A Clear Direction Logo
Clear Directions Email Archive
Welcome to our email archives homepage.  Here you will be able to look through all of the Clear Directions emails sent over recent years.
 
Enjoy the read!
Follow us on Twitter

View our profile on LinkedIn

Like us on Facebook
  • 2011 Emails
  • 27th May 2011
  • In this edition we:

    - discuss end of financial year strategies,
    - look at two great charts depicting world market capitalisations and developed market equity returns year by year over the past 25 years,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - take a look at the schemes that fail investors more than others,
    - outline recent blog entries,
    - look at an article from the archive - 10 costly tax mistakes,
    - outline recently published Eureka Report articles,
    - provide a link to ASIC's new financial guidance website - Money Smart, and
    - provide updated evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 10th May 2011 - 2011 Budget - Personal Finance Summary
  • This email looks at the major personal finance implications from the 2011 Federal Government Budget.

  • 26th April 2011
  • In this edition we:

    - provide a perspective on disasters,
    - look at the recent Super Ratings data,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - outline recent additions to the online blog,
    - look at an article from the archive - Heavyweight contest - whether to pay off the mortgage or salary sacrifice more into super,
    - outline recently published Eureka Report articles,
    - provide a link to a great online superannuation resource - Super Guide, and
    - provide updated evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 2010 Emails
  • 12th October 2010
  • In this edition we:

    - consider whether Portfolio Rebalancing is worth it,
    - look at the new Australian fear index - the S&P ASX200 VIX,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - outline recent additions to the online blog,
    - look at an article from the archive - Winning in the retirement risk zone,
    - outline recently published Eureka Report articles,
    - provide details from the latest Westpac ASFA Retirement Standard report, and
    - provide updated evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 31st August 2010
  • In this edition we:

    - discuss whether a self managed super fund is right for you,
    - take a look at the latest SPIVA report on fund management performance,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - outline recent additions to the online blog,
    - look at an article from the archives - Shares or cash - look to the long term,
    - outline recently published Eureka Report articles, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 28th April 2010
  • In this edition we:

    - comment on the recent government decision to ban commissions on financial products,
    - look at what else the government could do to improve financial advice provision,
    - discuss how to manage unexpected inflation risk,
    - outline the make up of the MSCI World and Emerging Markets indices,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - outline recent additions to the online blog,
    - provide links to the ATO's super essentials website, ASFA's new Super Guru site and Vanguard's volatility chart updated to the end of March 2010, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 31st March 2010
  • In this edition we:

    - outline our research based approach to investing,
    - explain the Rule of 72,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - outline recent additions to the online blog,
    - provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    - revisit the archives to look at the benefits of Family Trusts,
    - provide a link to a new resource for self managed super fund trustees, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 11th February 2010
  • In this edition we:

    - look at what history suggests are reasonable expectations for the years ahead,
    - look at S & P's Persistence Scorecard,
    - update major investment market performance,
    - outline recent additions to the online blog,
    - provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    - revisit the archives to look at financial planning's big six - investing regularly over time, repaying non tax deductible debt, borrowing to invest, salary sacrificing to super, transition to retirement strategy & income planning in retirement,
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 2009 Emails
  • 6th November 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - discuss the issue of currency hedging
    - summarise the movements in markets since the last edition including 3, 5 and 10 year return history
    - consider the use of debt recycling
    - provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    - link to Vanguard's updated Index Chart and their latest series of video pieces
    - outline changes to the definition of income for government payment income tests, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 2nd September 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - discuss the issue of index hugging by major Australian share funds,
    - consider Vanguard's Volatility Chart,
    - summarise the movements in markets since the last edition including 3, 5 and 10 year return history,
    - look at investment strategies for a delayed retirement,
    - provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    - link to Russell Investments Investor Toolkit,
    - discuss benchmarking your financial progress, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 6th August 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - revisit the ongoing debate between index and active management approaches to investing,
    - look at Dalbar's Quantitative Analysis of Investor Behaviour study,
    - summarise the movements in markets since the last edition including 3, 5 and 10 year return history,
    - look at reasons why you should and should not change your financial adviser,
    - provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    - link to recent videos uploaded to the Fama & French Forum,
    - discuss how much senior Australians can afford to hold outside of their superannuation pension thanks to the Snior Australians Tax Offset, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 16th June 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - discuss the topic of unlisted assets and suggest investors carefully check the nature of any unlisted assets before switching into this asset class,
    - look at S&P's latest World by Numbers publication,
    - summarise the movements in markets since the last edition including 3, 5 and 10 year return history,
    - encourage readers to switch off or turn doen the financial media they are listening to,
    - provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    - link to recent videos uploaded to the Fama & French Forum,
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action, and
    - provide links to podcasts recently uploaded to the website.

