Rob Gilmour

An article in the SMH recently reported an analysis by the Melbourne Institute showed the top 0.1 per cent – a mere 18,750 people – took in 2.7 per cent of income in Australia, the highest take since the 1950s. The starting income for the top 1 per cent was $237,300 and on average each earned $438,100,… [Read More]

We are about to have our third child shortly!  While this will turn life upside down (again), quite often people remind us of the looming tidal wave of school fees ahead (as if day care fees weren’t bad enough). With the cost of the top private schools being as much as $25,000 per year, this… [Read More]

Superannuation is changing, this is assured given with both sides of politics seeing this as part of a broader change to our overall taxation system. Superannuation is a highly politically charged area as it affects everyone, none more than those who are already retired or are close to retirement. One way or another, changes will… [Read More]

When most people think of investing it’s either property, shares, bonds or cash that come to mind, but there are other types of investments known as “Alternatives”.  They are typically the domain of large institutions, which according to a 2012 Russell Investment Survey 22.4% of institutional portfolios are allocated to Alternatives. Not surprisingly, Alternatives are… [Read More]

In our October market update we wrote about the many reasons to take a half glass full view of the Australian economy and look through the negativity portrayed by the media. Today we saw figures released stating that 58,000 jobs were created in October. Coupled with this was a drop in the unemployment rate to… [Read More]

The ability to use an SMSF to take out a limited recourse loan to buy property has been allowed to continue despite a recent inquiry recommending it be banned. This was viewed as a legitimate financing option as there is currently no evidence that debt levels inside the super system posed a risk. So lets… [Read More]