Lowest interest rates since 1959?

[catsnknots]

Is that true??? 

And what was the drama that caused it to go that low? 

Swannie says you can congratulate him.... that this is a good thing and think of all the money you can save on your home loan... 

Well I heard that the statistics for home loans showed that the majority of people don't have one... tried looking for statistics to compare but was not lucky... might try again later... 

To me it seems that a small percentage will be better off but in reality a lot of people that are self funded in retirement are worse off... and that this will actually push them onto the Government Pension as their income is reduced... 

These interest rates cuts are because the economy is on a downturn... things are not looking good... 

And Swan wants to tell us all things are ok???? 

[monman12]

TH: "So John how did I do? "

Quite well TH. I started with the CBA float in 1996 and for some years only purchased GOOD company shares, taking advantage of stocks with reinvestment plans, and eventually fully franked. I have been with the same stockbroker  from Patersons for the same amount of time.

When I could, I set up a SMSF and moved all  my shares into it when between  May 2006 and June 2007, you could contribute up to $1 million of non-concessional contributions  to your super fund.

As for higest returns TH, over 50% of my portfolio is  the big 4 banks and Telstra, the latter of which I bought  a lot of 2 years ago ($2.70) and are returning 15% (with franking) on cost, with a share price increase in 2 years of  70%, but if I sell them what do I do with the money?. The banks are returning  7-8% Yield  after franking and  again I am not interested in their share price.

To this day I wonder why Telstra was "ignored" when its share price dropped below $5.00 with a cast iron guarantee of 28 cents FF a share dividend. for 5 years.

LL I have a non speculative portfolio with an excellent dividend yield which will last me until I eventually die, after which my family will have a sizable share portfolio to share amongst themselves..

I dabbled in negative gearing property/renovating/renting for a while, before investing, but could not be bothered with  the regime, and locking up my capital.

[cherry*135]

In the northern tablelands area where mining and csg are providing jobs around tamworth, Glousester, Gunnedah, Boggabri, Werris Creek etc.

housing prices are still affordable.

Are there plenty of houses available for lease at reasonable rents for people who move there to get a job and don't have the means straight off to buy a house?

Are there only limited occupations that have job vacancies in those places?

If there is plenty of work, why are the house prices still affordable, is it because no-one wants to live there really? Are they suitable areas to bring up a family?