a downward trajectory as governments separated central banks from political influence, and refocused them on broader objectives linked to employment, inflation, and currency stability.

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In this Spring newsletter, read the latest market updates based on highlights across the Australian market over the past month.

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In an open letter to the Government and its regulators, CEO Paul Forbes documents a dizzying trail of red tape which all advisers must currently follow when informing their clients about the fees they charge. This is a plea for common sense made by Forbes to Canberra’s bureaucrats and decision-makers…

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The finalist list, which was announced on 24 August 2021, features over 210 high-achieving financial services professionals across 27 submission-based categories.

We would like to wish RFS’s Darko Zigic and Troy Theobald for their nominations; Goals-Based Adviser of the Year and Practice Principle of the Year. We would also like to extend a big congratulations to our friends at Evalesco Financial Services and Centaur Financial Services who are part of our Australian Advice Network group and also received nominations for the IFA awards.

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Last week, the US listed business Square announced plans to takeover Afterpay in a deal that valued the Australian company at $39 billion, making it the biggest acquisition in Australian corporate history. As Afterpay is a significant holding in your portfolio, I wanted to share some insights directly from the manager, and outline what the acquisition means for you.

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(Feel free to forward this information to friends or loved ones who may be unsure)

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A big shout out to Joe N (husband of Fran as he puts it) – one of our long term clients – who I know will be glued to the Olympics and must be very happy with the 7+ app (https://7plus.com.au/olympics) that gives you every sport you can think of.  Now retired, so lots more time on his hands, Joe is a bit of an Olympics addict and has been taking two weeks holidays every Olympic year since his twenties to watch whatever is available.  The coverage has only got better, so no doubt he is in his element.

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As the new financial year gets underway, there are some big changes to superannuation that could add up to a welcome lift in your retirement savings.

Fears of a resurgence in inflation has been the big topic of conversation among bond and sharemarket commentators lately, which may come as a surprise to many given that our rate of inflation is just 1.1 per cent. Yet despite market rumblings, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) appears quite comfortable about the outlook.

The Olympic Games always provides a platform to marvel at what humans are capable of, as the athletes competing strive to be the fastest, the strongest or just the best, to win gold. While this year may be a little different, the Games still give us the opportunity to be inspired by the remarkable performances of the athletes as they compete.

If it wasn’t already clear, the past 12 months certainly cemented the fact that life has a habit of throwing us the occasional curveball. The reality is we all face challenges, however approaching life with a positive mindset can help us deal with any issues we may face and improve our lives in many ways.

If you’ve owned an individual income protection or salary continuance policy in recent years, you may have seen your premiums increase as insurers struggled to cover their large losses on these products.ⁱ

It’s been a year of change like no other and that extends to tax and superannuation. As the end of the financial year approaches, now is a good time to check some new and not so new ways to reduce tax and boost your savings.

Now we have got through the excitement of the budget – I know, a gift that keeps on giving – there are a few things that we need to pay attention to in the financial world.

One of the things that we all have in common as living beings is our finite lifespan and our awareness of this also contributes to motivating us to make each and every moment count.

Federal Budget 2021-22

Keeping the recovery alive and kicking

The recent sharp rise in bond rates may not be a big topic of conversation around the Sunday barbecue, but it has set pulses racing on financial markets amid talk of inflation and what that might mean for investors.

Separation and divorce can be a challenging time, often made all the more difficult when you have to divide your assets. So how do you go about decoupling your superannuation?

After spending their working life building retirement savings, many retirees are often reluctant to eat into their “nest egg” too quickly. This is understandable, given that we are living longer than previous generations and may need to pay for aged care and health costs later in life.

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The past 12 months have been a challenging time for many of us on a personal level, with the pandemic having a far-reaching impact on so many aspects of our lives. While the Australian economy is proving remarkably resilient, personal finances have been affected in different ways by lockdowns and government initiatives put in place to soften the economic toll of the pandemic.

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Like trees losing their leaves in autumn, why not take a leaf out of their book and choose this time of year to shed some of your own financial baggage.

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A little over a week ago, Morningstar, a leading provider of independent investment research,  announced the finalists of the 2021 Morningstar Australia Awards.

