Dollars & Making Sense

What's the difference, debt is debt right?  Maybe not so.  This week, Victor Lagos from Lagos Financial, a registered mortgage broker and holder of an Australian Credit License joins us to discuss what is good debt and what is bad debt.  Are we stealing from ouselves or are we saving for ourselves.  Great notions to ponder when you are looking at that purchase and deciding whether to wait and save, or buy now pay later?  Is borrowing against your future always the best option.  And what does it take to step up and move into your first home or apartment.

20th March has come and gone and many of you may notice there's an increase in your rate of pension.  That's because Services Australia has applied the increases to payments, including pensions, which have been indexed by the Department of Social Services, like they do on 20 March and 20 September each year.  When the rate of pension goes up, that changes the income and assets limits for the pension meaning some people might become eligible when they weren't before.  Justin Bott, Community Information Office for Services Australia joins us today to discuss these changes and work through the income and assets tests that apply.

ASX listed company Annual General Meetings are a place of interest for any shareholder, and this week we meet one of the Australian Shareholders Association's key company monitor.  Peter Gregory is a volunteer that monitors a number of listed companies and we discuss what that means, how its done, and why it is of incredible value to you as an investor and potential shareholder of these companies.

When investing in commercial projects, it is important to understand where your money sits in relation to payday.  Depending on where you are in the "Capital Stack" varies greatly in relation to risk, returns and when you get paid if something possibly goes wrong.  This week, Joe Christie, Exec Director of Capital Property Funds explores the "Capital Stack" and what it means when you have "equity parading as debt".  All real estate investors, please take note!

Justin Bott, Community Information Officer from Services Australia (Centrelink) is a welcome return to the show, and this week we're covering off the impact of Real Estate on the Aged Pension.  Justin explains there are a number of considerations when drawing an aged pension from the government, and in our conversation, we're covering many of these including lodgers, student homestays, investment properties, rural farms as well as the principle family home.  Dollars & Making Sense, a weekly show about finance, money and investing.

Can never know too much about money, right?

This week we welcome back Philippa Hunt, our resident expert and financial planner to the many women out there that need help and assistance.  Financial literacy is always needed, and we discuss ways to get on the road to better education and understanding about money and finance, and how it all works.

We welcome Peter Johnstone, executive director of the Association of Independently Owned Financial Professionals to chat about their December industry conference where a number of notable politicians will be invited to posit their views on the finance industry, advice sectors and various policies that are currently the subject of much debate including accreditation, regulation, industry fees and charges and taxation policy.  Sounds early but Peter is suggesting the election cycle is about to commence, and its usually prudent to get in early.

Finish work on Friday, have some farewell drinks and then come Monday, you start a 30 year holiday.  Sounds like a dream scenario, right?  Maybe not if you haven't planned.  This week we chat with Nick Freedman about Retiring on Purpose, a path to education and transition from full time work to full time retirement, and whatever that looks like.  There's a lot more to it than just money, be assured.  Tune in for a life changing show, literally!

Natasha Panagis, superannuation expert from IFPA (ifpa.com.au) rejoins us to continue discussions on SMSFs borrowing rules and common misconceptions, and we also follow up on our recent interview on the upcoming review of the new $3m super cap tax being proposed.  There is still work to be done in the legislative halls of power, remembering the 2 things we shouldn't see being made ... sausages and laws. www.ifpa.com.au

We're all about education, and what better way than to invite the Australian Shareholders Association convenor of the year, Keith Ready from Sydney to join us.  Keith is a volunteer within the ASA as are many hundreds that not only participate in monthly activities, but also assist in company monitoring, meeting organisation as well as convene Investment Discussion Groups, the focus of today's interview.  With over 50 locations to chose from both city, regional and virtual, there is an option open to almost everyone.

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US bonds are on the news all the time, ever wondered why?  Liz Moran, Editor of Fixed Income News Australia joins us to explain the importance of understanding a little bit about government bonds, and their impact on global markets and share prices.  All the way down to how much we pay for our home mortgages too.

Neil Sparks from the SMSF Association joins us to continue our discussion on how to invest in your retirement using a self managed fund.  DIY or destroy it yourself as Neil's recent article explains can be a recipe for disaster if you don't know what you're doing.  Being educated in the detail will help you avoid this complex area, and especially when buying property and using borrowed funds in super requires particularly detailed knowledge.  Tune in to understand this is one area you'll need advice from a licensed planner, not a property salesperson.

It's back to basics this week as we chat to Justin Bott from Services Australia about how to budget and the free resources available from the Australian federal government that are there to assist you in financial education, understanding industry jargon, and getting started if you don't have anything to begin with.  We also cover a great free resource called the Financial Information Service that is delivered online as well as in person.  Your taxpayer money hard at work helping everyone that needs it.

