Monday, September 13, 2010

Gurney Financial Services 5th Birthday Celebrations & Seminar

Gurney Financial Services 5th Birthday and Seminar

Welcome to Gurney Financial Services 5th Birthday and Celebrations. I would like to thank you all for coming along tonight.

I have been in the finance & financial planning industry since 1995, working 8.5yrs for MLC, and then I went to work for a financial planner before starting my own business. When he downsized, I then worked for various other financial planning businesses on the Central Coast and Newcastle whilst I built my business

5 years ago when I started my business, I thought what I could do to help others in my community. Gurney Financial Services prides itself on assisting families with budgeting, debt management, superannuation consolidation and management and the implementation of insurances to protect the family, income and lifestyle.

We started in 2005 and in our first year we had 6 clients, we now have around 85 clients and managing about $2 million in super for those clients. We are also working with approximately 50 prospective clients assisting them in budgeting and sorting out their financial affairs.

We have set up the GFS website and a blog for out clients and potential clients to visit for any further information. There is a lot of free information on there for you to download, so feel free to have a look.

At GFS our clients get the same quality and professional service whether you have a $1 or $200,000, and we pride ourselves on being able to do this. No one gets lesser service, everyone is equal, and no one is discriminated.

In 2008, we brought in our Annual Service Agreement, where each client is offered an annual face to face review to revisit their financial situation and goals. If you have not taken up the opportunity to have an annual review, please feel free to contact our office to organise an appointment at a suitable time, or see me tonight.

Tonight, we have 3 presentations and I would like to personally thank them each and individually for coming along to talk to you all.

The first presentation is from Lyndall James from ING, she will be presenting on “An Economic Update”.

Our Second presentation is from Michael Bonnet from MLC, he will be presenting on “Protecting your Family”.

And our last presentation is from Brett O’Malley from Macquarie Private Wealth and he will be presenting on “Share Investing”.

We also have two of team here tonight – Natalie and Nicole, and I would like to personally thank them for their support to GFS.

Dean Brown is also here from Woodview Homeloans and Finance. Dean is the preferred mortgage broker for our clients. We now have a referral system in place where both Dean’s and my clients receive a complimentary appointment.

Again, I would like to thank you all for coming along tonight. Please help yourself to drinks and food.


Lyndall James - ING Presentation
Economic & Asset Update – August 2010

Global Overview:
• We saw global economic uncertainty continue in July, with:
• Disappointing data out of the US.
• Further signs of a Chinese economic slowdown.
• Lingering concerns over government debt levels and the need for major developed countries to significantly wind back budget deficit and debt positions.
• Forecasts cut for global growth, mainly driven by a somewhat more lacklustre US economy.
• On the upside we were surprised by some economic data out of Europe.
• We saw a positive start to the new financial year, with share markets gaining ground as confidence returned, albeit cautiously.

USA:
• Recent data has shown the economy to be weaker than the consensus was previously expecting. In particular - housing, employment and inflation numbers.
• Housing recovery appears to be easing early – sales are at their weakest since March but are still running faster than one year ago, up nearly 10%.
• Employment levels across the country have declined sharply since May – much of this weakness appears to relate to the discharge of temporary census workers.
• The Conference Board Index of leading economic indicators fell by 0.2% in June – suggesting the pace of the US economic recovery will slow in the coming months.
• Await release on Friday of the second estimate of June Qtr GDP growth

Australia:
• In Australia the key piece of economic data released was Quarter 2 CPI.
• Inflation rose by just 0.6% in the June quarter, well short of consensus (+1.0%) this is in line with RBA’s target rate
• RBA has left interest rates unchanged for 3 consecutive months (4.5% May)
• Tighter interest rates have dampened consumer spending over recent months - Retail sales advanced just 0.2% month-on -month following a similar gain in May.
• Building approvals fell 3.3% in June. Annual growth has now decelerated sharply to 13.2% down from more than 50% earlier this year.
• Money tightening, end of first home buyer subsidy
• Unemployment rate lower
• Hung parliament – Coalition – 3 independents are conservative, mining tax, business sector

