A very happy New Year to you. We hope you had plenty of time to unwind and relax with family and friends over the festive season.
The start of the year seems like a natural time to reset and take stock of our priorities and goals. If one of your new year's resolutions is to bolster your retirement savings, our top topic this month covers three things that might just surprise you about super.
The Sh!tbox Rally is fast approaching, taking place in March in support of the Cancer Council. Martin and Ashleigh have raised over $3,000 and are on the way toward their goal of $10k! To find out more and show your support click here!
The team at Bellwether wanted to take a moment to thank you for choosing us to look after your finances, and we look forward to continuing to provide you value throughout 2023. As you may know, reviews and testimonials play a big part in our positive growth. If you have enjoyed working with us, we would love you to leave us a review on Google and appreciate your time in doing so.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
3 things you may not know about super
Are you making the most of the types of super contributions on offer? We share three things that might just surprise you.
8 ways to help build your money muscles in 2023
Learn some simple ways to help set yourself up to be fighting fit for the year ahead.
Why your goals could be the key to happiness
Behavioural finance expert Simon Russell shares some insights on the kind of goals that can lead to greater happiness.
Q&A: How do education bonds work?
Investing in an education bond is one way to invest and save for a child’s education. We explain how they work.
Considering a sea or tree change? Ask these questions first
Is a move to the country or coast in your near future? Make sure the practicalities stack up for you.
Just like that, 2022 is almost done and dusted! To end, we ask you to reflect on the year gone by, taking some time out to look back on the past twelve months to set us up for success for the year ahead. We also believe the superannuation 'death tax' is an important topic, as there are significant tax implications to take note of.
In support of the Cancer Council, Martin and Ashleigh are taking part in the Sh!tbox Rally in Summer 2023. To find out more and show your support click here!
The team at Bellwether would like to wish you and your families a happy and safe festive season ahead. Please note our office will be closed from 12pm Friday 23 December and reopen Tuesday 3 January.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Reflections on a year gone by
Taking some time out to reflect on the past twelve months can help set you up for a good year ahead.
The super 'death tax' you need to be aware of
If your leftover super is headed to adult children when you pass away, then be sure to take note of the significant tax implications.
Q&A: Can electric cars save you money?
With the cost of fuel eating into household budgets, is it time to assess the financial merits of going electric?
How to squeeze all the juice out of retirement
In this entertaining TED Talk, Riley Moynes offers some words of wisdom on how to make the most of your golden years.
5 ideas to get your kids into a money mindset
With the holiday season upon us, now might be a good time to make learning about money fun. We share some ideas.
With online security being a hot topic right now, we speak to a cyber security expert about some steps you can take to protect your personal information online. Also, with the festive season just around the corner, we’ve got some ideas to help keep your finances intact.
In support of the Cancer Council, Martin and Ashleigh are taking part in the Sh!tbox Rally in Summer 2023 with all teams driving their sh!tboxes from Rockhampton to Hobart. Thank you to everyone who has donated to this amazing cause already, we have raised $2,750 towards our goal of $10k! To find out more and show your support click here!
Enjoy!
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
3 ways to protect yourself from online fraud
Fraser Jack at Cyber Collective shares some essential ingredients to a safety-first mindset online, and practical tips to help protect yourself.
5 tips to reduce your holiday season spending bill
If you have a habit of getting caught up in a last minute gift-buying frenzy, we’ve got some tips to help keep your finances under control.
Common pitfalls to avoid when passing on your wealth
Passing on your wealth to the next generation can come with complexities. Lawyer Katerina Peiros shares some common pitfalls to watch out for.
Q&A: The cost of retirement is going up, what can I do about it?
If you’re in the lead up to retirement, you may be wondering what you can do to help keep your retirement plans on track. Read on for some ideas.
Sell now or wait? Deciding when to sell a property
When is the ‘right time’ to sell a property? Read up on things to consider when weighing up your options.
It can be difficult to escape the negative headlines dominating the news at the moment. If you’re finding that financial stress is affecting your relationship, our top article this month outlines some ideas to help.
In support of the Cancer Council, we are pleased to announce that Martin and Ashleigh are taking part in the Sh!tbox Rally, driving the all-mighty LEGGO car! This year, all teams are driving their sh!tboxes from Rockhampton to Hobart. To find out more and show your support click here!
Also, please note that Bellwether has now moved into the 21st Century, and our fax number is no longer in use.
Enjoy!
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
5 ways to help fend off financial stress in a relationship
Money worries can affect even the strongest relationships. We share some ideas on helping to keep financial harmony intact with your nearest and dearest.
3 tips on negotiating a home loan rate
Mortgage Broker Catherine Denney from Nook Money shares tips to help with getting a good outcome from a phone call to your lender.
Q&A: Should I consider investing in a term deposit? (It depends)
When interest rates change, checking in on your savings strategy can be a good idea. We share some things to consider if you are thinking about investing in a term deposit.
7 tips on dealing with fluctuating income
Being self-employed can come with its challenges. If you have ‘lumpy’ income to deal with, here are a few tips on how to manage this income in good times, and bad.
Choosing aged care for elderly parents
Deciding on the type of aged care is often one of the most difficult decisions to make. We look at the main differences between in-home care, residential care, and retirement living.
Welcome to spring and our next edition of our monthly newsletters.
