Rockingham Financial Advisers

Financial Advice in Rockingham, Perth, Western Australia

Making the aged care journey smoother

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When you’re exploring aged care options for a loved one, the process can seem overwhelming. Here’s how to make it a bit easier.

Choosing when to place an elderly relative into a retirement home may be one of the toughest decisions you have to make. And while you want your loved one to be as comfortable as possible in their final years, it’s also important to be financially prepared.

With so many choices available and so many decisions to make, it helps to break down the process into a series of steps. And remember, when the time comes to begin your own aged care journey, you’ll want to be ready – so the sooner you start planning, the better.

Step 1. Finding the right place

The first step is to have your loved one’s needs assessed to determine the right level of care – from semi-independent living to round-the-clock nursing. Free assessments are conducted by community- or hospital-based Aged Care Assessment Teams. You should also consider any additional services your relative might need in the future, so they won’t have to move again if their health declines.

If you can, visit different retirement facilities together to find an environment your loved one feels comfortable in. Be sure to investigate the social activities and meal options on offer, to ensure they’ll enjoy a happy and enriched life there.

Step 2. Calculating the costs

Although the federal government subsidises aged care costs, there are still various expenses that need be covered. For residential aged care, these include:

  • Accommodation fees. Prices are set by the facility but may also depend on your relative’s income and assets. Fees can be paid either as a lump sum or in regular instalments.
  • Basic daily care fee. This covers daily living costs and is fixed at 85% of the maximum single Age Pension – currently $50.66 per day.
  • Means-tested fee. This may be charged on top of your relative’s daily care fees, and is based on their assets and income. It’s currently capped at $27,232.33 a year.
  • Extra service fees. Additional fees may be charged for a more comfortable standard of accommodation, or special services like hairdressing or pay TV.

A financial adviser can help you calculate all these costs so you know exactly what to expect.

Step 3. Managing the paperwork

Because the fee amounts vary, you’ll need to lodge a Request for a combined assets and income assessment form with the Department of Human Services. This helps determine how much of a government subsidy your relative will receive towards the aged care costs.

Next, you can start applying directly to aged care facilities to find a suitable placement for your relative. A facility will contact you as soon as a slot becomes available, and they may also require you to enter into a Resident Agreement and Accommodation Agreement.

Step 4. What to do with the family home

Moving into aged care accommodation isn’t cheap, and many people who go into care need to sell their family home to cover the costs. This process can take many months, so you might also have to sort out a loan to manage the initial expenses while the property is on the market.

An alternative may be to rent out the property and use the rental income to help cover your aged care fees.

Your relative’s choice of whether to sell, or keep and rent out their former family home can have significant consequences for the aged care fees they pay, as well as any social security entitlements they receive, so speak to a financial adviser about the best option before taking any action.

Step 5. Making the move

Packing up an entire house or flat and moving into a single room of a retirement home requires a lot of work. As space will be limited, you’ll need to prioritise the most important or valuable items (including those with sentimental value) for your relative to take with them, and then sell or give away the rest.

There will also be other practicalities to deal with, such as changing their postal address and advising Centrelink about the move. Finally, make sure you include your loved one in as much of the decision-making as possible, to help make the transition as painless for them as you can.

 

General information only: The information in this message is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. It should not be construed as financial, taxation or legal advice. Before acting on the basis of this information, you should consider its appropriateness to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Individual advice can be provided by contacting our office at admin@completefinsol.com or by phone (08) 9330 8886.

 

How much will your child’s education cost?

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Your child’s education is an important investment in their future. But getting it right takes careful planning, which means you need a true understanding of the costs involved.

As every parent knows, a quality education is one of the most important foundations you can provide for your child. But the costs of schooling can really add up over the years – and it’s not just fees; there are plenty of other extras you’ll need to cover as well. And of course, if you have more than one child, then all the expenses will be multiplied.

So how much can you expect to shell out for each child’s education – and are there ways to plan ahead so you can reduce the strain on your household finances?

What to expect

The cost of a child’s schooling in Australia varies widely between metropolitan and regional areas, and depends on whether you opt for a private or public education. But even if you send your child to a government school, there are still plenty of expenses that you’ll need to be ready for – like uniforms, books, supplies and after-school activities.

In a major capital like Melbourne or Sydney, the cost to educate a child born in 2018 from preschool to Year 12 could cost anywhere from around $72,000 to almost $550,000.[1] That means a family with two children attending private school could end up spending well above $1 million for their kids’ primary and secondary education.

