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
The Reserve Bank sees no “quick fix” for the housing crisis and warns that an imbalance between Australia’s supply of new housing and growth in the nation’s demand for housing is pushing up rents and construction costs and also has implications for economic activity. In a speech on Housing Market Cycles and Fundamentals, RBA assistant…
Australians are still intending to retire, on average, between their 65th and 66th birthdays, according to the latest data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Bjorn Jarvis, ABS head of labour statistics said: “While the average age that people intend to retire has risen over time, it hasn’t changed much in the last…
If you own an investment property and rent it out, you can write off a number of costs on your annual tax return. This includes claiming a deduction for any borrowing expenses incurred and any cost incurred for arranging finance to purchase it. Tax time is a big bonus for many Aussies with rental properties,…
In the current property markets where capital growth will be subdued for some time, more sophisticated investors are considering getting involved in property development to enable them to “manufacture” capital growth. However, embarking on property development isn’t as simple as it might seem and unfortunately, too many investors begin their property development journey on the…
Receiving an inheritance can be a life-changing event, but also one filled with heightened emotions and uncertainty about the implications on your financial future. While receiving a lump sum of money can be a great opportunity to strengthen your finances, the sudden increase in your wealth also requires some careful consideration and planning. So, whether…
Despite their diverse origins, Australians born overseas often bring unique perspectives and experiences to the table, shaping a rich tapestry of cultural insights within the country. Here are 11 interesting facts about Australians born overseas that might surprise you, according to ABS’s latest data: Australia’s population included 8.2 million people who were born overseas as…
I’ve had conversations with plenty of discouraged folks who are in their 50s (or even older) and they’re wondering how they’re going to survive in their retirement. They start to question if it’s too late to invest in property. Is there ever a time when you’re just too old? In general, my response would be…
Australians rely on plastic to get through to payday. In fact, more than one in three credit card users are carrying around debt after they pay their bill each month, contributing to the estimated $3.15 billion lenders have collected in interest charges over the last year. This according to a RateCity.com.au survey of over 1,500 credit…
Australia is an entrepreneurial country of more than two million small businesses. Perhaps it’s our “give it a go” attitude that sees so many of us decide to take control of our financial futures. Of course, without small businesses, our economy wouldn’t exist given some 97 per cent of all businesses are classified as ones…
Is financial infidelity worse than adultery in a relationship? Well, a Finder survey of 1,096 respondents revealed that 1 in 5 Australians (21%) – equivalent to 4.2 million people – think lying to your partner about finances is worse than physically cheating. Baby boomers (23%) are most concerned with financial fibs in a relationship, compared…
