A wise investment-guru once said, “If you try to pick bottoms, you’ll get a smelly finger”. And despite global share markets falling 38% over the past four weeks, now might be one of the best times in the past few years to invest in shares.Some investors are concerned the market may fall further and they’d like to delay their investment until some (usually undefined) point in the future.These punters may well end up being right when we look back in history, however, it’s my experience (and it’s backed up by the academics) that those same people often never end up buying. These bears remain pessimistic, eventually missing the inevitable, highest-return moments, before falling into the stubborn mindset of “I’m not buying above what I sold for”.The data is clear, trying to time the market has a tangible cost. The below table shows your total return on the ASX 200 (incl. of dividends) over the last 10 years to 31 December 2019. It also shows what it costs you if you miss out on the best 3, 5 and 10 days in that 10-year period, starting with an initial investment of $100,000 (rounded to nearest thousand).My point is, imperfect execution of a market timing strategy may cost you more in the long run (if you want to read more about the pitfalls of trying to “time the market”, can I suggest you check out Nick Maggiulli’s blog, Of Dollars and Data).So: what can you do, then? Start to invest! Acknowledge you’ll never know what share prices are going to do in the short term and it doesn’t matter! Focus on the long term, intrinsic value of the businesses you choose to invest in and what you can do to add to your nest egg.A common and successful approach is dollar-cost averaging. That’s a fancy way to say, dribble your money in at regular intervals of time (i.e. weekly, monthly, quarterly) and continue to add to your investment as you save.This takes the emotion out of deploying capital and prevents your future returns being heavily biased by when you luckily/unluckily parted with your cash. It also means you’ll be at least partially invested on the best days in the future.What should you buy? If you know what you’re doing or prefer to go it alone, a common strategy is to simply invest in the brands and products you know and love.Companies like Nike, Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy, Spotify, Apple, Gucci’s parent company Kering and/or Paypal for example, all trade on global exchanges every day. Alternatively, outsource the work to a registered investment advisor (like me) and they can assist you in building a portfolio that meets your personal needs, objectives and risk profile.They’ll also be there to help you manage and track your investment in a tax-effective way.Or just buy some broad-based market exposure using an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that will closely track one of the many stock market indices around the world. Some of the major indices include the ASX 200, the S&P 500 and the MSCI All World Index.Regardless of what you choose, you’ll need an account with a stockbroker or intermediary with access to local and international shares. This might be available through your bank (Commsec, NABTrade etc.) or you might like to drop me an email (lukel@senecafs.com.au) and our team at Seneca can help you make a start.This article is of a general nature only and does not consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information in light of your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting on it and obtain copies of any relevant disclosure documents. Seneca Financial Solutions does not warrant the accuracy or reliability of the information in this report. Luke Laretive, Seneca Financial Solutions, it’s Directors and it’s associated entities may have or had interests in companies mentioned. They may have or have had a relationship with or may provide or has provided investment banking, capital markets and/or other financial services to those companies mentioned. Luke provides clients with a daily note, which you can access here.

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The post Australian Blue Chip Shares: Investments For The Long Term appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

For Qantas, Australia’s largest airline, the last few years have been plentiful as a Dan Bilzerian Instagram post. And we’re not just talking influencers – in terms of cash, Qantas went from reporting a record full-year profit in 2018 to record revenue (and strong profit) in 2019.Virgin Australia, meanwhile, reported strong revenue and passenger growth in its subsidiary Tigerair and made solid steps to get Virgin Australia back to the point where it can make a profit. Virgin Australia, like Qantas, has benefited and been afforded the luxury of experimentation thanks to a steadily growing economy.That was until 2020.With the Coronavirus now officially classed as a pandemic, and flights being slashed both domestically and abroad, and travellers all over cancelling trips as fast as you can say “yeah nah” both Qantas and Virgin Australia are staring down some very rough times.

