Shares v property for the long term – I love ’em both

By Bruce Brammall Q: Shares versus property: which of these two is the best long-term investment? Aww, do we really have to start this argument? That’s like asking: “Which was better, Dynasty or Dallas?” Heather Locklear or Victoria Principal? The “property versus shares” battle is a war with no end. And I’ve donned khakis for both sides. I originally fell in love with... Read More

Why QE2 matters to you now

Quantitative easing (QE) is a monetary policy used by central banks to increase the supply of money by increasing the excess reserves of that nation’s banking system. QE is generally used when other, normal, monetary policy methods have failed. It is also implemented when the country’s interest rates are at zero or close to zero. It is described as being... Read More

Five great ways to reduce mortgage debt

In the domestic economic environment of rising interest rates, it’s time for some great mortgage reduction tips to save you some financial pain and own more of your house sooner. It’s easy to convince yourself that the challenge is too difficult. After all the loan is large and you haven’t got much to spare right? Wrong! You need to think of this as a battle. You’ve... Read More

Five tips for portfolio diversification

Portfolio diversification is widely accepted as being one of the best ways to hedge against inflation, against individual stock or indices falls and a fantastic way to take advantage of upswings in the stock market. Here’s five tips to getting the strategy right. Investing, like anything that requires skill, takes time and practise to get right. Disciplined investing with... Read More

How to avoid emotional investing

Buy low sell high! Everyone has heard the phrase, but like so much with investing it’s easier said than done. Many investors, ironically, end up doing exactly the opposite: buying high, and selling low as they become caught in media hype or fear and buy or sell investments at the peaks and valleys of the price cycle. Why does this type of emotional investing happen? And how... Read More