Among the lingering effects will be the financial upheaval many people have experienced, some for the first time. Whether brought about by unexpected career change, the fluctuating value of assets, or delayed retirement or estate planning, the resulting fear and uncertainty is real.  

Budget 2021-22 follows on from the last Budget’s theme of getting Australia through the pandemic and promoting economic growth and employment. The Australian economy has progressed toward recovery more successfully than others, with a dramatic budget improvement since the October 2020 forecasts.

The post-COVID housing market recovery in Australia has certainly exceeded expectations, with property prices in Melbourne up 6.1%, Brisbane 6.3% and Adelaide 4.9% so far in 2021. As prices rise, more retirees are considering downsizing their home. In turn, taking advantage of tax and superannuation incentives to maintain the lifestyle they desire in retirement and protect their wealth.

On Feb 26, 2021 the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was presented outlining 148 recommendations. What are some of the implications?

The hunt for better returns and mistrust of the share market creates the perfect environment for the rise of risky investment funds that promise returns, often too good to be true.

GameStop made headlines for all the wrong reasons but short selling can be a savvy investment strategy. It has been used by prudent fund managers for years and there is a place for it in balanced portfolio management.

From 1 July 2021 the superannuation transfer balance cap will increase to $1.7 million. This limits how much money you can keep in tax-free super. This change adds further complexity to super and it is imperative to get advice to navigate and maximise the benefits super can offer.

There are now more and more online tools and apps available to help you take care of the tedious but important tasks associated with budgeting. Here is our list of the top 5 apps for efficiently managing your budget.

The baby boomers are at the stage of life where they are making arrangements around aged care. With their history of demanding higher standards of service across the board, this may be just the impetus needed to overhaul the Australian aged care system.

Making good financial decisions during a crisis such as Covid-19 can feel overwhelming. However, with the support and expert guidance of a qualified financial adviser, you can make decisions today that your future self will thank you for.

Has your role been made redundant during Covid-19? Here are some of the key things to consider that can help you land on your feet and start to build a strong financial future.

FMD Financial's Annual Client Briefing 2020 is here. 26 November 2020 will see us celebrate a year of many wins for our clients despite the global pandemic and geopolitical upheaval across the globe.

Listen to this podcast episode where Senior Financial Adviser, Jason Calleja, spoke to Partner at Nicholes Family Lawyers, Bec Dahl, to discuss how lawyers and financial advisers need to work together to serve clients navigating divorce or separation.

How does one measure the value of professional financial advice? Saving money and growing your wealth are the tip of the iceberg. The real value of financial advice is its positive impact on your health, wealth and happiness. Read on to know more.

Embracing online banking and other services has been a steep learning curve for banks, service providers and customers, but people have overwhelmingly embraced technology to manage their money during this difficult time. 

Budget 2020-21 is firmly billed as a recovery plan, to move Australia from crisis response towards rebuilding the economy following the once-in-a-century shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Covid-19 has caused significant upheaval to the Australian property market. To understand the impact, FMD Financial CEO Lee Wapling chatted with property expert David McMillan, Director of Performance Property Advisory in this webinar held on 11 September 2020.

Navigating the end of a marriage or long-term relationship is an incredibly stressful event. With the added isolation of the lockdown, it's vital that you access the emotional, legal and financial advice you need during this transition.

In this interview with FMD Financial, property expert David McMillan talks about the current impact of the pandemic on Australia's property market and what we can expect as we emerge from the crisis.

To support the economic recovery from the ongoing devastation by Covid-19, the Government is extending and further tailoring temporary economic measures to support individuals, businesses and communities that continue to face the biggest challenges.

Physical distancing and Covid-19 have challenged us all to get creative in how we connect. For many retirees, relying heavily on technology to socialise has been a new experience, one that allows them to continue participating in the things they enjoy.

Having an updated Will and Estate Plan is the only way to protect your wealth, provide for your family in your absence and safeguard your financial legacy. COVID-19 has shown us just how much these factors impact our health, wealth and happiness.

Post Covid-19, global markets have rallied in response to decisive government action and economic stimulus. While it’s tempting to feel relief at this partial recovery, ongoing volatility is expected as we begin the new normal.

While regular travel may be off the cards for the foreseeable future, virtual travel experiences have gotten better than ever. All you need is a good internet connection and a comfy chair.

The convenience of technology has been a great benefit to our lives since Coronavirus restrictions came into effect; but it has also exposed more of us to the risk of data breaches, scams and identify theft that unfortunately comes with it. Read more about what to look out for and how to protect yourself.

With redundancy set to increase in many industries as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis in Australia, it's reassuring to know that good financial planning can help achieve your long-term goals and minimise the impacts of late-career redundancy.

We can all relate to feeling like every day is the same, or not even knowing what day it is, as we stay at home to battle COVID-19. Adviser, David Batchelor shares his thoughts on coping with the rapid change in our lives, and recommends some great movie viewing to deliver a much-needed laugh.

