Reading Time: 3 Minutes Howdy all! There is one area of personal finance which yours truly hasn’t really touched on, but has a disproportionate representation in many a FIRE portfolio. I’m talking of course, about ETF’s or Exchange Traded Funds. What is it? An ETF is a type of investment fund which can be bought and sold on an exchange, similar to stocks. They are split between “active”, which is managed by a fund manager looking to outperform the underlying index or market, and “passive” which track the underlying index or market i.e. achieve market returns. They were made famous by Mr Buffet who, in 2007 bet $1m that an…
-
-
How Does Sentiment Affect Real Estate Prices?
Reading Time: 3 Minutes ARGH!!! “Shakes head vigorously” Brrr, bloody real estate. Really doing my head in. You see guys, I’ve got too much choice available at the moment. After our latest hunting trip back from the West Coast, I’ve drawn up about a dozen or so properties which I aim to make offers on. Mind you, not to acquire a dozen, I reckon one, hopefully two max. The problem at the moment is that with choice, I don’t really know where to begin. It doesn’t help that the bargain hunter in me is wanting to low ball the Baby Jeebers out of any deal… In fact, I’ve already blown…
-
The Machines Are Coming
Reading Time: 2 Minutes G’day all! I was having dinner with my long-time chum DeeSee this week and we reminisced a lot about our high school days. He has an upcoming class reunion to mark 15 years since graduation. FIFTEEN! Makes me friggin’ old just thinking about it. During our convo, we talked about how much change has occurred since. As a financial journalist, DeeSee has the perfect bird’s eye view of the trends and topics going on in the world today. One of the biggest change we discussed, is the rise of the machines. Now, as much as you might have enjoyed Arnie and Sarah Connor and Skynet, you’d…
-
Yield Curve Inversion
Reading Time: 3 Minutes Strewth, WHAT a shitty week that was. Made a TON of mistakes at work (some forced, some unforced) and it doesn’t help when I’m dealing with probably the most arrogant, demanding and obnoxious client in a LONG time. Still, moments like these I come back to the tried and tested adage for myself, which is – when I’m 80 will I remember this time? The answer I’ve decided, is a resounding NO. WHEW. Now that’s off me chest, let’s move on shall we? What’s down with the yield curve? We also heard this week the big bruhaha about something called “yield curve inversion”, which set off a…
-
Afterpay… A New Way to Pay?
Reading Time: 3 Minutes What’s up Frugal Samuraites! Ab-so-loot-ly freezing my proverbial cheeks off here in Auld Sydney town. Maybe something about not wearing pants according to MrsFrugalSamurai. Shorts and long socks aren’t attractive apparently, ha! The nerve of that woman. I actually think it’s to do with these Antarctic winds coming over for a visit Brrrr. That’s partly why MrsFrugalSamurai and I found ourselves in the warm embrace of friendship at our friend Bess’s place last night. A riproaring dinner as always (thank you Bess!) and of course the conversation was as free flowing as the meal (beef hotpot with traditional oriental sides). Unfortunately for yours truly, I missed…
