So much happiness in retirement comes from peace of mind, not money. Of course, the two are intertwined. Understanding your monthly budget, whatever it is, and not worrying about running out of cash in retirement, enables peace of mind. But the academic research throws in plenty of other factors – good health, social connections, having…
As one of Australia’s favourite assets, residential property is no stranger to news of a market bubble. Property works a little differently – making the cycle of house price rises less of a bubble and more of a balloon. Quick take: what’s a bubble? In short, a market bubble is an event where the price…
With one in four Australians reporting more financial stress after COVID, it’s no surprise many of us are concerned about the future. Between mounting bills, unexpected expenses and a lack of understanding around our needs in retirement, getting our savings on track and seeing the big picture can seem overwhelming. It doesn’t need to be.…
Having access to savings can be vital when an emergency strikes. But making the most of your savings by earning interest can also help you get ahead financially. If you’re trying to get a good return and have instant access to your money, the historically low interest rates on savings accounts leaves you with limited…
A 2018 study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies looked at the weekly cost of raising a six-year-old and a 10-year old. They found that it cost unemployed families $140 per-week, per-child, and $170 a week for low-paid families. That figure included the minimum necessary for healthy living, like food, clothing, school and household expenses (e.g.…
Are you buying more to perk yourself up? You aren’t alone. Since the start of COVID, there’s been an increase in online shopping. But, if you want to get a handle on your add-to-cart habit, understanding why you spend money, can help bring your purchasing patterns in line with your financial goals. We often talk…
While all Australians have been affected in some way by the global pandemic, women have borne the brunt of its impacts. Here’s why – and some tips of what women can do to recover financially. For the past year, all Australians have felt the health and economic impacts of Coronavirus. However, when it comes to…
In 2019, a nationwide survey found that an overwhelming number of Australians (78%) were worried about climate change – a concern which escalated in 2020 as Australia faced one of its worst bushfire seasons ever. This was followed by the outbreak of Coronavirus, which laid bare the effect of insecure work and poor-quality housing on…
As your working life draws to a close, your social life and recreational activities don’t have to. If you’re a little anxious about money still owing, here are a few pointers. Ahh retirement! You may have been dreaming about it for decades. You visualise yourself putting away your uniform, high-vis or corporate gear, farewelling that…
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Australia in March 2020 it brought immediate and severe financial gloom. Shares plunged 37% and the economy slumped to its first recession in nearly 30 years. However against that backdrop, 2020 turned out far better for diversified investors than initially feared. The development of vaccines became the good news of…