Europe:
• Eurozone economy has weakened – GDP expanded only 0.2% in Quarter 1, 2010.
• Economic data out of Germany has surprised - exports have risen 29.2% over the past 12 months, unemployment has fallen for 13 consecutive months and industrial production has risen 12.4% on an annual basis.
• A weaker Euro continues support the region.
• Results from the stress tests conducted by the European Central Bank (ECB) on the region’s banks to measure the banks ability to withstand any further significant economic or market shock helped calm markets over July - only seven of the 91 EU banks failed the stress test, with one German, one Greek and five Spanish banks.
• Unemployment rate now at 10% - highest since late 1990s.
• Inflation has eased rapidly – economic growth stagnant.
• Banking system is weak – high debt and rising defaults.
• P.I.I.G.S. (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Spain)
• US $1.3 trillion of debt
• Highly risky if contagion occurs
• Will drag on European economy for many years.

China:
• China’s manufacturing grew at the slowest pace in 17 months in July.
• The government clamped down on property speculation and investment in energy -intensive and polluting factories.
• The Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 51.2 from 52.1 in June, the Federation of Logistics and Purchasing reported.
• A slowdown in industrial production led to the overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP) measure of growth easing to 10.3% for the June quarter.
• The rate of inflation also moved lower, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rising by 2.9% over the year to June, down from 3.1% in May.

Interest Rates:
• Interest rate movements in the major global economies were unchanged in July.
• The Reserve Bank of Australia left the official cash rate on hold at 4.5% in early August for the third consecutive month and issued a very neutral statement signalling rates could be on hold over coming months.

Important information:
The information contained in this presentation is current as at August 2010 but may be subject to change. It is for the use of advisers only and may only be reproduced with the prior written consent of the issuer. It is intended to be general advice only and has been prepared without taking into account a potential investor's objectives, financial situation and needs. The presentation has been produced by ING Australia Limited (ABN 60 000 000 779) and does not represent a recommendation or opinion by the ING Group to purchase, hold or vary any financial product. Performance figures in this presentation may have been calculated before fees and taxes. ING Australia Limited does not guarantee the repayment of capital or investment performance and potential investors must always read the current Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) for the relevant financial product and must consult with a financial adviser before making any investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. From May 2002 until late November 2009, ING Australia operated as a joint venture between the global ING Group (ING) and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (‘ANZ’). ING Australia is now wholly owned by ANZ but has a licence from ING to continue using the ING brand while it transitions to a new brand – expected to be by late 2010.



Michael Bonnet – MLC Insurance
Streetwise Insurance Solutions

- MLC provides Insurance for families and individuals.
- You can have insurances within and outside super.

- Life Cover
+ Guaranteed Insurability
+ Accident Benefit


- Total & Permanent Disability
+ Optional Total and Permanent Disablement protects you when your income dies, but you don’t
+ Buy back options

-Trauma
+Protection against a critical illness – such as stroke, heart attack, liver replacement, cancer. See PDS for conditions covered.

- Income Protection
+Covers up to 75% of your income/salary
+ Sickness, accident or injury

- What is Wealth Creation?
>Family business
>Commodities
>Bonds
>Shares
>Property
>Investment policies
>Low risk investments

- What is Wealth Protection?
>Health Cover
>Salary Protection
>Car Insurance
>House & Contents Insurance
>Business Protection
>Savings Accounts
>Family Protection
>Emergency funds
>Long term savings – Superannuation

- Home Fires –
+ For every home lost to fire
+ There is 3 homes lost through death
+ And 48 homes lost through disablement


Would you like your children to go out to work for you to pay the bills, the mortgage? Or would you rather have them study and get the best out of life.

- Salary Protection – also known as Income Protection or Salary Continuance
+ Many people insure these assets, yet, all too often they don’t adequately protect what is potentially their greatest asset – their ability to earn an income.
+ Take a moment to consider what could happen to your lifestyle if you were unable to work for an extended period due to illness or injury.
+ Your expenses could quickly run down your savings. You may even need to sell your investments to make ends meet.
+ By taking out income protection insurance you can protect your greatest asset and avoid putting your family’s lifestyle at risk.
+ If you suffer an illness or injury and are unable to work, income protection insurance can pay you a monthly benefit (usually 75% of your pre-tax income) to replace lost earnings. You can generally claim these premiums as a tax deduction.
+ You can choose a range of benefit payment periods, with maximum cover usually up to age 65.
+ You can also choose a range of waiting periods normally between 14 days and 2 years.
+ You can also have insurance linked through your superannuation to save you extra premiums

If you didn’t have an income how would you pay your bills (mortgage, schooling, rates, electricity, food)
>Sick leave with work
>Holiday pay at work
>Workers compensation – waiting times for payouts and sometimes part payments
>Centrelink benefits – sickness benefits – if approved.
>Selling personal items – jewelry, furniture, garage sales.


