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 Financial Happenings Blog 
Wednesday, 01 July 2009
In a recent article published in Alan Kohler's Eureka Report, financial education consultant Scott Francis responds to Alan Kohler's recent article that suggests we are in a stock picker's market and should shun an index approach. 

Scott reminds readers of the following points supported by well regarded academic research:
  • Stock picking rarely works
  • Little evidence of skillful investing
  • Everyone thinks they can be above average but this is mathematically impossible

Scott concludes:

Index funds are not perfect. Any discussion of investment approaches that considers the pros and cons of using index funds is really looking at whether a market participant has the skill to beat the market or should settle for the average market return.

My opinion is that there are strategies well worth considering beyond simple index funds (including exposure to small companies, value companies, a careful asset allocation including bonds and cash). Index funds do, however, remain a reasonable way to exposure investment capital to markets.

Indeed, if I was told that my investment future was restricted to only being able to use a good quality cash account and a low-cost Australian share index fund in my portfolio I could comfortably cope with that.

To take a look at the full article please click on the following link - Should you follow the index?

POSTED BY: AT 09:07 pm   |  Permalink   |  E-mail this
Wednesday, 01 July 2009
In a recent article published in Alan Kohler's Eureka Report, financial education consultant Scott Francis considers the plan that a $50 million lotto winner might proceed with their winnings - and it might also apply to others who happen on an unexpected lump-sum payment.

Scott suggests the following ideas:
1: Setting aside $2 million in cash for the new home/car and any other initial costs (living costs for a while, travel costs and so on) while you structure your overall position.

2: Investing $10 million a year in the winner's own name as a portfolio of cash, fixed interest investments, shares and property assets to provide the winner with an income of well over $200,000 a year, increasing with inflation.

3: Set aside $2 million to provide for investments into superannuation over the next 10-15 years as a future source of wealth.

4: Contribute $10 million to a charitable trust, and keep $2 million in a charitable portfolio outside the trust. Each year the income from the charitable trust (likely to be $400,000 or so) has to be donated to registered charities. The other portfolio ($2 million) is likely to generate income of $60,000 a year after tax, and can be used for giving to non-charitable causes (such as a family member).

5: Contribute the remainder to a family trust (a cool $26 million). The income from this trust can be distributed each year for any of the strategies listed above.

6: Get yourself a very good lawyer.

7: Spend some time doing your will, and cancel your life insurance. With $50 million you don't need to be paying money every month for a $1 million life insurance policy. If you die your family will be fine financially. A will that reflects your wishes is crucial. This should be continually updated as your circumstances change.

To take a look at the full article please click on the following link - A lotto winner's handbook
POSTED BY: AT 08:56 pm   |  Permalink   |  E-mail this
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
In a recent article published in Alan Kohler's Eureka Report, financial education consultant Scott Francis looks at where investors can turn if they feel like they have received bad advice.

He sets out the following steps:
  • Set out a written complaint to your financial services provider (eg, your financial planner) and see if it can be resolved at that point.
  • Ask for a copy of the financial service provider's complaints process, and lodge a formal complaint.
  • Make a complaint with the external complaints scheme - usually the Financial Ombudsman Service.

  • Before you take any action, be clear on who the complaint is against, the basis of the complaint, and the damage that this has caused you (the financial figure).

    To take a look at the full article please click on the following link - Who can I complain to?
    POSTED BY: AT 05:52 pm   |  Permalink   |  E-mail this
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      Plan Well, Invest Well, Live Well! Financial advice providing a clear direction

      A Clear Direction Financial Planning and Portfolio Management ABN 56 243 688 349

      1 Park Road, Milton 4064
      Brisbane Australia
      Phone: (07) 3876 6223
      Email: scottk@acleardirection.com.au

      Scott Keefer - Authorised Representative (329574) of FYG Planners, Australian Financial Services License 224 543.


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