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A post shared by Qantas (@qantas) on Feb 27, 2020 at 2:22pm PST

Senior staff at both firms have taken temporary salary cuts, but still, many lower-level staff look like being laid off (if they haven’t already been). Both firms have also given generous frequent flyer extensions for the next year and made their flight change/cancellation policies more flexible.This situation is playing out all over the world, with an opinion piece in the New York Times, entitled, “Don’t feel sorry for the airlines,” inspiring DMARGE to consider: should Australians feel sorry for our airlines? While ours haven’t taken the piss like American Airlines, the carrier the NYT piece uses to make its case, the suggestion made at the end of the piece, that bail outs should only be given under certain conditions (like, don’t reduce the seat pitch any further) is a tasty one.But, in an Australian context, is it legit?First: context. How do airlines take the piss? According to the aforementioned New York Times Op Ed: they selfishly mismanage funds in the good times. Instead of improving their product, they compete in a zero-sum game to make seats tighter and to buy back their own stock, knowing that they (like all of us) exist in a boom and bust cycle, but believing they are too important to the economy to fail (or that if they don’t spend money in the now to compete with everyone else they’ll be left behind, or lose their edge).American epitomises this, “In 2014, having reduced competition through mergers and raised billions of dollars in new baggage-fee revenue, American began reaching stunning levels of financial success. In 2015, it posted a $7.6 billion profit — compared, for example, to profits of about $500 million in 2007 and less than $250 million in 2006. It would continue to earn billions in profit annually for the rest of the decade. ‘I don’t think we’re ever going to lose money again,’ the company’s chief executive, Doug Parker, said in 2017,” (NYT).

“There are plenty of things American could have done with all that money. It could have stored up its cash reserves for a future crisis, knowing that airlines regularly cycle through booms and busts. It might have tried to decisively settle its continuing contract disputes with pilots, flight attendants and mechanics. It might have invested heavily in better service quality to try to repair its longstanding reputation as the worst of the major carriers.”

“Instead, American blew most of its cash on a stock buyback spree. From 2014 to 2020, in an attempt to increase its earnings per share, American spent more than $15 billion buying back its own stock. It managed, despite the risk of the proverbial rainy day, to shrink its cash reserves. At the same time it was blowing cash on buybacks, American also began to borrow heavily to finance the purchase of new planes and the retrofitting of old planes to pack in more seats. As early as 2017 analysts warned of a risk of default should the economy deteriorate, but American kept borrowing. It has now accumulated a debt of nearly $30 billion, nearly five times the company’s current market value,” (NYT).“At no time during its years of plenty did American improve how it treats its customers. Change fees went up to $200 for domestic flights and to $750 for international. Its widely despised baggage fees were hiked to $30 and $40 for first and second bags. These higher fees yielded billions of dollars, yet did not help the airline improve its on-time arrivals, reduce tarmac delays or prevent involuntary bumping. Instead, American’s main ‘innovations’ were the removal of screens from its planes, the reduction of bathroom and seat sizes and the introduction of a ‘basic economy’ class that initially included a ban on carry-on luggage,” the NYT piece continued.So: are Qantas and Virgin Australia guilty of the same sins? Not quite. While they have both engaged in certain types of buy-back schemes (see: here and here), neither were to the same extent as American’s. Plus: both Qantas and Virgin Australia have invested in innovation that makes for a better customer experience (even if much of that went into their international flights) in both their jets and lounges.

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A post shared by Virgin Australia (@virginaustralia) on Feb 23, 2020 at 5:00pm PST

Also – compromises on space, which we have seen in Tigerair and Jetstar, mean cheaper seats, which study after study has shown is what most people care about most.What about bail outs? When it comes to American, The New York Times reports: “American Airlines has not yet asked for a bailout — at least not in so many words. Yet after a recent meeting with airline leadership, Larry Kudlow, the director of the National Economic Council, said that ‘certain sectors of the economy, airlines coming to mind’ might require assistance. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday that the airlines, including American, would be ‘on the top of the list’ for federal loan relief.”The Australian government finds itself in a similar position, with its two dominant national carriers providing crucial infrastructure for the rest of the economy. They also know that competition is a vital part of any market, and that the two airlines keep each other on their toes, providing Australian domestic travellers with two respective premium (and budget, in the form of Jetstar and Tigerair) options.On that note: The Federal Government announced a $715 million support package for the aviation sector last week, waiving many fees and charges for airlines during the current downturn.How this will be divvied up has proved controversial. According to the ABC, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce told Qantas staff during a conference call they should lobby their local MPs to ensure any Commonwealth support to the airline industry was offered “across the board”, and not just to one company alone.“It followed comments on Sky News where he said the Federal Government could not pick ‘winners and losers’ when it came to propping up airlines, and governments should not be in the business of supporting companies that had been ‘badly managed'”, (ABC).According to the ABC, Virgin Australia boss Paul Scurrah described these comments as “very disappointing” in an email to staff.“I am in daily discussions with Government to ensure we get the support we need to get through this and have been advocating on behalf of Virgin Australia Group and the industry as a whole,” Mr Scurrah wrote.

