Making a commitment to share your life with another person is a significant milestone and there is a lot you can do to manage your money as a couple. The earlier you start having conversations about your shared finances, the easier it is to establish shared goals and strategies to reach them. Single or joint…
Elder financial abuse can happen to anyone at any time. Learn how to recognise the signs and equip yourself with the knowledge to minimise the risk of it happening to you. What is elder financial abuse? Elder financial abuse can be defined as someone you know using your funds or assets to your detriment. This…
Wills aren’t just for later in life and you should really have one when you start earning. And as money and family matters can be complex, it makes sense to get help. Who needs a will anyway? A will is something you might think you only need once you’re a millionaire or close to retirement…
Did you know from age 55, you may be eligible to make a super contribution of up to $300,000 using the proceeds from the sale of your home? Downsizing your home in retirement could have several upsides – some money in your pocket, less maintenance, and depending on your new location, greater convenience. If it’s…
Having a solid budget is crucial to building financial resilience and as rising rates continue to put pressure on household finances, it could help to look at ways to save more and spend less. With Australia being one of the most highly leveraged countries in the world1 and the average mortgage for owner-occupied properties is…
With the life expectancy of Australians increasing over the years, most of us can assume we’re going to live longer than previous generations. But are our expectations on the money, or way off the mark? We bring you five important facts everyone needs to know about life expectancy. Back when compulsory super started in 1992,…
There are a number of considerations when it comes to gearing, the investment assets you may choose to gear and the way you structure your debt. A gearing strategy can be set at three levels: Positive gearing – where income from the investment exceeds the interest payable on the loan. Neutral gearing – where income…
Investing is full of jargon and technical terms that can make getting started or managing your investments seem intimidating. Here are some of the key terms to help you better understand the different options available to you. Common investing terms There are a few terms that you’ll see repeated when we’re talking about investing. Bonds…
Some recent questions on Australian inflation Key points The Australian inflation rate peaked in the December quarter but has been slower to decline than some global peers. While interest rate rises are helping to reduce inflation (especially as discretionary consumer spending slows), rises in domestic energy prices, a tight rental market and a lagged pick…
You may be eligible to make concessional contributions that are greater than the annual cap if you haven’t fully used your concessional cap in an earlier year. This could help you to save even more for retirement, while also managing tax. What are concessional contributions? There are a number of ways you can contribute to…