· One in three Australians are at risk of becoming disabled for more than 3 months before turning 65. 1

· Australian insurers paid $697,677,939 in Income Protection claims in 2008.2

· In the 12 months up to 31 March 2008, MLC paid more than $49.4 million to Income Protection policy holders alone!

- Best Doctors

+ Founded in 1989 by Harvard Medical School Professors
+ 20 Years Operational Experience
+ 160 employees in 10 countries
+ Global database of over 50,000 doctors
+ 300 corporate clients covering more than 15 million customers in 30 countries
+ Over 50,000, peer nominated, leading specialists world-wide
+ Top 3-5% of doctors in any country
+ 40 specialities, covering over 400 subspecialties
+ Doctors are re-polled every two years and ongoing quality assessment
+ This is the only service like this in Australia!

Available to you and your family IF you have a current MLC Trauma/Critical Illness policy
For more information please contact your financial planner or have a look at the MLC website - http://www.mlc.com.au/


Important Disclaimer
This presentation is intended to provide general information only and has been prepared by MLC Limited ABN 90 000 000 402 AFSL 230694, MLC Investments Limited ABN 30 002 641 661 AFSL 230705 and MLC Nominees Pty Limited ABN 93 002 814 959 AFSL 230702 and National Australia Bank ABN 93 002 814 959 AFSL 230686 without taking into account any particular persons objectives, financial situation or needs. Investors should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of this information having regard to their personal objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend investors obtain financial advice specific to their situation before making any financial investment or insurance decision. MLC Limited, MLC Investments Limited, MLC Nominees Pty Limited, 105-153 Miller Street, North Sydney NSW 2060, is a member of the National group of companies. MLC Limited is the issuer of the MLC MasterKey Annuity,MLC Personal Protection Portfolio and MLC MasterKey Protection Essentials.MLC Investment Limited is the issuer of each the MLC MasterKey Unit Trust and MLC MasterKey Cash Management Trust. MLC Nominees is the issuer of each MLC MasterKey Superannuation, MLC MasterKey Business Super, MLC MasterKey Allocated Pension, MLC MasterKey Term Allocated Pension, MLC Life Cover Super MLC MasterKey Protection Essentials Super. National margin Lending is a facility provided by the National Australia Bank. Information about in each of these products is contained in the current relevant Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’) or other disclosure document for each product, copies of which are available upon request by phoning the MasterKey Service Centre on 1800 029 799 or on our website at mlc.com.au. None of the MasterKey products or services represents a deposit or liability of the National Australia Bank and are subject to investment risk, including possible delays in repayment and loss of income and capital invested. National Australia Bank does not guarantee the capital value or performance of any MasterKey product or service.



