Should you make STRESS YOUR FRIEND!

According to the MPA (Mortgage Professional Australia magazine) Stress could be your friend!  So - we all know that stress is bad for your health, and can even increase your risk of an early death - but ONLY if you believe it can, new research shows!
In a recent study of 30,000 adults, researchers found that people who experienced a high level of stress in the past year were 43% more likely to die in the next eight years.  This was only true, however, if the participants held the belief that stress was bad for their health!
Participants that had a high level of stress, but didn't view stress as a harmful experience, had a lower risk of death even than those who had experienced relatively little stress in the past year. 
It's estimated that over the eight years the study took place more than 180,000 people died prematurely in the US - not from stress, but from the belief that stress is bad for you, making this the 15th biggest killer in the US, above skin cancer, HIV and homicide!
Public speaker and health psychologist Kelly McGonigal says simply changing the way you think about stress can make you live longer and work better.
"For years I've been telling people stress makes you sick, it increases the risk of everything from the common cold to cardiovascular disease.  Basically, I've turned stress into the enemy, but I've changed my mind about stress," said McGonigal in a recent TED Talk.  "I no longer want to get rid of stress;  I want to make you better at stress."
In another study conducted by Havard University, participants were put through an experiment designed to increase their stress levels.
First, however, some of the participants were taught to view stress as a positive, natural reaction to help them prepare for their next challenge.  Those that went through this process didn't experience the constriction of blood vessels that usually occurs during stress and which links stressful experiences to heart disease.
"Over a lifetime of stressful experiences, this one biological change could be the difference between a stress-induced heart attack at age 50 and living well into your 90s," said McGonigal.
NOT ONLY can the act of embracing stress neutralise its negative effects, it can actually help to counteract any health problems from past stressful experiences! 

NAB Relief Package for customers affected by NSWBushfires          


Over the past few days, many have been affected by the bushfires which have devastated parts of New South Wales. NAB Broker offers its deepest sympathy to  the impacted communities. 

To provide assistance, we are offering a Relief Package to NAB and Homeside customers whose homes were damaged, or whose businesses were affected adversely, by the bushfires.

NAB NSW Bushfire Relief Package 

This relief package can provide qualifying customers with a:
 

• Suspension of personal and home loan repayments for up to 3 months, depending on personal circumstances,
  
• NAB Credit Card relief for up to 3 months, depending on personal circumstances,
  
• Waiver of fees on existing home loans and personal loans for up to 3 months; and
  
• Waiver of fees and charges for early withdrawal of term deposits.

Qualification for the Relief Package will be assessed on a case by case basis.

 NAB and Homeside customers affected by the bushfires are encouraged to contact NAB Care to find out if the NAB NSW Bushfire Relief Package can assist them during this difficult time. 

Hardship 

Also, borrowers may be able to make hardship applications to NAB by contacting NAB Care.

Contact NAB Care

NAB Care can be contacted on 1800 701 599 from 8am-8pm Mon-Fri, or 9am-1pm on
Saturdays (AEST/AEDT).


Alternatively, if you have any questions, talk to your NAB Broker BDM today.

There is not much I haven't heard or seen in the mortgage world these days, and investment 'schemes' are certainly one of those that keeps popping up every few months in conversations. So, I'll blog about it, and if you come to me with this scheme all the relevant links to the ATO's 'no can do' policy on this will be readily available to you. The result of which I do hope, seeks you to stop talking to whoever it is selling you this scheme. Be it a 'financially literate' (HAHAHA) friend, or one of those investment property or financial planning firms that have glossy compendiums and free 'seminars'. Forget about that, sounds like this is a smelly scheme which will see you end up in trouble with the ATO.

So what's the scheme I'm referrring to? Specifically it's the one where you get an investment loan, then you borrow, with equity in your home a line of credit, which will fund the investment home interest payments. Thus interest is essentially borrowed, and you can claim the interest on that too. As such, you can literally BORROW YOUR WAY TO WEALTH. Please note extremely dry sarcasm is intended here, the best wealth creation strategy I have seen is one where you pay debts off. Not that I can offer you any financial advice, it's just, would you tell your own children to follow this strategy?

