News & Resources

Winter 2010 Newsletter

Read the Winter 2010 edition of the Summerhill Financial newsletter

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Invest in you … after all, you are your future

In the words of Mark Twain, everyone should take an interest in their future — since they have to live with it for the rest of their life. If someone was to ask you “are you fit for business?”, you may take it they’re interested in your qualifications or management experience. (more…)

Market update: why the long face?

Share market volatility in the past few weeks has renewed uncertainty — even gloom — and diminished investors’ taste for risk. There’s European public debt and Chinese economic tightening worries, along with regulatory action against US and European banks. Concerns around Australia’s planned ‘resource super profits tax’ haven’t helped the impact on our shares and dollar either. While none of this sounds very good, here’s why it’s probably not a bear market — and certainly not time to throw in the investing towel. (more…)

Death, taxes and inheritance — what you really should know

To adequately protect your wealth for your family after you die, it’s worthwhile spending time on careful planning to counter Australia’s ‘backdoor death taxes’. SMSFs and testamentary trusts have a very useful role to play. But, you can only gift what’s yours. (more…)

Why trauma insurance in business can’t ‘come later’

‘Too expensive’, ‘too unlikely’, too many ‘what-ifs’ and ‘how will it work?’ are just some reasons SME owners avoid trauma insurance. But think about this: for 4 male partners, aged 35, 45, 50 and 55, there’s only a 52.4% chance that all will remain healthy in the next 10 years. What impact will that have on their business? It’s time to rethink the need for trauma insurance. (more…)

Stealthy slide for middle-class wealth

Tempted to use the equity in your home to consolidate your debt or maybe take a holiday or buy a big screen TV? What about buying the best home you can afford? Think again: the past decade has seen bankruptcy become a middle-class “phenomenon”. Even if you aren’t stretched financially, here’s a few things to consider. (more…)

Thinking about aged care now can make all the difference — financially and emotionally

Whether it’s 5 years or 15 years away, for you or your parents, planning now for how you and your family will approach aged care will have a lot to do with how legislation affects you, the impact on your finances and the type of care you can afford. There are several strategies you need to consider, and it’s important to understand that after someone has entered aged care, it may be too late to undo any financial decisions they — or someone on their behalf — made before they went in. (more…)

Accidental death policies — a good saving?

Next time you open a credit card statement and a brochure advertising ‘accidental death policies’ falls out, is it worth picking up? Or continuing its journey to the (recycle) bin?   (more…)

From Greek to Geek – living with volatility

Investors shun Europe amid fears the Greek debt crisis will spread. Across the Atlantic, Wall Street suffers a gut-wrenching 15-minute dive because of a suspected computer snafu. What’s wrong with markets? (more…)

How Staying Seated Pays Off

In the middle of the biggest share market downturn in decades, investors were flocking to the tried, the true and the familiar. Small and risky was no longer beautiful. But 12 months is a long time in the financial markets. (more…)