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
Western Australia (WA) continues to lead growth in owner-occupier loans, while Queensland (QLD) has become the second-largest market for investor loans, surpassing Victoria. Money.com.au’s latest Mortgage Insights report highlighted some interesting trends that reflect shifting buyer preferences, tax advantages, and affordability considerations across different states. National loan growth insights The average new loan size in…
It’s been a tumultuous week for global markets and geopolitics as the US election came to a head, and we had a very predictable outcome from the RBA in their November policy meeting. And there’s some good news ahead for Australia, according to David Robertson, Chief economist of Bendigo Bank, who, in his latest report,…
Low supply, strong demand and high interest rates mean that it is harder than ever for Australians to buy property in the current market. High property prices mean many buyers, particularly first-home buyers, need a six-figure deposit at a time when their borrowing capacity is at an all-time low. And even for investors, the low…
I’ve heard the phrase “If only I knew that back when I was younger”, time and time again over the years. While it’s too late for many of us, understanding the personal finance tips we all wish we knew at age 18 might help the younger generations who are just starting out on their financial…
As we increasingly embrace digital transactions, the convenience of tapping, swiping, and entering our card details online also brings significant risks. A recent report from Finder has uncovered a worrying statistic: 1 in 6 Australians have had their credit or debit card skimmed in the past year. This is a stark reminder that, despite the…
Like the rest of Australia, New South Wales is in the grip of a housing crisis that has been years in the making, driven by a combination of population growth, inadequate housing supply, and skyrocketing property prices. The latest recommendations from the Productivity and Equality Commission aim to address these challenges head-on with a range…
While it’s always advisable to have a will, not every will is created equally. Amateur wills are generally not worth the paper you’ve written them on, so you should always use a lawyer who specialises in the preparation of wills. Fundamentally, the transfer of assets held in your name (which are also called estate assets)…
Australians have long prided themselves on enjoying the good life—sun-soaked holidays, sparkling new cars in the driveway, freshly renovated homes, and indulgent weekends out. But underneath this polished surface, a troubling financial reality is emerging. A recent report from Finder paints a worrying picture: over 6.3 million Australians are falling into debt just to keep…
If you use your own car for work purposes, you could be eligible to claim a tax deduction for car expenses, whether you own your car outright, are leasing it or paying it off. The Australian Taxation Office explains that you can claim a deduction for car expenses if you use your car to: Perform…
In a reflection of the ongoing financial strain on households, Australians spent a record $27.43 billion on personal credit card purchases in August 2024, according to the latest data from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA). This represents an increase of $814.3 million (3.1%) compared to the previous month and a staggering $1.23 billion (4.7%)…