Anyway, it's the ATO, they have this thing called "Anti-Avoidance" when it comes to avoiding taxes, and they don't want to allow you to claim a tax benefit on the line of credit paying the interest. I.e. That nice little thing we call negative gearing? That's fine, but you're pushing your luck if you try to ALSO claim the interest on the loan paying the interest because BAM you have just been caught up in a scheme. Claiming interest on interest? That appears to be an anti-avoidance scheme!

You can read all about Tax Determination TD2012/1 and Part IVA of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 here This resource cites many legislative and case references,

Why would anybody try to sell these schemes to me?
Because they are either going to profit from the property they sell you, the financial services fees they charge you, the mortgage commissions they earn from you, or all of the above.

My advice - report them to ASIC.

I cannot offer accountancy or financial advice, so this article is not intended to do so, please seek your own accountants, financial planning or legal advice in relation to investments. Me? I'll structure the mortgages correctly and negotiate you a damned competitive rate.

The NSW Fires burning up our country and Australian homes are nothing short of distressing. My family witnessed the first great plumes of smoke in Bargo all the way from the east coast and heard the first ominous news that homes were lost in the Blue Mountains.  I was a branch manager back in Canberra when those fires hit and know all too well how quickly things can get out of hand. So people, insure your homes now and ensure you're covered. While you're there, considering insuring your lives or income too so that you're not just protecting your home, contents, but your capacity to earn money if something happens to you.

 For those of you in FNQ the cyclone season will be hitting soon too. It is too late to insure when your home is under threat.

For those of you seeking more information on fire safety, whether it be leaving early, or defending/protecting your home, visit this resourceful webpage from the RFS http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?cat_id=1150

When natural disasters hit, clients can generally take advantage of bank emergency packages to help them alleviate the short term pressures that may be upon them financially or personally. Please visit or phone your bank or lender for more information. Do not hesitate to contact us for contact details or assistance. I have pasted in below the Commonwealth Banks emergency package to give you an indication of what is available.

In some positive news, read here about the Commonwealth Banks $100,000 donation to help rebuild affected communities

CommBank acitivates emergency package to help customers affected by the NSW bushfires
 The Bank has activated its special emergency assistance package for customers and businesses affected by the bushfires and we will accept donations at our branches for the Commonwealth Bank Red Cross Emergency Appeal.

How can they help you? 
Emergency accommodation assistance for customers who have their home insured
through CommInsure and their home has been damaged by the fire

CommInsure will fast-track claims for customers seeking help through their home and  contents insurance. Our priority is helping customers affected by bushfires and we are expecting high call volumes because of this crisis. 
 
Requests for additional loans (including emergency credit limit increases) where based on enquiries, the customer could meet the additional repayments without financial difficulty will be considered.
 
The Customer Assist team are best placed to help your customers whose long-term ability to meet their obligations to the Commonwealth Bank in relation to Home Loans, Personal Loans and Credit Cards are affected by the bushfires. Please call 1300 720 814

Donations
In  times of crisis, Australians are renowned for their spirit, generosity and support. The Bank is
accepting donations to support those affected by the NSW bushfires.
Donations can be made to the following account:

Account name: Commonwealth Bank Red Cross Emergency Account
BSB: 06 3000 Account number: 12344737
Branch: 367 Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000
Credit card donations can be made online at www.redcross.org.au

What a heart warming story this is - go to this amazing link of Alice's story small business all made as a result of small loans through KIVA.

This makes us all at Wilson Financial feel very humble and proud to have made a difference to lives with small loans.

We would definitely reinvest and highly recommend it to you!

Yes, it's finally here, the 100% transactional offset feature for your home loan - Everyday Offset.

I'm really excited about this new product offering, least of all because I personally have a home loan with the CBA, but because of the unrestricted nature of the amount of accounts you can link to the Everday Offset feature! More on that below though, first some fast facts...

