Focus On Smart Debt Flyer - Focus On Smart Debt

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					                                  Focus On Smart Debt
                                                                    How getting rid of ‘bad’ debt and
                                                               getting into ‘smart’ debt can help you
                                                                           achieve financial freedom!

According to statistics, Australia’s total
household debt now stands at $897 billion.
And we owe approximately $36 billion on credit
cards alone.

T    hen there are the billions we owe on the finance we use to buy
      things like cars, boats, furniture, surround sound systems and
                                                      big screen TVs.
                                                                        Debt allows us to buy things that we would otherwise not be
                                                                        able to own and enjoy, like the family home. What’s more, using
However, while these are worrying figures for some, being in            debt the right way can be a great way to create wealth and
debt is not always a bad thing.                                         reduce tax along the way.

                                                                                                                    For Life
             The trick is to make sure you’ve got the right type of debt. Let’s                                                 -	 That	has	a	low	interest	rate
             start by putting the different types of debt into categories -                                                     -	 Is	used	to	purchase	an	asset	that	grows	in	value
             ‘bad’ debt, ‘good’ debt and ‘smart’ debt.
                                                                                                                                -	 That	purchases	an	income	producing	asset,	hence	the		
             ‘Bad’ debt is bad news                                                                                             	 interest	costs	maybe	tax	deductible.

             ‘Bad’ debt is borrowing money, typically at a high interest rate,                                                  Example:
             to buy something destined to go down in value. Usually the loan                                                    You	use	the	equity	in	your	home	to	buy	a	rental	property,	
             provides no tax advantages.                                                                                        managed	funds	or	share	portfolio.
             Using ‘easy finance’ or a credit card to buy a wide screen TV is                                                   The	magic	of	this	type	of	loan	is	threefold:
             an example of ‘bad’ debt. Paying well over 10% interest on a                                                       1.	 It	allows	you	to	purchase	more	assets	than	you		
             personal loan from the bank to buy a second hand car is                                                            	 would	otherwise	be	able	to	own	-	assets	that	have		
             another example of bad debt.                                                                                       	 the	potential	to	grow	in	value	over	time.
             In both of these cases, you’re not really buying an asset as both                                                  2.	The	investment	produces	income	to	help	you	meet		
             the TV and the car will be worth considerably less than they                                                       	 your	loan	commitments.
             initially cost long before the loan is paid out.
                                                                                                                                3.	Any	shortfall	between	the	income	from	the		
             The characteristics of ‘bad’ debt are high interest, no tax                                                        	 investment	and	the	cost	of	the	money	borrowed	to		
             advantages and the purchase of something set to go down in                                                         	 own	it	is	tax	deductible.	
             value over time. Borrowing money to pay for a holiday is
                                                                                                                                In	a	nutshell,	without	raising	too	much	of	a	sweat,	‘smart’	
             arguably even worse than bad debt as you’re left with nothing
                                                                                                                                debt	can	lead	to	quite	marvellous	capital	gains.	
             except a few happy snaps to show for it!
                                                                                                                                But	a	word	of	caution.	This	type	of	loan	also	carries	the	risk	of	
             ‘Good’ debt is good news                                                                                           losses	should	there	be	a	stagnation	or	decline	in	the	value	of	
                                                                                                                                the	asset	you	borrowed	money	to	buy.
             For most of us, ‘good’ debt is the unpaid mortgage on the
             property we live in.                                                                                               If	‘smart’	debt	appeals	to	you,	contact	your	Infocus	adviser	
                                                                                                                                for	an	obligation	free	consultation.
             Whilst the interest repayments are not tax deductible,
             your home at least has the potential to grow in value in                                                           ‘Bad’ debt, ‘Good’ debt, ‘Smart’ debt.
             the long term. And, you get somewhere to live without
             paying rent.                                                                                                                                ‘Bad’ debt ‘Good’ Debt ‘Smart’ Debt
                                                                                                                                                         (Credit Cards)           (Home Loan)          (Investment Loan)
             The characteristics of ‘good’ debt are a low interest rate and
             the potential for the asset to grow in value.                                                                         Low	
                                                                                                                                   interest	rate
             ‘Smart ‘debt is even smarter
             So, if the upside of ‘bad’ debt is ‘good’ debt, what is the                                                           asset
             upside to ‘good’ debt? It’s called ‘smart’ debt and is defined
             as debt:                                                                                                              Interest	tax	

                                                                                                                                If you would like to learn more about how you
                                                                                                                                can benefit from the use of smart debt, contact
                                                                                                                                your Infocus Financial Adviser.

             Group Head Office & QLD State Office
             Level 1 Kawana House, 1 Innovation Parkway
             Birtinya QLD 4575

             Call 1300 infocus
             or visit

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             Infocus Securities Australia Pty Ltd trading as Infocus Money Management. AFSL No. 236523 ABN 47 097 797 049