Global shares rose 0.8% on a hedged basis with the US market driving the biggest share of returns once again. The US market continues to deliver strong earnings supported by tax cuts.

Whether they’re saving for a house or a holiday or seeking to grow or preserve their family wealth, setting up and sticking to a budget can help couples attain their common goals. By handling money well, they can avoid disagreements that could put a strain on their relationship.

Life insurance policies don’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Here are tips for making them more affordable.

Global shares rose 1.5% and 4.1% in hedged and unhedged terms respectively. Developed markets remained solid, while emerging market shares remain under downward pressure.

Welcome to our quarterly magazine – in this edition: • Five ways to protect your financial information • Protect your ability to earn income • What does a weaker Aussie dollar mean for your investments? • Retirees get more flexibility to boost their super • How to live a happy life

• Share market performance was boosted in July as trade tensions eased. Global shares returned 3.2% and 2.5% in hedged and unhedged terms respectively.

Sometimes you can’t avoid debt in a business. You may have to take out a loan, for example, to increase production or expand your business offerings. But piling up a lot of debt may leave your business in financial difficulty or, worse, bankrupt. So it’s vital to manage your debt before it gets out of hand. Here are some practical suggestions to consider.

On 8 May 2018, the Turnbull Government announced in the Federal Budget that there could be changes to personal income taxation commencing 1 July 2018. These proposed changes included: • introduction of a new temporary Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LMITO) payable over four financial years • progressive changes to personal income tax thresholds. Since the announcement was made, the changes have now passed Parliament and await Royal Assent, which is usually just a formality. With this in mind, we take a look at what these changes may mean for you.

Share markets delivered solid returns in June. However, the gap between robust returns across most developed markets and weak returns in emerging markets continued. Australian equities continue to perform strongly.

Preparing for retirement can be difficult for parents who have dependent children to support. They may find themselves torn between saving for retirement and setting aside money for their children’s education or other needs. Even adult children ask their parents for financial help; one survey found that more than half of Australians aged 18 to 35 borrow regularly from their parents, including to get help with big purchases or university fees.

First-home buyers can now use their super to save for a house deposit, thanks to the First Home Super Saver scheme. Exorbitant property prices have made entering the market a pipe dream for many first-home buyers. They need to find more than $175,000 for a 20 per cent deposit to buy a house in Sydney at the median value of $878,325, according to CoreLogic data

Welcome to the latest edition of inTouch magazine. This quarter we focus on topical articles that are relevant for many of our clients, no matter what stage of life they are in. Whether you are just starting out and getting your financial future on track early, or you are heading towards the golden days of retirement and beyond, our articles provide useful information that we are pleased to share with you.

Trump’s trade tariffs with possible repercussions in the form of a trade war and a shake-up in technology stocks, led by Facebook on the back of its privacy violation, meant March was a bumpy ride for Wall Street. The U.S. stock market finished the first quarter of 2018 with losses for the first time in 10 quarters.

You need to be savvy to build a sufficient nest egg for retirement. Planning is key, and so is getting professional advice. Most Australians are not saving enough for retirement and risk running out of money sooner than they expect. Data shows that in 2015–16, Australians had average superannuation balances of only $270,710 for men and $157,050 for women at the time of retirement.1 These sums are significantly lower than the $545,000 that the Association of Superannuation Funds (ASFA) estimates singles need for a comfortable lifestyle in later years.

Share markets continued late-January’s correction in February before a partial bounce-back saw global shares recover some ground, ending the month down 3.7% in hedged terms. New US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s debut testimony flagged the Fed may raise rates 4 rather than 3 times this year. This, along with prospects of a larger US fiscal deficit sent US Treasury yields and the US dollar higher.

When things go wrong, it’s nice to know you’re covered. But getting suitable insurance cover can be a matter of getting professional advice.

Welcome to our quarterly magazine – in this edition: Start your own business and thrive Professional advice and customised portfolio solutions • Managing your money through illness or injury What’s the Bitcoin buzz? Wedding budget bliss: how to afford your dream wedding Change your lifestyle, change your health

New Year’s resolutions help you focus on what you would like to achieve in the coming year. Financial resolutions can be particularly beneficial, especially if you’re serious about following them through. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

Most share markets ended 2017 positively, with global shares in hedged terms returning 1.1% in December, topping off a strong year (20.0%). A strong earnings season and the passing of the long anticipated tax reform legislation boosted US shares in December. The S&P 500 delivered positive returns for each month of 2017 without much volatility.

Take a break – without breaking the bank Holidays should be a well-deserved break from worry. Here’s how to minimise your stress and have a relaxing time away.

The US remains buoyant with business and consumer confidence elevated. The US share market (S&P 500) keeps powering along supported by solid earnings and accommodative policy.

Welcome to our quarterly magazine – in this edition:What’s new in superannuation? Simple ways to help keep Christmas affordable Why you should consider key-person insurance Five things to consider when giving to charities Plan behind Healthy tips for avoiding dementia

It’s an important skill but many people are still not as financially literate as they should be. Here are some ways that may help you improve.

The urge to donate is strong in Australia, and it’s easy to make it part of your financial plan. An estimated 14.9 million Australian adults (80.8 per cent of the population) gave $12.5 billion to charities and not-for-profit organisations in 2015–16.

Talk surrounding Donald Trump’s proposed tax reforms and solid economic data more than offset concerns about North Korea, the US Federal Reserve announcing that they will commence to trim their balance sheet and likely lift rates again this year.

As kids grow older, their financial needs – and their opportunities – grow more complex. If you have done the groundwork and taught your children the benefits of budgeting and saving, it will be much easier to talk to them about managing their finances in their teens and beyond. Teaching good money management early will help them make informed financial decisions over the long term.

Share markets in the US closed flat for August after a choppy month on the back of US political uncertainty, riots in Charlottesville and tensions in North Korea. The devastation of Hurricane Harvey also contributed to what has been the most volatile month in the S&P500 this year.

Welcome to our quarterly magazine – in this edition:What’s new in superannuation? Fixed income: friend or foe? Personal insurance in a nutshell First-home buyers get some help Relaxation: ...

How to deal with market volatility Market volatility can be a curse or a blessing… It all depends on how ready you are to deal with it...

Global share markets rose strongly during July as political risks and fears of a hard landing in China subsided. US growth in the second quarter lifted and we suspect a similar outcome in Q3...

First-home buyers get some help State and federal governments are creating new incentives to help first-home buyers get into the overheated housing market...

Global share markets paused in the month following rising volatility on the back of lower oil prices. The Fed raised interest rates by another 25bps following better economic conditions although the market ...

Budget offers an incentive to downsize The 2017 Federal Budget encourages some older people to downsize from homes that no longer meet their needs to free up housing stock for young families...

Global share markets rose during the month as a strong reporting season in the US and Europe lifted investor confidence. Australian shares underperformed global shares as concerns over economic growth ...

Welcome to our quarterly magazine – in this edition: SMSFs are on the rise Should we continue allocating alternatives in a diversified portfolio? Are you financially ready for retirement? Changes…

Welcome to our quarterly magazine – in this edition: Safeguarding your retirement plan Retirees and life insurance? Tax changes for seniors are now on the table Are your finances ready for ...

Market Highlights, Onwards and upwards Global growth indicators continued to firm through November as inflation expectations rose on the back of higher levels of industrial activity. Share markets, especially...