  • 26th May 2009
  • In this edition we:

    • take stock of the current investment climate and discuss what should investors do now,
    • look at the RP data - Rismark proerty indices,
    • summarise the movements in markets since the last edition including 3, 5 and 10 year return history,
    • take a look at the question of out of market risk,
    • provide a link to Scott Francis' latest Eureka Report articles,
    • provide a case study on what to do if your employer has not made your superannuation guarantee contributions,
    • link to the Financial Planning Association's Good Advice website, and
    • provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 2009 Personal Finance Budget Summary
  • This email provides a summary of the major items from the 2009 Federal Budget that impact on personal finances.

  • 7th April 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - take readers back to the fundamental question of whether markets are efficient,
    - consider the expected premium for investing in shares,
    - summarise the movements in markets since the last edition,
    - look at why dollar cost averaging is a useful bear market strategy,
    - provide a link to Scott's latest Eureka Report articles,
    - link to a recent tv report looking at the emerging science of behavioural economics, and
    - provide evidence of the three factor model in action.

  • 17th March 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - remind readers of the importance of diversification within and across asset classes,
    - take a look at 30 years of asset class performance,
    - provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight,
    - look at an example of how an active investment approach has not protected investors during a bear market,
    - provide a link to Scott's latest Eureka Report article, and
    - discuss early access to superannuation.

  • 25th February 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - consider the 3 Factor Model,
    - take a look 11 surprising stock market indicators,
    - provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight,
    - look at why we should be careful about being pessimistic about Australian share dividends,
    - provide a link to Scott's latest Eureka Report article,
    - highlight the latest Monday's Money Minute Podcast,
    - discuss the Commonwealth Seniors Health Care, and
    - provide an update to the Dimensional Trust performance graphs - the 3 factor model in practice.

  • 10th February 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - consider the topic of rebalancing portfolios,
    - take a look at the Baltic Dry Index,
    - provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight,
    - look at what to do with your $950 tax bonus payment,
    - provide a link to the Coffehouse Investor website,
    - provide a link to Scott's latest Eureka Report article, and
    - highlight the latest Monday's Money Minute Podcast.

  • 27th January 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - consider the use of fixed interest investments in a portfolio,
    - take a look at 2009 School Costs as a guide to planning for future education costs for your children,
    - provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight including 3, 5 and 10 year return history,
    - look at 10 tips on avoiding investment fraud,
    - provide a link to some useful videos on You Tube,
    - provide a link to Scott's latest Eureka Report article,
    - welcome back the Monday's Money Minute Podcasts, and
    - look at a case study involving the Pension Bonus Scheme.

  • 13th January 2009
  • In this edition we:

    - consider the benefit of Australian share income over time,
    - take a look at the ASX 200 contituent list,
    - provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight including 3, 5 and 10 year return history,
    - look at whether the beginning of 2009 is the time to be considering a more conservative superannuation investment allocation,
    - introduce a new online forum - The Fama/French Forum,
    - provide links to Scott's latest Eureka Report articles, and
    - update the 3 Factor Model in Action graphs to the end of December 2008.

  • 2008 Emails
  • 10th December 2008
  • In this edition we consider the opportunities for investors in the current climate, take a look at the National Bureau of Economic Research Business Cycle Dating Committee, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at BT's perspectives on what's going on, why keep investing, and what about super.

    We are also pleased to continue with the new section looking at case studies this week looking at the topic of superannuation splitting between couples.

  • 25th November 2008
  • In this edition we consider the basics of income planning, take a look at CommSec's iPod Index, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at the link between the economic cycle and share market returns.

