As we age, we may require additional support to maintain our independence and quality of life. For many seniors, this can involve accessing home care services that help with daily tasks like cooking, cleaning, and personal care. One way to access more comprehensive home care services is by applying for a higher level home care … Read more
Index funds continue to outperform the majority of active managers over time, but a blend of passive and active funds can be a powerful combination. The Australian share market ended 2022 lower than where it started the year, and in between it was a bumpy ride for investors. Over 251 trading days, the S&P/ASX 200 … Read more
Proposed changes to superannuation have the potential to reshape the retirement landscape. The objective of super remains the missing ingredient in the mix. At its most fundamental, successful investing is about getting the balance right between risk and reward. Some risks are front and centre; they are in your face (or at least on your … Read more
These days, most people hold some form of life insurance in their super account. While this is a welcome safety net, the level of cover held this way is often inadequate. A Rice Warner study back in 2020 found that life cover within superannuation only met about 65-70 per cent of actual need.i With the … Read more
Crypto-assets (crypto) mean digital assets including cryptocurrencies, coins or tokens. They digitally represent your ownership of a value or rights to something. They may or may not be backed by physical assets. Crypto is a high-risk investment. The value of crypto is very volatile, often fluctuating by huge amounts within a short period. More than … Read more
The Reserve Bank has expressed concerns over how some borrowers on low fixed-rate mortgages will cope once their loan expires. Incremental home loan interest rate hikes have been eating into the household budgets of millions of Australians ever since the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) began lifting its official cash rate in May 2022. This … Read more
The latest earning season proves that company dividend payouts are choppy. Casting your net wider will help capture broader income returns. If you own shares in one or more listed Australian companies, you may have been keeping an eye on the latest round of corporate earnings announcements. Earnings season is the equivalent of “peak hour” … Read more
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. An adult gap year is a chance to reset and to take stock of what’s important to you. There‘s the … Read more
Helping you breakdown technical terms There are some tricky terms used throughout the home buying process that can be confusing for first-time buyers. It’s important for you to understand this terminology when navigating your home ownership journey to avoid having to make changes down the track which can be costly. Key loan terminology An important … Read more
Nailing your home loan application depends on four factors — your income, expenditure, assets, and debts. But lenders also want to see evidence of a savings and (good) credit history. Here’s what you can do to improve these. 1. Start saving. Make a plan. The BT Australian Financial Health Index found that a third of … Read more
Cash in a deposit account doesn’t necessarily equate to safety. That’s why many investors are shifting to fixed interest securities. By any measurement, $2.8 trillion is a lot of money. Expressed another way, it’s $2,800 billion. And it’s also the amount of money – according to Australian Prudential Regulation Authority data from January 2023 – … Read more
Buying your first investment property can be a bold step towards a more prosperous and secure future. But it also poses risks. The Successful Investor’s Michael Sloan outlines five strategies to help you take the right path. My 5 essential investment property tips 1. Equity Most people use the equity from their home to help … Read more