tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29881839997818572092024-03-13T19:41:25.628+11:00The Strategy Guy - "Big picture strategies from the little Guy"So many people just don't have the time to look after their financial affairs, what I do, is to develop great strategies to ensure they can concentrate on what they are really good at, confidently knowing the rest is taken care of. Forever!Guy Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482680497396844641noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988183999781857209.post-46389110050149958982013-02-28T10:51:00.000+11:002013-02-28T11:16:55.472+11:00Government must restore public trust in Super<br />
Following on from my post yesterday, here is a link to an article written by Samantha Hodge in the <span style="color: #72bd3c;"><b><a href="http://www.investordaily.com.au/cps/rde/xchg/id/style/16102.htm?rdeCOQ=SID-0A3D9633-B4B59D8A" target="_blank">Investor Daily</a></b></span> re-iterating the need for Super to be kept sacrosanct. Interestingly she mentions that those thinking of retiring in 30 years time will need $2.5M set aside for retirement. What do you think?<br />
<br />
<br />Guy Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482680497396844641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988183999781857209.post-35087518057509061562013-02-26T15:42:00.002+11:002013-02-26T15:42:54.069+11:00Get your hands off Super<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I was fortunate enough to attend the SPAA (SMSF Professionals Association of Australia) conference in Melbourne recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given the recent press leaks about Super balances greater than $800,000 potentially being taxed, the time was right for rampant debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A line from the SPAA Chairman, Andrea Slattery probably sums up what most of the 1400 people attending the conference thought, “let’s keep super sacrosanct”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability to confidently save for one’s retirement is hampered by not knowing what the future super or tax rules may be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to reach a stage where these rules are set in stone with future changes only allowed with bi partisan support.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmPnWiXDQUPeIJBOytBjubudkbZ9StiOeWwgnitC7SoB_9PBzjXrtEEogJYvhBETD0fBULhtMnJrZfeUa7i7Xrri0HTBKVo-46TV6aLomKrdIYiEet-ykYpTB2GEynQJKZqREZiAOMJJK/s1600/Protecting+Your+Assets.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpmPnWiXDQUPeIJBOytBjubudkbZ9StiOeWwgnitC7SoB_9PBzjXrtEEogJYvhBETD0fBULhtMnJrZfeUa7i7Xrri0HTBKVo-46TV6aLomKrdIYiEet-ykYpTB2GEynQJKZqREZiAOMJJK/s200/Protecting+Your+Assets.JPG" width="190" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Over the past 3 weeks I have had ongoing advice meetings with 3 separate clients who have decided to adopt the “wait and see” approach before adding the large contributions to super that we had planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This constant changing of the rules is undermining the confidence that clients have in the super system and also hampering them from reaching the goals they have set for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It takes time for clients to build up confidence in the tax efficient Superannuation structure, especially if it is post tax contributions (non-concessional) that will be “locked away” for some time. For all that good work to be undone in a few press releases is heart breaking.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">At the conference we heard from both sides of parliament, Bernie Ripoll and Mathias Cormann unfortunately not on stage at the same time, both obviously espousing their party lines eloquently. </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><i>(I reckon the debate that could have ensued would have been worth the price of admission</i>).</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">The underlying feeling was one of reservation; how can we ensure that this large pot of money held in the Super system (about $1.5 Trillion at December 2012 as per APRA) is off limits for political gain or to balance budgets? The sooner this is achieved the sooner we can all confidentally save for the retirement we deserve.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is a list of some of the sessions that were on offer and with many of them running concurrently, I was obviously not able to attend them all. If there are any topics of interest to you, why not give me a call 02-9415-1511 and we can discuss. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<ul></ul>