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As anyone who has joined the weekend crowd at Bunnings knows, Australians love DIY. And that same can-do spirit helps explain why 1.1 million Aussies choose to take control of their retirement savings with a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF).

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At a time when many people have been focused on their family’s health and livelihood, having adequate life insurance has never been more important. Yet the gap between what we need and what we have, has been growing.

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Does the summer break already feel like so long ago? If that holiday glow and relaxation didn’t last as long as you wanted, you’re not alone.

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(Original post https://www.betashares.com.au/)

In this special short series we ask experts, colleagues, clients and industry figures to answer a few questions to get an idea of their approach to investing.

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Goal setting is one thing – achieving your goals is something else entirely. So what makes the difference between a goal that is achieved and one that falls by the wayside?

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Just as we were recovering from the long drought and the worst bushfires on record, the global coronavirus pandemic took hold and changed everything.

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It was a year most of us would like to forget. And yet, some of the toughest lessons of 2020 had a silver lining.

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2020 is rapidly coming to a close and our team will be signing off until early January from next Wednesday (23^rd) at midday. We just wanted to give you a quick update from the investment committee on what has been a surprisingly good investment year.

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Democrat Joe Biden is pressing ahead with preparations to take the reins as the next President of the United States. Despite legal challenges and recounts, the early signs are that markets are responding positively.

In fact, the US sharemarket hit record highs in the weeks following the November 3 election as Biden’s lead widened.

So what can we expect from a Biden Presidency?

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The traditional festive holiday season is likely to be a little different this year, but one thing is likely to remain the same – the temptation to spend and the post-Christmas budget hangover.

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For many Aussies with the travel itch, the COVID-19 pandemic put an end to flying to far-off destinations or even venturing beyond your own city or state. While we may be grounded for some time, fortunately you can still enjoy novel and fun adventures closer to home. You might be surprised to find out what is within reach. And at the very least, start planning trips for the coming months ahead.

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December and summer are finally here, along with a renewed sense of optimism that strict lockdown measures will ease by Christmas. It’s been a tough year, but once again Australians have proved extremely resilient. We wish all our clients and their families a relaxed and happy Christmas.

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Most Australians are only vaguely aware – or completely unaware – of the fact that credit-reporting agencies monitor their financial transactions.

While most Australians don’t give much thought to what’s on their credit report, the credit score that’s based on the contents of that report can have a significant impact on your financial choices. A modest score may mean you miss out on getting a mortgage or business loan.

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When it comes to decision making, we don’t always get it right. It is human nature to fall for several behavioural traps when making everyday decisions and also when trying to predict the future. Even the smartest people can succumb to their own biases when forming judgements and making choices.

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With tax cuts and stimulus payments on the way, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is urging us to open our wallets and spend to kick start the national economy. But if your personal balance sheet could do with a kick along, then saving and investing what you can also makes sense.

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In Queensland we go to the polls on the 31st of October. The Labor government has the advantage that all state governments have during this pandemic (let’s exclude Victoria for the moment) with daily press conferences and a press that really isn’t interested in anything but Covid19 news.

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Dementia is not a single disease; it’s an all-encompassing term describing a range of symptoms.

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Financial planning is a lifelong endeavour, and it’s important to be putting in place the strategies that suit your lifestyle, but with one eye on the future.

As you move through different life stages, your resources and risk tolerance will change. Saving for your retirement looks very different at age 30 compared to age 60.

Whether you are starting out or closer to retirement, here are three things to consider at each life stage to help you plan for a comfortable retirement.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the superannuation savings of most Australians.

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Just when you thought you had a grip on the superannuation rules, they change again. This time though, the changes are mostly positive, especially for older super members keen to top up their savings.

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Most of us understand the importance of saving for a rainy day, but sometimes it takes a crisis like the current pandemic to make us act on it.

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August is here and the wattle is in bloom, a sign that spring is around the corner.

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Alright, I know this will frustrate a good portion of you as we Queenslanders can happily sit behind our border and throw rocks at those infected states.

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While Australia’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic was among the best in the world, the speed and spread of the illness underlined just how fragile life can be.

