Want to invest but don’t know where to start? Here are five basic steps for investing. Define your goals Taking the first step on your investment journey may feel daunting. However, setting clear goals with achievable targets can be a good place to start in the planning process. ‘I want to retire at 60 with…
Dating and romance scams are very destructive – both financially and emotionally. Don’t let them break your heart or wallet. Stay one step ahead of romance scams with these tips. Unfortunately, romance scams are on the rise. Australians lost $142 million to romance scams in 2021 and they’re one of the top three scams causing…
If you’re over 55 and looking to boost your retirement savings, you may be eligible to make a super contribution of up to $300,000 from the sale proceeds of your primary residence. On 1 January 2023, the age when eligible Australians qualify to make downsizer contributions was reduced from 60 to 55. For those who…
Smart super strategies for this EOFY Want to help boost your retirement savings while potentially saving on tax? Here are five smart super strategies to consider before the end of the financial year. Add to your super – and claim a tax deduction If you contribute some of your after-tax income or savings into super,…
Many of us turn a bit of a blind eye to super. We know it’s there and we know it’s ours. We just hope, or think, it’ll be enough when the time comes. If it isn’t, we’re probably somewhat familiar with the government’s age pension and might figure that could be a back-up plan should…
If you’ve got people in your life who you love and assets you’d like to be distributed in a certain way, you might be at a point where you’re thinking an estate plan would probably make good sense. What is an estate plan? An estate plan involves drawing up a will, but also much more.…
Budgets without the boredom Say the word budget. Maybe it makes you want to blush about your credit card balance or gives you an overwhelming urge to yawn. Even when you know a budget is good for you, tracking down all your spending and making better choices can feel like a mammoth task to take…
Key points A progress report on inflation: Inflation appears to have peaked, led by improvements in core goods prices and rate sensitive sectors like housing. The policy focus has shifted to labour market normalisation where early signs of progress are emerging. Is a soft landing in sight? The Fed remains committed to doing “whatever it…
Economic update May 2023 Investment markets were relatively calm in April, following a period of heightened volatility in March when banking failures in the US and Europe had shaken confidence. Most major share markets closed the month around 2% higher, extending gains in the calendar year to date. Overall there was increasing optimism that major…
Many Australians were fortunate to lock in record low interest rates but this may be drawing to an end. A large portion of mortgages will be approaching the end of their fixed term, leaving many households paying two to three times their current fixed rate. In this article, we’ll explain what to expect when your…