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The USA
Read more: The USAAs of writing the S&P 500 in the US is up nearly 15% year to date. That would be a decent annual return, but we’ve not yet notched six months in 2024 so it’s a very impressive return for half a year. Recently a poll conducted for the Guardian found 49% of Americans believed the S&P 500 was in the red this year. Still, that’s an improvement from September 2023. Back then 59% of Americans thought the S&P 500 was down for the year. At the time it was up 16% and finished up 26% for 2023. Unemployment? That’s never…
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Get Ahead of Frailty with a Life Plan
Read more: Get Ahead of Frailty with a Life PlanThe COVID-19 pandemic gave us all a sneak peek into what life might be like if we lost independence and mobility. But what if the limitations were not due to an international pandemic and were not affecting everyone in your street, but just you? What if it was your own personal capacity (physical or mental frailty) that was restricting your independence? Many retirees live independent lives, but research shows that on average, you might expect 17-25% of your retirement years to be frailty years. While this may sound grim, it is not all bad. Just don’t let frailty creep up…
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End of Financial Year Reminder 23/24
Read more: End of Financial Year Reminder 23/24Things to consider as the end of the financial year approaches. Changes to be aware of… Increased Tax Savings via Concessional Contributions Before 30 June 2024 Given tax rates across most income brackets will be lower in the next financial year due to Stage 3 tax cuts, making voluntary concessions contributions before June 30 may offer a greater tax benefit. For example, for someone earning $80,000 their marginal tax rate drops from 34.5% to 32% while the tax rate on superannuation remains at 15%, so any contributions made in the current financial year, where their marginal rate is 34.5%, will…
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How to Price Risk
Read more: How to Price RiskOne of the big allures of investing is finding a company at a low price, buying it, and then riding it to a high price. Very sweet. It’s said that losses are felt more acutely than wins, but hitting a big winner would be an amazing feeling. Unfortunately, it’s very hard to do. Being right once, discovering that unpolished gem of a company before it soars is hard. Being right twice, having the unemotional demeanor to sell it and make a clean break with your loot, is even harder. It doesn’t stop people from trying because for every dud an…
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Federal Budget 2024/25
Read more: Federal Budget 2024/25The Federal Budget has been released, and for the current financial year, it is once again in surplus, albeit by a smaller margin than last year: $9.3 billion.This is better than the deficit which was forecast in last year’s budget. However, forecasts are showing four consecutive deficits beyond this financial year, which are estimated to push gross debt over $1 trillion in 2025-26. Many of the headline items have already been announced or leaked, so some are being heated back up to make us feel good. Notably, budgets are always framed around winners and losers, thanks to the media, and…
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