Why go through the worry (and expense) of moving when you can turn your current place into your dream home? While renovations aren’t always stress-free (or cheap) there are some straightforward ways to finance your property’s facelift so it suits your post-pandemic lifestyle. The type of renovation you want and the budget you’ll need will … Read more
It’s a phenomenon widely being described as “the Great Resignation”. With many countries now having removed the tight operating restrictions they imposed on businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a quick ramp-up in economic activity. That ramp-up has spurred a surge in job vacancies around the world, and enticed record numbers of people to … Read more
Australia’s superannuation system is based on individual accounts, with men and women treated equally. But that’s where equality ends. It’s a simple fact that women generally retire with much less super than men. The latest figures show women aged 60-64 have an average super balance of $289,179, almost 25 per cent less than men the … Read more
Being close to paying off your home loan is an enviable position. If you’re wondering what to do next, we discuss some benefits of investing further versus being mortgage free. Your mortgage, your super or your investments It’s tempting to pay off your mortgage as quickly as possible. But what about investing? Building your wealth by paying … Read more
If you’re already retired or on your way to retiring, have you been obsessively checking your portfolio balance and dreading the next piece of news that might cause it to dip further? Or have you been keeping up with the news as you usually do, but confident that your portfolio will largely weather the volatility … Read more
Many of us have seen our home’s value grow significantly over the last few years. This could mean that your equity is now large enough to put to a new use. So, whether you’re looking to renovate, invest in property or splurge on the holiday of a lifetime, the equity you have in your home … Read more
What is Home Care? Home Care (also known as in-home care, community care, home help, home support and in-home nursing care) is the umbrella term for a range of services that allow people to remain living independently in their own homes. Many elderly Australian’s take advantage of these services as an alternative to moving into … Read more
It seems like June 30 rolls around quicker every year, so why wait until the last minute to get your personal finances in order? With all the uncertainty and special support measures of the past two years, it’s possible your finances have changed for better, or for worse. So it’s a good idea to ensure … Read more
For the first-time business owner, your ability to control costs is a critical success factor. But have you factored in these often-overlooked costs of running a business? What could be more cost-effective than starting your own small business?Running your business from home means no commute and money saved. No managers or investors to keep most … Read more
Even with the varying degree of lockdowns experienced across Australia in 2020 and 2021, the world remains largely at our fingertips. In fact, through the pandemic the use of our phones or computers to organise dinner, groceries, shopping, and workout programs only increased. Technology has undoubtedly enabled greater convenience in our lives. However, it’s important … Read more
The pandemic has changed the way so many of us live, with jobs, travel and lifestyle all transformed during COVID. Now, as we start emerging on the other side, it may be a good idea to check whether these changes have impacted on your life insurance needs. In some cases, you may require more cover … Read more
It’s a common misperception that the greatest determinant of portfolio return variability is your stock selection. Understandably, choosing which ETFs, individual shares, active funds or other securities to invest in is often the most exciting part of portfolio construction for new investors, and of course it remains an important factor. But as Vanguard research shows, … Read more