On 28 February 2026, the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran. Within hours, the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed. What followed was not a geopolitical surprise — it was a portfolio test.
Read MoreInflation erodes purchasing power quietly and consistently. Understanding how it moves through a household budget — and where the practical adjustments lie — is the first step toward managing it deliberately rather than absorbing it passively.
Read MoreMost people have a reasonable sense of their financial position. Fewer have examined it with the kind of structured attention that reveals where the gaps are and what to do about them. A systematic review of your financial affairs — done properly, once a year — is one of the most useful things you can do.
Read MoreContactless payments — Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay — are now the default for many Australians. The question worth asking is whether they are more secure than tapping a physical card, and where the actual risks lie.
Read MoreThe decision to help a child buy their first home is not a simple one. It is an act of generosity that can, if structured poorly, compromise the very financial security that makes such generosity possible. The question worth asking before any commitment is made is not whether to help — but how to do so without diminishing what has been built.
Read MoreFor many Australians, superannuation is their largest asset. The rules governing early access are narrow, the compliance risks are real, and the penalties for getting it wrong are significant.
Read MoreThe Federal Government's review of supermarket unit pricing is not a consumer protection exercise in isolation. For businesses supplying into the grocery sector, the proposals on the table carry real compliance and commercial implications.
Read MoreThe ATO's general interest charge is running at 11.17% per annum and is no longer deductible. For many taxpayers, that makes an ATO payment plan one of the most expensive financing arrangements on their balance sheet.
Read MoreTrust distribution resolutions prepared after year-end — even where the underlying decision was sound — can be declared invalid by the ATO. The Goldenville case illustrates what that costs.
Read MoreDebt is neither inherently useful nor inherently destructive. Its effect on a financial position depends on what it is used for, at what cost, and whether the borrower has thought clearly about the conditions under which the strategy fails.
Read MoreMost retirement planning conversations focus on the balance required to stop working. Few address the structure, identity, and social connection that work provides — and what replaces them.
Read MoreThe downsizer contribution to superannuation is one of the most generous provisions available to Australians over 55. Whether it is the right decision depends on questions that go well beyond the contribution mechanics.
Read MoreThe RBA held the cash rate at 3.85% in July. For clients carrying variable debt or managing a portfolio through this rate cycle, the implications are specific and worth working through carefully.
Read MoreThe superannuation guarantee rate is now 12%, and the contribution thresholds for 2025–26 have been updated. The consequences of getting either wrong are specific — and avoidable.
Read MoreBuyers of luxury vehicles for business use frequently overestimate the tax deductions available to them. The rules that apply are specific, the thresholds are updated annually, and the cost of misunderstanding them is quantifiable.
Read MoreInterest deductibility is determined by how borrowed funds are used — not by the security provided, not by the account the funds pass through. Getting the structure wrong before the loan is drawn is a mistake that is difficult to fix after the fact.
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Estate planning for blended families involves unique challenges due to the need to fairly address the interests of current spouses, shared children, and children from previous relationships. Clear communication and professional advice are essential to create an effective plan that prevents disputes and ensures all wishes are respected.
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We are often told that paying off the mortgage on our home should be our first priority because the interest is not tax deductible. But does this apply to everyone?
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Income protection insurance is essential for safeguarding an individual’s ability to earn income, especially when accidents or illnesses prevent work. This type of insurance complements workers compensation and varies by policy terms and state regulations, making professional advice valuable for optimal coverage.
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Workers compensation is a complex, state-based system in Australia that provides income and medical coverage for work-related injuries, but coverage details and benefits can vary significantly depending on the state or territory. This complexity can create financial challenges for injured workers, especially those with multiple jobs or high incomes.
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