And while cites like Adelaide and Perth are substantially cheaper, the projected costs still range from around $55,000 up to more than $400,000.1

How to prepare

As with any investment, you should plan carefully for your child’s education. Everyone’s circumstances and choices are different, so take the time to research and calculate how much you’re likely to be pay over the course of your child’s school years. That way you can start budgeting as soon as possible.

If you’re lucky, you might have parents who are willing to chip in for their grandchildren’s education – but if not, don’t worry. Here are three things you can do now to cover your family’s education costs without sacrificing your lifestyle.

  1. Create a savings plan

By putting aside a little bit of money on a regular basis, you can grow your savings so you’ll have money to put towards your child’s schooling. A simple way to do this is to set up an automatic transfer from your everyday account into a high-interest savings account. Once you get started, you’ll notice the interest compounding over time. As you get into the habit of saving, you’ll find it becomes easier to manage your short term expenses like school fees and uniforms.

  1. Invest your savings

While a savings plan is great, it’s important to know that education costs may rise faster than inflation. This means your cash savings might not grow enough over time to meet your child’s future education costs, and you might want to consider non-cash investments as well. By investing part of your savings in an investment bond or managed fund, you may find it easier to cover education costs over the longer term, based on the anticipated growth and earnings from these investments. So it’s worth speaking to your financial adviser about the best investment vehicle for your situation.

  1. Pay down your mortgage

It can be tough keeping up with school fees and other costs when you still have a major financial burden hanging over you. That’s why it’s a good idea to prioritise paying off as much as your home loan as possible before you child starts school, so you’re in a better financial position to manage their ongoing education costs when the time comes. Even if your child is already in school, it’s never too late for your financial adviser to help you get your finances on track and plan for the remainder of their education.

General information only: The information in this message is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. It should not be construed as financial, taxation or legal advice. Before acting on the basis of this information, you should consider its appropriateness to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Individual advice can be provided by contacting our office at admin@completefinsol.com or by phone (08) 9330 8886.

 

[1] Australian Scholarships Group, ASG Planning for Education Index, 2018.

Your end of financial year checklist

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Who doesn’t love the end of the financial year? Okay, so maybe sorting through a shoebox full of receipts isn’t your idea of fun, but don’t worry. With our handy checklist, you can take some of the headache out of tax time. You might even find ways to give your finances a boost.

The end of financial year has a way of creeping up and catching us unprepared. But this time you can be ready, with a to-do list of tasks that you can tick off as you go.

For instance, now may be the perfect time to put a bit extra into your super before 1 July to make the most of the annual contribution caps. And if you’re a business owner, we’ve also got some useful tips to help you manage your financial obligations and plan for the year ahead.

So as the countdown to 30 June begins, here’s our checklist to start you on your way.

Getting ready for the tax man

  • Confirm if you need to lodge a tax return

If you received an income through employment or investments during the financial year, chances are you may need to lodge a tax return after 30 June. If you’re not sure whether you need to do one, you can find out by using the Australian Tax Office’s online tool – ‘Do I need to lodge a tax return?’, or speak to your accountant or tax agent.

  • Organise your documents

Your tax return needs to show everything you earned between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018. As the first step, gather your payment summaries from your employer, invoices for any self-employed work you’ve done, and bank statements that verify your income.

  • Identify your investment earnings

Your tax return must also indicate any income you’ve earned from non-work activities during the financial year. This includes (but not limited to) dividends from shares and rental income from investment properties, as well as capital gains from the sale of investment assets. Make sure you have a clear record of all your investment earnings for the year, with documentary evidence to back it up.

  • Collect receipts for donations or gifts

You may be able to claim a tax deduction for donations or gifts you’ve made during the financial year to charitable organisations or other eligible ‘deductible gift recipients’. You’ll need to find all your receipts for these – monetary gifts must be over $2 to be tax-deductible, and different rules apply for gifts of money or contributions, so ask your accountant which ones you can claim.

  • Work out your deductions

Depending on your employment situation, you may be able to claim a tax deduction for money you’ve spent on things like your car or other transport, work uniform, tools, home office equipment or education and training expenses. You may also be able to claim deductions on costs you incur in earning investment income (such as interest payments) and super contributions. Your accountant can advise you on what you may be eligible for.

  • Calculate child support payments

If you’re making child support payments or providing any related benefits, calculate the total you have paid during this financial year. Depending on your circumstances, these costs may be used to reduce your adjusted taxable income. Your adjusted taxable income is used to calculate your entitlement to a range of Government concessions. Speak to your accountant or tax agent or contact Centrelink for more information.

