Scams to beware (and be aware) of

There is a saying ‘a fool and his money are often parted’ but with scammers becoming ever more devious and sophisticated in their methods, it pays for everyone to be aware of the latest tricks being employed. According to Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) data, last year was the worst year on record for … Read more

Is my employer paying me the right super?

Billions of dollars in super contributions go unpaid every year. Here’s how you can find out if you’re getting paid what you’re owed and what you can do if you’re not. A while back, a mate of mine posted on social media that she was owed over $10,000 in super from a former employer, who … Read more

Investing and tax

Lower tax on your investments can help you reach your financial goals sooner. But don’t choose an investment based on tax benefits alone. How investment income is taxed You need to include investment income in your tax return. This includes what you earn in: interest dividends rent managed funds distributions capital gains from property, shares … Read more

Sharing super a win-win for couples

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

Five great charts on investing that are particularly useful in times of uncertainty like the present

Dr Shane Oliver – Head of Investment Strategy and Chief Economist, AMP Capital Successful investing can be very difficult in times like the present with immense uncertainty around inflation, interest rates, war in Ukraine & continuing covid waves. This makes it all the more important to stay focused on the basic principles of successful investing. … Read more

Is this the end of the housing boom?

Everyone buying into the housing market hopes that their purchase will appreciate over time, while sellers want to pick the top of the market. Clearly the growth rates in the Australian housing market, particularly in Sydney and Melbourne, peaked some time ago – March last year. But prices have mostly been still rising, albeit at … Read more

5 Key trends set to drive real estate performance

While the extent of the local and global economic recovery post COVID-19 is unclear, there are still opportunities for investors able to capitalise on key trends that we believe will drive the performance of commercial real estate in 2022. Below are the top five trends that we believe will drive performance in the Real Estate … Read more

Staying passive is being active

Heightened global markets volatility – as we’re experiencing right now – can easily trigger kneejerk reactions by panicked investors. Widespread selling, triggered by the Russia-Ukraine crisis, has been behind the recent big swings on global financial markets, including on stock markets, commodities markets, and currency markets. As serious as the current events are, heightened markets … Read more

The true value of convenience

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