Category: FINANCE & INVESTING

Stake Australia: Investing in the US Stock Market? Some first steps from Stake Australia

Stake investing Sydney

The 21st century is all about challenger fintechs and app-based share trading for everyone. From Australia to the USA and everywhere in-between, investing and day trading are big business for individuals and the companies like Stake that give them unfettered access to investing in Wall Street. Read more about Stake here, but if you’ve downloaded the app, then here’s some ideas on how to make your first move from the expert themselves. What’s the first step? The S&P500, a basket of America’s 500 biggest companies, has averaged a return of 9% across history. $1000 invested into the S&P500 with $1000 added annually would be worth $150,000 after 30 years. The stock market is one of the greatest wealth-generating engines in the world. You can be part of it. Some investors prefer to actively pick companies they think will grow and increase in price. Are you particularly interested in cars or renewables? Maybe you believe in Tesla. Notice that one of your favourite online brands is always selling out? Maybe it’s worth looking at the stock. Over time, you’ll develop strategies as you gain experience and come across different resources. Remember though, time in the market will always beat timing the market. How many options are out there? Stake has over 6,000 US-listed stocks and ETFs available to investors. From the giants of today like Apple and Amazon, to the game changers of tomorrow like Tesla, investors can find all the companies they know and love on the Stake platform. Some of the most popular stocks… Read More

Meet Stake: new, local broker giving you access to Wall Street

Stake app 1

The 21st century is all about challenger fintechs and app-based share trading for everyone. From Australia to the USA and everywhere in-between, investing and day trading are big business for individuals and the companies like Stake that give them unfettered access to investing in Wall Street. It actually even comes from Australia, offering locals the chance to invest with the Wall Street bigwigs from all the way over here. Here are some first time tips! Following examples first forged by the likes of Trading 212 and eToro, Stake’s $0 philosophy offers first time investors and those who’re building a more robust portfolio a more-than-affordable opportunity into the world’s markets. And for those whose cuppa tea isn’t the USA, then never fear; they’re launching into the ASX super soon, too. Stake offers access to ETFs, indices, Silicon Valley, retail and so much more and even filters according to uppers, downers, popular choices and compiles it all into a genuinely cool and very now user interface that you’d seriously have to struggle at life in general to not figure out. Keep watch on THE F for further updates and tips in investing from the pros at Stake. Get the Stake iPhone app here and the Play Store here

Financial habits worth making

man hands wallet money

Are you suffering from financial stress? Signs may include arguing about money, mood swings, depression and difficulty sleeping. In a report conducted by AMP Financial, more than 1.8 million working Australians are dealing with financial stress. Financial stress can stem from: Not developing good financial habits as children Lack of education on how to save money Inability to find work Living beyond one’s means But it’s never too late to develop good financial habits. Keep reading to discover how you can reduce your financial stress. Learn to pay attention to your spending habits The most common mistake people make with their finances is not knowing what’s incoming and outgoing. How many of you ever take a close look at your bank statements? It may be somewhat of a surprise to discover how much you’re actually spending. All those streaming services and long forgotten apps soon add up—$9.99 here, $6.00 there. It doesn’t seem like much when you first sign up. Don’t forget to count the nights where you couldn’t be bothered cooking and opted for Uber Eats, or the designer boots and clothing you purchased on After Pay, or the gym membership you’ve been meaning to cancel but haven’t. There is little wonder as to why so many people are living payday to payday. Our financial experts recommend auditing your bank statement. Use a highlighter to mark everything you’re not sure of, or anything you no longer use and cancel them! You don’t need all TV streaming services, so pick your favourite and change them… Read More

