Westplan Financial Services | Local business
Westplan Financial Services
Phone: +61 8 9306 8877
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25.01.2022 Are you over 50 ? Do you know what your super fund asset allocation is ? That is, how much is in shares V property V cash etc. 80% of your fund's performance at any time is based on this... and not which stock etc is in your portfolio. As world markets are appearing toppy and a correction is possible I would encourage you to do this homework and get sound financial advice if you have any concerns. Warren Buffett (billionaire financial guru) says that there are 2 rules to successful investing. Rule No 1 - Don't lose money. Rule no 2 - Don't forget Rule No 1 ! Have a blessed day.
24.01.2022 Challenging financial plans take a little time.... impossible ones even longer.
23.01.2022 8 habits Of Financially Successful People (by Roger Montgomery - Montgomery Investment Management). A long read ... but it could save you thousands of dollars in the future ! Habit 1. Work hard and/or smart. ...Continue reading
23.01.2022 Someone once said that money is like manure. It only does some good when it's spread around. Perhaps have a little think about your charitable giving for 2014 and increase it where you can. The Good Book says it is more blessed to give than receive. Have a great year.
23.01.2022 All that glistens can be gold. With $12 trillion of the world's government bonds paying a negative interest rate (yes ... you pay the government of various countries to hold your money..) .. and record debt maybe a small exposure to gold bullion or gold shares is a sound strategy against financial disruption or worse. Feel free to call me about this. Brian 9306 8877.
21.01.2022 May I wish all my friends and clients a wonderful Christmas and prosperous and safe 2016.
21.01.2022 "Too many people spend money they earned..to buy things they don’t want..to impress people that they don’t like". Will Rogers Money takes on the character of those who use it. May you use it graciously and wisely.
21.01.2022 Tax time is super time. Make a $3000 contribution to a low income spouse and get a $540 tax rebate. Or make a $1000 non tax deductible contribution and get $500 back. Ask Brian about the conditions attached to these benefits
20.01.2022 Bitcoin: The greatest thing yet or a bubble ready to pop ??? My thoughts are exactly expressed by the following article by Peter Switzer "The Expert". Worth a read. "Once upon a time, the most asked questions I would get were, firstly, when will interest rates rise and should I fix now? Secondly, do I think there will be a house price collapse? But now all I get is bitcoin questions and it reminds me of that old line: When the shoeshine boys talk stocks, it’s time to get out...Continue reading
18.01.2022 Do you have small super plans all over the place? Let WESTPLAN amalgamate them for you so that you save on fees.
16.01.2022 The US continues on the path to another possible fiscal meltdown....but it's ok....they got through the GFC .. by printing dollars backed by.... well...more dollars...and billions have been added to the US defecit.... But the "experts" always tell us "it will be different this time !". Hmmm...heard that in '87. In FORTUNE Sept 22 we read..... "Now that Senate Republicans have agreed on the first step towards a gigantic, $1.5 trillion tax cut, it’s instructive to examine t...he disastrous trajectory of America’s deficits without an audacious new platform putting future revenues at risk. Right now, we’re headed for federal shortfalls topping $1 trillion by fiscal 2021, a period starting October 1, 2020. That number should trigger screeching alarms, terrify voters, and prompt calls for a draconian slowdown in spending. But neither the Democrats nor the Republicans care about deficits, says Brian Riedl of the conservative-leaning Manhattan Institute. And it’s not clear the voters do, either. It's now 10 years since the GFC correction of 40%.... Is now the time for a cautious or aggressive investment strategy ? It's worth more than just thinking about. It's not all negative...there ARE OPPORTUNITIES in the market ... there always will be ..you need to exercise caution before you leap !
16.01.2022 May I wish you all a happy and prosperous 2017. I remember the story of two men who were walking in unfamiliar country not quite sure of the way to their destination. After several hours one of the men spoke up quite embarrassed and said that he thought they were going the wrong way. The other man said that he thought the same but they were making such good time he didn't want to say anything. PEOPLE DON'T PLAN TO FAIL - THEY JUST FAIL TO PLAN. If you are unsure of how you are travelling financially don't hesitate to call me for an obligation and cost free chat.
