Blog
The blog for people who want to understand their finances better and feel more in control of their money.
This blog is for educational purposes only and contains general information. It does not take into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider whether it is appropriate for your circumstances. If you would like advice tailored to your situation, you can book an appointment with one of our financial advisers here.
Australia vs France: Lessons in Debt, Taxes, and Retirement
A trip to France gave me a fresh appreciation for Australia’s economic position. From government debt to superannuation, here’s why we may be better placed than we realise.
The Downsizer Strategy
Around 10 years from retirement, the choices you make now can have a big impact. Here’s what to consider with super, mortgage debt, investments, insurance and the life you want next.
What is a Wrap and When do they Make Sense?
Wrap accounts can be useful, but they are not automatically better than a mainstream super fund. Here’s what a wrap is, when it may make sense, and when you should ask more questions.
How Much Super Do I Need?
How much super you need depends on the retirement you actually want. Start with your spending, then factor in when you retire, how you invest, and whether you want to leave money behind.
Is it Time to Use the Equity in your Home to Build Wealth?
Using home equity to invest can accelerate wealth creation, but it also increases risk. Here are four things to weigh up before borrowing against your home to build wealth.
How Does Tax Apply To Your Super?
Super can be a powerful tax environment, but the rules change depending on whether you’re building your balance or drawing it down. Here’s how tax applies in accumulation and pension phase.
The 4 Essentials When Receiving an Early Inheritance
Received an early inheritance and unsure what to do next? From paying down debt to investing wisely, here are four ways to make the money count for your future.
The Comparison Challenge – Super, Shares, Property
Super, shares or property. Where should your money go? Comparing returns alone can be misleading. The better answer depends on tax, access, risk, and what you need the money to do.
Superannuation Contribution Master Class
Super contributions can be powerful, but the rules are easy to trip over. This guide explains concessional, non-concessional, downsizer and other contribution strategies in plain English.
Recency Bias – could it derail your plans?
Recency bias can quietly derail your investment decisions by making recent market returns feel more important than the long-term plan. Here’s how to spot it and stay on track.
What is the Transfer Balance Cap and how does it work?
The transfer balance cap limits how much super can be moved into a tax-free retirement pension. This article explains how the cap works, when it is assessed, and why couples may need to plan ahead.
Compound Interest: The Most Important Concept in Finance to Understand
Compounding is one of the most powerful forces in finance. This article shows how time and return work together to grow wealth, and why starting earlier can make such a big difference.
The Superannuation Sweet Spot – Making the most of superannuation tax concessions
Super is tax effective while you are working, but the biggest benefit often comes later. Here’s why the pension phase can be one of the most powerful tax opportunities in retirement planning.
Protecting Your Nest Egg: Managing Sequencing Risk in Retirement
Sequencing risk can make or break how long your retirement savings last. Learn why the order of investment returns matters and how a capital stable allocation can help protect your nest egg.
I’ve just spent 2 months living in New York. Here’s what I learned.
After two months working remotely from New York, Paul shares what worked, what surprised him, and what he learned about productivity, time zones, team connection, and actually experiencing a city while living there.
Parents, Adult Children, & Money
Helping your adult children financially can make a huge difference, especially when it comes to buying a home or receiving an early inheritance. But done without care, it can also create problems neither side intended.
The 8 types of Investment Risk
Investment risk is not just about markets going up and down. This article explains eight risks investors should understand, from liquidity and concentration risk to inflation, time horizon and longevity risk.
What are annuities and what role do they play in retirement?
Annuities can provide regular, predictable income in retirement. This article explains how they work, when they may be useful, and why they can help reduce the risk of outliving your savings.
The Essential Elements of Estate Planning
Estate planning is about more than writing a will. This article covers the key documents and decisions that help protect your assets, support your loved ones and make your wishes clear.
Industry Super Funds
Guidance Financial Services is registered with several major industry super funds, which may allow eligible advice fees relating to retirement advice to be deducted from super.