How to keep your spending under control while still living your life

Man hands credit card online shopping

Keeping your spending under control when you have a family can seem difficult. The Australian Institute of Family studies found that even in the first year as parents, your newborn can cost you up to $13,000. And that’s not including what comes next—education, school fees and stationery, childcare and extracurricular activities, but having kids doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life. With our top tips to curb your spending habits, you’ll be able to still enjoy some of  life’s little luxuries. Put aside 20% of your weekly/fortnightly wages The first thing you do when your wage appears in your bank account is to transfer 20% into a high-yield interest account. You can use this money for when unexpected costs crop up or you want to treat the family to a fun day out or a holiday away. Try to keep enough money in case of emergencies (root canals, extra-large power bills, house repairs). Round it upSome financial institutions allow you to round up your card purchases to $1 or $5. So, when you make a purchase the extra can be transferred into your savings account or towards an eligible home loan. You’ll be surprised at how fast you can accumulate savings to spend on lunch with friends or an evening out on the town. Always plan out your meals for the week Only purchase what you need when you are grocery shopping and stick to what’s on your list. Shopping on an empty stomach or with the kids in tow can make grocery… Read More

Why everyone should start investing and where to invest

Investing money stocks app

Investing money is such a hot topic in 2021 and if ever you were going to try something new, maybe this is it! But, it can be a big, scary thing to embark on by yourself. Read on to get some quality insight from Gerry Incollingo, the MD of LCI Partners who we spoke to for his great insight into investing your hard-earned dollars. Everyone should start investing but knowing where to invest while minimising risk is key to growing your wealth or having a steady passive income. First time investors should be aware that there is some degree of risk with all investments, but by engaging the services of an investment strategist or financial advisor, together you can develop a solid investment plan to success. The key to good investment is education Many people think you need to be rich to invest, but the key to good investments is education.  One of the biggest mistakes new investors make is diving into the investment pool with little to no knowledge and without talking to a financial expert or investment strategist. Knowledge is power. Listen to podcasts, join online forums and read books on investments for beginners so you can feel more confident in your decisions. When you’re ready, connect with a financial advisor to customise a robust investment plan based on your personal circumstances. Methods of investment depend on your budget and long term goals There are a myriad of different ways you can invest your money—shares, bonds, property or even gold—but it all depends on… Read More

Your superannuation: is salary sacrificing still worth it?

Australian 50 money

First things first, what is salary sacrificing? Salary sacrificing for your superannuation is when you choose to forgo a portion of your wage so you can put more than the standard 9.5% into super. For example, if your employer is filing 9.5% super for you at each pay, you are offering to reduce your wage before tax to add more into your super fund.  Previously beneficial, the changes to super legislation has meant that salary sacrificing super has become almost redundant now that you can do it yourself. The only real difference is the timing of when you get that little extra in your pocket from week-to-week or end of year, when your tax return is lodged. Let’s explore some pros and cons of salary sacrificing in Australia, taken from the mind of Gerry Incollingo, MD of LCI Partners, a firm that specialises in accounting advisory, lending, wealth, property, insurance and legal. Pros  Beneficial by reducing your taxable income You will be paying less tax and increasing your retirement savings Soothes the stress of saving extra retirement money because no effort is required. Your investments happen automatically via your employer’s payroll system Cons Low income earners: Not recommended for low-income earners as they are not paying a hefty amount of tax to begin with, such as those earning less than $37,000. Also, it may be difficult to manage and afford your expenses if a further percentage of your wage is taken away to contribute to your super Lending issues: Keep in mind if you are young or… Read More

Love your Nike sneakers? Why not own a stake in the company?

Butter x Stake

Fans of Michael Jordan’s Netfilix series, The Last Dance, listen up! Here is your opportunity to not only score a pair of iconic Air Jordans, but also a share in Nike thanks to a Stake and Butter partnership.  Stake is a homegrown digital US stock brokerage service and Butter is a Sydney-based hybrid sneaker bar, champagne bar and dabbles in delicious fried chicken.  “Your prized sneaker collection and the US stock market might seem like different worlds, but they’re more similar than you think,” says Stake CEO and co-founder, Matt Leibowitz. New data reveals Aussies are jumping on Nike shares with an upswing of 35% of Nike trades, valued at AU$1million since the controversial Jordan documentary aired. Stake trading data also reported the number of Aussie Nike traders has increased by 45% in the first half of 2020, compared to the second half of 2019. There are also more Gen Z and Y Nike investors than all older generations combined. Interested in finding out more? Join a virtual panel event on Tuesday, 21 July at 6.30pm to hear some of Australia’s leading trading experts and commentators discuss how the stock and sneaker markets are more similar than you think. The panel includes: Finder.com.au investments editor Kylie Purcell Equity Mates Investing podcast co-founder Bryce Lesky Stake CEO and co-founder and former US high frequency trader Matt Leibowitz Butter sneaker & stock trader Justin ‘KhameleonKickz’ Michael The panel will discuss how sneaker traders and stock traders think about their markets to invest for the future; how trends… Read More