Neil Sparks, Corporate Development at the SMSF Association is with us this week discussing whether SMSFs are for you or not.  Given their increasing popularity, a self managed retirement option is attractive, but there are many pitfalls, and chatting to one of the leading experts from the industry, we tackle some of the common errors made by unwary entrants and older investors alike.  There is much to be gained from having your own SMSF, so join us to better understand whether DIY super is for you or not.

Grant Hackett is a household name to those of us old enough to remember and relive the highlights of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.  Grant won gold in the 1500m swim there and in Athens in 2004.  Grant did some broadcast work later but ended up pursuing this passion in finance and is now CEO of Generation Life, a Melbourne based investment company.  Today we discuss tax aware investing, and what that means to people of any age really, and we delve into achieving goals and life's aspirations for a comfortable retirement.  Grant's view of simplicity being the key and being "tax aware" is vitally important, and "yes" - we agree!

So much media hype recently surrounding a proposed $3m cap on Superannuation balances.  Natasha Panagis, resident expert on Super at IFPA joins us to work through at least 6 nasty elements of this proposed legislation, and what the ramifications potentially are.  While many might argue this is a "rich person's tax", yet we learn this will impact far more people than first thought, and also potentially impact tax laws in other arenas as well.  Dollars & Making Sense maybe, but maybe this doesn't make sense at all.

"We're from the government and we're here to help" - Justin Bott from Services Australia (Centrelink) is welcomed back to explain the impact of pension income streams on the government aged pension.  Thankfully the policies are getting simpler to understand for those about to retire or on the cusp.  Justin explains there are a number of different options and things to consider, and as always on Dollars & Making Sense, we're trying to make money, finance & investing easier with better education.  There are some great tips & tricks to pick up, so tune in!

Neville Birthisel, from IFPA joins me this week to discuss an insidious sharp edge to WFH (working from home) taxation rules.  Last time we spoke, the rate was coming down, and becoming more complex to administer, but Land Tax implications have all of a sudden have become front & centre because is certain States, the laws are positively draconian, while others get off scot free.  Join us as we learn along the way, there is much to be wary and concerned about, and having Neville from the Institute explain the way forward will certainly assist here on Dollars & Making Sense.

Much was made during the last election about a Death Tax, and this week, we chat with Peter Bobbin again to ponder whether there are in place today (and it turns out for over 30 years now), de facto death taxes.  Always willing to be convinced with a logical argument, Peter's view is hard to disagree with - Capital Gains Tax and Superannuation have by design or unintended consequence, potentially fit that description of a "death tax".  Tune in to find out more.

Listed Investment Companies and Trusts Association.  Wow, what a mouth full, but Ian Irvine, CEO of LICAT comes on board this week to help explain what this non-profit organisation is all about.  Investors of all types across many asset classes will want to find out more about LICAT and their members.  Ian's explanation will provide an excellent introduction, and as always, we're about financial education and we have some great resources for you to check out at the end of the show.

Peter Bobbin is a lawyer and accountant with extensive experience over many years, and we recently crossed paths at the Australian Shareholders Association.  Peter's estate planning Master Class is well known in ASA circles and today, we're going to start looking at some of the excellent content that he covers, and in doing so, let's discover first off, what the five important documents you need to consider.  And to make things easy, all we need in the first instance is a piece of paper and a pen!

We welcome back Philippa Hunt from Wise Girls Money to discuss a rather concerning trend in relationships in Australia post-pandemic.  Divorces are trending upwards, there are more and more isolated divorcees who after surviving the stress and trauma of marriage breakdown, then have to deal with the financial ramifications.  And to make things worse, we're enduring interest rate hikes and cost of living pressures.  Tune in to find out what's happening and maybe some great ideas on how to cope.

Services Australia is a government agency better known by many as Centrelink (as well as other groups too).  This week, Community Officer, Justin Bott joins Dollars and Making Sense to discuss the latest changes in the Aged Pension, the assets and income test that now apply to the Aged Pension, and the fact that you now have to be 67 years old to retire and qualify for this payment.  Justin is well versed in this subject and has the inside on a number of free, excellent resources you can access to find out all the rules, the changes, and whether you or someone you love might be eligible.

We welcome back to the microphone, Peter Johnstone, Executive Director of the Association Independently Owned Financial Professionals to discuss how to select a Financial Adviser.  Given the adviser population has reduced from over 30,000 some 5 years we have less than 16,000 now, and that number is dropping.  We discuss why this has happened and what's changing in the advice industry.  Still like dealing with humans when it comes to investing, this will be interest particularly to our listeners/readers about to retire with a large nest egg.

