Retirement is a phase of life most of us look forward to. It’s a chance to pursue other interests, travel and maybe do some part-time work or volunteering. Thanks to more than 30 years of compulsory superannuation, we are retiring with more savings than previous generations but that also brings its challenges. According to the…
It’s not just school leavers who dream of a gap year. Those of us who’ve been working for a decade or two (or more) may also long for a real break from career and commitments. It does not even need to be a year – just enough of an extended break to reset and to…
Inflation dominated the economic landscape The year began optimistically, as we finally began to emerge from Covid restrictions. Russia threw a curve ball that reverberated around the world and suddenly people who hadn’t given a thought to the Reserve Bank were eagerly waiting for its monthly interest rate announcements. 2022 was the year of rising…
At the end of the day, we are accountable to ourselves – our success is a result of what we do – Catherine Pulsifer It can be both empowering and a little uncomfortable to think that we are responsible for our successes – and failures. Being willing to accept the consequences of our actions, choices…
Do you struggle to control your spending around your friends and family? If the urge to ‘keep up’ with a certain lifestyle is stretching your finances, it could be time to take action. From splitting the bill at an expensive restaurant to having the ‘right’ house, car and clothes, many of us fall victim to…
Rising inflation brings about concern for many, but a long-term focus—can help any investor navigate choppy waters. What is inflation? Inflation happens when prices rise and purchasing power decreases. This can be the result of a simultaneous high demand for and low supply of goods and services. Consumers have money and want to spend it,…
If you’ve ever hosted a visitor from overseas at during the festive season you may have seen them a little bemused by the way we celebrate. It’s quite understandable as we do things a little bit differently down under. Christmas in Australia – while fundamentally a religious festival celebrating the birth of Jesus – is…
Many parents and grandparents worry about how to help the children in their lives achieve financial independence. But the value of long-term investment can seem like a dry and complicated idea for kids to get their heads around. In fact, many young people would like to know more about money, according to a Young People and…
We’re serving up the truth about some common scam myths that you might have heard, especially around tax time. Myth 1: Only older people get scammed Busted! Last year people aged 25 to 34 lost the most to tax scams, followed by those aged 18 to 24. Tax scams target everyone. If you get a…
A good estate plan will help make sure your wishes are carried out when you die. It can also help if you become unable to make your own decisions. Estate plans An estate plan records what you want done with your assets after your death. It can include documents such as: your will a testamentary…
