Flipping Orangutans!

There are many people who advertise the ways to make money in the stock market, or buying property, yet strangely the percentage of the population who hit the really high wealth mark doing so, is very small. Who is really making money out of those trading plans and property investments? Over s series of posts I will discuss a few factors and present some opinions on this.

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PIMCO: The Myth of Diversification: Risk Factors vs. Asset Classes

Sourced from PIMCO Australia, 24 Sept 2010. Download PDF



The word “risk” derives from the early Italian risicare, which means “to dare.” In this sense, risk is a choice rather than a fate.
– Peter L. Bernstein

Diversification often disappears when you need it most.

Continue reading PIMCO: The Myth of Diversification: Risk Factors vs. Asset Classes

Dude, where’s my insurance?

After spending so much money on something like a car, it makes sense to protect it with insurance.

But the problem for many Australian households is that their vehicles are better protected than the people who drive them.

When you look at how much life insurance actually costs, you’ll see it stacks up extremely well against car insurance – particularly when you consider the potential benefits.

The table below shows the premiums for a 35 year old accounts clerk (non-smoker) who earns $60,000 p.a. and takes out:

  • Life Cover – $1 million sum insured
  • Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Cover – $1 million sum insured
  • Income Secure Cover – $3,750 monthly benefit (payable to age 65). If this cover was required for example at age 35 – this would protect $2.7 million of income.

Source: ING Life

At $159.34 per month for a female, and $137.25 for a male, both customers are paying less for life insurance than they would for comprehensive insurance on a new $60,000 family wagon.

What’s more, Income Secure premiums are generally tax-deductible, which helps make life insurance even more affordable.

For families, the only way to stay truly covered is to maintain insurance on all of your most valuable assets – including your home, your car, and yourself.

If it’s time for a review, make an appointment with your financial adviser or call us on 133 667. One day it could make all the difference.

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Illustrating the risk of risk

Most people have no idea what the definitions are in their trauma policies, matter of fact, most people don’t even have a trauma policy! Considering the huge number of people that suffer some form of trauma or critical illness during their lifetime – this is ridiculous!

Critical illness such as heart attacks, stroke or cancer hurt Australian families more than most other events in their lives.

What I find ever more frustrating is people can try to do the right thing and insure their risks, only to find it wasn’t as good as they thought.

I recommend you talk to a qualified financial adviser to ensure you are getting what you expect, and to double check that any existing cover is actually worth the money you are paying for it!

Its important to note, that anyone can get caught, here is an example of a financial adviser who has been caught under a technicality with CommInsure, it makes me mad!

CommInsure challenged over trauma claim.

End of Financial Year Tips

This is information recently sent out to clients of WRS.

It is essential to be proactive prior to the end of the financial year. There are a number of strategies available within the scope of the law that can be implemented. We have listed a few to consider but your first step would be to contact your accountant/taxation advisor on taxation matters and your investment advisor on planning matters and any potential strategies that may be available.

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