Sorting out your super

  • Make an after-tax contribution

The annual cap for after-tax or ‘non-concessional’ super contributions is $100,000 (or $300,000 in any three-year period, if you are eligible for and apply the ‘bring-forward’ rule). But if your total super balance is $1.6 million or more, your annual cap reduces to nil, while your bring-forward cap is reduced once your total superannuation balance is $1.4 million or more. So if you’re thinking of giving your super a boost, ask your financial adviser how you can make the most of the caps.

  • Start salary sacrificing or making personal tax-deductible contributions

The annual cap for pre-tax or ‘concessional’ contributions is $25,000. One way to take advantage of the cap is by salary sacrificing part of your income into super. But even if you don’t reach your cap before 30 June, salary sacrificing might be a strategy worth considering for next financial year, so talk to your financial adviser, tax agent or accountant.

Another way to make use of the concessional cap is to speak with your employer about making personal tax-deductible contributions. Since 1 July 2017, most employees have become eligible to make these contributions whereas previously employees were generally ineligible.

  • Don’t exceed your caps

If there’s a possibility you’ve already gone above your concessional or non-concessional contribution cap, work out how much you’ve put into super so far this financial year. If you’ve contributed too much, speak to your financial adviser.

  • Find other ways to contribute

If you’re a low income earner, you might be eligible for other types of contributions or government payments – for instance, a split contribution from your spouse, a government co-contribution or the Low Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO). Your spouse may also qualify for a tax offset when making a contribution on your behalf. If you’re not sure what you’re entitled to, ask your financial adviser now so you don’t miss out before 30 June.

Taking care of business

  • Organise your paperwork

If you’re a business owner, the type of tax return you need to lodge will depend on the structure of your business. Your accountant will probably want to see your profit and loss statement for the financial year, plus your balance sheet, general ledger report and bank reconciliation report, so it’s best to get these ready in advance.

  • Reconcile your payroll

If you employ staff, you’ll need to give them each a payment summary by 14 July so they can lodge their own tax returns. You can also use this opportunity to check that your employees’ salaries are in line with award rates and you’ve paid them the required amount of super.

  • Update your financial records

As with each monthly or quarterly Business Activity Statement (BAS) you lodge, make sure you have all the financial documents ready that you’ll need. The Australian Taxation Office website has a full list – yours may include bank statements, a PAYG payment summary, receipts and invoices, plus records of fuel tax and GST.

  • Check your depreciating assets

Until 30 June 2018, businesses with a turnover below $10 million per year can now deduct the full cost of any depreciating assets under $20,000 (that were purchased and installed ready for use between 7.30pm AEST on 12 May 2015 and 30 June 2018) and a portion of the cost of assets worth over $20,000. If you’ve made a purchase for your business in the past year, ask your accountant if you can claim a deduction.

  • Work out your deductions

Tax time is also when you should review your stock to see if you can claim deductions on anything your business makes, buys or sells. You may even be able to claim a deduction for things like interest on business loans and overdrafts.

  • Plan your spending

As many of your business expenses may qualify for a tax deduction, it’s worth thinking strategically about when to pay them. There may be costs you want to pay now so you may claim a deduction for this financial year – and on the other hand, you may want to put off some payments so you can save the deduction for next financial year.

When it comes to taking care of your business commitments at tax time, it’s best to contact your accountant or tax agent. They can help you organise your paperwork, review your deductions and assets and help get other financial records in order for the end of financial year.

 

Start the next financial year off on the right foot.

Need help getting your finances in shape for the year ahead? Speak to your financial adviser. They can make sure you have the right arrangements in place for your personal circumstances and lifestyle goals.

General information only: The information in this message is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. It should not be construed as financial, taxation or legal advice. Before acting on the basis of this information, you should consider its appropriateness to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Individual advice can be provided by contacting our office at admin@completefinsol.com or by phone (08) 9330 8886.

 

Insurance for every life stage

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It’s a good idea to regularly revisit your personal insurance to make sure it’s giving you the level and type of cover you need at your specific stage of life. Here are some things worth considering to make sure you and your family are protected.

Recent research shows that Australians are largely underinsured, with the median level of life cover meeting only 61% of basic needs.[1] Part of the problem may be that we tend to ‘set and forget’ our insurance – even as our circumstances and responsibilities evolve throughout our lives.

That’s why it’s so important to regularly review your cover to make sure it’s working to protect your lifestyle, loved ones and financial goals. Here’s what to consider as you move through different life stages.

Young and single

While you may not be thinking about life insurance when you’re young and healthy, there are still the risks of injury and illness. What’s more, an extended period without an income can do serious damage to your finances. So, if you’re away from the office for longer than your sick leave allows, you’re going to need a safety net.

