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Planning for a (much) longer life
April 18, 2018
We generally need to make earnings from 40 to 50 years in the workforce extend across what could be 80 to 90 years of living. Australians today need to do something our parents and grandparents didn’t even think about – plan for a long life, and a new report shows the benefits of planning for longevity...Read More
Bank hybrid securities
April 16, 2018
You take all the risk Banks and insurers issue hybrids to raise money that can count as regulatory capital under the prudential standards that apply to banks and insurers. All new hybrids issued by banks and insurers are designed to be loss absorbing, which means you, not the bank, are at risk of suffering a...Read More
New rules to benefit those downsizing for retirement
April 16, 2018
Downsizers will be able to top up their super with the proceeds from the sale of their main residence from July 2018. From 1 July 2018, Australians aged 65 and over who are downsizing for retirement will be able to contribute the proceeds from the sale of their main residence (up to $300,000) into super1. We...Read More
Money and relationships – are you a financial dud?
April 16, 2018
If you don’t think you size up in the managing-money department, check out these 11 tips for when financial opposites attract. You and your other half may be on the verge of moving in together, adopting a couple of fur-babies, having kids, opening a joint account, or buying a property. If your partner is on...Read More
Now’s the time for tax planning
April 16, 2018
With less than ten weeks remaining to the end of the financial year, now is the time to start some serious tax planning. Getting ready for tax time should go well beyond bundling receipts into a shoe box for your accountant. The run up to 30 June is a critical time for investors to take...Read More
5 tips to save money at university
April 13, 2018
Back at uni? Do away with the poor student clichés with these money making and money saving tips. Students aren’t exactly known for rolling in cash, but by following these simple tips to save money at university you can make the most of what you’ve got. 1. Get a part-time job This might seem obvious, but part-time...Read More
What to expect when meeting a financial adviser
April 11, 2018
A financial adviser can help you work out how to manage your money to help build your wealth and reach your goals. Money may not buy happiness, but a sense of control over your finances, and working towards reaching your goals, just might. Good financial advice can help with this, by giving you the opportunity to...Read More
Personal debt – maybe the mortgage isn’t so bad
March 29, 2018
Household debt in Australia is high but more of us are taking a sensible approach to debt management. Nationally, our household debt ratio is nudging 200%. On paper it means we owe twice as much in debt as we bring home in our pay packets each year. It sounds like an alarming figure but as...Read More
Why it pays to contribute to your partner’s super
March 27, 2018
If your other half is a stay-at-home parent, working part-time or out of work, adding to their super could benefit you both financially. If your spouse (husband, wife, de facto or same-sex partner) is a low-income earner or not working at the moment, chances are they’re accumulating little or no super at all to fund...Read More
If you’re a home owner who falls into the “asset rich, cash poor” category, a reverse mortgage could hold appeal in retirement. Over the next 40 years an estimated seven million Australians are expected to start living off their super savings, but many simply won’t have enough to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. The benefit of a reverse...Read More