16.01.2022 A great new years resolution is to get your finances in shape if you haven't already done so. Are your life and income replacement insurances adequate? Do you have a will...if so ...is it current? Is your super giving you sound returns? All questions a wise holder of purse strings needs to know the answers to ! Call us if you need help.
14.01.2022 The average super balance for men aged 60-65 is currently $114,000 and for women just $94,000. But to enjoy an even moderate lifestyle you will need about $350,000 today. Super is one of the most tax effective ways to save for retirement. To understand your options please feel free to ask for our "Plain Guide to Super Contributions " by phoning Brian on 08 93068877 or emailing [email protected]. Have a great day !
13.01.2022 Please take a moment to check out our new website at www.westplan.biz. Learn a little more on how to make wise decisions with your money. Have a great day.
12.01.2022 Want to know about *BITCOIN* MKII A lot of monkeys lived near a village. One day a merchant came to the village to buy these monkeys!... He announced that he will buy the monkeys @ $100 each. The villagers thought that this man is mad. They thought how can somebody buy stray monkeys at $100 each? Still, some people caught some monkeys and gave it to this merchant and he gave $100 for each monkey. This news spread like wildfire and people caught monkeys and sold it to the merchant. After a few days, the merchant announced that he will buy monkeys @ 200 each. The lazy villagers also ran around to catch the remaining monkeys! They sold the remaining monkeys @ 200 each. Then the merchant announced that he will buy monkeys @ 500 each! The villagers start to lose sleep! ... They caught six or seven monkeys, which was all that was left and got 500 each. The villagers were waiting anxiously for the next announcement. Then the merchant announced that he is going home for a week. And when he returns, he will buy monkeys @ 1000 each! He asked his employee to take care of the monkeys he bought. He was alone taking care of all the monkeys in a cage. The merchant went home. The villagers were very sad as there were no more monkeys left for them to sell it at $1000 each. Then the employee told them that he will sell some monkeys @ 700 each secretly. This news spread like fire. Since the merchant buys monkey @ 1000 each, there is a 300 profit for each monkey. The next day, villagers made a queue near the monkey cage. The employee sold all the monkeys at 700 each. The rich bought monkeys in big lots. The poor borrowed money from money lenders and also bought monkeys! The villagers took care of their monkeys & waited for the merchant to return. But nobody came! ... Then they ran to the employee... But he has already left too ! The villagers then realised that they have bought the useless stray monkeys @ 700 each and unable to sell them! The Bitcoin will be the next monkey business It will make a lot of people bankrupt and a few people filthy rich in this monkey business. That's how it will work
11.01.2022 They say that youth is wasted on the young. Well a sound financial plan isn't. So many people realize at 60 the power of compound interest. ..but it's too late....unless they plan to keep their investments to age 97 ! And at that age they shouldn't be buying green bananas...So youngsters...put a few extra dollars a week into your super and the government may even match part of it ...or into a share trust...and you will reap the rewards of your diligence later on. It's a bit like "play now, pay later. .or pay now, play later". Take care.
11.01.2022 Offering a sound investment in a mortgage credit fund paying 5.2% for a 12 month fixed term. Company with 60 years experience as manager. Please phone 08 93068877 for details or message me.
10.01.2022 Interest rates at an all-time... yes folks... all time LOW at 0.75% !!! There are alternatives. Please give us a call if you would like to know more. Call Brian on 08 93068877.
10.01.2022 I heard an interesting message on the weekend about vision. The speaker mentioned that the windscreen is so much bigger than the rear view mirror on a car. How very important it is to have a vision and plan for the future. With your family, spiritual life, giving and finances.
10.01.2022 Is this a market correction or the start of something more long term and invasive ? If you have a reasoned defensive strategy you have less to worry about. Don't hesitate to contact me if you want to discuss this.