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With Australia in a COVID-induced recession, residential property is not immune to falling economic activity. Yet housing prices are proving surprisingly resilient.

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On the 3^rd of July QSuper announced they would no longer be providing Personal Financial Advice.  (QSuper ceases comprehensive advice).

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July is here along with the winter chill. But July also signals the start of a new financial year and chances are most Australians are happy to say goodbye to the last one. This year more than ever it’s a great time to plan your finances for the year ahead, to rebuild or make the most of the savings you have made during months of social isolation.

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Well the results are in and to all the respondents – and there were some 143 of you – a very big thank you.  We appreciate so many of you taking the time to give us some very valuable feedback.

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A lot of people would probably like to forget 19_20 but its impacts will continue to be felt. As we suspected back in March, we will still be dealing with this pandemic for some time and that has flow on effects for investment markets and certainly for Australian’s, their jobs and business’ and the world and Australian economy.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted our day-to-day lives in a dramatic way. One of the biggest changes to come from this period was a transition to working from home for many people.

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Winter is here and we are almost to the end of another financial year. And what a year it’s been! With so many Australians impacted by fires, floods, drought and now COVID-19, let’s hope the new financial year sees a return to something like normality…

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Lump Sum (one-off) Withdrawals

If you are planning any large acquisitions in July that will require drawing down on your investments, superannuation or pension accounts, please be aware that most investment managers delay redemptions in the first weeks of the new financial year as they finalise their end of year accounts.Read More

Last week I talked about investment returns not necessarily to blow our own trumpet, but more to give reassurance that diversification works and that building in some downside protection can reduce the very big swings, single asset classes can have.

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Credit where credit is due, I borrowed the title from Troy Theobald who used it this morning – he assures me it is an original…

So, very exciting news cycle this week. Australia had a negative quarter of growth in March (-0.3%) and the forecast is, we will have a negative quarter in June as well! This will mean Australia will technically be in recession for the first time in 29 years.Read More

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Something a little bit different this week as we have asked one of our investment specialists to share some thoughts on the how he and his team are thinking about this crisis and how they are managing their way out.Read More

RFS Advice’s Troy Theobald was featured in the Financial Review last week, discussing market cycles.

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Lots of good news on easing of restrictions this week (unless you are in Victoria) and this has had a positive impact both here and in global markets.Read More

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In these extraordinary times, even the most unlikely of tech-users have been jumping aboard the ‘Zoom’ train – or other virtual meeting software – in a bid to remain connected. Both a user-friendly and practical way to allow businesses and staff to remain connected, and a growing method of choice for those wanting to catch up with loved ones during this phase where our habitual catch-ups are a no-no.

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In our recent blogs we mentioned the AAN Investment Committee had been very active through this recent downturn. 

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With news from Scott Morrison, the chief medical officers and the cabinet taking a slightly more positive tone, the question that many commentators are turning their minds to is how does the economy restart and what does that mean to underlying companies, earnings and valuations…

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Another week and yet more, much needed, government spending initiatives…

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An update on government support, April 1, 2020.

We are a bit confused so you probably are as well...

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Social isolation may be easy for some, but has proven a difficult task for many. There’s never been a more important time to check in with loved ones and ask, “Are you okay?”…

Below we’ve listed a variety of handy online services to help make a period of self isolation a little easier, and whilst you may already be aware of what’s available for our convenience, keep in mind any family or elders in your community who might benefit from any of these online tools:

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As Troy, Darko and I walked through Robina Shopping Centre past closed shops and empty hallways today, it strikes you how quickly an environment can change. We were going to Woollies to collect some bits and pieces for end of month drinks.  We talked about not holding them but decided we still could as long as everyone was spaced in a large part of the office with their own plates and utensils as opposed to all crowded into our board room.  That was not a conversation a month ago. A month ago you would not see empty shelves in supermarkets but this is the new normal. 