For a change of pace, our top article shares five life lessons that seem to have stood the test of time. Whether they resonate with you or provide inspiration for conversations with loved ones, we hope you find them useful.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
3 ways to protect the Bank of Mum and Dad
Putting legal arrangements in place with family members might seem unnecessary, but it may help protect you and your children if things go wrong.
Budgeting tips you may not have heard of
Is the thought of budgeting enough to make your eyes glaze over? Here are a few ideas to turn budgeting boredom on its head.
Q&A: When should I retire?
Is retirement something you dream about, or dread? We look at some things to weigh up when planning your retirement timeline.
5 things I’d tell my younger self
Often the biggest realisations in life only come with lived experience. We share 5 life lessons that seem to have stood the test of time.
With rising inflation and interest rate hikes expected to hang around for some time, households will be waiting to see what unfolds. Whether you’re feeling confident or cautious about your finances, now is the time to make sure they’re in the best shape possible.
Are you nearing retirement? Our sequencing risk animation below could be worth a moment of your time.
This months Q&A can be found on our website, which looks at the difference between good and bad debt.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Three ways to stress-test mortgage repayments
One way to prepare for uncertainty is to consider and plan for alternative outcomes. We discuss putting higher lending rates and mortgage repayments to the test.
Infographic: 5 principles to keep in mind when markets are volatile
When markets go up and down, revisiting the ‘golden rules’ of investing can often help with staying calm and confident.
Protecting retirement savings from inflation
Explore the strategies that can help with protecting the value of retirement savings, now and into the future.
ESG investing: weighing up what matters
With ESG investing continuing to be on the rise in Australia, we look at potential considerations when thinking about your investment portfolio.
Vanessa Stoykov: 4 ways to potentially make better money choices as a family
Letting your kids in on money decisions can provide a great opportunity to pass on some money wisdom and learn a few lessons of your own.
The 2021-22 financial year can be separated into two contrasting halves, MLC’s Senior Economist and Portfolio Specialist, Bob Cunneen, provides a review of what happened in investment markets over the year, and why.
We’ve introduced our new Q&A feature, where each month we’ll answer a common question on a hot financial topic. For July; What should I do with my inheritance?
Enjoy!
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Q&A: What should I do with my inheritance?
Deciding whether to boost your super, pay down your mortgage, or help your kids out is a common dilemma. We look at some of the considerations to weigh up.
2021-22 financial year in review
The 2021-22 financial year can be separated into two contrasting halves, with global economic recovery threatened by high inflation and rising interest rates.
The secrets to a successful retirement
Dr Joanne Earl from Macquarie University shares her research insights on the key ingredients to a positive and happy retirement.
3 ways to start an investing conversation with kids
Introducing kids to the idea of investing to build long-term wealth could be life changing. We share some ideas on how to get the conversation started.
A round up of 1 July changes and what they mean
Read about some of the key changes to super, tax, and social security measures as the new financial year gets underway.
Why life insurance premiums have gone up
The effects of the pandemic have led to significant increases in life insurance premiums in recent months. We look at what to consider before making any changes to your policy.
For many of us, rising interest rates and inflation are in sharp focus at the moment. While no one can predict exactly what will happen with investment markets or interest rates, focusing on your mindset and money matters closer to home can be a good way to stay mentally resilient and fiscally prepared.
With this being said, our top article this month looks at various ways of stress testing mortgage repayments against future rate increases.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
Three ways to stress-test mortgage repayments
One way to prepare for uncertainty is to consider and plan for alternative outcomes. We discuss putting higher lending rates and mortgage repayments to the test.
Infographic: 5 principles to keep in mind when markets are volatile
When markets go up and down, revisiting the ‘golden rules’ of investing can often help with staying calm and confident.
Protecting retirement savings from inflation
Explore the strategies that can help with protecting the value of retirement savings, now and into the future.
ESG investing: weighing up what matters
With ESG investing continuing to be on the rise in Australia, we look at potential considerations when thinking about your investment portfolio.
Vanessa Stoykov: 4 ways to potentially make better money choices as a family
Letting your kids in on money decisions can provide a great opportunity to pass on some money wisdom and learn a few lessons of your own.
The 2021-22 Federal Budget was announced yesterday by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
This year’s Budget papers have provided key information on Australia’s current and forecast economic and fiscal position (including expenditure and revenue), the Government’s policy priorities, and accompanying proposed policy measures to achieve them.
The focus for this Budget is securing Australia’s recovery by creating jobs, guaranteeing essential services and building a more secure and resilient Australia.
Below we have provided an article covering the main proposed policy measures that may be relevant to you and two videos that further explain the finer details of the Budget.
Please contact us if you wish to discuss any aspect of this year’s Budget.
Don’t forget to make the most of the Bellwether Knowledge Centre. Browse member-only industry information and help improve your personal financial circumstances. Click here to join today for an exclusive login.
Kind Regards,
The team at Bellwether Financial Group
Newsletter Articles
2021 Budget: The ‘Securing Australia’s Recovery’ proposed measures
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg delivered the 2021-22 Federal Budget on 11 May 2021. We provide an overview of several key proposed policy measures that may be relevant to you.
2021 Budget: Leigh Sales and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg
In the 2021-22 Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced many proposed policy measures—ABC News’ Leigh Sales interviews the Treasurer to further discuss these proposed policy measures.
2021 Budget: Key proposed policy measures explained
ABC News’ James Glenday unpacks the 2021-22 Federal Budget—Australia’s economic and fiscal position, as well as the Government’s policy priorities (and proposed policy measures).