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Select the image below to read about the year that was and what we may expect to see in 2016

Every day, when you go to work, you are trading your time for money. So, when you are spending your money, you are spending your time. The more cognizant you are of this trade-off, the more respect you will have for both your time and your money and how you spend both.

(Sournce: From YNAB Weekly Roundup 16/1/2016 http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=e6da5551f317eaf0f6084ef4b&id=550e1965e1&e=58b5ae0417)

December is here and as the temperature rises the countdown to the Christmas break begins. But it appears at least one Australian is determined to ‘chill’. When Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens was asked recently about the possibility of an interest rate cut he said: “We’ve got Christmas, we should just chill out …come back … and see what the data says.” The markets took that as a no, for December at least.

The data released in November was certainly mixed. Employment is strong, with unemployment down from 6.2 per cent to 5.9 per cent in October, but wages growth is the slowest in decades. And new business spending on buildings and equipment fell 9.2 per cent in the September quarter, the biggest quarterly fall on record. Expectations are for the stock market to continue its volatile ways, however rather than this being a reason to panic, we are seeing this volatility as an opportunity for our active managers to take advantage of these low valuations. We currently see the Australian market being more favourable than International valuations. (excluding the currency.)

Internationally we are waiting on the raising of Interest Rates in the US, and Central Banks continue to print more money in both Japan and Europe. (this will be good for these share markets.) Emerging markets have some significant debt issues, which is why we have moved away from these sectors, with our focus as mentioned, turning to the local market. There are still opportunities to consider overseas, however now is a time to be more selective on these investments.

After another busy year, with lots of change, we thank you all for your continued business. Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year everyone from all the Team at Guide!

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Spring is here and not a moment too soon! As the weather warms up it’s the signal to pack away your winter woollies, get back into the garden or start a new fitness program and start planning your summer holidays.

Things are heating up on the global economic front too. In the United States, second quarter growth has been revised up to an annual rate of 3.7 per cent, well ahead of the initial estimate of 2.3 per cent. Corporate investment, consumer spending and the US housing market have also strengthened. Whether this is enough to allow the US Federal Reserve to begin lifting interest rates remains to be seen, particularly since China has been aggressively lowering its rates, but in the short-term it has helped stem the selling on Wall Street.

Australian shares also rallied towards the end of August after a month of volatility that began in Shanghai and reverberated around the globe. The Aussie dollar also breathed a sigh of relief and finished the month above its August lows at around US72c.

The big surprise was the strong rebound in oil prices, prompted by recovering share prices and reduced supply. After falling 30 per cent since July, Brent crude surged more than 10 per cent on August 28 – the biggest one-day gain since March 2009.