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How to overcome your investment fears
February 17, 2025Wealth Creation
You’re ready to start investing, but there’s a few things holding you back. Firstly, while you have a bit of money set aside, you don’t have a lot and you’re thinking it’s probably not enough to start off with. You also don’t know a lot about financial markets and different types of investments. With so...Read More
Prepare to retire
February 17, 2025Retirement Planning
Preparing to retire is emotional and practical. Making a retirement plan can help you manage your finances, and cope better as your life and priorities change. Make a retirement plan Your retirement plan can be simple or detailed. Include: Timing — when you want to retire. This could change, but it’s good to have a...Read More
What is an offset account? An offset account links a transaction account to your variable rate home loan. It uses the money in that account to ‘offset’ your loan balance. With a standard home loan, you pay interest on the total amount owing. But with an offset, interest is charged on the difference between your...Read More
Dollar cost averaging: can it work for you?
January 28, 2025Financial Planning
Australian share prices have seen record highs in 2024 after a sluggish couple of years. The S&P ASX200 index added just under 7 per cent in the 10 months to October 31 closing at 8160.i It reached its previous all-time high of 8355 just two weeks before. So, if you were invested in an index...Read More
The Age Pension and your retirement plans
January 28, 2025Retirement Planning
Most people intend to retire between ages 65 and 66, according to the latest data and, surprisingly, despite growing superannuation balances, the Age Pension is the main source of income for many retirees.i The intended retirement age has increased significantly in the last two decades, from just over 62 years on average in 2004. Australian...Read More
Why you need an emergency fund
January 28, 2025Debt Management & Budgeting
What is an emergency fund? An emergency fund is a financial safety net, offering you instant access to money when you need to cover the cost of unplanned expenses, like losing a job, unexpected travel or a medical emergency. This involves putting funds aside periodically so you can dip into this cash reserve without needing...Read More
Deductions you can claim for the costs of earning interest, share dividends, or income from other investments. Interest income expenses You can claim a deduction for account-keeping fees you incur on an account held for investment purposes, such as bank accounts or income bonds. You will find these fees on your statements. If you have...Read More
Keeping records for property
January 20, 2025Debt Advice & Mortgages
Which records to keep for your property so you can work out CGT when you sell it. Property records you should keep For your property, you should keep records of: your acquisition of the property and related expenses, such as purchase contract stamp duty legal fees settlement statement survey and valuation fees your disposal of...Read More
Three simple steps for financial wellness
January 13, 2025Financial Planning
If money’s too tight to mention, here’s some small steps that can make a big difference in achieving your financial goals. How would you rate your level of financial wellness? Do you think you’re in a good position to meet your immediate and near-term financial obligations? What about your long-term goals? They’re tough questions, asked...Read More
Releasing the value in your home
January 13, 2025Debt Advice & Mortgages
Rising property prices have led many people to look for ways to unlock the increased equity in their homes so they enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in their golden years. For most of us, our homes represent the biggest or most significant portion of our wealth. But it’s an asset that can’t necessarily be realised quickly....Read More