The festive season is a time of joy and celebration but, for some, it can also lead to a financial hangover in the New Year. Overspending on gifts, parties, and decorations can quickly add-up, leaving us with unwanted debt in the New Year. In 2022, Australians spent more than $66.7 billion during the pre-Christmas sales…
Australia is a giving country, but we often give in kind rather than financially. Whenever there is a disaster here or overseas, Australians rush to donate their time, household goods and cash. However, we still lag other countries when it comes to giving money. According to Philanthropy Australia, our total financial giving as a percentage…
Employers are desperate for workers and cost of living pressures are making it tough to live on a pension. That’s a perfect mix of conditions to send some retirees back to work. But it’s smart to get good advice before you take the leap. With unemployment rates at historic lows and employers facing a shortage…
Aging at home with government-subsidised funding is made possible through the Home Care Packages program. However, a crackdown on what the funds can be used for and a shortage of support workers, can make it challenging to understand the funding available. If you are approved for a Home Care Package you will be assessed at…
Why it’s so important to talk about your finances According to this research1, one in two Australians don’t sit down regularly to look at their finances and one in three say that money is a source of conflict in their relationship. To put conversations about money back on the table, Australians should sit down for…
How much is enough? It’s a good question. Our relationship with our finances can be a tricky one. Everyone has a different idea of how much it takes to be comfortable or even well off. Given it is something that has such a strong influence on how we live our lives it’s unsurprising that money,…
The world is an amazing place, with so much to see and do. In fact, sometimes it can feel as though there is so much to experience it can be quite a challenge selecting a destination, but if you follow your heart and explore your passions when planning a trip you can’t go wrong. Considering…
More working-age Australians intend to take a career break at some point. We’ve calculated the potential impact of doing so on retirement superannuation balances. Extended career breaks were once a rarity for most Australian workers but these days they are more common. Vanguard’s inaugural How Australia Retires study has found that 2 in 5 current working-age Australians…
The ranks of Australians receiving the Age Pension are increasing. It’s important to understand who is eligible and its role in retirement planning. Just days before the 2023 Federal Budget was handed down on 9 May, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released a new report including data on the number of Australians receiving the Age…
As our superannuation balances grow larger, it makes more sense than ever to keep track of the many rules changes that have recently happened or are coming up soon. So, check out these latest changes in case they affect you. Super bonus for workers For employees, the new financial year kicks off with an increase…
