Plan 2 Prosper

The typical Australian family looks somewhat different in the 21^st century than it did during the economic glory days of the 50′s & 60′s, where the stereotype saw 3 children supported by a breadwinner dad and a stay-at-home mum. Since that era, Australians have tended to get married later, have fewer children and do so when they are older. Indeed, more than half the babies born this year are likely to be to parents aged 30 and over.

Regardless of the best intentions of parents, the reality is that children cannot be raised on love alone. While there is no actual fixed or absolute cost of a child – a range of variables will impact on how many financial resources any individual family dedicates to the task – some clear patterns have emerged from various research projects undertaken to examine the topic. (more…)

While fixed income assets offer SMSF Trustees clear rewards, lack of access and a preference for holding direct assets has prevented these investors from fully benefiting from the asset class. Managed funds offer investors in this asset class unique advantages which should be reconsidered by SMSF Trustees and their advisers. Quality credit assets today offer compelling value. (more…)

Ongoing European sovereign debt concerns continue to impact markets and investor confidence. In this video update, MLC’s Investment Strategist Brian Parker looks at:

• the persistant issues with Greece and Europe
• the mixed bag of economic numbers in Australia, and
• what it all means for investors.

View the June market update video here.

While sharemarkets continue to suffer from the European debt crisis, other influences have also contributed to a difficult month for investors. In this fund performance update, MLC’s Senior Investment Strategist John Owen looks at:

• the effect of the resources tax on the Australian sharemarket
• the drop of the AUD against major currencies, and
• one year returns for the MLC Horizon 4 & 5 Portfolios

View the June MLC Fund Performance Update video here.

Where to from here?

If you would like to discuss the topics raised in this video or if you would like more information, speak to your financial adviser or contact Dan Smith of Plan 2 Prosper on 07 49265 570.

• Contact us
• Get more information about an Educational Forum for you and your friends
• Register and receive regular email updates

Dan Smith is self employed and is for many families their trusted Financial Planner based in Rockhampton. He has clients in various locations throughout Australia but predominately in Central Queensland and specifically the geographic area encompassed by the Rockhampton Regional Council.

This information is intended to only provide you with general information and, while the sources for the material are considered reliable, no responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Before making a decision based on this information, you must consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.

Dan Smith and  Dancin Pty Ltd ABN 71 531 338 371 trading as Plan 2 Prosper are Authorised Representatives of GWM Adviser Services Limited ABN 96 002 071 749 trading as MLC Financial Planning, an Australian Financial Services Licensee, with its Registered Office at 105 – 153 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060

If you are eligible …. it’s quite possibly the easiest money you’ll ever make.

The super co-contribution is a government measure to boost superannuation savings. If you are a low or middle income earner, you may be able to receive the super co-contribution from the government by making eligible personal superannuation contributions to your superannuation fund. You do not have to contribute the full $1,000 to be eligible – any amount up to $1,000 will attract the super co-contribution.

The government co-contribution:

• must be preserved in a super fund or retirement savings account (RSA) – it can only be accessed when other preserved amounts can be accessed
• is not included as income in your tax return
• will not be subject to tax when paid to the fund or RSA provider
• will not be taxed when received as a benefit.

Prior to 1 July 2007, only individuals who received income from employment-related activities were eligible to receive the co-contribution. However, from 1 July 2007, the co-contribution initiative has been extended to include self-employed persons.

The maximum co-contribution payable and the way the ATO work out the amount of co-contribution payable depends on the financial year in which you made your eligible personal super contributions.

Following is a link to a calculator provided by the Australian Taxation Office. Use the Super co-contribution calculator .

This is a tool to help individuals, including the self-employed, estimate their co-contribution entitlement and eligibility, based on information provided about:

• income
• personal super contributions.

In the ATO tool you will need to enter the amounts of your:

• personal super contributions
• employment and business income, including partnership distribution
• any reportable fringe benefits amounts
• any reportable employer super contributions
• any other income.

For individuals with business income, you must also enter the amount of business related deductions.

If you have any doubts about your ability to do this, or you would like advice and assistance to guide you through the many options, act now to get the knowledge and mentoring that you need.

Where to from here?

If you would like to discuss the topics raised or if you would like more information, speak to your financial adviser or contact Dan Smith of Plan 2 Prosper on 07 49265 570.