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Government offer access to a portion of your Superannuation to help you through this difficult period…

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Well, what a few weeks we have had! We trust you are doing all that you can from a health and wellbeing viewpoint…

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Probably a little pre-emptive but I would like to try and move your focus to six months from now…

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RFS Advice are working on new policies and procedures for helping our client community to manage the spread of the Coronavirus outbreak…

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Almost two months into 2020 and we are definitely living in interesting times…

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The 2019 Financial Services Power 50 is a survey conducted by the Financial Standard is search of the Australia’s 50 most influential advisers.  By Influential, the Financial Standard is looking for “individuals who have been, or continue to be instrumental in shaping the future of the financial advice industry”.

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We are pleased to announce that the Perpetual Diversified Real Return Fund has won the award for best Multi Asset – Real Return category at the 2019 Zenith Fund Awards.

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You may be aware that the Australian Tax Office (ATO) has issued letters to nearly 18,000 SMSF trustees as part of a campaign to ensure they’re aware of their investment obligations.

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The 18_19 financial year has come and gone and it was definitely an interesting twelve months...

 A good first quarter (Jul – Sep 18), a very negative second and then the last two quarters (Jan- Jun 19) have been very positive. In the last two quarters, the US S&P 500 rose by over 18% and the Australian ASX 200 rose by over 17%.

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RFS Advice would like to congratulate Niki Schneider on becoming a finalist in the Australian Financial Advisers (AFA) ‘Excellence in Education’ category.

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As we approach the end of the 2019 financial year, we would like to highlight some significant changes that may affect you in regards to your superannuation, SMSF, insurance policies or tax planning.Read More

This week at RFS, we were fully expecting a Labor party led by Bill Shorten to be heading to the lodge and their agenda to start being factored into our strategies.

The concern was always that the ALP had already flagged a mini budget in September, which would have meant at least another four months of uncertainty and then looking at the impacts of the changes they were going to introduce.Read More

AAN Asset Management (AANAM), the investment advice subsidiary of Australian Advice Network Pty Ltd, has grown rapidly since its introduction in January 2016.  The AAN Models now manage almost $400Million.

The existing investment committee, made up of senior practioners and directors within the license, has always sourced input from external advisers however; these advisers did not have designated roles or voting rights.Read More

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Paving the way to an election

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has delivered a ‘back in the black’ Budget aimed squarely at voters, stressing the Morrison Government’s commitment to financial discipline and low taxes.Read More

Paul Forbes, CEO of RFS Advice talks about current world markets. March, 2019.Read More

The following steps can be used as a guide, for anyone facing this difficult time…Read More

With a great deal of anticipation and no small amount of speculation, Commissioner Hayne has released his findings and recommendations from the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.Read More

Why the Dream Board…

When people work their whole lives they have goals they want to achieve, and in Australia we tend not to celebrate success enough.Read More

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Many Gold Coasters would have watched the recent Royal commission into misconduct in the Financial Services industry with a great deal of concern.

Frankly, we are right there with you.Read More

Earlier this year (January), we saw a pullback in markets which led to our article on the Titanic and Icebergs.Read More

September and October are months where historically you watch out for an overreaction to any bad news.

Famous October crashes include:  ‘The Panic of 1907 ‘, ‘The Crash of 1929’, ‘Black Monday’ (1987).

Needless to say, we all get a little restless this month, even if the fundamentals are sound.Read More

One again RFS Advice have managed to take out top spot within a category at the annual IFA Excellence Awards. This year our CEO Paul Forbes came out on top in the Dealer Group Executive of the Year category for his efforts within the Australian Advice Network. Read More

The world of financial advice is still evolving from an industry to a profession.  To quote Peter Kell (ASIC, Deputy Chair), “The regulator does not view advice as profession yet, however there are certainly professionals in the industry”.Read More

Australian motorists are not the only ones hoping that global oil prices have peaked after reaching four-year highs in 2018. Not only do high oil prices flow through to the price of petrol at your local service station, but they also increase the cost of doing business for everyone from farmers to airlines and push up the cost of living for households.Read More

While we might all scoff at the ‘fake news’ line, sometimes you really do need to sift through the headlines to find a fact.Read More

Investment markets have continued the volatility we saw at the end of January with some markets back to where they were five (5) months ago.

The popular press would have you believe it is all about President Trump and a potential trade war with China.  Alternatively, it could be about Trump’s involvement with the Russians, an increase in tensions with Iran or a great headline about an exotic dancer.Read More