SAVING AND INVESTING

Many Australians delay taking control of their finances because they don’t have time, they find it too daunting or they may just not know where to start. The reality is that the sooner you take charge, the sooner you can start working towards achieving better results, especially in the long term.

While this information highlights some factors to consider, and how these may impact your finances, it does not replace the need for ongoing financial planning advice that is tailored to your specific needs.

Being a successful investor isn’t difficult, but it is important to get the fundamentals right. So where do you start?

In the short term, a savings ‘safety net’ frees you up from the stress of living from payday-topayday. Similarly, in tough financial times or when unplanned expenses arise, you can comfortably access your own savings instead of being forced to use more expensive options such as credit cards, loans and cash advances. In the medium term, a regular savings plan establishes a financial track record (which is essential when applying for finance), and can also help you to reach goals such as a holiday or a new car. In the longer term, effective saving and investing can help to improve your quality of life – possibly supplementing your superannuation when you retire and allowing you to accumulate greater wealth.

Getting started – set goals

If you don’t set yourself personal financial goals, then how do you know what you are trying to achieve financially? Ask yourself – what do you want to achieve? Remember, it is important to be
specific

specific and make your goals measurable so you can see the results. Ensure that the goals are attainable, realistic and within sensible time frames. If your goal is to save $40,000 in two years and you only earn $20,000 a year, then you’re setting yourself up for failure.

Once you have decided on your goals and their timeframes, then you can begin to make informed choices about how to work towards achieving them.

Save first – spend later

Saving is easier if you commit to putting the money aside at the start of your pay period and spending what is left, rather than trying to limit your spending and saving the amount left over.

An automatic deduction, either directly from your pay, or from your bank account a day or two after you get paid, is one of the easiest ways to set yourself up so that you save first. That way, you know exactly how much you have left to spend each pay period. Many people already do this as they have set up their mortgage payment this way.

If you’re consolidating your superannuation, many funds offer investment choices, so you can still spread your risk within the one fund, without incurring multiple administration and management fees.

Where to invest?

For many people, a high-interest earning account or a cash management account, separate to your everyday banking, is a simple and effective way to start saving and to make your first foray into the world of investing.

When you are ready to start looking at alternative investment options, there are four main asset classes to choose from:

• cash
• fixed interest
• property, and
• Australian and international equities (also known as shares).

You can choose to invest directly in these assets – such as purchasing an investment property – or indirectly via a managed fund, which provides you access to multiple options, diversification and consolidated administration.

Either way, your financial planner will be able to guide you towards the choice that is right for you.

This is general advice only and does not consider your financial circumstances, needs and objectives. Before making any decision based on this document, you should assess your own circumstances or seek advice from a financial planner. Information is current at the date of issue and may change. TLK Wealth Pty Ltd, Corporate Authorised Representative No 1007998 of MyPlanner™ Australia Pty Ltd | AFSL 4345905| ABN 28 140 520 225|.