According to a report in Bloomberg recently, while Vanguard data show a portfolio with 60 equities/fixed income mix returned an average 9.1% a year from 1926 to 2020, JP Morgan Asset Management recently estimated it will return just 3.7% over the next decade. Why? In a world where 85% of developed-market government bonds are yielding … Read more
Many business owners start out as sole traders. As a sole trader, you – the business owner – are the business. You have a registered business name, an Australian Business Number (ABN), and if turnover exceeds $75,000 p.a., you are registered for GST, writes Rolf Howard, Managing Partner at Owen Hodge Lawyers. You still only … Read more
Insurance can help cover costs if your pet gets sick or hurt. Make sure you know it will cover your pet’s needs and the full costs before you take out a policy. Types of pet insurance The different types of pet insurance and how they work. Accident-only insurance Covers vet costs if your pet is … Read more
By Robin Bowerman, Head of Corporate Affairs, Vanguard Australia Anyone with a healthy superannuation balance heading into retirement in February 2020 would have felt relatively confident that they were both mentally and financially ready for the next chapter in life. But fast forward a few weeks and that confidence might have been shaken somewhat as … Read more
Rental yield – essentially the rate of rental income returned against the costs of an investment property is a great indicator of a property’s investment potential. But you need to keep things in perspective when you factor it into your decision to purchase property. Calculating rental yield A good first step in examining rental yield’s … Read more
By Balaji Gopal, Head of Personal Investor 1. Evaluate where you’re at financially Before beginning your investment journey, it’s important to sit down and map out your financial position and goals so that you know where you are and exactly what you’re working towards. Start by looking at your savings, income, living expenses and personal … Read more
A personal loan lets you borrow money to pay for something special, like a holiday, car or home renovations. You have to repay it with interest over a fixed term, usually between one and seven years. Getting the best deal on a personal loan can save you thousands in interest and fees. Looking for a … Read more
Buying and selling a home at the same time – it’s the ultimate chicken and egg scenario. At the best of times, it is a juggling act, but in the current market where prices are rising, listing numbers are low and days on market are shrinking the “which comes first?” dilemma is real. Traditionally, homeowners … Read more
Negotiating the best property price isn’t a matter of swindling a seller. It’s about doing your homework, knowing what you want, knowing the market and making sensible offers. When you are buying property, getting the best price can mean the difference between being able to afford it and having to settle for second best. And, … Read more
Time management for businesses means understanding where and how your employees spend their time. How are you tracking time and productivity? Even before COVID-19, industry pundits had been predicting the rise of remote work and, given our current environment, it looks like it’s here to stay. For businesses seeking to maintain and improve their productivity, … Read more
By Tony Kaye, Senior Personal Finance Writer, Vanguard Australia When it comes to investing, nothing speaks louder than actual results. The 2021 Vanguard Index Chart shows what investors would have achieved over 30 years from a starting balance of $10,000 invested into different asset types. The dollar returns are based on the measured returns of … Read more
Creating good saving habits takes practice and willpower – especially when there are so many ways to spend your money. But these strategies can help you (or your kids) become a successful saver and reach your goals sooner. Set up your savings plan in five simple steps 1. Look at what’s coming in, and what’s … Read more