“I have today written a letter to Rod Sims, chairman of the ACCC, to investigate public commentary and an industry-wide campaign that is designed to ensure a lessening of competition in the aviation sector.”

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The post Should Australians Feel Sorry For Qantas & Virgin Australia? appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Whenever we bring cars for sale in Australia to your attention here at DMARGE, they’re usually something classic from Germany, with the odd sprinkling of Japanese thrown in. But this time, it’s the Swedes that have their chance to shine, as right now you can buy this immaculate SAAB 900 Turbo Aero from the 1980s. What’s more, it can be yours for less than $30k.SAAB first released the 900 in 1978, introducing it with some unusual design and manufacturing choices that certainly made it stand out from the crowd. It looked unlike anything else on the road at the time – and in effect, still does – thanks in no small part to its large, curved windscreen. This came from SAAB’s aerospace heritage and provided drivers with some of the best visibility on the road.The dashboard complemented the curved design too, and SAAB designers made sure that controls and gauges were installed in order of how much they were used, so drivers wouldn’t be distracted too much. The other feature that made the 900 popular was its handling, thanks to the double-wishbone suspension SAAB’s engineers designed.This particular model, for sale on Carsales, is the Turbo, with Aero upgrade. Aero refers to the upgrade package that included a body kit, premium Alpine stereo system (with the one on this model being restored by Alpine in Melbourne), leather seats and stiffer suspension.It also has the 2.0L 16V Turbo engine, the most powerful option available at the time for the 900. This unit delivers 118kW/160hp and a top speed of approximately 202km/h/126mph. The owner of this model claims it has undergone a full mechanical restoration with a SAAB specialist, along with refurbished wheels and brand new tyres. It’s essentially in the same condition as when it left the factory some 33 years ago.Best of all, one of the coolest cars from the 1980s can be yours for $28,500. An absolute bargain if you ask us.

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The post SAAB 900 Turbo For Sale In Queensland appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

In an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, the Australian Federal and State governments have announced that all bars, clubs and nightclubs are to be closed for an indefinite period.We’ve already seen how women are turning to FaceTime wine nights, and how work colleagues are video calling each other to discuss any office goss, but what about a guy’s haven that is the pub? A space where guys complain about their bosses, brag about their bedroom antics or simply just have a laugh.If you thought it would be silly to follow in the footsteps of the lady’s virtual wine night, think again, as Aussie actor David Lawson believes us guys can get through the isolation period by going to the ‘Cyber Pub’. David opened the Cyber Pub in the late 2000s, around 2007 when the iPhone was introduced. The reason? He moved from Sydney to Melbourne, and in doing so, away from his good friend Tim Thatcher.Rather than just call each other for a catch-up, the two decided to open their own pub, with a capacity of just two. But before you jump to any conclusions about it being a stupid idea, David has laid out a long list of benefits, with some of them potentially being convincing enough to keep you from returning to a brick and mortar pub when the lockdown is lifted.

There’s No Closing Time

You can literally drink until you can’t physically drink anymore.

The Staff Don’t Need An RSA

You’ll never have to worry about licensing officers coming round to check you’re legally allowed to serve alcohol.

You Don’t Need To Wear Pants

This one only really applies if you live alone, unless of course you have an understanding partner/housemate, or have a private room in your house.

You Can Smoke Wherever You Want

Light up the BBQ, crack open a beer and smoke a dart, all in the comfort of your own backyard. No segregation at the Cyber Pub.