Brett O’Malley - Macquarie Private Investing
Investing in Shares

+ Macquarie Private Wealth assists clients with information and assistance in purchasing and managing a portfolio of shares.
+ MPW – provide financial advice to clients who are looking to purchase shares.
+ Provide daily updates and outlooks on markets, performance, shares to buy, sell and trade.
+ They have a qualified research team behind them to provide quality advice.
+ Brett is a Private Client Adviser and is ASX Accredited Derivatives Adviser (Level Two)
+ MPW are about Finding appropriate solutions to help clients create and manage wealth is how Macquarie's advisers have built their reputation.
+ Through Brett you can access the resources of the Macquarie Group.
+ Brett can be your central point of contact for investment opportunities to help grow your portfolio.
+ A world of opportunities, whether you're looking for personal advice on listed securities assistance with asset allocation, portfolio construction and investment selection, overall investment planning or trade execution, Brett can help you achieve your goals.
+ Access to market leading research, Brett excels in providing his clients with insightful and up-to-date information working very closely with Macquarie's highly skilled research team to guide recommendations on potential investments. Brett also has direct access to strategic wealth managers to help select appropriate investment structures for your personal or superannuation investments.
+ Experience Brett has more than12 years of experience as an investment adviser. His knowledge spans a diverse array of portfolios including, income and growth focused strategies for investments within personal, superannuation and pension funds. He can also help you identify and implement investment strategies including where appropriate:
Providing you with access to IPOs and Macquarie sponsored stock placements; Gearing to potentially increase returns; Alternative asset classes to diversify your portfolio; Capital protected investments to protect your wealth; and warrants and Exchange Traded Options to achieve income and potentially minimize the impact of market volatility on your holdings.
+ Brett can help with administration, coordination and management of your portfolios to help you be in a position to take advantage of movements in the financial markets.


Contact Brett on:
Tel (02) 9425 6028
Mobile 0414721 900
Email Brett.OMalley@macquarie.com

The information contained in this email is confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not disclose or use the information in this email in any way and should destroy any copies. Macquarie does not guarantee the integrity of any emails or attached files. The views or opinions expressed are the author's own and may not reflect the views or opinions of Macquarie.

Disclaimer
Gurney Financial Services (ABN 85 296 598 954) is an Authorized Representative of Sentry Financial Planning AFSL (247 105) ABN74 099 029 526. Gurney Financial Services Financial Planning Licence 292206. We have not taken into account any particular persons objectives, financial situation or needs. Investors should, before acting on this information, consider the appropriateness of this information having regard to their personal objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend investors obtain financial advice specific to their situation before making any financial investment or insurance decision.

This information contains confidential and privileged information intended only for the use of the above named recipient. Any other recipient is requested to notify us immediately by telephone so that arrangements can be made for the return of the transmission to us. That privilege will not be waived, lost or destroyed by reason of a mistaken transmission.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Gurney Financial Seminar - May 2010

Welcome and thankyou to my presenters that have come up from Sydney tonight.

Our first Speaker is Lyndall from ING. Lyndall is presenting us with an Economic Update.

  • Economies drive growth!
    GDP = Gross Domestic Product - The total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year, equal to total consumer, investment and government spending, plus the value of exports, minus the value of imports. The GDP report is released at 8:30 am EST on the last day of each quarter and reflects the previous quarter.
    Economies drive markets and investment returns

  • GDP
    The growth engine
    Consumer Spending +
    Exports +
    Imports -
    Government spending
    Business Investment

    The Resources boom in Australia has helped the GDP

    Economy Overview – Where are we now?


USA

  • Financial markets have been preoccupied with Sovereign stress
  • China tightening monetary policy
  • Financial sector taxes and re-regulation
  • But overall data reading overall positive
  • US Economy has moved out of recession:
  • GDP at 5.9%
  • Manufacturing Index in expansion level for the 6th straight month
  • Retail sales are higher – but off as lower base
  • Challenges:
  • Housing market still weak
  • Inflation numbers indicate a weak economy
  • Biggest challenge to sustainable growth is high unemployment rate – will weigh on consumer spending
  • Fiscal fade – no more government handouts

Europe

  • Eurozone economy has weakened, GDP expanded only 0.1%
  • France was the strongest, up 0.6%
  • Germany, the largest economy in Europe, has stalled
  • Manufacturing overall remains weak
  • Unemployment rate now at 10% - highest since late 1990’s
  • Inflation has eased rapidly – economic growth stagnant
  • Banking System is weak – high debt and rising defaults
  • P.I.I.G.S – (Portugal, Italy, Ireland, Greece & Spain)
  • US $1.3 trillion in debt
  • Highly risky if contagion occurs
  • Will drag on European economic recovery

China

  • GDP very strong – 11.9%
  • Underpinned by domestic demand (consumer spending, housing construction)
  • Investment growth has been robust
  • Export growth now rising 40% pa above consensus expectations of 30% pa
  • Fiscal stimulus of over a trillion CNY has lifted the economy
  • But now scaling back due to concerns about excessive growth and inflationary pressures
  • People’s Bank of China has put in place more restrictive lending
  • Measured approach should ensure economy is not at risk of ‘policy over-kill’

