I want...

Strategies for a positive financial future

Meeting your bills can be easier when you have strategies in place to help reach your goals. Financial advice can help you understand where your money’s going and help give you more confidence and control.

How we can help

We can help you simplify and streamline your finances so you can:

• Keep track of your money
• Understand how your spending and financial commitments fit in with you enjoying life today
• Have an appropriate budget and savings plan in place.

Aim to make your dreams real

When it comes to making goals a reality, financial strategies can help you keep your eyes on the prize and stay on track. We can help you plan to meet your financial commitments today while working towards your longer-term goals.

How we can help

We can help you:

• Review and set specific goals.
• Work out how much to save for your short, medium and long term goals, and the dates for achieving them.
• Identify appropriate financial strategies to help bring your goals into reality.

Cutting through the hype

With the overwhelming amount of advertising and competing offers, it can be difficult to choose the right loan for your needs. Having an expert broker or financial advisor to guide you, can help cut through the noise. The right support can help you navigate complex loan terms, avoid hidden fees, and find options work in your favour.

How we can help

We can help you find thebest loan for you, including:

• A comparison of many of the major providers (and some you may not know as well) to find the best combination of rate and features for you.
• Organising all the paperwork, making your role in the process as simple as possible.
• Education on what steps you might take to have the best chance of getting the loan you are after.

The value of thinking ahead

Buying property comes with costs, upfront and ongoing. When it comes to managing the financial side of things, good advice could save you money. We can help you assess your financial position and how to make the most of property opportunities.

How we can help

It’s important to make the right choices when buying property. We can help you:

• Calculate how much you’ll be able to borrow.
• Work out the deposit you’re likely to need.
• Choose the most appropriate way to save for a deposit.
• Set a comfortable budget and timeframe.

What is Superannuation

Superannuation (or super) is a fund specifically designed so that when you retire from job you will receive money regularly as a pension. It is restricted as you generally cannot withdraw from super until you retire or reach your preservation age (that’s the intention, although there are special conditions of release).

Super receives special tax treatment compared to your other money. When it comes to investing over the long term, there are not many better tax-effective ways to save for your retirement. Lower taxes and more investment options – such as local and international shares, property, and fixed interest investments – offer your super more potential to grow.

How we can help

We can provide superannuation advice in that’s tailored to your unique needs and goals. We can help you navigate the complexities of superannuation and recommend suitable superannuation investments, helping you plan for a worry-free retirement.

• Tailored Superannuation - We understand that one size does not fit all when it comes to retirement planning. That’s why we take a personalised approach to superannuation, crafting strategies that align with your financial objectives and risk tolerance. Whether you’re just starting your career or nearing retirement, we’ll work with you to develop a roadmap that optimises your superannuation.
• Exploring Contribution - We will guide you through the various types of contributions available, including employer contributions, salary sacrificing and personal contributions. We’ll help you understand the tax implications of each option and identify the most tax-effective strategies to maximise savings while minimising tax liabilities.
• Tax – Efficient Investment Solutions - Investing wisely is key to growing your superannuation nest egg. We can advise you on a wide range of superannuation investments tailored to your risk profile and investment preferences. From diversified portfolios to alternative assets, we’ll help you build a well-rounded strategy designed to generate consistent returns while managing risk.

Set Up a Self-Managed Super Fund

Self-managed super funds (SMSF) are the largest and one of the fastest growing super segments in Australia. An SMSF is one where you, as a trustee and member, have responsibility over the management, investment, and administration of your super fund. SMSFs are quite different from other super funds because they are run by you, for you and any other members of your SMSF. SMSF can have up to six members within the fund, which usually consists of family members. This means that our clients and their families can manage their collective super balance together.

How we can help

• Flexibility and Control - We can provide SMSF financial advice and help clients to implement an investment strategy that suits their needs while also taking into account current market conditions.
• Investment Opportunities - A self-managed superannuation fund gives you the ability to act quickly to invest in various types of investment options, including SMSF property investment. We can assist our clients with finding new investment opportunities.
• Tax Benefits - Any income that a self-managed superannuation fund receives has a very low tax rate of 15%. We can work with fund trustees to meet their tax obligations and ensure they’re paying the least amount of tax possible.
• Borrowing under SMSF – SMSF allows the fund to take out a loan to purchase assets (like property) within the fund, but the loan must be structured with limited recourse, meaning the lender can only claim the asset purchased with the loan, not the fund’s other assets. This borrowing is subject to strict rules to ensure the SMSF remains compliant with superannuation laws. We can help with borrowing by guiding you through the process of securing a loan and ensuring compliance with superannuation laws.

What if things change?

