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Properly managed debt can be a powerful way for Australians to generate wealth. Let's take a look at four key ways to turn the tables on debt.
Talking about debt is embarrassing for many Australians. Yet, we hold some of the highest levels of personal borrowing worldwide, according to OECD figures.
The ratio of household debt to income is around 189 per cent, meaning the average individual owes almost twice what they earn each year.
But debt shouldn’t always be seen as a dirty word. There is a huge gulf between what constitutes ‘good’ and ‘bad’ debt. Spending thousands of dollars on your credit card for luxury holidays isn’t usually advisable, while investing in your dream home can be shrewd financial planning for the future.
Here are four ways you can use debt to build wealth (although be sure to check with a financial adviser to identify the best money management approach for you).
Get in touch to discuss the most appropriate wealth creation methods for you.
1. Real estate investment
Property prices across Australia’s capital cities increased 11.1 per cent year on year as of May 2017, with Sydney and Melbourne the biggest gainers. While the market has slowed somewhat over recent months, the upward trend in home values over time is undeniable.
Buying a property is a huge investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly, but you can rest assured that most real estate becomes more valuable as time passes, unlike technology, vehicles and other depreciating assets.
You can always reduce your home loan debt by saving up for a bigger deposit before buying, and homeowners can also make significant savings on their mortgage payments in today’s low-interest environment. Rentvesting is also an option for younger buyers who want to get on the property ladder as early as possible while still having flexibility over where they live.
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2. Start a new business
People with bachelor degrees earn approximately $1.2 million more during their lives than those who left school after Year 11.
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) figures show that more than 62,000 businesses were set up in the third quarter of last year. Sadly, over 15,100 organisations failed over the same period.
The most common reason for a small business to shut down is poor cashflow, according to Australian Securities and Investments Commission data. It’s not difficult to see why when D&B stats also reveal that large businesses pay invoices 20 days late, on average, to other organisations.
The upshot of all these numbers is that starting and maintaining a business is tough, and you are likely to need a commercial loan to get you through those early days while you grow a loyal customer base. Hopefully, this initial debt can help you build a stronger financial future for you and your family as your business prospers.
In fact, a report from the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling at the University of Canberra found that people with bachelor degrees earn approximately $1.2 million more during their lives than those who left school after Year 11.
There are various forms of financial assistance for those looking to further their education, including the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP), Trade Support Loans and grants. Many have favourable interest rates and repayment schedules, while others may not need paying back at all.
Although your mortgage isn’t ‘bad’ debt, it’s not always the most efficient way to borrow against a property.
4. Debt Recycling
We’ve already covered real estate investment, but even though your mortgage isn’t ‘bad’ debt, it’s not always the most efficient way to borrow against a property. After all, a home doesn’t typically generate income and interest repayments may not be tax deductible.
Debt recycling can solve these problems. Essentially, you use the equity from your mortgage to finance an investment loan, which goes towards income-producing assets such as shares and managed funds.
Any returns (plus tax savings) are used to pay off non-deductible debts within your home loan. You then increase your investment loan by the amount paid off in order to boost your asset portfolio further and continue the process. However, it’s important to realise there are risks associated with this approach, so make sure to discuss debt recycling with a financial adviser before proceeding.
Contact the team at Invest Blue if you would like to talk about debt recycling or other ways of generating wealth via borrowing.
What you need to know
This information is provided by Invest Blue Pty Ltd (ABN 91 100 874 744). The information contained in this article is of general nature only and does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. Therefore, before making any decision, you should consider the appropriateness of the advice with regards to those matters and seek personal financial, tax and/or legal advice prior to acting on this information. Read our Financial Services Guide for information about our services, including the fees and other benefits that AMP companies and their representatives may receive in relations to products and services provided to you.We credit the following articles as source material from which this article was developed;
