I’m a regular podcast listener, and one of my favourite podcasts is The Knowledge Project, hosted by former intelligence analyst Shane Parrish. This is the one I turn to when I can’t get back to sleep at 2am. So when Spotify recently threw up a book suggestion for me to try a new book by Parrish, I was interested to have a listen. (BTW, if you have Spotify Premium Individual or you are the plan manager of a Spotify Premium Duo or Family account, audiobooks are free for up to 15 hours of listening time per month.)
Anyway, I’m glad I gave Shane’s new book Clear Thinking a listen. He begins by proposing that there are four thinking defaults – emotion, ego, social, and inertia – and he makes a good case that these are the four instinctive thinking patterns that can lead us astray.
The chapters are bite-sized and this is one of those books that I know I’ll revisit again and again to help me exercise clear thinking.
Our new video – let us know what you think
Financial planning at HPH is not always an easy thing to explain. While our clients know it from personal experience, anyone else contemplating financial advice might not know what to expect. So, we’ve been pondering for some time how to best capture the essence of our service. This 45-second video is where we’ve landed. We’d love you to take a look and let us know what you think.
Cash is King until inflation steals the crown
As interest rates have gone from 0.1% in 2021 to 4.35% at the end of 2023, mortgage holders have been hit hard. But those investors who prefer the security of term deposits to generate income are happy to see returns leap higher over the past 2 years. However, there is one big problem: inflation remains persistent, and it is eating away at the income from the term deposit.
Explainer: Monetary and fiscal policy
The 2024-2025 Federal Budget will be handed down on Tuesday 14 May 2024. A good understanding of monetary and fiscal policy can be useful when it comes to processing the initiatives and measures delivered in any Federal Budget. Our adviser, Thomas Sweeney, has written a handy refresher.
Update: GST changes on adviser service fees
If you’re paying your advice fees directly from a super or investment platform, there will be a change to how GST is collected from 1 July. You may currently be paying 10% GST, with 7.5% rebated by the platform. This might mean your effective rate for GST on advice fees is 2.5% instead of 10%. From 1 July, the ATO has notified platforms that this 7.5% credit will no longer be available.
Read more about this change here.
Meet the team: Josh Cripps
Growing up in Northampton, the town of origin for several AFL footy stars, it’s little surprise that Josh Cripps has ambitions to follow in their footsteps. With encouragement from his parents for both his football and for Josh to have a backup plan, we’re glad that he has brought his passion for finance and helping people to HPH Solutions.