Tips to reduce your debts before you retire
While many Aussies will carry some debt into retirement, the good news is, there are a number of things you could do now while you’ve still got time on your side and earning an income. …
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Tax deductible donations: Get the most out of giving back
Donating to a charity or cause you care about is a win-win for both you and the charity. Charities rely on the generosity of donors to help them do their work, while you get the …
Building an investment portfolio with pocket change
The concept of investing in shares or other investment products can put a lot of people off. It can be difficult to understand, the share market is intimidating, and investment brokers generally only deal with …
What is financial planning?
If you could achieve your financial goals by simply putting money away in the bank, you wouldn’t need a financial plan. Unfortunately, life is a little more complex – it’s hard to understand the intricacies …
Teaching your kids to spend wisely
There are many reasons we fall into the trap of overspending. One reason is we get bombarded with very effective advertising on social media where data scientists and algorithms seem to know what we will …
Don’t just dream it. If you have goals for the future, we can help you reach them sooner. Talk to us today.
Regardless of where you are in life, everyone can benefit from financial advice from a qualified professional. Whether you’re just starting out, saving for your first home, looking to invest in property or shares or …
Do I need insurance cover?
“Do I really need this insurance?” It’s probably a question you’ve asked at some point when deciding whether to part with your money. But maybe the real question should be “What if I became ill, …
8 indicators you may not be ready to retire
Retirement is a period of life that many people spend years dreaming about: the chance to finally leave work behind and enjoy much-needed time with family and friends. While it’s natural to be excited about …
3 out of 4 households in Australia have debt
3 out of 4 households in Australia have debt, and of those, 30% have accumulated debt more than 3 times their annual disposable income. It can be really challenging to get on top of debt …
Key things for investors to keep in mind during times of market turmoil
Key points Share markets have fallen sharply in recent weeks continuing the plunge that started early this year due to worries about inflation, monetary tightening, recession and geopolitical issues including the invasion of Ukraine. It’s …
What is gazumping and how to prevent it happening to you
Picture the scene. You’ve found your dream home—a short stroll to the local schools, close to a leafy park to walk the dog and on a quiet residential street with the best coffee in town …
Scammers targeting victims through money recovery scams
Scamwatch is warning people to be aware of uninvited offers of help to recover money for an up-front payment, following a spike in reports of money recovery scams. These scams target people who have already …
Say goodbye to tax troubles
Do you find yourself drowning in random receipts when EOFY comes around? Learn to lodge your tax return the easy way with these last-minute and longer-term tax hacks. Tax paperwork is something few of us …
Saving for your first home seems impossible. Let’s help you get there sooner.
For anyone hoping to buy their first home the challenge can be daunting. Saving for a first home deposit can take many months or years, and often coincides with many other competing demands for your …
Is my employer paying me the right super?
Billions of dollars in super contributions go unpaid every year. Here’s how you can find out if you’re getting paid what you’re owed and what you can do if you’re not. A while back, a …
7 age pension traps to avoid
After a lifetime of hard work, it’s important you maximise your entitlements in retirement. So you need to structure your finances carefully to make sure you don’t lose your age pension. After all, you’ve earned …
Can infrastructure protect from inflation?
It’s an important question as prices rise around the world fuelled by soaring energy and commodity costs, supply chain constraints and a geopolitical retreat from globalisation. In Australia, headline inflation is expected to reach 5 …
All about Wills and Probate
Probate is the legal process that occurs when dealing with a loved one’s will after their death. It can be difficult to know what’s involved with the process and the questions to ask. What is …
Volatility Bites: How Retirees can manage Jumpy Markets
The big issue for investors in or close to retirement, is risk. The 2020 COVID-19 share sell off and recent equity market volatility shows just how quickly share prices can move. Volatility can have different …
New opportunities to grow your Super from 1 July 2022
Both older and younger Australians, as well as low-income earners, are set to benefit from some upcoming super opportunities. From 1 July 2022, there will be some changes made to super to make it easier …
Is this the end of the housing boom?
Everyone buying into the housing market hopes that their purchase will appreciate over time, while sellers want to pick the top of the market. Clearly the growth rates in the Australian housing market, particularly in …
Investment Market Outlook: Volatility Rises, Value Emerges
With war in Eastern Europe, inflation surging and Covid lockdowns inhibiting industrial production in parts of China, investment markets faced a rising tide of volatility over the past quarter. Yet while this may feel like …
How much do I need in retirement?
How much you need to save for a comfortable retirement is a question many of us ask. While we all hope for a simple answer, how much money you need in retirement differs for everyone. …
Economic update and market overview
Introduction Inflationary forces continued to intensify in key regions, which suggested interest rates could be raised more quickly and more aggressively than previously anticipated. Government bond yields continued to rise sharply, resulting in negative returns …
The RBA starts raising rates – how far and how fast? And what does it mean for investors?
The RBA has hiked the cash rate by 0.25% taking it to 0.35% and signalling more rate hikes ahead. We expect the cash rate to rise to 1.5% by year-end and to 2% by mid …
Your super checklist for EOFY
The lead up to 30 June can be a good time to maximise tax benefits that may be available to you inside super. Certain contributions, which we cover below, may have the ability to reduce …
Super changes that could affect you from 1 July 2022
The government has announced a number of changes to the super system could create opportunities for Australians of all ages. Here’s a rundown of what you need to know. More people will be eligible for …
Should you merge your finances with your partner?
The pandemic has changed many aspects of our daily lives, and romance is no exception. While lengthy separations have led some relationships to end, other couples are choosing to move in together more quickly than …
Should I invest my home deposit?
After another year of double digit growth, many first-time buyers have been left shaking their heads in disbelief. Even those looking to upgrade the family home are having to stretch their budgets further than ever. …
Roughly 500,000 Australians plan to retire in the next 5 years.
According to the ABS, some half a million people intend to retire within 5 years. While many Australians will remain working until they can access their superannuation savings and/or the Age Pension, some 32% of …