    Australia
  • Australia has avoided a recession
  • Government fiscal stimulus (infrastructure spending, housing and consumer grants) has supported Australia through the financial crisis
  • Asian growth has ensured demand for commodities remains strong
  • Exports and imports have been strong
  • Stronger AUD and high interest rates (relative to other countries) has attracted investment into Australia
  • Unemployment peaked at 5.8% - currently at 5.3%
  • House prices are now higher – boosting confidence through wealth effect
  • Inflation remains tame for now
  • But conditions are changing
  • Fiscal fade is beginning to be seen
  • Monetary policy tightening continues in 2010-05-12
  • RBA has implemented it 4th rate rise in 6th months
  • Official cash rate now stands at 4.25%
  • High debt a concern as interest rates rise:
  • Debt has rocketed to above 150% of disposable household income
  • Interest paid is - 11% of disposal income and is expected to increase further

Economic Summary

  • Large debt economies will continue to hurt for some time
  • Economies continue to present us with risks
  • Sovereign risk – government debt blow-outs, P.I.I.G.S
  • China tightening - doesn’t want inflation problems down the track
  • Balance sheets still fragile with lending to companies still tight
  • The realty of debt:
  • High debt economies mean low growth
  • Low debt economies means high growth

How does this outlook affect you?

  • Why do economics matter?
  • Economies drive investment markets
  • Investment markets drive investment returns
  • Investment returns provide income for future needs
  • Investment markets are:
  • Volatile – so a long term strategy is needed to accumulate wealth
  • Forward Looking – you cant make investment decisions based on historical returns (e.g. 2008 v 2009)
  • Risky – economic recoveries and growth don’t occur in a straight line – expect some turbulence

How can you safeguard your future income in turbulent markets?

  • Market Volatility
  • Not a concern if you have a long term investment horizon – because returns average out over time
    Critical if you are about to retire soon and need to protect your savings.


    Thanks Lyndall, a very informative presentation.

Our next presentation is from Michael Bonnet from MLC on Insurance and protecting your family.

  • What is Wealth Creation?
    Family business
    Commodities
    Bonds
    Shares
    Property
    Investment policies
    Low risk investments
  • What is Wealth Protection?
    Health Cover
    Salary Protection
    Car Insurance
    House & Contents Insurance
    Business Protection
    Savings Accounts
    Family Protection
    Emergency funds
    Long term savings – Superannuation
  • Victorian Fires -
    How many people had there homes insured?
    How many people had there life insured?
  • Home Fires –
    For every home lost to fire
    There is 3 homes lost through death
    And 48 homes lost through disablement
  • Case Study – a few years ago now, Michael’s friend was 16 yrs old, with dreams of going to uni to be an engineer. At the age of 16 his father died and he quit school to provide for his mother and 2 sisters. Mother went back to work part time, but due to not speaking much English, and older generation, she is in a low paying job, hard manual labour and can only work part time. She is not well herself. He has one sister in Uni and the other sister in High School. They lost their family home, and now rent. Michael’s friend is still labouring in his 20s now, and still at home supporting his mother and sisters as the main bread winner.
  • Would you like your children to go out to work for you to pay the bills, the mortgage? Or would you rather have them study and get the best out of life.
  • Salary Protection – also known as Income Protection or Salary Continuance
  • Many people insure these assets, yet, all too often they don’t adequately protect what is potentially their greatest asset – their ability to earn an income.
  • Take a moment to consider what could happen to your lifestyle if you were unable to work for an extended period due to illness or injury. Your expenses could quickly run down your savings. You may even need to sell your investments to make ends meet.
  • By taking out income protection insurance you can protect your greatest asset and avoid putting your family’s lifestyle at risk.
  • If you suffer an illness or injury and are unable to work, income protection insurance can pay you a monthly benefit (usually 75% of your pre-tax income) to replace lost earnings. You can generally claim these premiums as a tax deduction.
  • You can choose a range of benefit payment periods, with maximum cover usually up to age 65. You can also choose a range of waiting periods normally between 14 days and 2 years.
    You can also have insurance linked through your superannuation to save you extra premiums
  • If you didn’t have an income how would you pay your bills (mortgage, schooling, rates, electricity, food)
  • Sick leave with work
  • Holiday pay at work
  • Workers compensation – waiting times for payouts and sometimes part payments
  • Centrelink benefits – sickness benefits – if approved.
  • Selling personal items – jewelry, furniture, garage sales.
  • Critical Illness pays a lump sum for certain medical illnesses. For example – stroke, heart attack and stroke. (conditions apply)

For more information please contact your financial planner or have a look at the MLC website - www.mlc.com.au

Thanks Michael, very informative and interactive.

