Should I stay or should I go? To downsize or renovate?

You love your home, but it might not be the best fit for you during retirement. Should you sell and downsize or stay and renovate?

As we get older, our needs for housing change. We can develop mobility or health issues that make it harder to maintain gardens or move up and down flights of stairs. When these problems arise, we’re left with the difficult decision: renovate or downsize.

So how do the two compare?

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Brad Stewart
Evolution Annual Team Get Together

Each year, our two offices get together for our annual two-day meeting. This is an opportunity for us to discuss our accomplishments from the previous year, share fresh information, plan for the year ahead and have some valuable team building and bonding with one another.

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Brad Stewart
Commodity Prices

Since the pandemic in 2020 we have seen the cost of most commodities around the world increase substantially, some to levels never seen before. In particular the start of this year in January saw a huge spike in all commodities up until the end of June as inflation soared around the world.

These charts illustrate a much different story in the past month or so with some retreating back all the way to 2020 pre pandemic levels and others whilst not falling that significantly still saw them coming off their highs substantially.

This bodes well for cash rates in the near future to rise less than anticipated a few months ago, thus making stocks looking more attractive at current levels to investors for when the market recovery does get underway.

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Brad Stewart
The market always gives opportunities, but only a few are brave enough to take it

Baron Rothschild, a British banker and politician from the wealthy international Rothschild family, once said “Buy when there’s blood in the streets, even if the blood is your own”. In other words, the best time to buy is when the markets run red and everyone else is selling, “when there is blood in the streets.” This article gives a good explanation of common mistakes, the emotions and why it is so hard to do for most people. (Interestingly, this was written at the worst period of COVID19 in early 2020 when doomsayers were predicting a world-wide collapse)

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Brad Stewart
Private Investment Briefings

It has been an exceptionally busy 6 months for us, not only with our usual client work, welcoming new clients onboard, and the enhanced market volatility but also we have hosted 4 Private Investment briefings in Townsville.

These are private equity opportunities that are open to Sophisticated Investors, that each subsequent year thereafter we organise the founders, key employees and financiers to provide insights into how each of the businesses are progressing towards their set targets.

The following link are photos from a number of these that have been held over the last 3 months.

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Brad Stewart
Can I apply for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card?

Up to 50,000 self-funded retirees who were previously ineligible for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) could receive it from 1 July 2022 when the income thresholds change.

The CSHC gives access to cheaper medicines, medical bulk billing and access to several other state and federal concessions.

Please read this article from National Seniors Australia © to see if this may apply to you:

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Brad Stewart
Xponential IPO Listing (XPN) and Company Update

To cap off a very successful year 2021 calendar year for the Evolution Financial team and our clients, we were a part of the Xponential Technologies IPO, listing on the ASX on December 16, just prior to the Christmas break. Having been the cornerstone investors backing the company back in 2019 it was great to see the company achieve its short term dream of becoming an ASX listed company.

Brad Stewart & Ian Byrne from Evolution Financial accompanied by clients Bob Jones, Tony Briggs, and Paul Rissman are pictured attending the live ASX listing function alongside founder and CEO of Xponential Technologies, Matt Forman, held at their headquarters in Brisbane due to COVID19 restrictions prevented us from attending the Sydney ASX event.

Despite the early 2022 global tech sell off and even more recently the Ukraine crisis pushing stockmarkets and the XPN share price down, the company itself continues to go from strength to strength. Below is an excerpt from recent communications by Sequoia, their lead stockbroker for the IPO last year.

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Brad Stewart
Welcome Baby Ellie & Luca

It was a very exciting end to the year as we welcome babies Ellie and Luca to the Evolution Financial Team.

Congratulations Brad and Mel on their baby girl Ellie Jade Stewart & Jess and Reece on their baby boy Luca William Meinecke. They are all happy & healthy and bring so much joy and happiness to their family and friends.

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Brad Stewart
DON’T GET $CAMMED!

Computer, Email & Phone Scams; over the past few years a number of clients have fallen prey to computer & mobile phone hackers with the intent to defraud money out of their accounts.

In all cases, this has been thwarted by our diligent staff once the client has made contact with us, however the concerning part is that the scammer has managed to access the clients’ personal computers or mobile phones in the first place.

In 99% of cases, their devices have been vulnerable due to a combination of outdated or no anti-virus/malware software and a seemingly innocent link in an email or SMS text message.

As the IOT grows (Internet Of Things – computers, mobile & home phones, TV’s, fridges, cars), many of us are forced to go online, especially as a result of COVID when accessing services and information. Even clients who are quite computer savvy & phone literate have fallen prey. Scammers are changing their strategies to trick us into parting with our money.

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Brad Stewart
Cairns Old Brewery Control Room Tour

Monday 7th March, the Cairns crew were treated to a rare event; due to our good relationship with our building’s air-conditioning contractor, he took us up the rabbit warren of hidden rooms and concealed ladders to the now defunct and unfortunately unused space that used to be the brewery’s control room. Click through to see a brief video and pictures of a bygone era that lies behind those majestic stained glass windows you can see from the outside.

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Brad Stewart
EPIRB - Evolution Portfolio Investment Review Briefing

Aside from our daily and weekly investment analysis and discussions, every year the 3 Evolution financial planners carve out a number of dedicated days in Brisbane or Sydney to meet with investment specialists, fund managers, research analysts, economists and other highly qualified professionals. We do this not only to assess further opportunities but also to challenge our own views and broaden the range of face to face input. While the content may be heavy and very technically involved, we do this in informal surrounds (as pictured) to ensure we’re all comfortable which maximises the information and time spent.

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Brad Stewart
Melbourne Cup 2021

Melbourne Cup at The Ville is one of Townsville's favourite celebrations. The Evolution Townsville team had a great time meeting with some of you and trying to pick a winner.

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Brad Stewart
Welcome Carolyn!

The Cairns Office has welcomed to their team the new cheery face of Carolyn Pham, currently in a part time administration and client services position.

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Brad Stewart