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Moving into aged care can be a challenging time, both for those making the move and families supporting their loved ones. It's understandable that everyone wants to find the most suitable accommodation and the appropriate standard of care, however, it can be confusing to make that choice.

As 2022 drew to a close, investors remained focused on inflation, interest rates and recession worries. The ASX200 index declined in December after two months of gains, ending a challenging year showing an overall loss through 2022 of over 7%.

The year began optimistically, as we finally began to emerge from Covid restrictions. Russia threw a curve ball that reverberated around the world and suddenly people who hadn’t given a thought to the Reserve Bank were eagerly waiting for its monthly interest rate announcements.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ first Budget was delivered against a backdrop of continuing turmoil on the global economic front. While the UK’s change in leadership and US reports of scaling back interest rate increases were welcomed by financial markets, escalating war in Ukraine, energy supply shortages, rising inflation and interest rates, continue to drive market volatility.

For once, tax measures took a back seat in a Federal Budget, with the second version for this year being billed as a “solid and sensible Budget suited to the times”.

During the month of September, Ben had the pleasure of meeting with Saxo Bank’s Chief Investment Officer, Steen Jakobsen.

In August, the focus was on US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell’s speech, during which he reinforced the focus on bringing US inflation down, even at the risk of recession. In Australia, economic conditions are less gloomy, with a good results recorded on our trade surplus and annual wages growth. The ASX 200 showed resistance to US and global falls, performing more steadily over the month.

With the cost of living on the rise, it’s more important than ever to have a financial safety net that protects you and your family in case the unexpected happens.

Rising inflation and interest rates remained the focus of attention in July. Inflation jumped to 6.1% in the year to June and the Reserve Bank lifted the cash rate in July, with similar increases tipped to come. Stocks rallied as investors looked past fears of inflation increases and interest rate hikes.

First, we had to brush up our understanding of inflation and what it means for our hip pocket and our investments. Now the term stagflation is being thrown into the economic mix.