Our last presentation for the night is from Angela Anthony of Anthony and Associates, Erina on Estate Planning.

  • Estate planning is the process of planning for after death
  • It is putting the right funds to the right hands at the right time
  • Planning of your estates future
  • Will - where your affairs go
  • Power of Attorney – Act on your decisions
  • Guardianship – act for you medically
  • Wills – are where you put can request certain items to go to family.
  • Need to review your will and estate, especially if blended families, divorced, second and third marriages and children – including adopted, step and half siblings
  • If you have a business – you need to state what is to happen
  • Understand and know of anyone you may think they can challenge your estate
  • Executor – some one who distributes your estate – make sure it is someone you can trust
  • Make decisions sooner than later. When older health and mental status can change or decline
  • Testamentary Trusts – for children so that funds can be managed for them – whether under 18, disabled, addictions, etc.
  • Wills are set and forget
  • Change your will when getting married, having children, divorce
  • Make sure the right funds go to the right people
  • Update your beneficiaries on your bank accounts, Superannuation and insurance policies
  • If you have no will, the husbands estate passes to the wife
  • If both pass and no will, then you die “instate” and then the government steps in and sets an executor who will distribute the estate
  • Involve your financial planner, and accountant
  • Discuss with your family
  • Make sure you do binding nominations with your superannuation and update every 3 years
  • Think about heirlooms – jewellery, stamps, collections, assets that you wish to leave to a certain person
  • Enduring Power of Attorneys – someone who is able to make financial and legal decisions for you
  • Enduring Medical Guardianship – someone who is able to make medical decisions for you
  • Where don’t you want your assets and money to go to?
  • Update your will if you get married or divorced or have children
  • Not all assets will become part of your will. Example – property as joint tenants go to the surviving partners
  • If you complete a will kit, get a solicitor to check over it. And have it witnessed correctly
  • Downside of doing your own – no legal advice
  • When you complete a will with a solicitor you get advice and assistance with the decisions and wording.

Open discussion was held with questions and answer session for everyone.

Thanks Angela that was lovely,

Thank you to everyone who came along. Hope to see you all at our next event.


Disclaimer: The contents of this publication are of a general nature only and have not been prepared to take into account any particular investor’s objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Where this publication refers to a particular financial product, you should obtain a Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) relating to that product and consider the PDS before making any decision about whether to acquire the product. We also recommend that you seek professional advice from a financial adviser before making any decision to purchase any financial product referred to in this publication. While the sources for the material are considered reliable, responsibility is not accepted for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Your Financial Plan is only as good as its cover

Your Financial Plan is only as good as its cover

Most people agree that they are organised and have their family’s budget up to date. However, the process they use is generally simple and down-to-earth – it is unlikely to of a long-term financial solution.

What does financial planning look at -
The best method to create wealth over the long term – for you and your family – is to look at different aspects. These include budgeting, superannuation, insurance and investments.
To avoid confusion, we recommend the right place to start is with a licensed financial adviser.
Your financial adviser can implement strategies for you and your family. These will create, protect and build a succession plan of the wealth. They are the building blocks of a plan that stands the test of time.

Why have wealth protection strategies?

Financial planning is more than just about saving money. It is also about managing future risks.

The common belief “It won’t happen to me” results in many people having a south plan for wealth creation – but not an adequate plan to protect the very things that generates the wealth – themselves!

It is worth remembering that no matter how much expert advice you receive or how astute the money management – your financial plan cannot prevent the risk of you suffering early death or extended time off work through serious illness or injury. In addition, where that leaves you and your loved ones in the future depends on the wealth protection strategy you have in place at the time.

