Australians are living longer and experiencing higher house-to-wage ratios. It makes good sense to consider how you can achieve a comfortable long term future. What makes a smart investor? A webinar on borrowing to invest brought together financial advice commentator Noel Whittaker, REA Group’s Chief Economist Nerida Conisbee and NAB Equity Head of Sales Craig … Read more
The concept of retirement is changing, with fewer people working towards a final retirement date and then clocking off for good. Instead, those who have the flexibility to choose are often transitioning out of the workforce over several years, or even returning after a break. Whether you simply want to wind back your working hours … Read more
Paying off your mortgage early will save you money and take a financial load off your shoulders. Here are some ways to get rid of your mortgage debt faster. Switch to fortnightly payments If you’re currently paying monthly, consider switching to fortnightly repayments. By paying half the monthly amount every two weeks you’ll make the … Read more
If you operate some or all of your business from home, you may be able to claim the business-use portion of expenses you incur. For example: occupancy expenses (such as mortgage interest or rent, council rates, land taxes and home insurance premiums) running expenses (such as electricity, gas, phone, internet, stationery, cleaning and the decline … Read more
Preparing for loss of capacity or death is vital for SMSF members. It’s important to ensure your trust deed is watertight. There are more than 600,000 self-managed superannuation funds (SMSFs) in Australia, managing close to $900 billion of assets on behalf of over a million Australians. Each SMSF’s trust deed is legally required to set … Read more
It’s no secret that scammers are getting more sophisticated. As this is an ever-evolving space, scammers are constantly developing new ways to part you with your hard-earned cash – and they cast their net wide. While it’s easy to think “it will never happen to me”, people who never expected to be victims of scams … Read more
What is a bridging loan? A bridging loan, or bridging finance, is a short-term loan that can help you finance the purchase of a new property while you sell your current property. Most people sell their old home first, and then buy their new home with the available equity. But there are times when buying … Read more
Superannuation has dominated recent headlines, with proposed changes announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers. While the details of these changes still need to be released, it’s worthwhile turning our focus to superannuation balances as we approach the end of financial year. There are lots of different ways to top up your super, but if you want … Read more
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
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 … 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