In Australia there are approximately 25,000 non-independent advisers compared to the much more humble figure of just 128 independent advisers and you can see that independence is a rare but important attribute for investors to consider.

Having a business succession plan plays an important role in ensuring both the business and its owners are protected in the event of an owners exit. Such agreements assist to preserve the business and ensure the outgoing owner receives an amount representative of their equity in the business, which is critical in the context of retirement planning for the outgoing owner.

We understand it is a particularly stressful stage in life so I have put together a number of general tips I share with new and existing clients, in the event that they do choose to go separate ways.

Coming to terms with the grief of suddenly losing your spouse is difficult to deal with. It is also a time when inconveniently there are a number of things that need to be done to keep your financial house in order. Along with funeral arrangements, the following practical considerations need to be made in the event of your spouses passing.

Everyone has an opinion on Bitcoin. Whether it be positive or negative, leading into 2018 there is definitely a lot of buzz around Bitcoin.

Planning for your retirement requires a level of financial literacy your financial planner can help you navigate. By identifying your retirement lifestyle goals and bucket list you want to achieve in your retired years, you set yourself up for greater confidence to comfortably move along with your future.

Over the years you have been working, you may have had multiple employers, changed your address or your name. This make's it very easy to lose track of your superannuation. Having multiple super accounts means multiple fees, so it is important to be aware of what super accounts you have.

Splitting your super contributions is when you nominate to transfer a portion of your Superannuation to your spouse.

There are two main types of contributions that can be made;

Staying with or choosing a Financial Planner who doesn't understand your goals or meet your needs, could end up being a long-term financial burden.

For discerning families that want to ensure there are no conflicts or biases in the advice they receive, an Independent Financial Planner is the obvious choice.

Since we as investors cannot control the fluctuating nature of the stock market, the best we can do is understand it better so we can invest more wisely.

While it may seem intuitive to spread your investments around, there is some science behind the process. We can diversify our portfolios in a number of ways. Read the article to learn more.