Jim:

- Jim is a retired doctor. He was married for 25 years until his wife died about two years ago. He now lives alone. Financially, Jim is comfortable in retirement largely as a result of following a financial plan as a married couple for many years.

- Jim is active, in good health and helps out as a volunteer in several community activities.

- Jim is interested in scuba diving and likes to visit famous reefs and shipwrecks. Many of these sites are overseas. Ideally, he would like to undertake an overseas holiday each year.

- Jim is conservative by nature even more so since retiring and losing his wife. He has no interest in risky investments.

QUESTION:

Jim has been offered the opportunity to join a volunteer marine research group. Each year the group undertakes a six week long expedition to investigate marine life on remote coral reefs.

It is a five year research project and the group requires a commitment from each volunteer for the full five years. The project budget will pay for accommodation and meals etc during the expedition but the volunteer must pay for all personal travel requirements.

Jim estimates the travel requirements will cost about AUD15,000 per trip. This is expensive but the locations are remote and his diving gear is charged as excess baggage. On this basis, Jim will need approximately AUD75,000 to support his commitment to the project.

If he proceeds, Jim will set aside the full AUD75,000 and open a special bank account to hold this money. This means he does not have to worry about finding the money for travel costs each year.

Jim is not sure how best to fund this requirement.

Discuss and compare two possible ways that Jim could fund the AUD75,000 and make a recommendation (make sure you provide your reasons).

Client Name Chris Kit and Jo Jim 71 Widower (single), home owner Age 29 40 and 42 Status Single, renter of Studio Married, home owners apartment Dependents Nil Two children (age 6 and 8) Occupation Engineer Accountant and Biochemist Net Income AUD115,000 pa from salary AUD150,000 pa (Kit) and (after super AUD120,000 pa (Jo) from and after salary tax) Expenses AUD85,000 pa including AUD175,000 pa including the (living and paying rent for the Studio home loan financial) apartment Major assets Cash at bank AUD15,000 Cash at bank AUD75,000 Superannuation Superannuation AUD250,000 AUD120,000 Home AUD1.8 million Car AUD25,000 Nil Retired Doctor AUD85,000 pa total from retirement fund and investment portfolio of bonds and shares AUD55,000 pa Cash at bank AUD30,000 Superannuation AUD1.8 million Home AUD1.5 million Investment portfolio AUD250,000 Car AUD50,000 Nil Nil Major liabilities Major financial goals Purchase an apartment within five years (price approx AUDO.7 million) with 20% cash and 80% bank loan Home loan AUD1.2 million (interest only loan) Operate a conservative budget until the children complete high school in about 10 years time Continue self funded retirement and undertake one overseas holiday each year (approx cost AUD30,000 per holiday additional to normal expenses) Client Name Chris Kit and Jo Jim 71 Widower (single), home owner Age 29 40 and 42 Status Single, renter of Studio Married, home owners apartment Dependents Nil Two children (age 6 and 8) Occupation Engineer Accountant and Biochemist Net Income AUD115,000 pa from salary AUD150,000 pa (Kit) and (after super AUD120,000 pa (Jo) from and after salary tax) Expenses AUD85,000 pa including AUD175,000 pa including the (living and paying rent for the Studio home loan financial) apartment Major assets Cash at bank AUD15,000 Cash at bank AUD75,000 Superannuation Superannuation AUD250,000 AUD120,000 Home AUD1.8 million Car AUD25,000 Nil Retired Doctor AUD85,000 pa total from retirement fund and investment portfolio of bonds and shares AUD55,000 pa Cash at bank AUD30,000 Superannuation AUD1.8 million Home AUD1.5 million Investment portfolio AUD250,000 Car AUD50,000 Nil Nil Major liabilities Major financial goals Purchase an apartment within five years (price approx AUDO.7 million) with 20% cash and 80% bank loan Home loan AUD1.2 million (interest only loan) Operate a conservative budget until the children complete high school in about 10 years time Continue self funded retirement and undertake one overseas holiday each year (approx cost AUD30,000 per holiday additional to normal expenses)