</div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">How to source income in a low interest rate environment</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">How to maximise income for Pension and SMSF clients </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Real Income with lower volatility </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The Last Word on pensions</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The elephant in the SMSF room- Planning for loss of capacity in SMSF's</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lending to self-managed superannuation funds - Matters to be aware of!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Australian equities - What's hot and what's not in 2013</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Life Beyond Cash and Australian Equities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Family SMSF disasters and how to avoid them</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Capitalising on small business CGT opportunities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Do wind-ups wind you up?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">How SMSF Auditing needs to change in light of legislative changes and recent case law</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Strategic SMSF Estate Planning</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Auditor Registration</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">A risky business - Insurance, borrowing and SMSFs</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Making the most when markets are giving you the least</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Aged Care and Centrelink - The growing advice wave</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Superannuation Contributions - The Revolving Door</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Investing amid uncertainty: A perspective on the emerging markets</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Property Market Update-Commercial and residential</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Does Social Media have a place with SMSFs?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">SMSF Legislation and Technical Update</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Running a business in a SMSF - What they're not telling you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The New SMSF Audit Frontier</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Intimate with SMSFs - Release of 2013 SPAA and Russell Investment research</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">How to Detect Fraud?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">In-house assets and related parties - Are you up to date?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Gear on, gear off, gear inside, out? A peek at the full wardrobe for decisions on borrowing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Does death mean the end of an SMSF?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">CGT small business concessions war stories</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Light at the end of the tunnel?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt;">ATO compliance update </span></li>
</ul>
Guy Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482680497396844641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988183999781857209.post-66138149664242464102012-09-28T09:27:00.001+10:002012-09-28T12:38:08.650+10:00When Is The Best Time To Start Saving For Retirement?<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Well, my answer is always “yesterday”. Yet I’m very aware that the reality of saving for your future is never so simple. What you really need when making decisions about your superannuation contributions, instead of a date by which you should have started saving, is clear guidance based on your particular circumstances.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">An excellent <b><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/money/planning/when-to-start-saving-for-retirement-20120817-24dp8.html">article</a></b> by Christopher Niesche published in the Sydney Morning Herald in August, focused on the recent reduction to $25,000 of the concessional superannuation cap. Contribute more than this amount to your super fund under the concessional cap in any year and an additional tax will be payable.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Niesche asked a series of experts from ING, BFG Financial Services and ANZ on their view of the impact of this change. While they all agreed this reduction should bring forward most people’s plans to contribute to their super, it was not entirely clear when the optimal time was for individuals to start bumping up their super contributions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">To me, the big question raised (yet not answered) by this article is: <i>At what age and life stage is it more prudent in the long run to increase super contributions rather than paying off the mortgage, and vice versa?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And before you put this question into the ‘too hard basket’ I’m pleased to advise that as part of our <span style="color: #72bd3c;"><b>Personal Ontrack</b></span> program, we do have software designed to provide you with an accurate and actionable answer to the question.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The program determines whether your money is better off being invested in super, or paid off your mortgage, or simply saved by taking into account your age, tax bracket, mortgage rates and potential investment returns and other parameters unique to you.