• Contact us
• Get more information about an Educational Forum for you and your friends
• Register and receive regular email updates

Dan Smith is self employed and is for many families their trusted Financial Planner based in Rockhampton. He has clients in various locations throughout Australia but predominately in Central Queensland and specifically the geographic area encompassed by the Rockhampton Regional Council.

This information is intended to only provide you with general information and, while the sources for the material are considered reliable, no responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Before making a decision based on this information, you must consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.

Dan Smith and  Dancin Pty Ltd ABN 71 531 338 371 trading as Plan 2 Prosper are Authorised Representatives of GWM Adviser Services Limited ABN 96 002 071 749 trading as MLC Financial Planning, an Australian Financial Services Licensee, with its Registered Office at 105 – 153 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060

With February a good month for sharemarkets, what has it meant for MLC funds? In this update, MLC’s Senior Investment Strategist John Owen looks at:

• MLC Australian Share Strategy performance in February
• the outperfomance of MLC Australian bonds managers, and
• what it means for the MLC Balanced and Growth Funds

To view the video, click the following link:

View the March MLC Fund Performance Update video here.

Where to from here?

If you would like to discuss the topics raised in this video or if you would like more information, speak to your financial adviser or contact Dan Smith of Plan 2 Prosper on 07 49265 570.

• Contact us
• Get more information about an Educational Forum for you and your friends
• Register and receive regular email updates

Dan Smith is self employed and is for many families their trusted Financial Planner based in Rockhampton. He has clients in various locations throughout Australia but predominately in Central Queensland and specifically the geographic area encompassed by the Rockhampton Regional Council.

This information is intended to only provide you with general information and, while the sources for the material are considered reliable, no responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Before making a decision based on this information, you must consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.

Dan Smith and  Dancin Pty Ltd ABN 71 531 338 371 trading as Plan 2 Prosper are Authorised Representatives of GWM Adviser Services Limited ABN 96 002 071 749 trading as MLC Financial Planning, an Australian Financial Services Licensee, with its Registered Office at 105 – 153 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060

No doubt for many of you the demands on your time and funds haven’t reduced since this time last year, but as the common saying goes “if we keep on doing the same things we are likely to keep getting the same results”.

Another client recently reminded me of an article I wrote in September 2008:

http://plan2prosper.com.au/articles/2008/09/wealth-creation-and-kershaw-gardens-what-is-the-link

They said despite the strong performance of equity markets since March 2009 there is still a lot of fear and uncertainty in many people’s minds. During their regular relaxing walk through Kershaw Gardens they felt comforted while reflecting on my view that the Kershaw Gardens story is very similar to what the story of wealth creation is like – if you let it be. Within the gardens, trees that were looking sickly prior to December due to environmental conditions have picked up considerably and were full of new growth with our recent rain.

It reminded me of a Chinese Proverb also about trees:

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The 2^nd best time is now.

The best approach for anyone contemplating further wealth creation will depend on his or her own personal and financial circumstances, but the key message is that you must do something! There are many strategies that wealth creators can access if they don’t have vast sums of money or other resources available to them.

It is important to regularly review your plan (equate this to planting your own tree). This helps you take advantage of any current or future opportunities created by:

• Your changing life situation and goals
• A changed economic or legislative environment
• Emerging investment markets and new products

If you have any doubts about your ability to do this, or you would like advice and assistance to guide you through the many options, act now to get the knowledge and mentoring that you need.

Where to from here?

If you would like to discuss the topics raised or if you would like more information, speak to your financial adviser or contact Dan Smith of Plan 2 Prosper on 07 49265 570.

• Contact us
• Get more information about an Educational Forum for you and your friends
• Register and receive regular email updates

Dan Smith is self employed and is for many families their trusted Financial Planner based in Rockhampton. He has clients in various locations throughout Australia but predominately in Central Queensland and specifically the geographic area encompassed by the Rockhampton Regional Council.

This information is intended to only provide you with general information and, while the sources for the material are considered reliable, no responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions. Before making a decision based on this information, you must consider its appropriateness having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.

Dan Smith and  Dancin Pty Ltd ABN 71 531 338 371 trading as Plan 2 Prosper are Authorised Representatives of GWM Adviser Services Limited ABN 96 002 071 749 trading as MLC Financial Planning, an Australian Financial Services Licensee, with its Registered Office at 105 – 153 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060