Debt: the good, the bad and the ugly
The opinion of many people towards debt can be best summed up in the often quoted line from Shakespeare, ‘neither a borrower nor a lender be.’ Yet others will embrace…
Should you downsize to boost your super? Pros, cons, and tax implications
The idea of downsizing can be very appealing to empty-nesters. There will be less cleaning, gardening and maintenance, more time for hobbies and travel, and the icing on the cake comes if you can use the cash surplus you created to give your super a significant tax-effective boost.
But is the picture totally rosy, or are there some drawbacks to downsizing?
Help! I’m not ready to retire
If you don’t feel prepared for retirement, you’re not alone.
Retirement preparedness doesn’t just mean having enough money to leave work but includes emotional challenges like your sense of self and what your future might look like.
Set yourself up for a rewarding retirement by meeting the following common challenges, head-on!
Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund This Year
You may be one of many Australians who make an interest-free loan to the federal government every year. That’s because, when you receive a tax refund, you’re not getting free money. All that’s happening is that cash which is rightfully yours is being returned, somewhat late. So it makes sense to make it work as hard as possible once it’s back in your hands.
Steps that lead to a successful employee to entrepreneur move
If you’ve ever dreamed of setting up your own business you’re not alone.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, (ABS), in the financial year 2023 – 2024 over 400,000 Aussies did just that!
Over the same period, almost 363,000 small businesses called it quits.
The Psychology of Investing: Patience, Timing & Smart Decisions
In this episode, Robert Goudie and Amy Lehmann dive into the importance of patience in investing and explore what makes a great business a bad investment if bought at the…
Why I Don’t Believe in Borrowing to the Max? (and Why Paying Off Your Home Still Matters)
Recently I got a perfectly understandable question on social media. Actually, it was in two parts:
Why wouldn’t you borrow as much as the bank will let you?
Why would you even bother paying off your own home?
I get why someone would ask this. Around 80% of the marketing you see on social media in the finance space is from businesses promoting the purchase of investment properties. And surprise, surprise the people saying this are usually in the business of selling property. That’s a built-in conflict of interest.
How to start investing with just $500
When you have a spare $500 and are wondering whether to spend it or save it, why not consider a third option?
Invest it. Make a commitment to your financial future, instead of wasting it on purchases that will deliver only temporary pleasure.
Invest that $500 and watch it grow. Here’s how.
Juggling Two Jobs? Watch This Gap
Brie is a 30 year old who, like about 7% of working Australians, has two jobs: her main job is as a learning support assistant at a primary school, where she works about 30 hours a week, and she also works one night a week as a disability support provider. Brie earns $1,760 a week from her main job, and $600 a week from her second job, totalling $2,360 a week.
Your Retirement, Your Number: The Real Math Behind the Dream
What does a comfortable retirement really look like in Australia? Robert Goudie and Rachael Todman break down the numbers using real-life retirement income benchmarks and financial modelling for singles and…
Certainty matters: getting income protection right
Last month Jess fell down the staircase in her apartment resulting in a very serious ankle injury. She is expected to be unable to work for at least two months as a result of the surgery and complications with her recovery.
Estate planning for blended families – proceed with care
Despite a slowdown in Australian economic and productivity growth in the last five years, Australia’s economy is usually considered strong and resilient when compared with other developed nations. Given our economic strength, why would anyone want to invest anywhere else?
To answer this question, let’s consider what stocks might be included in a share portfolio with an international focus.
For simplicity purposes, we will look into the portfolios of a leading provider of index managed funds and their top 10 holdings. These funds tend to be passively rather than actively traded, and seek to reflect their chosen share index over the medium-to-long term.
When Should You Set Up a Trust for Investing
Wondering if a Trust is the right move for your investments? In this episode, Amy Lehmann and Robert Goudie break down when (and why) it might be time to set…
How much is Enough? The Retirement Balancing Act
How much is enough to retire? It’s the question financial advisers Robert Goudie and Rachael Todman hear the most — but the real challenge isn’t just about the number. In this…
The World Is Your Market: Invest Like It
Despite a slowdown in Australian economic and productivity growth in the last five years, Australia’s economy is usually considered strong and resilient when compared with other developed nations. Given our economic strength, why would anyone want to invest anywhere else?
To answer this question, let’s consider what stocks might be included in a share portfolio with an international focus.
For simplicity purposes, we will look into the portfolios of a leading provider of index managed funds and their top 10 holdings. These funds tend to be passively rather than actively traded, and seek to reflect their chosen share index over the medium-to-long term.
How Advice Changed Everything: Real Clients, Real Outcomes
In this episode of Investment Motivation, Financial Advisers Rachael Todman and Robert Goudie share real client stories and how personalised financial advice has made a lasting difference. From uncertainty to…
Super contributions explained . . . easily
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
EOFY Checklist: What’s Worth Thinking About Now
With 30 June fast approaching, Rob Goudie and Rachael Todman run through a few key things to think about before the end of financial year. From topping up your super…
Quarterly Economic Update: Feb-Apr 2025
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
Just Retired? Now what?
Just retired and wondering what comes next? In this episode of the Investment Motivation podcast, Rob Goudie and Rachael Todman walk through the key financial decisions that come with the…
Avoid Lifestyle Inflation
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
Understanding Managed Funds
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
Riding the Market Roller Coaster: What History Teaches Us About
Markets rise and fall — but how should you respond? In this episode, Rob and Rachael explore the emotional side of investing and why staying invested often delivers the best…
Wait! Before you buy that…
A client once shared a poignant regret:
“When I was working and the kids were young, I saved too much. It restricted what we did when the family was together.”
This simple reflection struck a chord with me. It got me thinking about the delicate balance between saving for the future and living fully in the present. While we all know the importance of financial security, is it possible to save too much—at the expense of the moments that matter most?
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