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRuLFZ4_mcjnKO8uJvLOz0DQxy6ouIGa6xTdKW3O12SLwRiyewsccNRbntD8ACCmjGJMlrCmWJU7FXDVVrApTicc4JG2z77RGEHOrvc-j0O_07UwGHjH2kePjW4BawMGtYsaEY_P3m6bK/s1600/Astute+graph+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinRuLFZ4_mcjnKO8uJvLOz0DQxy6ouIGa6xTdKW3O12SLwRiyewsccNRbntD8ACCmjGJMlrCmWJU7FXDVVrApTicc4JG2z77RGEHOrvc-j0O_07UwGHjH2kePjW4BawMGtYsaEY_P3m6bK/s400/Astute+graph+3.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">By giving you a clear recommendation on when your super contributions need to increase, based on your individual situation, <span style="color: #72bd3c;"><b>Personal Ontrack</b></span> can help you make wise and informed decisions regarding your future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Take the guesswork out of your superannuation plans and <b><a href="http://www.tpag.com.au/meet_your_team/contact_the_prime_advisory_group">contact me</a></b>, or one of my team to discover more about putting certainty into your financial future. </span>Guy Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482680497396844641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988183999781857209.post-39662723396774974302012-08-22T10:55:00.000+10:002012-08-29T12:23:46.094+10:00That nasty 'B' word – Budget<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">There are many
aspects of our industry (Financial Planning) that really amaze me, but the #1
simply has to be the number 17%.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is
the number of Australians that have received advice from a Financial Planner
(by Richard Cornwell). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">The reasons behind
this number are plentiful but without doubt the comment I receive the most
after going through the financial planning concept with clients is always, “we
wish we had come to see you earlier”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
be honest so do I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most important
start to our relationship with clients is to get an understanding of
cashflow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How much is being earned
(normally easy to work out) and how much is spent (not so easy), to be able to
know how much we can save!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<div>
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">That nasty 'B' word</span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">So until you
realise that you really do need advice and while you are still comfortable
being in the non-advised 83%, the one thing I’d love you to do is a budget.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">Whenever I ask new
clients whether they have a budget, the answer is no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Excess cash flow or monthly savings are the
building blocks for any good financial plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But how do you know how much can be saved without knowing how much you
are spending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once you have a budget you
can then save first and spend the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Much better option than what I see all too often, spend first and save
whatever is left, which is normally nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How often does that pay increase or bonus simply get eroded away by run
of the mill expenditure? Imagine if you had saved every bonus or pay increase
how much better off you’d be today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">There are a couple
of ways of doing a good budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span><br />
<ol>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">Create a list of all expenses, then guess the daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual
costs associated, total them, divide by <a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=2988183999781857209" name="_GoBack"></a>12 and you have a
monthly budget.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can do this by using
this easy budgeting calculator: </span><b><a href="http://www.tpag.com.au/calculators/budget_calculator?s=3ad70a82-2125-40e0-b01c-73e032be3ad3&t=5&o=331" target="_blank"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Budgeting calculator</span></span></a></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too
many of these are not achievable, because you have no idea of what it is you’re
spending your money on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /> </span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">I prefer to get
clients to take their last 3 months bank statements then itemise their actual
spending by category and create a budget this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Much more realistic.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqhIJZXerB6XBpZUpgkdVOGEvXqTOm7Ddac_vnpigYlqUhxWlG5SIPmipq9PhIAOsdh2CIVNKyUCH6kp4baFYAudK5ulicGn0SFh7w97fIiHRY8UA5IHchn5PzClknE_xsd1MqNF-Sv3h/s1600/TrackMySpend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqhIJZXerB6XBpZUpgkdVOGEvXqTOm7Ddac_vnpigYlqUhxWlG5SIPmipq9PhIAOsdh2CIVNKyUCH6kp4baFYAudK5ulicGn0SFh7w97fIiHRY8UA5IHchn5PzClknE_xsd1MqNF-Sv3h/s1600/TrackMySpend.JPG" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;">There are also
some great apps that can be used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government