09.01.2022 Do you realise that you can have top quality income replacement cover with most of the premium paid from your own super fund? Call Brian on 08 93068877 to find out how.
09.01.2022 Why Past Performance Is Not All It Seems A new study has reinforced the maxim that past performance is a poor indicator of future performance, reinforcing the need for investors to consider how long they give a fund manager to perform. The study, conducted by Frontier Advisors, found that the average fund managers deliver small and inconsistent outperformance and can underperform for longer periods than most people think.... The research found that the average Australian and global equity fund manager delivered outperformance of less than one per cent a year, after fees, suggesting that there is a low margin of error for active managers. It also found that active managers commonly underperformed for around four years over an equity product’s lifetime. ACTIVE MANAGEMENT ESSENTIAL Commenting on the research, Frontier Advisors Consultant, Zong Aw, said the study reinforced the need for investors to rebalance their portfolios as even strong performing products that they wanted to invest with over the long term experienced multi-year underperformance periods in their lifetime. "Trimming would help you avoid those situations where your managers experience a reversal in performance, so you can capture some of the outperformance, rather than giving it away when that cycle turns," he said. The Frontier study found significant reversion to the mean effects on fund manager investment returns. For example, the lowest-quartile performing managers in Australian large and small cap equities over a three-year period had around a 40 per cent probability of reverting to the top quartile in the following three-year period. Conversely, a top-quartile small cap manager over a three-year period had about a 50 per cent chance of falling to the bottom quartile in the following period. Aw said the study reinforces a second significant finding that investors commonly hear: past performance is a poor indicator of future performance. "If the only reason to retain a manager and let an allocation build over time is past performance alone, this study shows that it is not a very good strategy, which again emphasises the need to rebalance your portfolio. Capital gains tax must be considered.
08.01.2022 A stockbroker urged me to buy a stock that would triple its value every year. I told him, At my age, I don’t even buy green bananas." -Claude Pepper A humorous reminder to all investors to bear in mind that the time you keep your investments and the risk aspects of your investment should be aligned to some degree with your life expectancy
08.01.2022 Marriage can prove to be a great money-making move. Maybe marriage is not such an old fashioned idea after all. It can help you prosper !! By Peter Switzer...Continue reading
07.01.2022 The last thing many young professionals think about is life insurance. But the consequences of not covering your income in the event of a disability/accident can be catastrophic. The foundation of any financial plan is covering your income...for without an income how could you pay your mobile phone account...or your cappuccinos ! Let alone rent or food.... Seriously though, call us on 08 93068877 for a free quotation on cover and any other financial queries.
06.01.2022 What we are seeing is nothing new. Market corrections are normal and are times when wealth is created when assets pass from those who act in fear to those who act with wisdom and look at the long term. The article by Shane Oliver us a must read for those concerned about the current market fallout. The plunge in shares - seven things investors need to keep in mind Shane Oliver, Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist... The attached note looks at the plunge in share markets over the last week. The key points are as follows: Share markets have fallen sharply on the back of coronavirus concerns. Shares may still have more downside and the uncertainty around the coronavirus crisis is very high, but we are of the view that it’s just another correction. Key things for investors to bear in mind are that: corrections are normal; in the absence of recession, a deep bear market is unlikely; selling shares after a fall locks in a loss; share pullbacks provide opportunities for investors to buy them more cheaply; while shares may have fallen, dividends are smoother; and finally, to avoid getting thrown off a long-term investment strategy it’s best to turn down the noise during times like this. Read article
06.01.2022 "The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket". Will Rogers. Return is always related to risk. Repeat ALWAYS. If a return seems too good to be true ...it probably is. Speculation can be fun if you punt 5-10% of your portfolio on that stock your uncles second cousin told you about and it soars. It's not as much fun when you borrowed money on your house to buy in or you put a chunk of your hard earned savings in and it tanks. Something to ponder !
