The European Central Bank (ECB) recently annouced it was offering negarive interest rates - what does that mean, and why should you care? Here's a simple explanation for you (try not to fall asleep): Banks generally have to deposit some of their money with a central bank (to make sure they have enough cash if their own depositers want their money back) Banks may also deposit money with a central bank, as it's considered a 'safe' investment When ...

I recently developed a strategy for a client which, in effect, will increase their compulsory employer superannuation contributions. Employers often 'package' their employee's remuneration package, possibly including a car allowance. However, some employers only calculate their compulsory super contributions based on the gross base salary (which doesn't include the car allowance component) If the car allowance component is say $17,000, the employee may miss ou...

We've received notice from one of our Financiers confirming some special finance rate offers for vehicles and equipment (new and used). Term Interest Rate 3 Years 5.05% 4 Years 5.29% 5 Years 5.52%         The offer is only for the next two weeks, and some conditions apply, so if you're in the market for a new car, or...

A Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) is very similar to public super funds, but they have some key advantages for investors, which are not available in public super funds. The Investor Selects the Investment Public super funds pool monies from all of their members and then the fund's manager decides which investments to buy, sell or keep. A SMSF is effectively restricted to a maximum of four members, and are usally family members (e.g. husband, wife, and children). As they are ...