At Gurney Financial Services, we believe that you should protect your wealth whether you are starting a new job next week or moving into a new family home next year. The underlying fundamentals are the same – protection plays the pivotal role between the creation and succession of your wealth.

Creation Of Wealth – is about making your money grow and keep your plan up-to-date. To make sure the pieces are skilfully put into place for your family, it is a good idea to link up with a professional financial adviser.

Your adviser will work with you to:
Identify what type of lifestyle you want and when you want to achieve financial independence.
Make a saving commitment the will help you reach your goals, yet is affordable enough to maintain your lifestyle.
Develop a strategy to build your retirement nest egg.

Create a portfolio of investments that reflects the risk level and potential returns you desire.
Seek opportunities that are tax effective.
Review your plan regularly. Updated annually or when your circumstances change. This way you will always be able to take advantage of your family’s changing situation and goals, as well as differing economic or legislative environments, and new products or services

Protection of Wealth is about protection you assets and making your financial plan secure for you and your family in the long term.

Your financial adviser should look at the whole picture – your needs, wants, and desires – to ensure your treasured plan is covered by a sound insurance strategy that:
Protects you, your family or your business against a range of uncertainties.
Supports you and your loved ones in the event of disability, illness or premature death, so that:
Your mortgage or debts can be paid out
Lost income is replaced
Capital is available to continue funding your investments
An income stream is provided so that your lifestyle, and your family’s, can be maintained.

Succession of Wealth is about picturing what is important, realising your goals and properly managing your future, as well as your families.

Your financial adviser will help you decide on the best way to structure your financial plan, to enable you and your family to:
Control your accumulated wealth.
Maximise income during your retirement years.
Implement estate planning and business succession strategies.
Provide efficient, tax-effective transfer of assets.
Reinforce your family’s sense of security and certainty.
So what level of cover do you need?
Use this simple guide to weigh up how much life insurance you might need to adequately protect your wealth.

Naturally, it is best to discuss this fully with your financial adviser to get a professionally balanced assessment of your coverage requirement. As a basic guide, you need to take into account the rising cost of living and other miscellaneous expenses, which you may incur.

What are the risks? Is your financial position, enough for you to be able to stop working tomorrow? While most people are not in a position of such luxury, the death or disability of a breadwinner could have you pondering this very question.
If your income stops, it can have devastating results for your financial plan and can jeopardise your family’s future financial security.

The unfortunate aspect of death or disability is that it can happen at any time and has more far-reaching consequences than just the person involved has.

Finding the right cover

Your financial plan will be created especially for you and your family – to keep it working over time; you need a cover that fits perfectly.

To unlock the right combination of insurance products on offer, you should ask your financial adviser to explain their benefits, pricing and reliability…..and then consider the insurance provider’s reputation.

(information for this article has been courced from MLC)

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2010

Happy New Year and Welcome to 2010.

Well where did the last year go?

Gurney Financial Services is in its 5th year this year and we look forward to assisting more families on the Central Coast again this year.

We specialise in family budgeting, superannuation consolidation, implementation of adequate insurance and debt management.

We look forward to educating our clients and hope with the knowledge our clients recieve, that they will become comfortable and secure in their decision making and planning for their families, lifestyles and retirement.

If we can help you or someone you know, please contact us at www.gurneyfinancialservices.com.au

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Get your Estate Planning in Order - 10 Second Insurance Checklist

Get your estate planning in order!

The 10 Second Insurance Checklist!

1. Does your income protection policy still reflect the income you are currently earning?

2. Will your house insurance pay you enough to rebuild your house?

3. Will your life insurance pay off all your debts and be able to support your dependants if you are no longer around?

4. Has your car been modified in any way?

5. Have you recently installed security devices or extra locking systems on your home that could reduce your premium?

6. Have you changed jobs and not informed your insurance adviser that your new occupation is less risk or no more manual work. These changes could reduce your premiums?

7. Assignment of a personally owned insurance policy into a DIY super fund is not allowed, this ‘in specie’ transfer could render your fund ‘non complying’

8. If you have given up smoking for more than 12 months you could change your policies to non smoking status and save substantial premiums.