Rick Maggi

4 September 2019

Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Advice Fees

Getting the right financial advice (for you)...

Rick Maggi

4 September 2019

Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Advice Fees

Getting the right financial advice (for you)...

A new ASIC report offers key insights into consumer perceptions of financial advice. Find out how to get off to the right start with your financial planning experience…

Rick Maggi

3 September 2019

Mental Health, Event Driven Update

RUOK?

Rick Maggi

3 September 2019

Mental Health, Event Driven Update

For R U OK?Day, Money & Life explores how financial stress can impact our mental health and what we can be doing to help ourselves, and others, feel more positive about our lives and finances. We speak to R U OK? Community Ambassador Dan Price about his experiences with money and mental health…

Rick Maggi

2 September 2019

Educational, Finance, Financial Planning, Financial Stress, Health

Can money buy happiness?

Rick Maggi

2 September 2019

Educational, Finance, Financial Planning, Financial Stress, Health

Some say money can’t buy love or happiness. But by spending it on certain things, perhaps you can bring more joy into your life and relationships. Find out how…

Rick Maggi

27 August 2019

Budgeting, Children Savings, Children's Education, Children's Finance, Family

How to budget for a baby...

Rick Maggi

27 August 2019

Budgeting, Children Savings, Children's Education, Children's Finance, Family

With a little bit of planning you should be able to successfully avoid having the joy of starting a family compromised by the financial burden of doing so…

Rick Maggi

24 August 2019

Gifting

What's your gift giver personality (QUIZ)?

Rick Maggi

24 August 2019

Gifting

What's your gift giver personality (QUIZ)?

Happy birthday. Season’s greetings. Congratulations! From chucking confetti to winning with wine, there are likely dozens of gifts you’ll purchase for loved ones this year. So what kind of gift giver are you?

Rick Maggi

20 August 2019

Economics, Event Driven Update

What does the volatility mean for investors?

Rick Maggi

20 August 2019

Economics, Event Driven Update

What does the volatility mean for investors?

Only last month share markets in the US and Australia were at record highs. But ever since President Trump ramped up the US-China trade war again at the start of August, financial markets have seen a significant increase in volatility…

Rick Maggi

20 August 2019

Educational, Investing, Market/Economic Update, Shares, Westmount Financial

World Cup of Investing...

Rick Maggi

20 August 2019

Educational, Investing, Market/Economic Update, Shares, Westmount Financial

It’s been a banner year for New Zealand sport, with a world championship win in women’s netball, the narrowest of world cup losses in men’s cricket and an upcoming attempt by the All Blacks to win an historic third consecutive rugby world cup…

Rick Maggi

19 August 2019

Educational

Give the gift that will last...

Rick Maggi

19 August 2019

Educational

Our new research report shows we’re keen to be giving gifts that can be enjoyed for longer. Find out how a financial plan can be a gift with benefits that last…

Rick Maggi

6 August 2019

Event Driven Update, Market Risk, Market/Economic Update

Trade War: Markets reeling

Rick Maggi

6 August 2019

Event Driven Update, Market Risk, Market/Economic Update

At the time of writing, the local share market is now down 4.5 percent since the beginning of Monday trading - all due to the heightening trade tensions between the US & China…

Rick Maggi

6 August 2019

Interest Rates, Westmount Financial

Interest rates on hold...

Rick Maggi

6 August 2019

Interest Rates, Westmount Financial

Following consecutive rate cuts in June and July, the RBA at its latest interest rate meeting has paused by keeping the official cash rate steady at 1.00%…

Rick Maggi

1 August 2019

Interest Rates

Alert: US Fed Reserve drops rates

Rick Maggi

1 August 2019

Interest Rates

As widely anticipated, the US Federal Reserve has cut its key Fed Funds cash rate by 0.25% to a range of 2-2.25%.

Rick Maggi

22 July 2019

Financial Planning, Financial Advice, Financial Planning Assoc

The Pros & Cons of a DIY Financial Plan

Rick Maggi

22 July 2019

Financial Planning, Financial Advice, Financial Planning Assoc

From the Barefoot Investor to Kochie, there are plenty of gurus out there with tips to fix your finances. Discover what they can and can’t do for your money and lifestyle goals…

Rick Maggi

22 July 2019

Budgeting, Educational, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Finance

Buck the spending trends...

Rick Maggi

22 July 2019

Budgeting, Educational, Financial Advice, Financial Planning, Finance

Are your finances suffering because you can’t resist spending on the latest trends? Here are some tips to help you switch your focus to long-term money goals instead.

Rick Maggi

15 July 2019

Budgeting, Debt

How to get out of debt...

Rick Maggi

15 July 2019

Budgeting, Debt

Many of us have debts and bills to manage, but what happens when you’re really struggling to pay? Find out what to do when you fall behind with bill or loan payments and what to expect if you don’t…

Rick Maggi

2 July 2019

Economics, Investing, Westmount Financial, Wealth Accumulation, Superannuation, Strategy

2018-19: A rough ride, but ok in the end...

Rick Maggi

2 July 2019

Economics, Investing, Westmount Financial, Wealth Accumulation, Superannuation, Strategy

2018-19: A rough ride, but ok in the end...

The past financial year saw a roller coaster ride for investors. Share markets plunged into Christmas only to rebound over the last six months. This note reviews the last financial year and takes a look at the investment outlook for 2019-20…

Rick Maggi

2 July 2019

Interest Rates

Interest Rates: Back-to-back cuts

Rick Maggi

2 July 2019

Interest Rates

The RBA has now delivered back-to-back rate cuts, taking the official rate down by 25 basis points to a new record low of 1.00 per cent. That followed June’s 25 basis point cut, the first movement in either direction in almost three years.

Rick Maggi

27 June 2019

Budgeting, Debt Management, Educational, Wealth Accumulation

Control spending: Be sale savvy...

Rick Maggi

27 June 2019

Budgeting, Debt Management, Educational, Wealth Accumulation

Tempted by the EOFY discounting frenzy or Christmas sale craziness? Learn five ways to keep sale spending under control so you can fight retail regret and limit your future debt…

Rick Maggi

24 June 2019

Economics, Educational, Interest Rates, Wealth Accumulation, Superannuation, Strategy, Stats, Shares

Don't fight the Fed, ECB, RBA...

Rick Maggi

24 June 2019

Economics, Educational, Interest Rates, Wealth Accumulation, Superannuation, Strategy, Stats, Shares

The Federal Reserve (Fed) and the European Central Bank are now looking to reduce interest rates, and here in Australia, we’re possibly looking at another two cuts as the RBA attempts to shore up the local economy. So how should investors respond?

Rick Maggi

20 June 2019

Superannuation

Super changes: What you need to know

Rick Maggi

20 June 2019

Superannuation

Changes to insurance in super accounts come into force on 1 July. How does this affect you?

Rick Maggi

4 June 2019

Economics, Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Pensions, Superannuation, Westmount Financial

RBA moves to cut rates...

Rick Maggi

4 June 2019

Economics, Financial Planning, Interest Rates, Pensions, Superannuation, Westmount Financial

After 33 months, the RBA finally moved to cut rates today. As this was largely expectedly all eyes are now focused on the future…