Darren Titmus

Ignoring all of the politicising of climate change and carbon emissions, have you ever actually wondered what a carbon footprint is? A simple explanation Human activity is increasing atmospheric levels of known greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane. These form a blanket around the earth trapping heat, a process known as the ‘greenhouse effect’, which experts believe is linked to global warming and climate change. The carbon footprint, as the term denotes, is the impression that these gases…

There’s an old saying in investment circles: ‘when Wall Street sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold’. That’s not surprising. The New York Stock Exchange is by far the world’s largest, so what happens there is bound to be noticed by stock exchanges everywhere, including Australia.  It works on the upside too. A good day on the US market is more likely than not to be followed by a good day here (and elsewhere). This is particularly so…

To save tax, most investors and business owners are aware that the interest paid on an investment loan is generally tax deductible. These deductions can be maximised by prepaying the interest on the loan. To do this simply contact your financial institution and arrange to have all of the interest costs for the following financial year brought forward and paid during the current year. You may then claim these costs as a tax deduction in the current financial year. The…

Tax planning is often viewed in a contradictory way – a last minute dash to arrange reduction of the year’s tax bill or maximise the refund. Why not take the opportunity to do something different this time… like start planning now! Two of the simpler ways of managing tax include: deferring income until the following tax year – such as arranging a fixed deposit or other investment so that the income from the investment is paid after the end of…

Jargon in any industry often confuses and confounds those who do not deal with it every day. Think about your computer. IT specialists seem to speak a different language. But investing shouldn’t be a minefield of gobbledygook that stops you understanding what your money is doing. Here we’ve taken some of the more commonly used financial terms and explained them in simple, everyday language. Investment terminology Bull market: A market that is exhibiting a significant price rise and is buoyed…

Making ends meet can be difficult enough for two-parent families, but for single-parent families it can be even harder. With a few small steps and these financial tips, you can be on the path to financial security. For many single-parent families, the struggle-cycle is a constant reality. Often they face unique hurdles that most people are totally unaware of; usually the biggest one is trying to make ends meet. If you are a single parent and are not sure where…