Financial Planning Wrap for 2024

18 December 2024

Watch the video above from Thayne.

As 2024 comes to a close I thought I'd take the opportunity and send a thank you note to you all as gratitude for your continued support and loyalty.

Throughout 2024 we have experienced;
1. Exceptional investment returns from all asset classes and sectors:
ASX 200 up 23%
S&P 500 up 30%
AUST. Bonds up ~4.5%

INTERNATIONAL Bonds up ~6%

Aust Retail Property Trust up 39%

2. This hopefully reminds you all that it's best to remain invested even when economic conditions are uncertain.

3. We are actively monitoring and keeping an eye on US economic data particularly to understand which direction inflation may head, how this will impact interest rates and currency valuations, will there be a resurgence of small companies, emerging markets and bond and property prices.

4. With our research team we are well positioned to keep on top of the ever changing landscape, making investment decisions to maximise returns and minimise risk with regular investment committee meetings and analysis of data.

5. For many of our actively managed investment portfolios we ranked in the top 5 if not top 10 of throughout the course of the year which is a testament to the structure of Mulcahy & Co offices, people, systems and processes that we continue to build on to provide a quality service and outcomes to you all.

6. Please remember here at Mulcahy & Co the Financial Planning team is a part of a bigger network incorporating Accounting, Lending and Legal to deliver Financial Security 360 to make sure all of your financial needs are met and complement each other to achieve your goals and objectives.

Once again I'd like to thank you for your support and wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and happy new year.

The Mulcahy & Co Financial Planning Team

Latest News

10 October 2025
Big changes are on the way for aged care, with new rules starting from 1 November 2025. While these changes aim to create a more sustainable and fairer system, they do bring added complexity — especially when it comes to understanding the fees and making the right financial decisions. Here are the five key things you need to know: 1. Aged care will cost more - but is still subsidised If you or a loved one is moving into residential aged care from 1 November 2025, the amount you’ll need to contribute will be higher. That said, the Government will continue to fund a large share of care costs - around 73% on average. But it will be important to consider your cashflow. 2. Expect new terminology and fee calculations The language is changing. Instead of the current “means-tested care fee,” you’ll now see new names like Hotelling Contribution and Non-Clinical Care Contribution. How much you are asked to pay will still be based on your income and assets, but new formulae may result in higher contributions than under the current rules. 3. Lifetime caps remain – but at a higher level A lifetime cap will continue to apply to limit how much you can be asked to pay as a non-clinical care contribution over your total stay in residential care. This cap is increasing to $130,000, but with a new safeguard, that no matter how much you pay, you will only need to pay this fee for a maximum of four years. This helps ensure fairness between residents with different levels of wealth. 4. Retention amounts are being reintroduced If you choose to pay a lump sum for your room (known as a refundable accommodation deposit - RAD), aged care providers will deduct a “retention amount” of up to 2% per year (capped at 10% over five years). While this increases the cost slightly, it may still be better value than paying the daily accommodation payment. 5. Good advice can prevent costly mistakes Navigating these new rules can be confusing - especially when you need to make major decisions about the family home, assets or pension entitlements. The cost of getting good advice is often small compared to the cost of getting it wrong. That’s why seeking qualified aged care financial advice is more important than ever.  If you're starting to think about aged care for yourself or a family member, now is the time to start planning and seek advice. As specialists in aged care advice, we can help you to make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind. Please contact Lynde via the link below to chat more about these changes.
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