The array of mortgages available helps a good finance broker to tailor a package to suit your needs. Here are just some of the options. Fixed-rate mortgages With a fixed-rate loan, you know exactly how much you’ll pay per fortnight or month for the fixed period of the loan (usually one to five years). Variable … Read more
Written by Tony Kaye, Senior Personal Finance Writer After months in lockdowns and living under tight restrictions, many Australians have gone on a “revenge spending” spree. Revenge spending is the term widely being used to describe how some people are taking out their revenge on the COVID-19 pandemic by spending money on things they haven’t … Read more
Written by Tony Kaye, Senior Personal Finance Writer The Australian Bureau of Statistics had some good news to share earlier this month, with new data showing average life expectancies in Australia are now at a record high and among the highest in the world. The data showed that the average male life expectancy at birth … Read more
Australia’s aged care system is incredibly complex, and making the wrong decisions can have a high cost, both financially and emotionally. Being aware of the common traps to avoid can help your family save time, money and stress. Mistake 1: Making aged care decisions in a crisis Sadly, many aged care decisions are made in … Read more
Cash flow is critical to keep any business profitable, enable growth, and stop it from going under. Sometimes, however, it seems easier said than done, especially when it seems at times that there’s more money going out of your account than there is coming in, writes business turnaround specialist Domenic Calabretta, CEO Mackay Goodwin. Maintaining … Read more
Succession planning is common in the business world. Last week, the United States investment group Berkshire Hathaway announced the appointment to its board of Susan Buffett (68). She’s the daughter of the company’s billionaire founder Warren Buffett (91), who’s still the chairman and chief executive. While it’s unlikely Susan will succeed her father in those … Read more
To choose the best credit card for you, consider your spending habits and how you will pay it off. If you’re struggling to pay your bills, a new credit card may not be the best move. See managing debt for other options. How to get the best credit card for you Thinking about how you will use … Read more
Australia’s thriving property market has recovered so swiftly since the brief pandemic-induced recession of 2020, that authorities have stepped in to pull the reigns on runaway real estate prices. Nationally, dwelling values are up 20.3% higher over the past 12 months, every capital city experiencing significant growth across the board. Melbourne, despite ongoing lockdowns dampening … Read more
Envision your ideal retirement: Are you relaxing on a beach? Starting a new hobby? Or finally taking that trip to Paris? A comfortable retirement looks different for everyone, but most investors share some common goals. We’ve broken those down into 4 key categories to help you start planning. Determining how you prioritise these goals is … Read more
You’ll have heard the old, almost grandmotherly adage that ‘every dollar counts’. But guess what – it’s true. Voluntary after tax super contributions (also called non-concessional contributions), refer to any payments you make to your super fund out of your take-home pay. Making after-tax super contributions is an easy way to boost your retirement savings on your … Read more
With significant demographic shifts occurring around the world, one useful approach for investors is to use demographic themes and trends as a compass for future investing. Focusing on companies that will benefit from slow moving, long duration and highly predictable demographic trends can help investors predict areas of future opportunity. There are three main themes … Read more
There are really only two types of businesses; those that are growing and those that are shrinking, writes Fred Wilson. Many business owners often ask themselves how much faster they may have been able to achieve their success if they had only been better prepared and more aware of the business mistakes they were making … Read more