Even though you can’t see what tomorrow holds for you and your family, you can do something to protect them today.

A sudden or unexpected event or illness could potentially change your life in many ways. And the last thing any family needs is financial stress during a difficult time.

Protecting your family from the financial adversity an unforeseen event can cause could make a world of difference to them.

How we can help

• Being ready could make the difference. We can help give you and your family peace of mind that in the event of your illness, injury or death, their lifestyle can be maintained.

• We can help you determine the appropriate insurance cover – income protection, death and total and permanent disability (TPD), which may provide a lump sum or ongoing regular payments to your family if the need ever arises.

Help to plan ahead

Your retirement could be whatever you want it to be. But longer lifespans and earlier retirements bring the need to plan carefully, well in advance.

Your health and freedom to choose how you live your life will be fundamental to a long and happy retirement, and your strong financial position, key to an enjoyable lifestyle.

How we can help

The earlier you begin to plan for your comfortable retirement, the better off you may be. We’re here to help you:

• Understand your financial situation now and in retirement.
• Determine when you’ll have access to your super and how you may be able to maximise any Centrelink payments you may be entitled to receive.
• Calculate the amount you’ll need by a particular date and plan for accumulating enough savings before you retire.
• Identify appropriate strategies for funding your retirement lifestyle goals.

Can you make more of your money?

Everyone’s idea of how much money they’ll need in retirement is different.

Even if you feel you don’t have a limitless supply of money, we may be able to help. We can work with you to create a plan for managing the money you do have, so you can know your spending limit while aiming to have enough later too.

How we can help

We can help show you how to make the most of your money in retirement, and help you:

• Achieve a balance between day-to-day spending and your long-term needs.
• Benefit from changing your financial arrangements if you’ve already retired.
• Access any benefits you may be entitled to, in addition to Centrelink.
• Understand how the value of your home can fit into your retirement plans if appropriate.

Help to make the right decisions

There can be financial implications for those who receive assets as part of an inheritance, and decisions to be made.

It can be challenging to know what to do. Professional financial advice could help you have peace of mind that you are taking the right steps.

How we can help

• Whether you’re a beneficiary or you’re leaving something behind, a valid will is important.

• You may need help from a lawyer—we can work with yours or put you in touch with someone, so your estate planning needs can be met. We can also help you create a financial plan that considers your personal circumstances and helps you take care of your family’s future in the appropriate way.

Key Components of Social Security

Key components of Australia’s social security system include the Age Pension for retirees, the Disability Support Pension for individuals with disabilities, and the JobSeeker.

Payment for those who are unemployed. Additional support is provided through programs like the Family Tax Benefit for families with children, Carer Payments for those providing care, and Rent Assistance for low-income renters. These payments are typically means-tested, ensuring support is directed to those in financial need. The payments are administered by Centrelink, a program of Services Australia.

How we can help

• Navigating Eligibility - we can assist in determining eligibility for various social security programs, helping you understand the criteria and how to meet them. This is especially valuable for complex cases, such as those involving disability support or family assistance.
• Maximizing Benefits - we can help you understand how to optimize your social security benefits, ensuring you qualify for the maximum payment based on your income, assets, and personal situation. We can guide you on the best time to claim benefits, such as the Age Pension or Disability Support Pension, to maximize long-term income.
• Centrelink Planning - We can help you understand your financial options through Centrelink and maximise your potential entitlements and assist with the Centrelink application process.
• Coordinating Social Security with Other Investments – we can integrate your social security benefits with other retirement or investment plans, such as superannuation, to create a holistic strategy for financial security in retirement or during times of need.
• Planning for Future Needs – If you anticipate changes in your financial circumstances (e.g., retirement, illness, or changes in family status), we can help you adjust your social security strategies to adapt to those changes.

Managing your Cash Flow

Proper cash flow management helps individuals or businesses balance their spending, save for future goals, and avoid debt. It involves tracking regular income (such as salary or investments) and expenditures (like bills, loans, and other costs) to maintain a stable financial position. By understanding cash flow, one can make informed decisions about budgeting, saving, and investing, ultimately contributing to long-term financial security.

How we can help

Key points on how we can help with your cash flow management:

• Assess Financial Situation: Evaluate your current income, expenses, and financial obligations to understand your cash flow.
• Debt Management: Help prioritize debt repayment to reduce financial strain and improve cash flow.
• Income Diversification: Suggest ways to increase income or create additional streams to enhance cash flow stability.
• Emergency Fund Planning: Assist in building an emergency fund to ensure you have a cushion during unexpected financial setbacks.
• Long-term Financial Planning: Align your cash flow with long-term goals, ensuring you can meet future financial needs while maintaining stability today.