The Aqua Blog — Aqua Wealth
Financial Planning, Mortgage Finance & Life Insurance. With over 100 years combined experience, we've got you covered.
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The beauty of a positive cash flow property is that it won't burn a hole in your wallet but you'll have to work hard to find one that also delivers good capital growth. Keep in mind that any profit you make on the rental income is likely to be subject to capital gains tax (after depreciation and other tax deductions), so it's wise to put aside a component of your rent return to meet the tax bill. Positive cash flow properties are suited to investors who are looking for a conservative investment strategy and are keen to use the extra cash in the pocket to pay down debt and/or increase their equity to make room for further investment. Here are 10 top tips for finding positive cash flow property: Buy a property that generates a strong rental yield (the return your property generates compared to the property's market value). Know your statistics. Look for indicators...

There's no easy answer to the much-debated question: do negatively geared or positive cash flow properties make the better investment choice? There are many investors who swear by negative gearing, which is when the cost of the property, including interest on the loan used to buy it, outweigh the returns it generates.  This loss can be claimed on tax, which is where the appeal of negative gearing lies. Others strongly believe having a positive cash flow is a wiser choice because it means you have more income than expenses and cash in your pocket every week.  This is achieved either through positive gearing - where your property's rent returns are high in proportion to the purchase price and cover all the expenses. Alternatively you can achieve a positive cash flow with a property when its outgoings (loan interest, body corporate fees etc) are lower than the income you earn through rent and...

The Reserve Bank has slashed interest rates by 25 basis points to a historic  low of 2.75 percent, the first reduction this year. The decision followed a spate of soft economic data that increased calls by  industry groups and other observers for a lower cash rate. Financial markets and economists have been split over whether the central  bank would continue its easing cycle, which has seen 175 basis points of cuts  since November 2011. The Australian dollar fell below 102 US cents following the decision. It was  hovering at about 102.38 US cents just before 2.30pm.   "The Board has previously noted that the inflation outlook would afford scope  to ease further, should that be necessary to support demand," RBA governor Glenn  Stevens said in a statement. "At today's meeting the Board decided to use some of that scope. It judged  that a further decline in the cash rate was appropriate to encourage sustainable ...

The Aqua Wealth team were delighted at being announced the winners of Securitor's National Practice of the Year award for 2013. This fantastic news comes just a few weeks after our team was awarded the Practice of the Year award for the region of Victoria and we are both proud and humbled at being recognised amongst the best of the best of our peers within the Securitor group. We are very proud of this achievement and what we have been able to deliver to our clients in such a short period. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to deliver on our promise on providing quality advice solutions to our clients. Thank you once again to all of our business partners, friends and family for your continued support. Without you we would not be in this position! ...

[dropcaps]T[/dropcaps]he failure of advice providers to consider the insurance needs of investors is leading to poor outcomes in the self-managed superannuation sector, according to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC). The regulator has released a report into the quality of advice provided by both accountants and financial advisers to SMSF trustees. The report summarises the findings of the ASIC SMSF taskforce, which reviewed over 100 pieces of advice provided to investors. [pullquote-left]… only a small number of investors received an insurance recommendation before setting up an SMSF[/pullquote-left] While the majority of the advice was rated ‘adequate’, ASIC found that just under 30% of the personal advice provided was of poor quality, resulting in the investor being worse off after having received the advice. One of the problem areas leading to poor advice outcomes, according to ASIC, was the absence or inadequacy of insurance recommendations. The regulator’s investigation found that only a small number...

Thank you to everybody who came down to our first annual charity walk/fun run yesterday! Your support for a great cause is much appreciated. At this stage we have raised $2,400 in support of the 'Summer Foundation: Building Better Lives' which is close to our target amount (and subject to change pending last minute donations) so we are delighted with the outcome of our inaugural event. We hope to see everyone again at next years event! [blue]To donate to our cause please click here to visit the Everyday Hero website to make a donation to Building Better Lives[/blue]...

Happiness--in your business life and your personal life--is often a matter of subtraction, not addition. Consider, for example, what happens when you stop doing the following 10 things: 1. Blaming. People make mistakes. Employees don't meet your expectations. Vendors don't deliver on time. So you blame them for your problems. But you're also to blame. Maybe you didn't provide enough training. Maybe you didn't build in enough of a buffer. Maybe you asked too much, too soon. Taking responsibility when things go wrong instead of blaming others isn't masochistic, it's empowering--because then you focus on doing things better or smarter next time. And when you get better or smarter, you also get happier. 2. Impressing. No one likes you for your clothes, your car, your possessions, your title, or your accomplishments. Those are all "things." People may like your things--but that doesn't mean they like you. Sure, superficially they might seem to, but superficial is also insubstantial, and a relationship...

Wouldn't it be great to know you can trust your mortgage adviser to give you the best advice and steer you down the right path? Well you can! Here's why...

Have you made a future plan for your family in the event of your passing? No? You’re not alone. According to a new survey conducted by life insurance comparison site LifeInsuranceFinder.com.au, 32.5 percent of Australians have not considered putting together a financial plan for their family in the event of their death. Surprisingly, it takes the shocking loss of a family member or friend before one in two people considers taking out life insurance cover. Major life events also play a significant role. For example, 23.16 percent of Australians would be influenced by marriage or the birth of their first child. Interestingly, 35.59 percent of respondents were more likely to purchase life insurance when taking out a new mortgage than when having a child. When should you consider taking out cover? Here are some suggestions from Fred Schebesta, the publisher of the comparison website: Getting married – life cover can ensure that spouses will not suffer...