What is it?
The Everyday Offset is a feature of the Complete Access account, and offers 100% interest offset on your Standard Variable Rate home or investment loans only. It cannot be linked to a No Fee, Rate Saver, or Fixed Rate home loan.
The balance held in the Everyday Offset will reduce the amount of interest customers pay on the loan.  Unlike your good old MISA (CLUNK CLUNK!) you will be able to use ATM/EFTPOS, NetBank, Kaching, Telephone Banking, BPAY, Direct Entry Debits and AFT's with your Everyday Offset. You can also link to Debit MasterCard, Keycard or Credit Card.

The cost
EDO has a once off Fee of $95 applies when linking the first Everyday Offset to an eligible Home Loan.
Please note, if you are existing or new clients, with NEW borrowings of $150,000 or more you can currently have this fee waived. This offer is valid until further notice.
Monthly offset fee - There are no ongling monthly fees if you are  MAV Package customer (anybody NOT on No Fee or Ratesaver reading this is probably a MAV client! If you're not, speak to me you may be missing out). So for those not on MAV you will be charged $10 per month on the 1st of each month for the MOF - Monthly Offset Fee. This fee only applies on the first Everyday Offset linked to your loan.

Why I'm excited
You can link more then one Complete Access account to the Everyday Offset feature. I think this is a fantastic budgeting tool. If you are partitioning funds into separate savings accounts for say, holidays, kids education funds, or just savings/rainy day funds, you can link all of these to the EDO and have it all working against your home loan feature. This is excellent. Many couples have private accounts still, and a joint account, why not link all three! It's no extra in fees. So get cracking people, get your EDO activated now and offset some interest!!

If you want the video version just click here http://vimeo.com/75937752 

One of the wonderful things about living in the Southern Highlands is that friends from Sydney and Canberra often get together and take a road trip down the freeway to visit for the weekend (rather than us having to head out of the area). They often rent out a spacious residence for an extended weekend that fits numerous boisterous families where we can all get together for a feast and general catch up.  
The Issue is -  Should I www.stayz.com.au or Should I go,  Now!!
Many people use booking websites such as www.stayz.com.auor other such sites for short term rentals. However, the owners of such houses and investors in these properties must now ensure that they check the relevant zoning restrictions to ensure they are not breaking the law by offering the property for short stays.

A recent decision in the Land and Environment Court found that short term letting in a residential zone was illegal. Of particular note, the Judge found that “a tenancy granted to persons who are residing in a group situation for periods of a week or less for the purpose of bucks and hens nights, parties or for the use of escorts or strippers…is not consistent with the use of the property as that of a dwelling-house”.

Bulletin Bites:
Whilst each case must be reviewed in light of the specific facts and the relevant planning legislation and planning instruments
*If you are an investor looking to purchase a property for short term rental accommodation, it is imperative that you obtain planning advice to ensure that the zoning allows for such use;   
*If you are an agent marketing a property, ensure that you have obtained confirmation from the vendor’s solicitor if you intend to make  representations in relation to the ability of purchasers to use the property for short term rental accommodation; 
*Check  the local environmental plans very carefully if you intend to rent your home for short term rental accommodation;
and DO
Seek professional legal advice if the enjoyment of your property is
impinged by potentially illegal short term rentals in neighbouring
properties.
 John Kettle from STACKS / THE LAW FIRM can be contact at 
Springetts Arcade - 302 Bong Bong Street, Bowral or by phone 2 4861 6600 or fax 02 4861 4919
 

You can probably guess from the heading that I loved the classic Emilio Estivez movie “Young Guns” which had a great scene relating to the size of “that chicken”. Anyway, about a year or so ago, I picked up 4 one day old chickens for my young children to watch grow and provide us with eggs. The two hens that my daughter named Steve just so happen to be the best egg producers (thankfully not roosters) but also the noisiest. Whilst my neighbours are extremely understanding and are easily placated with a dozen fresh eggs, given the popularity of backyard poultry I thought I would take a look at the relevant requirements for keeping chickens. 
So....  If you live in the Wingecarribee Shire Council (and other Councils) each council publishes guidelines for the keeping of poultry!  Firstly, the Hen House must meet the requirements of the Exempt and Complying Development Codes otherwise you will need to seek approval from Council  For those who are interested, see specifically Subdivision 2.41 of the State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008   Secondly, consider the number of hens that you would like to keep....  Generally, the maximum number that you can keep in a residential zone without consent is 10..  Thirdly, in a residential zone, the Hen House should not be more than 3m above the existing ground level, must not have a floor area more than 15m2 and must be located in the rear yard.  And VERY IMPORTANTLY..... Don't have a rooster in a residential area (should this be needed to state!  They are frequent source of neighbourly disputes for obvious reasons!  DO MAKE SURE the Hen House is located away from the property boundary and ensure your certificate of titles states that there is NO COVENANT in the prohibiting of keeping of poultry!  A dozen fresh eggs go a long way towards friendly neighbouhood relations (as well as a good supply of "Chook-Sitters" if you have to go away for any period of time!  
Article supplied by our friend
John Kettle - Principal Lawyer at Stacks / THE LAW FIRM
Tel 02 4861 6600

