NewsSuperannuation Fund How Managed Funds Work

How Managed Funds Work

Definition and basic idea

  • A managed investment scheme (MIS) in Australia is a pooling vehicle: many investors contribute money (or something of value) to acquire interests in the scheme, the contributions are pooled or used for a common purpose, and investors do not have day-to-day control over how the scheme is run. (Dentons)
  • The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) governs them. There are registered schemes (with specific regulatory obligations) and unregistered schemes. If you have 20 or more members, or a person promoting the scheme, then registration with ASIC is generally required unless only wholesale investors are involved. (Dentons)
  • Let's now dig deeper into how managed funds work.

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Mortgage BrokingNews Debt Consolidation Loans

What Are The Basics of Debt Consolidation Loans

Debt is a normal part of modern life, but managing multiple credit cards, personal loans, and other financial commitments can be stressful. One option Australians often consider is a debt consolidation loan—rolling several debts into a single repayment, usually with a lower interest rate or a more manageable schedule. While this can be useful, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Regulators such as the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) stress the need for caution and informed decision-making.

This article will explore the basics of debt consolidation loans, what ASIC says about them, the risks to watch for, and why professional advice is essential.

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NewsSuperannuation Fund Online Super Funds

Online Super Funds: A Recipe for Financial Disaster?

Self-Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSFs) have become an increasingly popular choice among Australians who want more control over their retirement savings. According to the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), there are over 610,000 SMSFs with more than 1.1 million members, controlling nearly one-third of the country’s superannuation assets.

While SMSFs offer flexibility, tax strategies, and the ability to invest in a broad range of assets—including direct property and private equity—the decision to set one up without professional advice carries serious risks. Many Australians are turning to online super funds, “no advice” platforms, or DIY approaches to establish their SMSF, assuming that cost savings outweigh the need for guidance. However, evidence suggests the opposite: the absence of professional advice can expose trustees to compliance risks, poor investment outcomes, and long-term financial loss.

This article compares the risks of a no-advice SMSF setup against the benefits of working with a qualified financial planner, highlighting why tailored, ongoing advice is critical for achieving retirement goals.

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News Successful Investing

11 Tips for Successful Investing

Investing means putting money somewhere now, in hope it will grow (or give you income) in the future. Rather than leaving cash under your mattress (or in a low-interest savings account), investing involves accepting some risk in return for a chance of better returns than inflation or simple savings. Returns might come from:

  • capital growth (the value of what you own goes up)
  • income (dividends, rent, interest)
  • sometimes both

Risk is the chance that you lose money (or that real returns after costs/inflation come up short). Time, diversification, and understanding what you are investing in are key.

Understanding the fundamentals of Successful Investing can greatly enhance your ability to build wealth.

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News Property Investors

70% of Property Investors Use a Home Loan Broker

Investing in property in Australia is rarely a simple matter of buying and holding. Regulatory constraints, tax factors, interest rate risk, credit policy changes, and evolving lending rules often mean that property investors face complexity that goes well beyond standard homebuyers’ scenarios. Many property investors, therefore, prefer to enlist the services of a mortgage broker. Below, I explain what a mortgage broker is, outline the advantages of using one (especially for investors), cite evidence of high satisfaction with brokers, and show how a skilled broker can add value in structuring loans for long-term wealth creation.

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News Financial Stress

Why Australian Men Feel Financial Stress

Retirement is often portrayed as a time of relief, yet for many Australian men, it brings anxiety rather than peace. Rising living costs, debt, and uncertainty around superannuation and how long savings will last can lead to financial stress. That stress doesn’t stay “just financial” — it spills over into health, relationships, and mental wellbeing. But financial planning isn’t just about numbers; done well, it provides clarity, control, and confidence.

This article examines recent findings about men’s financial stress, discusses why professional advice is important (including mental health expert views), and outlines how financial planners help with budgeting, debt management, and long-term wealth creation.

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News Save Money

Want to Save Money? Start Now!

Before diving into techniques to save money, it’s worth pausing on why saving—even modest amounts—makes a difference.

  1. Psychological and mental-health benefits
    People who practice stable financial behaviours (such as regularly saving and paying off credit card debt) report better mental health, vitality, social functioning and general wellbeing. In short, saving reduces financial stress, gives you breathing room, and contributes to emotional stability.

  2. Beating “overspend drift” in Australia

    Many Australians have good intentions, but struggle to stick to them. According to a snapshot of Australian saving behaviour, while 68% of Australians report having saving goals, more than 37% say they don’t always follow through.

  3. Compound impact over time
    The earlier you start—even with modest amounts—the more time your savings (or investments) have to grow. This principle underlies many behavioural strategies (e.g. “save more tomorrow”) used to encourage consistent saving.

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Financial PlannersNews How to Teach Children Good Financial Habits

How to Teach Children Good Financial Habits

Money shapes almost every aspect of adult life—from managing household budgets to saving for retirement to teaching children good financial habits. Yet many Australians enter adulthood without the financial literacy needed to make sound decisions. A 2022 survey by the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey showed that around 35% of Australians struggle with basic financial concepts like interest and inflation【1】.

This knowledge gap highlights why teaching children good financial habits from a young age is crucial. When kids learn how to budget, spend wisely, and save early, they carry these behaviours into adulthood. Parents, schools, and financial advisors all play an important role in fostering this literacy.

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NewsRetirement Planning 3 Crucial Retirement Decisions

3 Crucial Retirement Decisions

Retirement decisions are some of the most significant financial transitions in life. For Australians, preparing well means not only building sufficient savings but also making several critical decisions that directly shape the quality of life after finishing full-time work. Among the most important decisions are determining the desired retirement income, managing superannuation effectively, and deciding whether to downsize the family home.

These choices determine how long savings last, how financially secure retirement feels, and how much freedom individuals have to enjoy later years. Each decision is interconnected, and navigating them properly often requires guidance from experienced professionals.

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NewsRetirement Planning Retirement Planning 101: Pros and Cons of Investment Property for Retirement Income

Retirement Planning 101: Pros and Cons of Investment Property for Retirement Income

Why Retirement Planning Matters

  • Retirement usually means switching from accumulating assets (earning, saving, investing) to decumulating them (drawing income, preserving capital, managing risks). Without an income plan, retirees risk outliving savings or being exposed to shocks (health, inflation, market downturns).

  • In Australia, people rely on a mix: superannuation, possibly the Age Pension, personal savings/investments, and sometimes property. Because superannuation rules change, retirement ages shift, and markets fluctuate, having a diversified and resilient income strategy is important.

  • Many Australians view investment property as a means to supplement super + pension with more reliable cash flow and potential capital growth.

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