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: …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
A managed fund generates income from its investments – for example, through share dividends, interest on cash or fixed interest investments in the fund, or any gains made when fund investments (like shares) are sold. …
While an exposure to hedge funds can provide a lift to a portfolio’s performance, they also offer the potential to generate high returns… at a risk. What’s a hedge fund and how do they work? …
Investing in infrastructure is about investing in the companies that provide essential services to society and earning predictable, reliable returns in the process. More than 350 infrastructure and utility companies are listed on global stock …
Investors maintained a healthy risk appetite for much of October, which enabled major share markets to make further progress. Movements in the US set the tone, with the S&P 500 Index rising to fresh all-time …
As value returns to market favour it’s time to check in on your portfolio – but not all value exposure is created equal. A notable comeback in value stocks over the past six months is …
You don’t have time When you’re juggling your job with your personal and family life, it can be challenging to carve out time in your schedule to really sit down with your finances. As a …
Some of us may help provide assistance to our ageing parents or other relatives in the future. That time may bring a range of emotional and physical challenges. Planning ahead may help relieve stress down …
Just as it is vital to invest in the financial planning, retirement planning must also focus on that other precious commodity – time. We live in an era of increasing longevity, and we have the …
Looking for higher returns than cash in the bank with less volatility than shares and property? With interest rates generally considered to be at or near their peak, fixed interest investments, such as bonds and …
Books can spark our imaginations, transport us to new worlds, and let us explore other times and other minds. They’re also an invaluable tool for learning. Here are some ideas to help kids of all …
Moving into residential aged care can be an uncertain and overwhelming experience for everyone involved. On top of the personal and emotional challenges, there are a number of important decisions to make including which facility …
It’s lucky Aussie homeowners are a pretty resilient bunch. All the interest rate rises over the past couple of years have delivered a serious reality check, leaving variable rate home loans higher than they’ve been …
The Government has proposed a number of changes to the support available for ageing Australians at home, as well as in residential aged care services. The changes will apply from 1 July 2025. Why are …
You’ve waited a long time to reach retirement, so how do you make sure your hard earned savings go the distance with you? There are a range of steps you can take before and after …
Protecting your income during your working years makes sense. But once you – or your parents – grow older, is life insurance still important? We take a look. Life insurance for later in life As …
Planning for retirement is a daunting task and many Australian women lack confidence in financial decision making. Fortunately, there are some small steps women can take today to make a positive difference to their future. …
The beginning of the financial year is a great opportunity to review your financial situation, to make sure you’re on track and on top of changes happening across tax and superannuation. Here are five areas …
Thanks to the evolving rules and additional tests, the world of superannuation contributions continues to be a source of confusion, resulting in misunderstandings and genuine errors. Whether it’s the work test, work test exemption, downsizer …
Back in November we saw five reasons to expect a higher $A. These largely remain valid and the $A seems to be perking up again. Source: AMP Firstly, from a long-term perspective the $A remains …
Conventional wisdom used to dictate Australians were better paying off their home loans, and then, once debt free turning their attention to building up their super. But with interest rates ramping up over the past …
Let’s explore the ins and outs of salary sacrificing into your super and help you determine if it’s worth considering as part of your financial strategy. We’re all familiar with the concept of super. It’s …