on their money smart website has recently launched one called <b><a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-tools/mobile-apps/trackmyspend" target="_blank">TrackMySpend</a> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999; margin: 9pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;">An easy-to-use app, <b><a href="https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/tools-and-resources/calculators-and-tools/mobile-apps/trackmyspend" target="_blank">TrackMySpend</a></b> shows you what you
are spending your money on and puts you in control.</span></div>
<ul style="color: #999999;">
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;">Track
personal expenses on the go</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="color: #999999;">
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;">Find
out where you can save</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="color: #999999;">
<li><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"></span></span><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-AU; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-themecolor: text1;">View
your spending history on screen or export to a CSV file</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few
others that you can investigate:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ixpenseit.com/ixpenseit.php" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgks4uU8vV0rWdElORfG-zE3ouBfnvC5plIusrY7ow5szKLQmsyf1GG1gVOOZu4oc1yGTNLvf2lce9sfgm_THQwHMBx44CX0SynMVkMCMEPjja6n3hgb28bMo7MDhFluAsljZZzdpxiW3pd/s1600/IXpenseit.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #999999; margin-left: 21.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: Verdana; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <b>
</b></span></span></span><b><span style="height: 46px; left: 0px; margin-left: -43px; margin-top: 4px; mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; width: 45px; z-index: 2;"><img height="46" src="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Cjmcgrath%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image003.jpg" width="45" /></span></b><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-themecolor: text1;"><b><a href="http://www.ixpenseit.com/ixpenseit.php" target="_blank">iXpenseIt</a></b>: This is a really useful app that simplifies
the budgeting process. You can record expenses anywhere while getting easy to
understand reports.</span></div>
<div style="color: #999999; margin-left: 21.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #999999; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.ireconcile.com/ireconcile" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0iDg04lZANFlSmheAs_iuMryRaMNUMtvvkcCNZjTxuCIteNdAMJ-Ena_ulzf9-joRPtF8fTaXtqemSfbTyAXw4SaKzIciHTWHpm7ab3iiDYWKP0pJ_xF4BhYJYFoTTYuT2ZQmUtglI3j5/s1600/Ireconcile.JPG" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #cccccc; margin-left: 21.75pt; text-indent: -18pt;">
<span style="color: #999999; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_82350420">
</a></span></span></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_82350420"><span style="color: #999999; height: 46px; left: 0px; margin-left: -47px; margin-top: 9px; position: absolute; width: 50px; z-index: 3;"><img height="46" src="file:///C:%5CUsers%5Cjmcgrath%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_image005.jpg" width="50" /></span></a><span style="color: #999999; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;"><b><a href="http://www.ireconcile.com/ireconcile" target="_blank">iReconcile</a></b>:
This app allows all your financial data to be viewed quickly on the go. It is
streamlined for quick entry at the checkout counter. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="color: #999999; text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 10pt;"> <b> So until you feel
the need to seek advice please get an idea of exactly what it is you are spending your hard earned income on and be disciplined around your budget!</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Guy Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482680497396844641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2988183999781857209.post-55214489206668896032012-08-11T09:19:00.000+10:002012-08-29T12:21:41.046+10:00Are you playing to win or simply not to lose?<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">On Wednesday morning, Sally Pearson won gold and took the Australian gold medal tally at the Olympics to 4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well-done Sally! At last the gold medals are flowing after what was a very poor first week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it just me or were most of our silver medals behind team GB.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is good to see the host nation doing so well but my next ongoing advice and review meetings with some English born clients will not have the Olympics on the agenda.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: right;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfMa-GtxHcE8gi4R-FehnOh4sKn38faRfWzlxcY97Yb8Zq75TeIUcRZUWaQdvKat5c47qDXLeKtau9RLTRX4qaxvm_unt5aAItCPllhll0H34XRn9F-RgZrTFm3L7luMqGjqEoQ9r_VTw/s1600/SallyPearson.