Which insurance is for you?

  • income protection
  • trauma insurance
  • TPD (Total and Permanent Disablement) insurance

Young couple

Consider how your lifestyle would change if you were left without an income – for example, you might not be able to save for a house deposit or keep up with your mortgage. And if you were off work for some months, you’d still need to keep up with regular living expenses and loan repayments, ideally without eating into your savings.

Which insurance is for you?

  • income protection
  • trauma insurance
  • TPD
  • death or accidental death insurance

Family with kids

Once you have kids relying on you, your financial responsibilities increase. Your income is a vital asset: you need it to manage debt, stay on top of bills, pay your children’s school fees and keep up with other necessary expenses. That’s why it’s worth taking the time to get your insurance sorted – so you can make sure your family’s lifestyle is protected.

Which insurance is for you?

  • death or accidental death insurance
  • trauma insurance
  • income protection
  • TPD

Mature and independent

If you’re single and enjoying life, your income is key to the lifestyle you cherish – so it makes sense to protect it with a financial buffer. That way you’ll be covered against accidents or illnesses that could take you out of the workforce for a while. Or, if you’re raising children, you’ll also want a financial safety net that ensures they’ll be taken care of, even if something happens to you.

Which insurance is for you?

  • death or accidental death insurance
  • trauma insurance
  • income protection
  • TPD

Retired

With your children grown up and independent, your financial responsibilities have started to ease – but that doesn’t mean you should forget about insurance. Because you’ve spent so many years building up a nest egg for your retirement, it’s important to protect it. A serious medical event could still impact your finances, so get the right cover in place to ensure your ongoing financial wellbeing.

Which insurance is for you?

  • death or accidental death insurance
  • trauma insurance

Need more guidance?

Remember, your financial adviser can help you make sure you have the right level of insurance cover. They’ll work with you to understand your situation and recommend insurance solutions to better protect your financial future.

General information only: The information in this message is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your particular financial needs, circumstances and objectives. It should not be construed as financial, taxation or legal advice. Before acting on the basis of this information, you should consider its appropriateness to your own objectives, financial situation and needs. Individual advice can be provided by contacting our office at admin@completefinsol.com or by phone (08) 9330 8886.

 

[1] Rice Warner: Australia’s relentless underinsurance gap, September 2016.

What Is … ? Investment Terms Explained

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Want to learn more about investing but you’re not sure where to begin? Here are a few key terms every investor should know.

If you’re looking to build wealth for the future, buying a lottery ticket probably isn’t the way to go. A far more reliable option is to invest – but, unlike hitting the jackpot, investing takes time, patience and knowhow. For many of us though, trying to understand investment-speak is like learning another language. But don’t worry – once you get your head around a few basic concepts, you’ll be on your way towards becoming an educated investor. Here are a few common investment terms to get you started.

Portfolio
Your portfolio is the collection of assets you’ve invested in, which might include cash, bonds, shares and property. You may hold different amounts of each asset and they’re all likely to have different values. As an investor, you can manage your own portfolio and choose which assets to buy and sell at which time, or else you can hire a professional to manage it for you.

Cash
Cash refers to money you have that isn’t tied up in other assets. It’s often easily accessible when you need it, and it has a clear, specific value. As well as the hard cash you have on hand, it may also include other forms of money that can readily be converted into cash if you need it, such as the balance of your savings account.

Bonds
Investing in a bond essentially means lending money to the government or a company for a period of time, at either a fixed or variable interest rate. Then, when the bond expires, you get your money back with interest. Bonds are generally considered to be a more secure investment than shares because you know exactly how much you’ll earn and when – but the main risk is if the issuer cannot pay you back.

Shares
A share or stock is a portion of a company that’s available for investors to purchase. The amount of a company each investor owns is relative to the total number of shares available; for example, if a company has 100 shares and you buy one, then you become a shareholder who owns 1% of the company. If the company returns a profit and pays income to its shareholders, your dividend is based on the portion you own. Because shares are subject to stock market movements, their value is likely to go up and down in value over the short term – but they also have the potential to earn higher returns than cash or bonds in the long run. This means they may carry higher risk than these other assets.

Property
The most direct way to invest in property is to buy residential or commercial real estate and rent it out to a tenant. Your investment can then pay off in two ways: firstly, through the rental income, and secondly via an increased asset value if you sell it for a profit. You can also invest in property indirectly through an Australian Real Estate Investment Trust (A-REIT). These enable investors to pool their money together in a shared portfolio of commercial and industrial real estate.

