Brad

About Brad Lonergan

Brad Lonergan is a Financial Planner in the Newcastle and Hinter region in NSW, Australia. His company is BMK Financial Services.

Spread Your Money and Reduce Risk

Six out of ten Australians own investments outside of the family home and super. That’s good news. The only problem is that many people are still putting all their eggs in one, or just a few, baskets.

The latest investor study by the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) found 40% of investors admit they don’t have […]

The Pullback in Shares – 7 Reasons Not To Be Too Concerned

Key points
– The current pullback in shares has been triggered by worries around US inflation, the Fed and rising bond yields but made worse by an unwinding of bets that volatility would continue to fall.

– We may have seen the worst, but it’s too early to say for sure. However, our view remains that […]

Australian’s love affair with debt – how big is the risk?

Key points
– Household debt levels in Australia are high compared to other countries and still rising.

– The rise is not as bad as it looks because it’s been matched by rising wealth and debt servicing problems are low. However, this could change as interest rates rise and if home prices fall sharply.

– The trigger […]

Is Bitcoin Really For You?

If I could sum up the contents of my junk emails over the last 12 months in a single word it would be: Bitcoin. I can’t tell you how many unsolicited invitations I’ve received to start trading bitcoin – you may have experienced the same thing. This alone is a concern but when heavy […]

Finding Best Way To Manage Finances As A Couple

While talking about money is not the most romantic way to spend an evening, it’s worth putting some time aside to explore shared goals and the way you manage your money as a twosome and find the best way to manage finances as a couple.

Our approach to managing household finances can make a big […]

5 Ways to Keep a Cool Head in a Falling Share Market

Despite concern, falling share prices are not necessarily a sign of a mild or major bear market situation, according to Dr Shane Oliver.

The share market correction many people are talking about at the moment is causing concern for a number of investors, including those accumulating super and drawing money from their super savings, which […]

How The US Share Market Will Affect Australian Shares

Key points

– The US share market is long overdue a decent correction. This now appears to be unfolding and may have further to go as higher inflation, a slightly more aggressive Fed and higher bond yields are factored in.

– This will impact most share markets including Australian shares.

– However, in the absence of an […]

Simple Money Steps For Women

The same approach to managing day-to-day money can be applied to long-term investments. 

It was Carrie Bradshaw, of Sex and the City fame, who said: ‘I like my money where I can see it – hanging in my closet.’

While that might sound trite, it’s not far from the truth for many women. Most of us […]

Where Are We in the Global Investment Cycle?

What’s the Risk of a 1987 Style Crash?
Key points
– There is still little sign of the sort of excesses that precede major economic downturns and major bear markets suggesting that (although US shares are overdue a decent correction) we are still a fair way from the top in the investment cycle. Key to watch […]

Will Australian House Prices Crash?

Five reasons why it’s more complicated than you think!

Key points
– Talk of a property crash is likely to ramp up again with signs that the Sydney and Melbourne property markets are cooling. But the Australian property market is a lot more complicated than the crash calls suggest.

– We continue to expect a 5-10% downswing […]