If You Shit Yourself, You Don’t Need To Change Your Pants

Naturally.

You’re The Only Wanker There

You may not necessarily know if you’re a wanker or not – you can take a look at our checklist if you want to be sure – but if you are, you can at least take some solace in the fact that you’ll be the only one at the Cyber Pub. You don’t have to surround yourself with a large group of other wankers too.

You Can F**k Around All You Like

David even told us about a time he put his mate Tim in the fridge, so he could see what the inside of it was like from ‘the other side’. Something you definitely wouldn’t be able to do in a regular venue.

You Haven’t Got To Worry About Getting Home

You’re already there.But of course, unlike with a regular pub, you won’t be able to call or message your better half to tell her you’ll be on your way home once you finish your current beer and not mean it. She’ll be able to come and drag you away whenever she pleases.Partner issues aside, now that we’re going through a period of pretty strict lockdown, where we should only be venturing outside for the most essential of tasks, being able to stay sane and check-in with friends is paramount. David added that guys, in general, don’t open up to one another too much. It’s not an uncommon fact.But by being in the comfort of your home where nobody else can eavesdrop, and with just one or two of your closest friends, you could be more inclined to speak more openly and honestly about how you’re dealing not only with the coronavirus outbreak but with any other personal issues too.We think the very idea of a Cyber Pub is so good, and so essential right now, that DMARGE is calling for all Australian men to jump on to Google Hangouts, Skype, Apple FaceTime, or any other video calling software you have, this Friday (and every Friday in lockdown) at 5pm.Whether you discuss in yet more depth the coronavirus pandemic or tell each other how you’ve been dealing with self-isolation, do it over a couple of cold ones to stop yourself losing your mind.Cheers, you magnificent bastards!

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The post ‘Cyber Pub’ Initiative Hopes To Keep Australian Men Connected During Isolation appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

The world of dating has followed a pretty structured regime for several years: match with someone on an app or pass your number on to someone in a bar, arrange a future meet up, go on said date, and allow nature to run its course.But what are we meant to do with the current coronavirus epidemic forcing virtually all of us to stay indoors for days, weeks and potentially months? It would be all too easy to say you can put your love life on hold, but for many, that just isn’t an option.Enter ‘co-vating’, a new term we’ve coined to describe the fact singletons are having to navigate the tricky nature of self-isolation, by turning to virtual methods of dating.Dating apps are, perhaps surprisingly to some, seeing a surge in usage. Speaking to Buzzfeed News, former matchmaker Hannah Orenstein said, “Historically, dating app usage spikes whenever people do have to stay home, so you see that most often with snowstorms or blizzards,”

“People are stuck inside, they’re bored, they might be feeling lonely or a little stir-crazy…but the difference, of course, is that during a blizzard, there isn’t really a risk of passing a virus between two people who might be hooking up on a snow day.”

But just because you’re stuck inside doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be looking for that special someone, and technology has given us the power to speak with practically anyone we wish. ” If you match with somebody cool. Just say, ‘Hey, I’m stuck inside, are you free for a FaceTime date? I’ll have my glass of wine, you have your glass of wine in your house a mile away, and we can FaceTime.”https://www.instagram.com/p/B9AptXeHOa4/Sydney-based sexologist and relationship expert Dr. Nikki Goldstein has taken to Instagram to offer assistance to those in this time of need, and says that even though the fast world of dating has now slowed down, “there is a silver lining.”

“This will force us to be creative and to really explore the connections with people during this time of possible physical isolation.”

Tinder is also doing its bit, by helping people the world over connect with anyone else on the app, as it will make its Passport feature free to use for everyone from March 26th. This feature lets you expand your search radius to the entire globe, so you can match with someone in another country and get chatting. Even if it’s just to see how they’re doing in the current climate.But what if you’ve matched with an absolute worldie, you’ve chatted for a bit and you get on tremendously with one another. Are you allowed to meet?The short answer is yes, absolutely, but and this is a big but, proceed with caution. If you’re feeling even the slightest bit unwell, you should cancel your date. Given the situation, you’d hope they’ll understand.

I’ve got a virtual first date this week.

