Financial goals guide 2025
Your future’s on the line. Don’t stay on hold in 2025. Is it March already? It’s time to start nurturing your future self by doing this one thing to get your long-term finances in order. …
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Seven secret financial habits of wealthy Australians you can copy
Ever wondered how the wealthy manage their money and what they do differently from the average Australian? New research* from Colonial First State (CFS) has uncovered seven secret financial habits that will help you build …
Financial strategies for women over 50
Many women in their 50s are asking themselves: “How do I prepare for retirement without financial stress? Can I reduce my working hours or transition to a new career without jeopardising my future?” If you’re …
Can a few extra dollars really make a difference?
Extra payments into super, no matter how tiny, can do a lot for your balance. It doesn’t have to be a regular amount or a big lump sum to make a difference. More bang for …
ASX reporting season: Look for earnings quality and strategic clarity
Earnings season is coming up for ASX investors. Following is what to look for… Companies face sustained pressure from high rates • JB HiFi and Wesfarmers’ Kmart focus points. ASX-listed companies will reveal …
Aged Care reforms 1 July 2025
The Government has legislated changes to the cost of residential aged care, for Australians entering care from 1 July 2025. A female aged 65 today has a 59% probability of entering aged care at some …
Winding up an SMSF
There are no prescribed steps for winding up an SMSF, however there are a number of specific requirements that must be satisfied. Overview There are a number of reasons why a fund may need to be …
What assets can you have before losing your Age Pension?
There are many benefits to receiving an Age Pension or even a part pension, but there are limits to what level of income or assets you can have, to be eligible. Regarding assets, the key …
Using the bucket strategy to make your money last longer
How do you find the sweet spot between using your retirement savings to enjoy a comfortable standard of living, and investing so you won’t run out of money in the future? It’s a big question …
Understanding the difference between ESG, ethical and green investing
For many investors, the promise of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing has been evasive. Confusion around what “ESG Investing” actually is has led to many investors becoming disillusioned with their portfolios. So, what is “ESG …
Megatrends for 2025 and beyond…
Megatrends are long-term structural changes that affect the world we live in. Importantly, they shape communities but they also create investment opportunities and risks. Learnings from historical megatrends include: 1) they often solve a problem …
The ins and outs of geared share funds
Geared share funds are high risk and high reward. When share markets are doing well, the returns can be very high, but the opposite is also true. We look at the pros and cons, and …
Economic update February 2025
Global The introduction of DeepSeek’s open-source R1 model shocked global markets in January, challenging our understanding of capex requirements and competition in artificial intelligence. Despite the DeepSeek rout, the MSCI World Equity Index ended January …
Australian home investing: New landlords to lose $23k+ in 12 months buying into two major cities
The average Australian property investor could lose money in their first year, with those in the nation’s two largest capitals likely to be more than $23,000 out of pocket in just 12 months. With a …
Insurance through super: everything you need to know
Did you know you can have insurance cover in your super fund? If you have super, you might also have some automatic insurance cover. It’s called insurance in super and is exactly what it sounds …
Five ways to fix the biggest financial mistake Aussies make
Two in five Australians say they are not on track to meet their long term financial goals, according to new research from Colonial First State (CFS)1. When they were asked why, there was one thing …
First Home Guarantee Scheme: how does it work?
You may be eligible to purchase your first home with as little as 5% deposit via the First Home Guarantee Scheme. Here’s how it works. First Home Guarantee Scheme: financial support for first home buyers …
Financial tips when starting a new job
Whether you’re starting work for the first time or you’re changing jobs, there are key things to know and do. When negotiating pay for the role, pay close attention to the remuneration package. The more …
Cost of aged care at home
Watching your ageing or frail parents or loved ones struggle with some of life’s basic activities such as cooking, cleaning or caring for themselves can be difficult – and yet they will invariably want to …
Side hustle ideas
The rising cost of living is causing a strain on household budgets for many Australians. As a result, more are turning to side hustles and passive income opportunities to supplement their income. In this article, …
Misconceptions about super and taxes
Many people have a good idea of what super is and how much of their money goes into it. But there are some gaps when it comes to the basics, such as when you can …
Keeping your physical and mental wellbeing in retirement
Preparing yourself for retirement Retirement can cause a range of emotions so it’s important to prepare yourself emotionally as well as financially. Here’s some tips to improve health and wellbeing in retirement: Give yourself time: …
Investing for property profit
When property prices are rising, renovating for a quick return is a popular investment strategy. But when markets are sluggish, improving a property before ‘flipping’ it, can also generate profits for savvy investors. Buying to …
How to get your will sorted
Making a will is an important way to help ensure that your wishes are respected and your loved ones are taken care of if you pass away. A will is a legal document that sets …
The impact of lifestyle on life insurance premiums
Life insurance premiums are calculated based on a number of factors, such as your age, gender, health at the time of application, smoking status, occupation, lifestyle and hobbies. Your health can play one of the …
Pulse checking your finances
Your financial health is key to the health of your wellbeing, relationships, work and home life. It’s important to have a regular checkup of your financial position to ensure you’re on track and to confirm …
Grow your retirement income
In retirement, every dollar counts and it is worth exploring different strategies to grow your retirement income. Here’s how do it… Use your super wisely If you’re about to retire or are in retirement, it …
Pros and cons of Self Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)
While self managed super funds are not for everyone, they do offer significant benefits. Running an SMSF successfully requires investment, legal, super and admin skills – or the ability to get help from people who …
Nine bad habits of ineffective investors: common mistakes investors make
Introduction In the confusing and often seemingly illogical world of investing, investors often make various mistakes that keep them from reaching their financial goals. This note takes a look at the nine most common mistakes. …
AI and bank shares push super balances higher in 2024
Superannuation funds have recorded another impressive year of returns for members with international technology and Australian banking shares driving above average returns over 2024. Concerns over inflation caused a slow start to the year, with …