It's been a turbulent ride on global markets since the onset of COVID-19, but FMD portfolios are weathering the storm and are well-placed for the future. Watch this update from the FMD Investment Committee for all the latest details.

Daily life has been turned upside down for all of us due to COVID-19 and new ways of living, working and connecting have quickly become the norm. Whatever changes you are adapting to personally, adviser Michael Russell shares his tips on getting your budget under control in the face of new financial realities.

We continue to receive fantastic feedback about our largest-ever Annual Client Briefing held at the Park Hyatt in Melbourne in December 2019 where we welcomed over 400 guests. One of the things ...

Welcome to our new FMD Team Members! 2019 was a big year for FMD with a number of significant changes, including our move to operating under our own Australian Financial Services ...

2018-19 was a tough year for Australia’s major banks who faced margin squeeze from lower interest rates, fierce competition in mortgages and customer dissatisfaction in the wake of the ...

With one decade coming to an end and the roaring ‘20s about to begin, FMD was “Looking back to look forward” when more than 400 clients and friends joined us recently ...

The Australia Talks National Survey (fielded in July 2019) shed light on what Australians are most worried about. When presented with a list of 27 worry factors ranging from money to survival ...

The Reserve Bank of Australia and the Government may be lamenting the fact that lower interest rates and personal tax cuts haven’t had the desired effect on consumer spending, ...

What do you imagine when you think about your retirement? Do you picture yourself in a relaxing seaside town on the Sunshine Coast? Or maybe you’re drawn to the ...

Over the last few years the FMD team has donated thousands of dollars and countless volunteer hours to fundraising activities for worthy causes, and we're grateful for the continuing support ...

The Trump presidency has seen a rapid return to protectionism with the introduction of new tariffs on Chinese goods aimed at lowering net imports and protecting domestic industries. China responded ...

In July 2017, the government introduced new rules that make it imperative for higher income earners to pay close attention to their annual super contributions or risk retiring without enough money ...

People who seek out financial advice see great returns on their investment and feel confident in their financial future. Still, many Australians shy away from expert financial advice. Here's why.

Looking for smart strategies to make the most of your redundancy payment? Our advisers share tips on maximising your redundancy payment and securing your financial future.

The ACCC's Scamwatch has already received 94 reports of Coronavirus-related scams and expect that number to rise. Since the Federal Government announced measures to allow people to access their superannuation, scammers have been impersonating super funds in calls and emails asking Australians to confirm their super account details.

Super regulations are always changing - there have been 43 legislative and regulatory changes in Self-Managed Super alone in the last five years! (1) While super may still be the most tax-effective ...

Updated on 31st July 2019: Since this interview, the Reserve Bank cut the official cash rate by 25 basis points in June and again in July to a record low 1.00 per cent. ...

The old adage that people are more likely to change their partner than their bank may not be true for much longer. In the coming years open banking is expected ...

Many of us dream about retiring overseas or enjoying extended periods of overseas travel during retirement. While drawing up your travel checklist, don’t forget to consider possible impacts to ...

Negative gearing to be limited to newly built properties from 1 January 2020 if Labor wins the election. What this could mean for investors and the property market?

Will this budget result in a comeback for the Government in time for the “sometime in May” federal election? Mike Reynolds demystifies the 2019 Federal Budget

It’s always hard to take time away from the office and our clients, but once again we were reminded of the benefits of bringing our national team together to share knowledge and hone our skills at this year’s annual adviser conference in Melbourne recently.

Proposed changes to franking credits in SMSFs are on the horizon if Labor is elected in May. There could be significant impacts for retirees with an SMSF who are wholly in the pension phase. Financial adviser, Jason Calleja, explains the potential impact and what you can do to protect your wealth if the proposed changes come into effect.

Investing in property through a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF) is a popular option for many people. However, recently tightened bank lending and increasing ATO regulation have made this harder. Here ...

Whenever market volatility increases, concerned investors naturally want to know if they should do anything different to protect and maximise their wealth. As an investor myself, I understand this. We ...

The ‘January effect’ is a well-known phenomenon among economists and psychologists alike. Regardless of market realities, consumer optimism and share prices often see a temporary boost and so does our ...

In December 2018, the federal government announced that insurance premiums will see an average hike of 3.25% in 2019. This is not a new story. With these yearly increases, of course you want ...

If you know how much money is in your wallet, and keep a record of what you spend, you’re probably a saver. If, on the other hand, you have ...

Most people believe there is a right time to seek financial advice – close to ‘retirement age,’ with a good amount of money to invest and an estate to plan. However, ...

However rewarding our careers and growing families may be, most professional women also look forward to a future where they’ll have more time for themselves. Whether the goal is ...

Purchasing a home is one of life’s greatest milestones, but it can puts the brakes on your wealth accumulation. What if you could build wealth and still pay down your home loan?

Article update: The Basic Daily Fee and means-tested care fee mentioned in this article are as per The Department of Human Services' revised aged care fees released on 21 June 2019. Making ...

The Royal Commission continues to expose the poor conduct occurring in the banking and finance industry and we’re glad the Commission is giving a voice to those impacted. Though ...