An influx of young investors are leading a charge of socially responsible and sustainable investing, funneling their money into investments and projects that serve the greater good.

In financial circles, socially responsible investments (SRI) and funds geared toward environmentally, socially and governance-friendly (ESG) projects have grown in popularity with millennial investors. Those activities include avoiding investment in companies associated with addictive substances and vices — like alcohol, gambling and tobacco — and seeking out companies engaged in social justice or environmental sustainability.

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Your superannuation balance is probably one of your biggest assets – perhaps up there with the family home. It’s therefore vital to plan for how that money will be distributed on your death. Find out how a binding nomination can give you peace of mind that your wishes will be complied with when you’ve passed on.

When you pass away, your superannuation benefits do not automatically form part of your estate. Instead, they’re paid out by the trustee of your superannuation fund. So, what can you do to ensure your super is paid out in accordance with your wishes? For many people, a binding death benefit nomination (BDBN) is an appropriate safeguard to put in place.

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Have you run a small business that has ceased or paused operations? Or perhaps you’ve been hired as an ABN contractor? The ATO is cleaning up the Australian Business Register and is on the lookout for people who may not be entitled to hold an ABN. Find out what the ATO’s concerns are and understand your responsibilities as an ABN holder. This year, the ATO has been focused on improving the integrity of the Australian Business Register (ABR). You may have even heard that the ATO has been “bulk cancelling” a large number of ABNs. So, what’s the problem and how might this affect you?

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Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Photograph by Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

Warren Buffett is arguably one of the most successful investors of all time. At the age of 87, he currently has a net worth of roughly $78 billion, which makes him the fourth richest person in the world. Over the years he has delivered some very insightful quotes on the topics of investing, risk management, and philanthropy. In this article, we explore some of his most famous quotes and apply the meaning behind them to certain areas of your personal finances.

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With an increasing population now familiar with ‘tap and pay’, the value of money and ability to make tempered financial decisions can sometimes become lost.

A study* conducted in 2008 found that individuals spent more when using credit cards as opposed to cash. Why? One important reason was the perception of the individual in relation to the money changing hands. For example, a cash-based payment is tangible – the piece of paper that you hold in your hand has value attached to it. When you spend that piece of paper, you are aware of it leaving your possession (have you ever played Monopoly with real cash?).

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Thinking about a gearing strategy for your SMSF? It’s possible to borrow from a related party, but you must structure the loan terms correctly or else face significant tax penalties. Practically, this means there’s a limit on the loan-to-value ratio (LVR) you can set up, plus other requirements for the interest rate and other key terms.

When planning a borrowing in your SMSF to buy an asset such as property or shares (known as a “limited recourse borrowing arrangement” or LRBA), you have a choice of borrowing from a commercial lender or a private party. This could even be a related party of the SMSF, such as the SMSF members or the members’ family trust.

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If you haven’t had your business’s value assessed recently, it’s definitely worth your while. Here’s a look at the benefits of undertaking a business valuation.

Having your business assessed is more than just a box-ticking exercise. The information you glean from it can be vital to your future strategy. Here are some areas where a business valuation can provide clarity.

It’s easy to lose track of certain assets, but this could be costing you. For example, you might have depreciated assets that can be replaced – the Federal Government recently extended the instant asset tax write-off scheme for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

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When it comes to your retirement years, it’s important to understand the distinction between ‘life expectancy’ and ‘healthy life expectancy’. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. 1. In terms of life expectancy for Australians aged 65, on average: A) males can expect to live 19.6 years more, B) females can expect to live 22.3 years more. 2. In terms of healthy life expectancy for Australians aged 65, on average: A) males can expect to live 9.2 years without disability and another 10.4 years with some form of disability, including 3.4 years with severe or profound core activity limitation, B) females can expect to live 10.0 years without disability and another 12.3 years with some form of disability, including 5.6 years with severe or profound core activity limitation.

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Taking an extended job posting overseas? If you currently have an SMSF, you’ll need a strategy for managing your super to ensure your fund doesn’t breach any residency rules. Know your options and plan before you go. When SMSF trustees travel overseas for an extended period, there’s a risk their fund’s “central management and control” (CMC) will be considered to move outside Australia. This causes the SMSF to become non-resident, resulting in very hefty penalty taxes. It’s essential to plan for this before departing overseas.

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