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CFP Newsletter – November 2024

 

Well, well, well… look who’s getting a head start on the holiday cheer! It might be a tad early, but hey, why not dive into the festive spirit? Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good and healthy year!

 

Looking back at my last update from August, the markets were in full panic mode — remember when we saw a 4% drop in a single day Flash forward to now, and we’re nearly at market highs! If that doesn’t scream volatile, I don’t know what does. But here’s the thing: as long as we can hold on tight and ride out the bumps, we’ll come out the other side just fine. If you recall my prediction from January that “patience would be rewarded,” well… I’m calling that one a win.

 

As we approach the US election (which will likely have been announced by the time you read this), I’m bracing for more market volatility. Elections always bring uncertainty. Now, on the topic of interest rates — drum roll please — no rate cut yet. Remember back in January when I thought we might see another hike? Turns out, the rates have stayed flat all year. Inflation’s still hanging around like an uninvited guest, but at least it’s not completely out of control anymore. The RBA’s comfort zone is still not reached, so I don’t foresee any cuts just yet. But the general consensus is that we’ll likely see a rate reduction in mid-to-early 2025 — and I’m with the crowd on this one.

 

As for predictions for 2025? Well, I’m not quite ready to dust off my crystal ball just yet, but I’m definitely feeling a bit more cautious about the year ahead compared to 2024. That said, here’s the thing: like all of you, I’m still fully invested in the market. Why? Because it’s not about timing the market — it’s about time in the market. I’m staying patient, knowing that my portfolio was built with both short- and long-term goals in mind. And rest assured, the advisers here are doing the same for you. We don’t just talk the talk; we walk the walk. Finally, thank you for your ongoing support. Here’s to a prosperous, exciting, and (hopefully) less volatile 2025. Have a fantastic New Year!

 

Important Updates

Christmas Party	Yes, it’s that time of year again – we’re throwing our annual Christmas party! Mark your calendars for 12th December at the Glen Forrest Sports Club, the same venue as last year. Please let us know if you’re attending so we can cater appropriately (we wouldn’t want to run out of the good stuff!).
Staff Update	We have been a couple staff members down of recent. Kelli has been recovering from shoulder surgery, and Michelle has been living it up in Europe. We’re expecting both back soon and want to thank everyone for their patience as it’s been taking a little longer than usual to get things done.   Jayden is getting married in November so will be absent over the December.
Office Closure	Our office will be closed from 16th December to 6th January.
Technology	We’re always looking for ways to improve efficiency, so we’ve started recording meetings to help us with writing accurate file notes. We’re also trialing AI to see if it can help with compliance note-taking. Before your review, we’ll check with you to ensure you’re comfortable with this, and if so, we’ll proceed with the recording. Rest assured, the recordings aren’t stored in the cloud and are only used to generate notes for our internal use.
New Clients	Quick reminder: Jayden is handling all new clients and referrals at the moment. You may have interacted with him already, but if you’d like to speak with him directly, just give us a call!   This setup is helping Emma and Kathy focus on providing top-notch service to our existing clients without burning them out!
Financial Services Guide Reminder	We’d like to remind you that we’ve recently updated our Financial Services Guide (FSG). As part of our legal obligations, it’s essential to keep you informed with the most current version. Going forward, you can easily access the latest FSG at any time on our website.   Simply visit https://www.completefinancialplanning.net/, scroll to the bottom, and look for the “Quick Links” section where you’ll find links to both our FSG and Terms & Conditions.