    We are also pleased to continue with the new section looking at case studies this week looking at a couple with $1 million to invest.

  • 11th November 2008
  • In this edition we take a look at the reasons why we favour passive investing, we take a look at the Prosperity Index, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at the case for being careful with only investing in cash.

    We are also pleased to provide a link to a new online service comparing credit cards, loans and deposit accounts in the Australian market place as well as introducing a new section to the newsletter looking at case studies as requested by users of our website and this newsletter.

  • 28th October 2008
  • In this edition we take a look at the Australian dollar exchange rate and its impact on investments, we take a look at the Trade Weighted Index, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and provide some points to consider if you are considering implementing a self managed super fund.

    We also highly recommend the two links to videos contained in our other websites of interest section.

  • 14th October 2008
  • In this edition we take a look at those things you can control and discuss some personal finance strategies in the context of the cureent credit crisis, we take a look at the Fear Index, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and suggest that now is not the time to panic.

  • 30th September 2008
  • In this edition we take a look at the debt crisis, provide a summary of the bailout efforts of the US government as set out in the proposed Emergency Economic Stablization Act, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at what to do in the current market conditions.

  • 16th September 2008
  • In this edition we take a look at the problem with investing using managed funds, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at whether you are able to time your entry into and out of risk premiums.

  • 2nd September 2008
  • In this edition we step back and look at the reality of how investment markets work, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at realistic medium term return expectations.

  • 19th August 2008
  • In this edition we look at emerging markets, provide a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and look at how the ANZ Staff Superannuation fund goes about investing.

  • 5th August 2008
  • This edition looks at dollar cost averaging, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at investing for income.

  • 15th July 2008
  • This edition looks at whether borrowing to invest is worthy of consideration, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at some failed forecasts over the past financial year.

  • 1st July 2008
  • This edition looks at investing for income, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at getting the right price for financial advice.

  • 17th June 2008
  • This edition looks at income distributions from managed funds, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at Warren Buffett's bet with a Fund of Hedge Funds manager.

  • 3rd June 2008
  • This edition looks at franking credits, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at our golden rules of investing.

  • 20th May 2008
  • This edition looks at the need to get your asset allocation right within your investment portfolio, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at the importance of focusing on the issues of saving, tax and fees when investing.

  • 2008 Personal Finance Budget Summary
  • This email provides a summary of the major items from the 2008 Federal Budget that impact on personal finances.

  • 6th May 2008
  • This edition looks at the considerations around making extra conributions into superannuation, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at Warren Buffett's latest piece of advice.

  • 22nd April 2008
  • This edition looks at a scientific research approach to building investing portfolios, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at the tax implications of distributions made by managed funds. We hope that you find the material informative and relevant.

  • 8th April 2008
  • This edition looks at a value approach to investing, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at the impact of the collapse of Opes Prime.

  • 25th March 2008
  • This edition looks at the level of investments needed in retirement, provides a summary of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at the impact of fees on managed fund performance.

  • 11th March 2008
  • This edition looks at the use of fixed interest investments in portfolios, provides a recap of the negative movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at a great article recently written by Ross Gittins.

  • 26th February 2008
  • This edition looks at the use of cash in portfolios, provides a recap of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at how the sharpest financial minds have become million dollar losers.

  • 12th February 2008
  • This edition looks at whether you should be a speculator or an investor, provides a recap of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at how investing in index funds over time is a successful strategy.

  • 29th January 2008
  • This edition looks at investing with the market, provides a recap of the movements in markets over the past fortnight and looks at price earnings ratios being at 18 year lows.

 Clear Directions is a publication of A Clear Direction Financial Planning.  It contains general financial advice.  Readers should check this advice with a professional financial adviser before acting on any of the material contained in this email.

A Clear Direction Financial Planning
Level 19
10 Eagle Street
Brisbane, QLD 4000
07 3379-6068

A Clear Direction Financial Planning is an Authorised Representative (No. 398444) & Authorised Credit Representative (No. 403292) 
of FYG Planners Pty Ltd ABN 55 094 972 540
AFSL/ACL (No. 224543)
Registered Office: Level 1, 10 Wilson Street Burnie Tas 7320
Join our Mailing List!