Managed funds
When you invest in a managed fund, your money is pooled together with the money of other investors. A fund manager is responsible for all the fund’s investment decisions regarding buying and selling assets. The fund can pay a regular income, but the amount can increase or decrease depending on how the assets perform. The value of your managed fund investment (eg, units) can also fluctuate over time. Although investing in a managed fund gives you less control than direct shares, it may also give you access to a wider range of investment opportunities than you’d have as a sole investor.

Investment risk
When deciding which investments are right for you, it’s important to understand the trade-off between risk and return, and know how to manage investment risk. All investments carry some risk due to factors such as inflation, an economic downturn or a drop in a particular market – even if you choose an investment that’s traditionally considered ‘safe’, such as high-quality bonds. Every investment carries the risk of not returning your investment, and assets with greater changes in their capital value and pricing will move around a lot more, especially in the short term. It’s therefore essential to know and understand the risks of every investment you make.

Asset allocation
Asset allocation refers to the mix and value of the various assets and asset classes in your portfolio. The key to getting the right mix is to weigh up your goals, your appetite for risk and the length of time you’re planning to invest – which is different for everyone. Each asset class carries its own level of risk and return: generally speaking, ‘conservative’ assets like cash or bonds offer a safer but lower return than the potential returns on ‘growth’ assets like shares or property.

Diversification
Diversification is a strategy for reducing risk in your portfolio by investing in a range of assets, with some likely to perform better than others at different times. That way, when one type of investment is underperforming, your other investments will likely still be earning returns. For example, let’s say you’re only invested in shares. If there’s a downturn in the stockmarket, your entire portfolio will be negatively impacted. But if half of your portfolio is invested in other assets, then that half may not be affected.

Return on investment
Your return on investment (ROI) is the amount you earn from an investment relative to how much it cost you. By applying this simple formula, you can compare the profitability of different investments:

ROI = (Gain from Investment – Cost of Investment) divided by Cost of Investment

For instance, if you buy a house for $500,000, earn $25,000 in rental income, and then sell the property for $600,000 – after accounting for $60,000 in total costs (stamp duties, loan interest, legal and agents fees, rates and maintenance etc.) your ROI would be $65,000 divided by the $560,000 spent, which equals an ROI just shy of 12%.

Capital gain/loss
A capital gain is the profit you make when you sell an asset – or the increase in value between what you originally paid and how much the asset sells for. If you sell an asset for less than you bought it, this is called a capital loss. Because your net capital gain forms part of your taxable income, you generally need to report any net capital gain or loss in your tax return for that year. This is the difference between the total capital gain for the year and the total capital loss (including unused loss from previous years), less any relevant CGT discount or concessions.

Yield
The yield is the amount of income you receive from an investment, for example, interest, dividends, or rent. They’re usually calculated as an annual percentage based on the cost or value of the asset, and can vary depending on how the market and asset is performing or is expected to perform. But remember, a yield isn’t a guarantee of specific returns. It’s simply an indicator of how a particular investment is currently performing or is likely to perform in the near future.

Need more guidance?
While it’s good to understand the basics, it’s important to realise just how complex investment concepts really are. So if you’re new to investing – or even if you’re a seasoned investor – be sure to talk to your financial adviser to make sure your investments are in line with your lifestyle needs and goals.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

This document has been prepared by Financial Wisdom Limited ABN 70 006 646 108, AFSL 231138, (Financial Wisdom) a wholly-owned, non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. Mark Giles of Complete Financial Solutions (WA) – Financial Planning (ABN26 050 157 938) is an authorised representative of Financial Wisdom Limited (ABN) 70 006 646 108 AFSL 231138). Information in this document is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, which may be subject to change. While care has been taken in the preparation of this document, no liability is accepted by Financial Wisdom, its related entities, agents and employees for any loss arising from reliance on this document. This document contains general advice. It does not take account of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider talking to a financial adviser before making a financial decision. Taxation considerations are general and based on present taxation laws and their interpretation and may be subject to change. You should seek independent, professional tax advice before making any decision based on this information. This document contains general advice. It does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider talking to a Financial Adviser before making a financial decision. This document has been prepared by Financial Wisdom Limited ABN 70 006 646 108, AFSL 231138, (Financial Wisdom) a wholly-owned, non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124. Financial Wisdom Advisers are authorised representatives of Financial Wisdom. Information in this document is based on current regulatory requirements and laws, as at 10 January 2018, which may be subject to change. While care has been taken in the preparation of this document, no liability is accepted by Financial Wisdom, its related entities, agents and employees for any loss arising from reliance on this document.

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