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzfMa-GtxHcE8gi4R-FehnOh4sKn38faRfWzlxcY97Yb8Zq75TeIUcRZUWaQdvKat5c47qDXLeKtau9RLTRX4qaxvm_unt5aAItCPllhll0H34XRn9F-RgZrTFm3L7luMqGjqEoQ9r_VTw/s200/SallyPearson.PNG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">During these past two Olympic weeks I have been thinking about the hard work that these athletes have put in, the training, the sacrifices, early morning practice sessions, psychology sessions etc. etc. I know that these athletes are playing to win.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many of us can say the same in our financial lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you playing to win or simply not to lose?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Here is a quick look at what an athlete goes through in preparation, judge yourself against these and decide whether you deserve a medal, let alone a silver or gold one.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Research</span></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Great athletes know what options they have because they have spent most of their lives getting ready for this event. They know what their own bodies are capable of and have closely matched their skills to their chosen sport. They have put a lot of thought into the options they have and the best way to achieve their goals. We should also be researching what our financial options are and be aware of what is happening in the financial world to best match our abilities and resources to our goals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">
Goals</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUha5zkwplTCdExK9W9p9lTjPmwbduRFJT4ifDNeZhGKPKrQRWlD3b16Ft33cX-0i9bWXFnxsglyT_XZjzLzOvm-BOtq8uEGw0lM5Fk527poCj8Aa5UGld-lZBcm2Q4MN4-WEfib4tc_E/s1600/Kayakers.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUha5zkwplTCdExK9W9p9lTjPmwbduRFJT4ifDNeZhGKPKrQRWlD3b16Ft33cX-0i9bWXFnxsglyT_XZjzLzOvm-BOtq8uEGw0lM5Fk527poCj8Aa5UGld-lZBcm2Q4MN4-WEfib4tc_E/s200/Kayakers.PNG" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">They are goal orientated years out from the Olympics and they know exactly what times they need to be swimming, rowing, sailing or running to be competitive. A gold medal financial athlete will have clear goals and have a plan for achieving them. They will know how much they need at retirement, more importantly they will know exactly when they can make that choice as well as how much they can spend comfortably year on year. Do you know? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">
Coach</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">These athletes have a coach who is an expert in their sport. They also understand the athlete very well and know what they are capable of and how far they can be pushed. Coaches benchmark to a standard that the athlete should be performing to. Do you have an expert on your side who knows your financial situation better than anyone and can help you achieve your goals?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziAJZ4PBeA2WHMEZLbrgB-R8XW6mDeEUKwr9UdrgzCgzR9o7a4xqsvGPWYmxxSt7fenPI10x07nfYp6HWLpePJjTQG5CP-gEFmERbyHa2-cwhhb53eLl7saGG9F8xFqelBvCj6PzxKeBX/s1600/PearsonwithCoach.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziAJZ4PBeA2WHMEZLbrgB-R8XW6mDeEUKwr9UdrgzCgzR9o7a4xqsvGPWYmxxSt7fenPI10x07nfYp6HWLpePJjTQG5CP-gEFmERbyHa2-cwhhb53eLl7saGG9F8xFqelBvCj6PzxKeBX/s200/PearsonwithCoach.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sally Pearson with coach
<br />
Sharon Hannan - <br />
together for 13 years</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"></span></i></b>
<b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Support team</span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Top athletes have a team of support experts around them ready to help them when they need it. Their team includes a masseuse, a physiotherapist, a manager and a nutritionist. Your team should include your Financial Planner, your Accountant, Risk Adviser and your Mortgage Broker. The quality of your team has a huge effect on the quality of the success in achieving your goals. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPt2Bu0oKuvuBiUKik1UKYR1-VICOfHh5Thdw7eNxYYcf-iCCHhmF-AExJ2QI8zypOcDWcI-YsNYrORWajO5rb9tMbvqwxjwYTaI-tFnMwFbt9yxk79xwA-0humUmzuL5Zu4-el48aotc/s1600/Jigsaw.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPt2Bu0oKuvuBiUKik1UKYR1-VICOfHh5Thdw7eNxYYcf-iCCHhmF-AExJ2QI8zypOcDWcI-YsNYrORWajO5rb9tMbvqwxjwYTaI-tFnMwFbt9yxk79xwA-0humUmzuL5Zu4-el48aotc/s200/Jigsaw.png" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Our role is to put all the pieces of the puzzle together so you can confidently say you are <b>Financially Ontrack!</b> We do the background research for you and analyse the options. Together goals are set that are achievable and realistic yet may challenge you. We can be your coach and can refer you to our support team members who can provide you with expert advice in the areas where you need it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";">Don’t just avoid losing the game, PLAY to WIN!</span></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-small;"><i></i></span></div>
Guy Wallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01482680497396844641noreply@blogger.com0