04.01.2022 Does Price = Value ?? BUBBLES OF HISTORY | TULIP MANIA An article by Glencorp Capital... "This is what is commonly regarded as the world’s first recorded speculative bubble: Tulip Mania. The humble Tulip was introduced to the Netherlands and began to grow in popularity in the early 1600s. The bubble was first driven by fashion, then fad. Finally in the mid-1630s prices spiraled upwards as the market entered mania. Supply was tight; it would normally take 7 to 12 years for a seed to grow to a flowering bulb. Rarer bulbs, those affected by a virus causing them to look even more exotic, fetched higher prices still. Prices increased to such a point that in 1636 one bulb, the Viceroy, was exchanged for 2500 florins worth of wheat, sheep, wine and cheese. A skilled labourer around the same time may have earned 150 florins a year. Trade was centred around tulip futures; many buyers and sellers may not have even seen the tulip bulbs. That did not prevent many making and losing fortunes overnight. Value had been left far behind, with people purchasing bulbs at higher and higher prices, intending simply to on-sell them for a profit. Suddenly, in early months of 1637, the bubble burst and the highly valuable tulips devalued by over 99.99%. Buyers had failed to show to a regular auction and failed to settle trades. Once one small crack emerged, a deluge of selling eventuated. What was previously a highly desirable $100,000 tulip bulb was now just a $3 flower. The mania was over. Dutch tulip growers still dominate the industry globally; they produce 4.32 billion bulbs a year. So much for tight supply". Good. ..none emotional and professional financial advice is so very valuable. Or would you rather punt on the next run in the next quasi market?
04.01.2022 We are entering a time of increased market volatility with the prospect of a severe market correction at some stage. Warren Buffet once said there are two essential rules of investing. Rule Number One - Don't Lose Money ! Rule Number 2 - Don't Forget Rule Number One. That's a pretty easy rule to obey if you keep your money in cash. But after inflation you would be going backwards at today's rates. Warren Buffet doesn't leave his money in cash but has invested wisely over the ...long term. Often investing from a cash reserve when others are selling ! If you are risk averse or need access to your funds then most of your money should be in cash. If you can invest for the longer term and can take market volatility we have well managed Australian share funds paying dividends of 8-10%pa (inc franking credits) that may be suitable for a part of your portfolio. Please call Brian on 9306 8877 if you would like to discuss your options. See more
04.01.2022 If you think it is expensive to engage a professional to handle your money wait until you count the cost of dealing with an amateur. -- Thoughts of a disillusioned investor.
04.01.2022 Cybercurrencies are being hammered.... some down by 50% in the last couple of days. Maybe a good time to buy.... a bargain even. Before you jump remember the wise investors maxim "don't try and grab a dropped knife!". Sound information for emotional "investors".
01.01.2022 How long has it been since you compared the cost of your life insurance. I recently saved one client 30% on his premium. Please call me on 08 9306 8877 for more information.
01.01.2022 A glimpse into the future. Exciting or frightening. You be the judge.
01.01.2022 Your potential to find love could be dependent on your financial situation as Aussies are worried about their finances, according to a survey. As reported in this months Money Management: Credit Savvy's survey found 57 per cent of respondents would consider breaking up with their partner if they knew their partner was in a bleak financial situation. Over three-quarters of respondents felt that financial wellbeing and income were important in a potential partner.... Credit Savvy managing director, Dirk Hofman, said the results highlight that Australians are worried about finances, including that of their partner. "As household debt soars and young people struggle to enter the housing market, more Australians recognise the importance of getting in tune with their finances and credit reputation," Hofman said. "These results suggest that people are factoring in more than just love when they're considering committing to a partner. They're also worrying about how they're going to get approval for that large mortgage down the track." The survey also found 69 per cent of females preferred good finances over a good body, and 59 per cent of males preferred a good body over finances. Almost a quarter of respondents said they would not go on a second date if they were asked about their finances on the first date, and 18 per cent admitted to having a bank account their partner did not know about. "After all, if having good finances and a good credit reputation could impact on your appeal as a potential partner, you'd want to give yourself the best shot," Hofman said. Hmm ..... maybe getting sound financial advice can improve your prospects of romance !!