He’s ordering me a Deliveroo, I’m ordering him a Deliveroo.Neither of us know what the other has ordered.We both then FaceTime & open them together.We’ll know instantly if we’re right for each other — Nina Sawetz (@nina_future) March 18, 2020

Alex Abad-Santos, a journalist at Vox, spoke to Anna Muldoon, a former science policy adviser at the US Department of Health and Human Services. After talking about making sure their phones were sanitised before they started swiping, Alex posed questions regarding sex, and if one-night stands can still go ahead, and indeed if couples can still engage in a bit of under-the-covers fun.Anna admitted it was a tricky question to answer, as the Covid-19 virus can’t be transmitted sexually. However, with sex naturally comes kissing and touching, two surefire ways that can transmit it.

“You’re breathing on each other, you’re hopefully touching each other a lot. I guess I could imagine everybody showering, sanitizing yourself when you came into the house, and showering beforehand and making sure you’re never face-to-face, but it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.”

Even if you do shower with bottles of sanitiser, there’s still a good chance you could pass the virus on, if you have it (and don’t know it).So again, yes, you can enjoy yourself but only if you know full well that you’re fit and healthy.As for couples, Anna said, “…if you live together, you’re not going to move out because your partner’s sick, because you probably love them and don’t want them to be sick by themselves.”“However, if your partner starts to not look great, they should call ahead to their doctor and get checked out.”Stay safe.Oh and for all you single studs out there: you could do worse than order one of these genius $199 sex toys (a Fleshlight Launch). A true stroke of genius, they really are worth a look.

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The post Virtual Dating: Home Isolation Sparks Creative New Dating Trend appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

My father always says, 'Hunger makes raw beans sweet', and right now many single men out there will be experiencing deep and long hunger. But don't let self-isolation keep you from your manly urges, instead invest in this affordable solution for guys all around the globe. 

Enter the Fleshlig...

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The post The $199 Sex Toy Every Single Man Needs Right Now appeared first on DMARGE.

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]The cafes may be closed but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a simple cup of coffee at home. Sure that creamy soy mocha latte may have to wait but perhaps it's time to give up the milk and save those precious calories and monies. Ent...

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If you want your skin to look its best, you need to use a dedicated face wash for men on a daily basis to wash away dirt, grime and other nasties.

There’s a whole universe of products on the market today thanks to the growing popularity of men’s grooming, but only a few really make the grade in terms of the ingredients used and the positive effect they have on your complexion. So before you go all out and grab the first thing you see online, ask yourself a few questions –

Why Is A Specific Face Wash Important?

Your face is a minefield of dead skin and oily build-up, which can either make your face look dry or greasy, neither of which is a particularly endearing look. The best face washes help repair the dry stuff and remove the sebum that gives your face an unwanted sweaty reflection. A good face wash for men will also inject essential vitamins back into your chops to keep you looking a million dollars.

Why Choose Natural Face Wash Ingredients?

Where possible, try to buy a face wash designed specifically for men, and one with as many natural ingredients as possible that work for your skin type. This will help you avoid sensitive reactions to products and long term damage to your skin. If you do need to use synthetics because of a particular need, ensure that they are proven to positively enhance your skin without causing issues down the line.

What Different Types Of Face Wash Exist And Why?

Face washes for men come in different forms, from powders and gels to bars and foams. This is usually to serve a purpose, such as effective exfoliation or removing unwanted oil build up. So just check what your skin needs by studying it a bit. Is it looking dry or tight? Are you getting spots due to clogged up pores? Is the skin under your eyes looking fatigued? These are all factors when choosing the right type of application for you.

Men’s Face Wash FAQ

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So now you have a bit of knowledge, here comes the fun part. We’ve rounded up the best face washes for men, so that you stay looking fresh and clean on a daily basis.

The post 20 Best Face Washes For Men appeared first on DMARGE Australia.

Time and time again scientific research suggests that we do not get enough vitamins and minerals to sustain ourselves. This is somewhat a result of our modern day diets but also a result of our inability to produce several vitamins and minerals. If you're the type of guy who's pushing himself to his...

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The post The Most Effective Supplements Men Should Be Taking Right Now appeared first on DMARGE.