Chris Lafey

Daisy Stacking Rings for Summer

As summer comes around, it is a time when old memories come back of long lazy days spent hanging out with girlfriends, talking about clothes and boys. It seems that we always had so much time to sit around and enjoy what life had to offer. And one of thos... Read >

SMSF Trends confirmed by Self Managed Super Specialists Firm

The increase in establishing self-managed superannuation funds (SMSF) by younger people as seen by Andrew Frith, CEO of The Self-Managed Super Specialists, head- officed in Newcastle, has been confirmed across Australia with figures released by the Austra... Read >

Considering Borrowing For Real Property In Your Self Managed Super Fund

On 7 July 2010 new legislation was introduced governing how superannuation fund trustees may borrow under what is termed a "limited recourse borrowing arrangement". This is considered a “non-traditional" borrowing arrangement used for acquiring an asset... Read >

New Supe Borrowing Rules

Refinancing Under new legislation introduced on 7 July 2010 (Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993 as amended), a self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) is expressly allowed to refinance a borrowing arrangement. There is now the ability... Read >

Investing By Age

Simple advice can create problems that are not always simple to fix. One example is the advice that an investor's age plays a central part of their investment strategy and asset allocation (for example standardised high risk strategies for young investor... Read >

Australia's Pension Fund Sector Has Leap Frogged Canada

Australia's $1.3 trillion pension fund sector has leap-frogged Canada to take fourth spot in the Towers Watson Global Pension Asset Study 2011. According to the study, the value of Australian pension fund assets increased to 103 per cent of gross domesti... Read >

Which Trustee Segment Do You Fit Into In The SMSF Sector

Recent research by CoreData on behalf of SPAA and Russell Investments (online research conducted in November and December 2010 canvassed the views of 1331 Australian consumers) has named three new segments of SMSF trustees in need of advice. In addition,... Read >

We Are All Part of An Ageing Population

According to the United Nations Population Division, we are all living through a period of population ageing that is unparalled in the history of humanity. This process is a result of reduced mortality rates due to better living standards, and declining ... Read >

Do You Really Believe in Customer Service

Whilst the mission of many organisations today is total customer satisfaction or improved customer satisfaction do the words in fact become the deeds? To ensure your organisation is not just playing lip service to the slogan consider the following to str... Read >

Retaining Your Talented Staff

With CEOs worldwide indicating that retaining their "Talent" [staff] in 2011 was a critical success factor we felt it is important that our clients are aware of the terminology and trends in Talent Management. The phrase "Talent Management" came into use... Read >

WHY SHOULD YOUR SELF MANAGED SUPER FUND HAVE RESERVES?

Australia has over 400,000 Self Managed Superannuation Funds (SMSF or DIY Funds) worth over $370 billion. For Australians a self managed super fund allows you to have a unique strategy to achieve you and your family's retirement, lifestyle and estate pla... Read >

How's Your Business Health for 2011

People are in business to make a profit - even not-for-profit organisations need to make a surplus to survive. But, just how healthy is your business? All businesses have weaknesses as well as strengths. Now is the time for you to consider your profita... Read >

What Is a Self Managed Super Fund (SMSF)

SMSFs (Self-Managed Super Funds) are sometimes referred to as "Do It Yourself" (DIY) super funds and are currently seen in Australia. Similar to other superannuation funds, SMSFs invest contributions made by members, provide benefits to members when they... Read >

Why You Should Have A Family Superannuation Fund

There are more than 420,000 Self managed funds(SMSF) or “DIY" super funds operating in Australia controlling over $375 billion in assets and this number is continually growing each year. The majority of these Self managed funds have been established for ... Read >

Financial Success In 2011 - What To Look Out For

With 2010 a year of ups and downs for investors, what is 2011 expected to bring, and, as an investor, what signs should you be looking for? For long-term holders, Australian shares remain a good investment and buyers will find value in further market w... Read >