Recent upgrades to the Commonwealth Bank’s “My  Wealth” platform have made an already powerful personal finance manager even more versatile. My Wealth enables you to build a diverse portfolio of investments including cash, property, shares and super in one place, with all  the resources, guidance and up to date news you will need to
succeed.

My Wealth was originally launched in February  2013 and provides every necessary resource to create and manage your wealth.  Developed following nine months of customer centred design research the platform has been designed to assist navigating the world of  investment.

Here are just some of the advantages and features  of this free service available to CBA customers:
       
Portfolio – Single log-in point to access and manage your wealth in one location.
      
Invest – A wide range of investment opportunities including cash,  superannuation, shares and property.
   
News – The app keeps you totally informed with news insights and  guidance.
   
Communities – Where you can share ideas with like-minded  investors.
     
Watchlist – Allows you to create a dummy portfolio to keep an eye on the performance of companies, suburbs or properties without having to invest a cent.
      
My Wealth Guide – An informative guide acts as a resource to help you navigate the world of investments.
    
Health Check – A compilation of tools to help you check the health of your portfolio in real time.

 Through the platform you can choose to invest in over 200 ASX listed companies, exchange traded-funds or invest in ready-made investment packs. You can also select from a range of cash investment options  including goal saver and term deposits.

If your investment preference is property you can access powerful suburb and property profiles, seek out properties that meet your specific goals or research information from the expert insights and news provided.

With the Essential Super option you can choose  from straightforward life-stage portfolios or invest in a mix of cash and Australian shares.

 The My Wealth platform provides Australians with  a simple, informed process for creating and managing their own financial future.  Featuring an easy-to-use investment platform, property valuations and search  functionality, stock market watch lists, hosted social communities, alongside  financial news and educational features from a dedicated team of in-house  journalists.

 Learn more at the My Wealth Website.

Here at Wilson Financial we have already told you about our FREE property profile reports available from the ANZ by following the instructions here. However Australia’s number one property website,  realestate.com.au is now offering free suburb reports and  assisting you to connect with local property professionals for a price estimate. This might come in handy where the ANZ reports cannot find statistically reliable evidence to support a profile. I am still to determine whether they are even using the same system, but it is always good to know about more resources so we wanted to put it out there regardless.

If you are thinking of selling your home or interested in current values, the reports can help you understand approximate value of your  property.


It’s as simple as providing a few essential  details such as the type of property, size of your property, the number of
bedrooms and bathrooms, property condition and basic property features. You will  instantly receive a free report containing the sold prices of properties similar  to yours, plus local median property prices and a snapshot of the area’s  property supply and demand.

The service will also put you in touch with a real estate agent who can provide a more detailed price estimate of your  property’s value. If a property professional isn’t available in your area, they  will provide a list of local agencies that can provide assistance.

Your free report will also provide a link to the  sites “Selling Guide” that can assist with information such as where to
advertise and how to make a good impression with tips for effectively presenting  your home. Additional resources include explanations of the selling process, when is the right time to sell and how much you should spend on selling your  property.

 Understanding the current value of your property can be useful if you are considering investing, renovating your current home or expanding your property profile. Knowledge of the available equity in your  property will likely assist you to make better borrowing and investment decisions.

Contact us today for further information or assistance with your financial requirements.

 You can obtain your free property report here.