Safeguard your savings – 4 alternatives to consider before dipping into your emergency fund

Money laptop computer

If you’re reading this article then you probably need to heed this reminder: You built up your emergency fund to help you only in the event of an emergency, so unless you’ve exhausted all other options, dipping into this account should not be your go-to solution. Instead, consider the below alternatives when you’re in need of short-term financial relief.  1. Look At All Your Lending Options Falling into debt is a serious concern when it comes to borrowing money, especially when you’re already facing financial difficulties. High-interest credit cards and payday loan schemes are considered predatory lenders, so skip these and anything else that sounds too good to be true. Your safest loan option is to borrow only what you need from someone you trust, like a partner, relative, or friend. If this isn’t possible, fast small loans from a reliable, not-for-profit lender may be worth considering. These lenders are known for their transparency and may even offer complimentary financial advice. 2. Using Returns, Rebates, and Refunds Don’t panic right away if you are unable to secure a loan (or a big enough loan for your needs). Take a moment to consider what point you’re at in the financial year or if you have any refund entitlements you can put to use. If you (or your partner) have recently submitted your tax returns, perhaps using your tax-back can be a better solution as opposed to spending your emergency fund, especially if you usually allocate this money to general spending or savings anyway.  If you have… Read More

Aussie Home Loans’ guidance about the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme

Woman moving in boxes

Want to buy a house? Most would say ‘lol, good luck’, but that doesn’t necessarily need to be the case; if you know what you’re doing and take the time to plan. One of the big wigs at Aussie Home Loans has some insights into new research that’s come out, highlighting the impact of confusion and uncertainty on the ability of aspiring first home buyers to realise their property ownership ambitions; with the array of grants and schemes intended to create greater opportunity seemingly adding to the complexity. Turns out 7-in-10 first home buyers want to take advantage of the current market conditions but don’t know how – and have a small freak out because of it. It’s hard to understand and even more difficult to get the confidence to bite the bullet, despite heaps of initiatives being developed to help first home buyers get on the property ladder. But it doesn’t need to be this way. As part of a new haul of research Aussie’s done, there’s a lot to know about looking before you leap and that comes in the form of a friendly little scheme by the government. Read on for more. As the next round of 10,000 applications under the First Home Loan Deposit Scheme (FHLDS) for the next financial year becomes available, enabling first home buyers to put down just 5 percent of the deposit needed, the findings showed a worryingly high proportion of first home buyers – over 8 in 10 – are not clear on what the scheme… Read More

7 things to consider when framing financial plans

Affordable Art Fair 3

Financial plans play a significant role in the organisation. They are concerned with the utilisation and raising of organisational funds. It’s a plan to ensure the organization does not go bankrupt. The primary focus is ensuring that the company has an adequate and regular flow of capital for continuous operation, growth, and development. The financial plans keep in mind the present and long term requirements of the corporation. Financing, dividends, and investments are the typical components of business strategy. They involve determining whether to use debts, Equities, among others. Financial plans enhance decision making on the daily activities of the company, such as budgeting, hiring, investment, and designs. The business plan identifies the targets and formulates various solutions that aim at maximising profits. There are various factors relevant for consideration, ensuring your business runs as expected. They provide that your business is at per with the set goals and policies. Before framing the financial plan. They include; 1. Aims and objectives Goals and objectives determine the progress of the company; thus, it should be highly considered. They act as motivation and guidelines for your business. Employees also feel inspired working to achieve specific set objectives. Before investing in your idea, ensure that all the goals and objectives are well listed. They should be achievable, measurable, accurate, reasonable, and easy to plan.  Your passion and interests also determine goals and objectives. What motivates you to work should be embraced. Employees also need to be rewarded and recognized to motivate them to work hard mind to invest… Read More