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We recently interviewed Ben Simpson from Collective Shift at the IFPA conference, and this topic was so compelling, we had to have him back on the show for a full interview.  Today we cover of the basics of what crypto and Bitcoin is all above.  We also love free, so we're handing out a lot of free information and education that you'll be able to learn about this interesting yet still new way of investing - even though it is over 12 years old now.  We are still skeptics here at Dollars and Making Sense, but we are always willing to learn new ways.

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Philippa Hunt from Wise Girls Money Academy joins us to discuss women's financial literacy, and see gents ... there are some not so subtle differences. Man or woman, join us to learn something about finance, and making your dollars work harder for you.

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From Super Guarantees to pension age, pension drawdowns and home loan scheme eligibility, there are a raft of changes that have come in from 1 July 2023.  Today, Ray Trevisan will present and discuss this list of major changes, its impact, and also provide some food for thought.  Do you agree with him or not?  Let us know, we're always happy for a vibrant discussion here on Dollars & Making Sense, a show about finance, money and investing.

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When a large membership of tax agents and accountants gather, we're sure to have some great content to discuss and ponder for thought. This episode we grab some excerpts and post presentation interviews with some of the presenters on the day of the IFPA (www.ifpa.com.au) conference held in Melbourne in 2023. Topics include succession planning, Crypto currency, mental health, compliance & regulatory as well as a number of legislative and tax updates. Sounds dry? Not if you're keen to save time and money!

The Australian Shareholders Association represents the interests of retail investors, however did you know they also provide valuable advice on how to vote your shares at a company AGM, and can also proxy on your behalf!  Today we chat with Steven Mabb, Chair at the ASA about this valuable service provided by this not-for-profit advocacy group, and how it might be of value to investors, large and small, beginners and seasoned.  Here Steven talk about the good and the not-so-good companies out there.

We chat with Fiona Balzer, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Australian Shareholders Association, a ground roots not-for-profit organisation that has been representing the interests of retail shareholders for over 60 years now.  Fiona's area of expertise focuses on ESG (environment, social & governance) policy, as well as ASA Advocacy Manager who works with everyday shareholders in listening and presenting their views to company boards, government and the general public. Tune in to find out what's on Fiona and the ASA's radar next.

This week Scotty North from Real Property Advice gives us the "good oil" on why engaging a buyer's agent will help you buy your family home or investment property.  The benefits could potentially outweigh the initial costs by quite some.  Scotty has extensive experience in the field and during our show he explains how buyers agents operate and save.

Contesting a Will
You believe you're entitled to a share of some's estate, and yet you're in the dark or worse still, you're not in the will at all.  What do you next?  We chat with our visiting expert on all matters Estate Planning, Jonathan Elcombe from ElGen Estate Services to work through a myriad of situations, some awkward, some easy on what to do if you're going to contest a will.

You're the executor of a will and the funeral arrangements are now sitting in your lap.  What's next?  We meet Scott Duncombe from Sydney Funerals to discuss what you need to do, how you work through some tangled discussions around coffins, arrangements, music, a funeral director, caskets and everything in between.  Tune in to find out Scott's key message, and yes we talk about cost as well.

Being an Executor of a Will
You've been asked to be an executor for someone's last will & testament.  What does that mean, and what do I have to do?  Jonathan Elcombe, specialist from Elgen Estate Planning talks through the myriad of responsibilities that face an executor, before and after someone dies.  Departing the mortal coil is not that simple for those left behind, and this show is a must for those planning their estate and provides much to think about.

Temporary Full Expensing
TFE is a great way for businesses (up to $5bn turnover!) to be able to fully expense their company purchases.  Josh McMullen from IFPA joins us to work our way through this simplified and very generous way to write-off / depreciate assets that you use in your business, and understand the pros and cons.  There are rules to heed, and they are constantly changing, so tune in to listen to the latest from the experts at IFPA.

Conscious competence - called the "learning stage", but are you aware of your competence level when trading shares?  Louise Bedford from Trading Game joins us this week to talk about trading with confidence and competence. Unconscious competence when you're a "master", but may in fact be unconscious incompetence. When an individual is unaware of their lack of skill or knowledge (ouch!). Louise is an award winning author of 5 books on the subject of share trading, join us to understand if you're easily distracted, have a volatility bias or "distraction sickness"!

Estate planning, what is it and where do I start?  Jonathan Elcombe joins us to work through the basics of wills, powers of attorney, guardianship and more, to leave us with a solid starting point to commence our journey in ensuring we don't leave our loved ones stranded.

Dollars & Making Sense, a weekly show about money, finance & investing, with your host Ray Trevisan from OTG Capital and special guests. Broadcast weekly on community Radio Northern Beaches (www.rng.org.au), and nationally throughout Australia on the Community Radio Network (www.cbaa.org.au). Check out our blog and details at www.otgcapital.com.au.

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