Ken is director of Metropole Wealth Advisory and gives strategic expert advice to property investors, professionals and business owners. He is in a unique position to blend his skills of accounting, wealth advisory, property investing, financial planning and small business. View his articles
Trusts have long been one of the most powerful tools available to property investors. Used properly, they can protect your assets, help with estate planning, and provide flexibility in managing your growing wealth. But used poorly – or set up for the wrong reasons – they can quickly turn into financial handcuffs rather than a…
Most investors expect their tax bills to rise when they buy more property, not when they simply sit still. Yet that’s exactly what’s about to happen in New South Wales. The NSW Government’s recent decision to freeze land tax thresholds means property owners from mum-and-dad investors to self-managed super funds (SMSFs) will pay more tax…
We often talk about Australia’s retirement system being one of the best in the world, underpinned by compulsory superannuation, the age pension, and voluntary savings. But the latest HILDA survey reminds us that the real wealth divide in retirement isn’t about how much super you’ve got – it’s about whether you own your home. The…
I’ve often said that wealth isn’t just about how much you make – it’s about how much you keep. And when it comes to passing on that wealth to the next generation, a well-structured estate plan can mean the difference between preserving your legacy or watching it disappear through tax or family disputes. One of…
What if I told you that nearly half the cost of your next property isn’t the bricks, the land, or even the builder — but taxes? That’s the hidden truth behind Australia’s housing market, and it’s crippling wealth creation for investors and homeowners alike. Residential property may be the cornerstone of financial security for many…
Have you ever wondered how much tax will you pay in your lifetime? If you’re like the average Australian worker earning $120,000 a year, you might guess a few hundred thousand. But what if I told you the true figure is over $2 million? Yes, that’s right – if you simply earn your salary, pay…
Relationships are much more complicated these days, aren’t they? It’s common for couples to purchase a property before they have walked down the aisle or even lived together, which raises the question of who gets the house if they break up? It’s surprising more couples don’t give this a second thought. They assume they’ll be…
You’ve finally done it. You’ve clocked off. After decades of working hard, saving diligently, and building a solid property portfolio, you’ve reached retirement. It’s a milestone worth celebrating. There’s relief, excitement, and anticipation for this new chapter. But after the champagne pops and the calendar clears, many investors find themselves facing a new kind of…
A lot of people say they’re good with money. They say they have a gift for making it. That they love money and that money loves them. This may be true. But just because you like money and enjoy making it (that’s most of us) doesn’t mean you’re good with money. Those are two very…
The strength of Australia’s economy is due to its small and medium businesses. In fact, there are more than two million of them in Australia, who collectively employ a huge number of people. So, clearly, their importance to the overall health of our national economy cannot be overstated. However, one of the issues that small…
